New Winery Has Wine Dogs Singing "You can take me to Paradise (Springs)"

Paradise Springs Winery
Clifton, Virginia

As the Wine Dogs approached the 200 year-old log cabin serves as the tasting room for Paradise Springs, owner Jane Kincheloe immediately began fussing over Munchkin.

History and Yorkshire Terriers reign supreme at Paradise Springs. The winery dog, Foxy, is a 3-1/2 pound, 11-month-old Yorkie. And Fairfax County's first modern farm winery sits on land that has been in Jane's family since 1716, awarded through an original land grant from Lord Fairfax.

Even the name has histroic roots. Paradise Springs was one of the early names of the Clifton area. Now, it is wine instead of spring water that is pouring into the bottles at Paradise Springs.

When she inherited the property from her aunt, Esther Podolnick, Jane knew she wanted to have a winery there. The idea started fermenting 20 years ago when she and her aunt discussed it as a way to save the house and keep the land in agriculture. "As Virginia wines got better and better, I knew it would work," Jane told the Wine Dogs.

It certainly seems to be working. Winemaker Kirk Wiles (Jane's son) already is producing award-winning wines, working with members of the Pearmund team including Chris, D.J. Leffen, and Jef Stebben. The 2008 Norton just claimed a Gold Medal in the 2010 Governor's Cup competition, and the 2007 Reserve Cabernet was awarded gold at last year's Virginia State Fair.

Munchkin and Pomeroy joined a group in the crowded upstairs tasting room as server Ashely offered tastes of these and six other wines.

A second group was tasting down in the cellar below.

Roy was partial to the 2008 Chardonnay and the 2008 Nana's Rose, which Kirk made for his grandmother, who tends roses. Munchkin gave two paws up to the 2008 Viognier and couldn't get enough of the 2008 Norton, barking imperiously to demand another taste. Both Wine Dogs were enthusiastic about the rich red 2008 Cabernet Franc - Munchkin leaping up out of her bag.

The Cabernet Franc vines planted on the estate are expected to produce their first grapes this year (the current vintage is made from Rappahannock Cellars grapes).

The Wine Dogs and their paw-ty took a bottle out to the inviting tables spread along the hillside - just perfect for Yorkies and Poms looking for crumbs. Three new picnic tables were delivered during the the Wine Dogs' visit, and were quickly filled.



There is much speculation about the Paradise Springs label, but Munchkin and Pomeroy found a likely suspect out back, although with 36 acres spread between the park and Bull Run, it's hard to be certain.

One thing is certain -- the Wine Dogs look forward to returning for another day in Paradise.

Oh, Shenandoah.. the Wine Dogs Love You

Shenadoah Vineyards

Edinburg, Virginia

A highlight of the Wine Dogs' fall visit to the Yellow Barn for the Shenandoah Uncorked festival was meeting the charming Emma Randel, one of the Grande Dames of Virginia wine.

Emma graciously invited Munchkin and Pomeroy to her (Red) barn, home to Shenandoah Vineyards, and Munchkin and Pomeroy jumped at the opportunity to lap up a bit of Virginia wine industry history.

Shenandoah began 34 years ago, when Emma and her husband left New Jersey for Virginia's Shenandoah Valley "for health reasons" (Jim had a heart attack). Once they got to Woodstock and tasted "the local swill," Emma decided she could do better.

The Randels studied, and in April 1976 planted their first vines. The whole Randel pack got involved -- a nephew did the plowing; the children spent their Spring Break planting, with Emma dancing on each plot to make sure the vines were tucked in securely. Emma looks back fondly at those years. "The grapes were young and immature, and so were we."

Today, Shenandoah is a mature winery, boasting a wide variety of award-winning wines, produced primarily from grapes grown on the estate and entirely from grapes grown in the Valley. The water from the local well also took a bronze medal in recent competition.

Along the way, Emma has picked up a few strays. Winery Dog Rusty is a 3-1/2 year old Jack Russell Terrier who thinks he's a cat. Rusty lazed away the afternoon curled up in a box under the counter.

Then there's TC (aka "Sugah"), an LA transplant who found the warm atmosphere at the winery a cure for her homesickness as she was making her transition to Shenandoah Valley Girl.

TC and Emma led the Wine Dogs through a tasting of 14 wines plus water (hint: don't try to follow the numbers on the tasting sheet).

Among the five whites, Munchkin was particularly fond of the '07 Sauvignon Blanc, with its hints of butterscotch. The '07 Johannisberg Riesling was refreshingly dry, with a surprising hint of tangerine.

Pomeroy was impressed with the Pinot Noir, one of the few produced in Virginia. Wine Dog advice: this may be the last vintage, so fetch a bottle soon.

Both Wine Dogs gave an enthusiastic Two Paws Up to the '07 Founder's Reserve Chambourcin. Chambourcin is Shenandoah's signature wine (with good reason). Emma was among the first to champion the varietal, whose popularity is now spreading across Virginia wine country.

For those with a sweeter palate, Shenandoah produces the medium-dry Rebel Red ("for white wine drinkers who don't drink red wine") as well as the Sweet Serenade (imagine over pears and ice cream), Fiesta ("adult grape juice"), and Raspberry Serenade (a perfect compliment to chocolate).

Relaxing music and views of snow-covered mountains rising against an azure blue sky completed the atmosphere at the Red Barn. The Wine Dogs thoroughly enjoyed their afternoon at Shenandoah Vineyards, and especially their quality time with its feisty founder.

Munchkin Wines with the Foxes on Valentine's Day

Three Fox Vineyards
Delaplane, Virginia

What's a girl to do when her fiance isn't around on Valentine's Day? Wine, of course.

So Europup Munchkin took a group of friends on a whirlwind tour of Paris (Virginia), then stopped in for a taste of Italy at Three Fox Winery.

One lick of the Alouette Cabernet Franc and Munchkin's ears perked straight up, along with her spirits. It's clear why this rich wine scored 87 points from Wine Enthusiast (check it out in the February issue) -- one of the highest score ever achieved by a red wine from Virginia.

Hostess Holli treated Munchkin to a VIP preview of the 2008 Il Volpe Sangiovese, which is scheduled for release on March 7. Expect lots of buzz about this super Super Tuscan wine.

Pomeroy got out of the dog house by inviting Munchkin over for a lovely dinner and promised to escort her to Three Fox's special "Piano Lounge" on Sunday, February 28, featuring winemaker John Todhunter at the keyboard.

WINE DOG UPDATE...

The Piano Lounge was a howling success. Renaisance Man John played and sang Cole Porter and other standards to the delight of a full house of dogs and humans. The newly tented front patio was warm and toasty thanks to a series of propane heaters, the blazing sun, and of course, wonderful Three Fox wines.

Hostess Holli served up dog biscuits, but Munchkin only had eyes for the burgers being grilled to order by Three Fox neighbor Clark.

A delovely afternoon. Munchkin and Pomeroy look forward to encore performances!

Nothing Halfway about the Wine Dogs Visit to Piedmont Winery

Piedmont Vineyards and Winery
Middleburg, Virginia


The Virginia Wine Dogs stopped by the woods on a snowy January afternoon to visit Piedmont Vineyards and Winery.

Located halfway down Halfway Road (connecting The Plains and Middleburg), the winery is part of Waverly, a 95-acre pre-Revolutionary War estate. The distinctive manor house graces the label of most of Piedmont's wines.

Current owner Gerhard von Finck and his wife, Caroline, purchased the property in 1991"mostly because of the value of the real estate" and found themselves thrust full force into the world of wine. "I'm everything from winemaker to vineyard manager," Gerhard told Munchkin and Pomeroy, adding "today, I'm shoveling snow."

Piedmont boasts status as the first producer of Chardonney in Virginia. Vines were planted and the vineyard established in 1973, during the first wave of Virignia's wine renaissance. Today, there are 10 acres in grapes.

There is also a much more diversified offering. Gerhard's good friend, Mickey Holliday, led Munchkin and Pomeroy through a flight of eight wines.

True to the winery's roots, two Chards were featured - the very refreshing Hunt Country Chardonnay, done in stainless tanks allowing the full, refreshing fruit to shine; and the 2007 Special Reserve, aged 9 months in oak. Mickey told the Wine Dogs he had just tasted the 2008 vintage, still in barrel, and it was going to be delicious. A third version, the Native Yeast Chardonnay, will be released at the end of May (the 1995 vintage of this wine was a Wine Spectator 89-pointer).

There is nothing halfway about Piedmont's barrel aging program. Both the 2006 Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon spent a full 30 months in oak before being bottled in July. The Cab is the "house favorite," with legs that crawl up to the top of the glass and back down again.

On the sweeter side were the Little River White (a semi-sweet Seyval which "makes a great sangria") and the Felicita (a dessert wine).

Mickey also introduced the Wine Dogs to a new website (www.fauquierwines.com) designed to make it easy for visitors to Virginia wine country to find up-to-date information about Fauquier County's 18 wineries and their events. Munchkin became the first subscriber!

It's a family operation at Piedmont. Munchkin's little heart thrilled as Caroline worked her decorating magic to transform the gift table into a virtual valentine.

Hint,hint, Pomeroy.

The Wine Dogs settled on a bottle of the 2008 Cab Franc, a smooth wine that went down easy with the Minestrone being offered to visitors. There is ample seating in the rustic tasting room, as well as picnic tables outside for warmer days. Watch out for Wine Dog Annabelle, however. Piedmont's chocolate lab has a reputation as a sandwich thief, albeit a discriminating one who eschews Subway for the upscale offerings of the delis in the charming towns halfway up or down from Piedmont.