Sugarleaf Vineyards

(Been there, checked it!)

Residing on a breathtaking estate, Sugarleaf Vineyards has evolved before our eyes into a mesmerizing place and experience. Although, this endeavor began as a hobby, we are very proud of what we have accomplished thus far and we cherish the opportunity to share our story with you today as an award-winning vineyard and winery.

The idea to establish a vineyard as a leisurely hobby came about in 2001. Jerry’s good friend, Mike Taylor, with whom he collected rare “cult” wines from the Napa and Sonoma regions of California encouraged Jerry to, “make his own great wines.” Although the newly purchased estate was meant to be a retreat, and eventually a retirement property, the thought of also having a vineyard and making proprietary wine was irresistible. So once the vision manifested, Jerry turned to the University of Virginia and several well respected vineyard consultants in Virginia to confirm the property’s attributes for vineyard growing and to determine the specific location on the property where this hobby would be planted. After discovering that the estate, was located at an elevation ranging between 750 feet at the pond to 1,100 feet at the mountain ridge, had parker loamy soil, resided on limestone platelets, was the beneficiary of natural drainage, received cooling from the wind over the mountains, and had five springs on the estate that provide a source of natural irrigation, it was quickly recognized that the estate had more than just the bare necessity attributes for a vineyard. All of these characteristics made it clear that the estate was a diamond in the rough.

In the fall of 2004 we began to construct the winery from the ground up, and gathered ideas from magazines and other wineries that we had visited around the world. It was very important to us that we incorporate the minimalist gravitational pull method of production into the winery’s architectural plan so that we could preserve the natural qualities of the fruit during processing, but we also wanted the winery to remain a quaint and inviting space that overlooked the vineyard. The winery was completed in the beginning of 2006 and we seamlessly produced our first Sugarleaf vintage in our new custom state-of-the art facility. Today, Sugarleaf Vineyards is an award-winning boutique vineyard in the heart of the Monticello region, producing limited quantities of each varietal so that we can remain committed to our vision of producing fine wine. We never imagined that Sugarleaf would be what it has grown to be today. Sugarleaf is living proof that with patience, diligence and faith, dreams do come true…

Tasting Room Hours: March – December, Wednesdays-Sundays and all Monday Holidays, 11am-6pm; January – February, Saturdays, Sundays, and Holiday Mondays from 11 am until 6 pm and during the week by appointment. Tasting costs $6 per person.

We visited Sugarleaf Vineyards on 30 October 2010. Sugarleaf Vineyards began planting in 2002, opened their red barn-style tasting room (with the modern interior finish) in 2006, and immediately began collecting accolades. The 2008 Petit Manseng was served at the White House for the 2010 Governor’s Ball, the 2008 Petit Verdot won gold at the 2010 Virginia Governor’s Cup Wine Competition, and the 2008 Cabernet Franc, 2008 Petit Manseng and 2008 Viognier earned silvers at the 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. You may have seen Sugarleaf in Real Housewives of D.C.; White House party crasher and co-owner of the now defunct Oasis Winery, Tareq Salahi, sipped a nice Chardonnay and inquired as to its malolactic fermentation. Kids welcome; parking available for RVs and mini-buses; group tours; private parties. No AT&T signal.

All photos from this winery

Cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, chardonnay, Cuvee Neubia (old-world style, 100% cab sauvignon), petit manseng, vidal blanc, viognier, Neubia Nectar (petit manseng and vidal blanc blend), and petit verdot.

Note: Our iPhone had no AT&T cell signal at this winery, so make sure you have your GPS or directions fired up before you go!

Sugarleaf Vineyards is conveniently located twelve miles south of Charlotesville in the town of North Garden, Virginia. We are on the Southern Trail of the Monticello Wine Trail just 10 minutes south of The University of Virginia.

From I-64 West
Take EXIT 120. Turn LEFT onto 5TH ST SW. 5TH ST SW becomes 5TH ST EXT. 5TH ST EXT becomes OLD LYNCHBURG ROAD. Stay on Old Lynchburg Road for 7 1/2 miles. Turn RIGHT onto WALNUT BRANCH LN. Follow the private road 1 1/2 miles until you reach the tasting room.

From I-64 East
Take exit 120. Turn RIGHT onto 5TH ST SW and follow the directions above.

From Route 29 South (Charlottesville)
Take 29 South 6 miles until you see flashing yellow lights. Turn left onto Route 708/ Red Hill Road (towards Walnut Creek Park). After 3 miles, turn right onto Old Lynchburg Road. Stay on Old Lynchburg Road for 1 mile and then turn right onto Walnut Branch Lane. Follow the private road 1 1/2 miles until you reach the tasting room.

From Route 29 North
Take 29 North until you reach Route 708/ Red Hill Road. Turn right onto Route 708/ Red Hill Road (towards Walnut Creek Park) and follow the directions above to the winery.

From Route 20 South
Turn right onto Route 708/ Red Hill Road. Drive 2 1/2 miles and turn left onto Old Lynchburg Road. Stay on Old Lynchburg Road for 1 mile and turn right onto Walnut Branch Lane. Follow the private road 1 1/2 miles until you reach the tasting room.

From Route 20 North
Turn left onto Route 708/ Red Hill Road and follow the directions above.