Virginia Wine Dogs Year in Review

2013 brought new wine dogs, new wineries, new wine grapes and new wine club memberships while Virginia's reputation for quality wine continues to spread.

January - Introducing Ecco

Little Prosecco joins the Virginia Wine Dogs in January, adding a bit of sparkling to the pack. Barely a year old, the Yorkie girl quickly begins sneaking a taste here and there (under parental supervision of course) – and takes to the vine like a pro.

February - Ecco Makes Her Winery Debut

 

Pomeroy decides Prosecco is ready to begin her training as a Virginia Wine Dog. First stop, Potomac Point Vineyard and Winery. The 2009 Richland Reserve Heritage is the Wine Dogs’ pick for enjoying in front of the fireplace - and the judge's choice for the Governor's Cup Case in 2012.

 

Later in the month, 2013 Governor's Cup winners are announced and Potomac Point's 2010 vintage again makes the case, while Barboursville's 2009 Octagon is top dog in Virginia. 

March - Let Them Eat Steak 

 

Ecco enjoys her first steak dinner. Pomeroy shows his Virginia wine expertise pairing the grilled T-Bone with a 2007 Ameritage Reserve from his Pearmund Cellars' barrel.

 

Also in March, Virginia wines fetch 61 medals San Francisco, including golds for Barrel Oak (2), Barboursville Vineyards, Gray Ghost Vineyards, and Narmada Winery. PAWS UP! 

April - It IS Her First Rodeo 

 

Wine Dogs celebrate Desert Rose Winery's second anniversary with Bob and the gang and sneak a taste of the Covert Cabernet, one of the new varietals debuting across Virginia in 2013.

Chateau Morrisette Winery adds to growing international reputation of Virginia Wine, signing 5-year agreement with China's Tianjin Commodity Exchange Company. Inaugural shipment of more than 1,150 cases coincides with Governor McDonnell's Asia trade mission. Go Dogs!

May - The Hills Are Alive

Wine Dogs check out Granite Heights and Morais then catch up with Robbie Limon at North Mountain where they are introduced to Gruner-Veltliner, produced for the first time in Virginia as a tribute to John Jackson's Austrian heritage.

Wine Enthusiast recognizes Jordan Harris (32) of Tarara Winery in its "40 Under 40" list of rising stars who are changing the way the world drinks while three Virginia Wines earn Double Gold at the International Finger Lakes Competition: Pearmund Cellars 2011 Late Harvest Traminette; Pollak Vineyards 2010 Merlot; and Sunset Hills Vineyards 2012 Sunset White (Traminette).

June - Dog Days and Summer Camp

 

The Wine Dogs take in a foster sibling, Scottie the Yorkie, who is awaiting his forever home through Paws for Seniors. Pomeroy leads the pack to Wine Boot Camp with Donna and Carl at Little Washington Winery.
 

 

The well schooled Wine Dogs kick off the Dog Days of Summer with Northern Virginia Magazine at Naked Mountain.

 

Virginia's Governor and First Lady commemorate the 200th anniversary of Virginia's Executive Mansion with release of 1813, a blend bringing together the best winemakers and grapes from around Virginia, including Chambourcin harvested from Executive Mansion vines. 

July - Your Table's Waiting

After being treated to top dog hospitality by Jeff and Laura McCarthy Louden, Ecco joins the Cobbler Mountain Wine Club. A new tasting room is in store for 2014.

 

The New York Times business section features Virginia wine, reporting that grapes are reshaping agriculture in Virginia. Keswick Vineyards 's Stephen Barnard and Tarara Winery's Jordan Harris make the Top 100 list of influential U.S. Winemakers. Pawsome!

August - Wine Dogs Make a Splash

 

Ecco and Pomeroy high-tail it to the beach for some well-deserved R&R. Governor McDonnell announces that Virginia wine sales reach half-million case benchmark in 2013.

 

 

 September - Check Out Our Clubhouse

 

Swedenberg reopens as Greenhill Winery and Vineyards and the Wine Dogs' Uncle Jeff is one of the first to join the club based in the estate's historic stone manor house. The Wine Dogs spot another new winery along the Winding Road. 

 

What's a little rain when Grillin' (and wining) for a Cause? The Wine Dogs spend a wet but enjoyable afternoon at Unicorn Winery with great BBQ and Virginia wine to benefit Hospice Support of Fauquier County.

Wine Enthusiast Magazine's 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Barboursville Founder Gianni Zonin. Eric Trump is named magazine's Rising Star for 2013.

October - VA Wine Month Turns 25

 

Ecco and Pomeroy enthusiastically celebrate the silver anniversary of Virginia Wine Month. The Scavenger Hunt takes them on a 2,000-mile trek, leaving tiny paw prints in five different wine regions across Virginia. 

 

En route, the Wine Dogs discover several new wineries including the Maggie Malick Wine Caves and neighboring Cardamon Family Vineyards, as well as Front Royal's first urban winery, the Miller Winery and even take in a polo match at the King Family Vineyards. Pomeroy joins the wine club at Ingleside Vineyards.

Virginia holds its first Wine Summit, featuring Oz Clarke, one of the world's pre-eminent wine writers, who dares Virginia to be bold: "Great grapes that the mainstream can't or won't produce are the grapes that make Virginia unique and will make Virginia famous."

November - Sippin' Cider

Virginia celebrates Cider Week for the first time, highlighting the eight cideries now operating in the Commonwealth. The Wine Dogs provide a preview with a visit to Virginia's first modern cidery, Foggy Ridge Cidery.

 

With the harvest in, the Wine Dogs get mixed reports about the 2013 crop. John Delmare at Rappahannock Cellars says he may have the best Chardonnay vintage ever. Good wine in the barrel, but many wineries struggled with bugs, critters, and frost. Almost everyone is planting MORE GRAPES. 

December - Wine Dog of the Month 

 

Exciting news for Ecco - she will be the January Wine Dog of the Month at Three Fox Vineyard, (where Pomeroy studied winemaking), wrapping up an eventful first year on the circuit.

 

Virginia Wine honors continue to pour in with Virginians Luca Paschina and Lucie Morton named among Vineyard & Winery Management’s “20 Most Admired People in the North American Wine Industry”