Wine Dogs' Virginia Wine Experience

The Homestead Resort
Hot Springs, Virginia

The Wine Dogs were very excited when they learned the venerable Homestead Resort was opening the Virginia Wine Experience, a new venue that "showcases the history of winegrowing in Virginia from the founding of Jamestown in 1607 through today." So when an unrelated event brought them to The Homestead, they put "The Experience" at the top of their activities list.

The Experience has a dedicated site across from The Homestead's Wine Cellar. The seating area offers  spectacular views of the mountain retreat from floor-to-ceiling full length windows. 

Inside is an impressive collection of Virginia wines, selected by consulting project manager Fred Reno, (Thomas Jefferson Wine Company). The selections lean heavily toward the Monticello AVA, although Chrysalis and Linden were also among the available wines. Sadly, Virginia wines were notably absent at the Homestead's bars and restaurants.

Trevor and Mary were attentive and enthusiastic hosts in the Wine Experience room. Eager to learn, they will be excellent ambassadors for the industry.

The regular "experience" consists of either flights (four choices of five wines each - White, Red, Reserve, or Virginia Hybrid and Native American Wines) or wines by the glass. The flights are pricey, but the pours are generous. Ecco chose the Red Flight, and enjoyed a solid lineup: the Early Mountain Foothills, Rosemont Syrah, Barboursville Cabernet Franc Reserve, Michael Shaps Petit Verdot, and Blenheim Merlot. The flights could be better curated (the tasting sheet does not even include vintage).

The larger experience is the monthly dinner with featured winemaker. In December, that is Michael Shaps. The date is December 11 event in the Jefferson Dining Room.