Old House Vineyards

(Been there, checked it!)

There is always something fun going on at Old House. Whether you like music, art, games or just hanging out with a glass of wine, Old House has something for everyone. If you love food, wine and the company of friends, you’ll love our Gourment Wine Dinners and Sunday Suppers. These truly special meals are served in our newly renovated, Tuscany-inspired dining room.

It was a rainy Mother’s day in 1998 when we discovered the 75 acres and abandoned farm house at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. With the help of family, friends, and a local grape grower, we soon began working to transform the property into Old House Vineyards. Today, the formerly overgrown alfalfa fields are lush vineyards producing grapes for our award-winning wines. The 1800′s farm house has been restored to an inviting gathering place for the enjoyment of good food and wine. We couldn’t have imagined years ago the amount of labor or fun that would be involved in bringing this venture to life. We look forward to sharing the fruits of our labor with you.

Old House Vineyards is open for tastings: Monday, Thursday, Friday – 1pm to 5pm; Saturday – 11am to 5pm; Sunday – noon to 5pm. All other times, please call for an appointment, 540-423-1032. ($5 per person and includes the glass.)

We visited Old House on 17 July. Here’s a link to Nancy’s blog entry: VAWineInMyPocket on Old House Vineyards. Old House is a sophisticated operation that feels small and intimate: the perfect combination. From the minute you drive up to the artsy entry way, you begin to suspect there’s something more going on here than the surrounding modest-means neighborhoods would suggest.

All photos from this winery

Turning the corner of the long gravel drive, acres of healthy, well-tended vines open before you, with rows of new trellises, half-barrel planters full of blooms, and picnic tables scattered around a shady glade. A big old house stands at the center of the scene, with a big front porch overlooking a stocked pond – where visitors are welcome to drop a line.

Inside, old wood beams frame the doorway of the small but airy tasting room, where a friendly and patient lady named Jane, and the owner’s daughter Brittany – home from college for the summer – led us through the eight-wine tasting ($5/person, includes the glass). We helped ourselves to a package of cheddar with bacon from nearby Marshall Farms, and a box of crackers (about $13 for both) from the cooler in the corner; the winery provides paper plates and knives.

At the small bar, Jane juggled the two of us, another couple that wanted to cherry-pick, the owner passing through with visitors, and a variety of other comers and goers, all the while smiling, chatting, and making sure our tastings kept moving right along. Our purchase? A $17 bottle of Cab Franc.

The best part? It’s a tough call, but it’s got to be that front porch. A person could waste a good amount of time there, and love every minute of it.

Clover Hill (Pinot Grigio); Chardonnay; Vidal Blanc; Rosie’s Rose (Cabernet Franc); an Samhradh (Cabernet Franc, Vidal, and Chambourcin); Cabernet Franc; Wicket Bottom (Chambourcin); Bacchanalia (Cab Franc, Tannat, and Chambourcin); Arctica (Vidal); and Port (Chambourcin fortified with Cab Franc that has been distilled to brandy).

From points North:

Take Rt. 29 south towards Culpeper. Turn left at Brandy Station. Take a left at stop sign (Brandy Rd). Go over railroad tracks and turn right on Mount Dumpling. Road veers to left to become Stevensburg Road (Rt. 663). Follow Stevensburg Road 3 miles. Turn right at Vineyard sign.

From Culpeper:

Take Rt. 3 East approximately 7 miles to Stevensburg Road. Turn left on Stevensburg Road (Rt. 663). Go 1.1 miles and turn left at Vineyard sign.