Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery

(Been there, checked it!)

When Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery was founded 26 years ago, a vision was formed out of the love of Virginia and its relationship with the vine. Prince Michel has since grown to become one of the largest, most widely distributed, and recognized wineries in the state and along the east coast. Our wines have won competitions around the world and flourished with the efforts and love of owners, employees, and customers.

Located in the heart of Virginia Wine Country, Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery is home to both Prince Michel and Rapidan River wines. Our philosophy is simple and centers around hospitality and the enjoyment of the Virginia wine experience. With a strong foundation of past accomplishments and a supportive, growing industry, Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery looks forward to meeting new goals and setting higher standards.

Prince Michel is open seven days a week excluding major holidays.
Winter hours, January 2-March 31: Monday through Thursday 10:00am-5:00pm and Friday through Sunday 10:00am-6:00pm.
April through December 31: each day 10:00am through 6:00pm.
There is a “complimentary tasting” (17 wines, free, and you don’t get to keep the glass) and a $5 tasting of “vineyard designate” wines (7 wines, $5, and you get to keep the glass).

We visited Prince Michel on 17 July. Here’s a link to Nancy’s post on our visit to Prince Michel. Prince Michel is a big-time operation. Twenty-four wines are on offer in the tasting room, and more than 20 visitors were still propped up at the massive oval tasting bar at 10 minutes before closing on a recent Saturday. This is a destination for wine drinkers for miles around, not least because the complimentary tasting includes 17 wines. (Yay for those vanishing free wine tastings!)

All photos from this winery

Seeing as how it was the fourth stop of the day for us, we opted for the Premium: I was willing to pay to not have to taste 17 wines. At least, that’s how my muddled thinking went at the time. (Of course, when you opt for the Premium, you can also have the 17 complimentary tastings if you want, but that was beyond comprehension for my blasted palate and throbbing head.)

Huge windows surround the tasting area, giving views of the massive steel fermentation tanks below. Prince Michel produces 40,000 cases a year, and looking out over the tanks you can begin to get an inkling of that scale. (Of course, Prince Michel is just a gnat to an international conglomerate like Gallo wines, with more than 70 MILLION cases sold annually, but 40,000 is pretty impressive in a state where 60,000 cases a year is about the high water mark.)

A gift shop is seamlessly integrated into Prince Michel’s winery, so that it seems part of the décor. Everything from wine racks to t-shirts to ceramic leopards to plush robes are on offer. Several large outdoor patios are set up for those who want to stay awhile, but, alas, no vineyard views here. Not much in the way of views at all, unless you’re keen to count the cars going by on the highway out front.

And the wines? Something for everyone. Rick was partial to the 2006 Quaker Run Syrah ($27) and I favored the tropical Mt. Juliet Petit Manseng ($27). We didn’t buy anything, though. With 40,000 cases out there, we figure we can always pick it up later.

In the “Complimentary Tasting“: Pinot Grigio; Chardonnay; Barrel-select Chardonnay; Dry Rose (100% Merlot); Cabernet Franc; Merlot; Cabernet Sauvignon; Symbius (a blend); Semi-Dry Reisling; Rose (blend); Sweet White Reserve; Sweet Red Reserve; Peach; Blackberry; Tres Bien (100% Petit Manseng); and Port.
In the “Vineyard Designate” tasting: Prince Michel Sparkling Wine; Mt. Juliet Petit Manseng; Ivy Creek Farm Viognier; Mountain View Cabernet Franc; Ivy Creek Farm Merlot; Mt. Juliet Petit Verdot; and Quaker Run Syrah.