New Grapes . New Experiences0

If you like wine, then you’ll love Sugarleaf Vineyards.  An experience you don’t want to miss. Why?  It’s one of 12 minority/AA owned vineyards in the United States, it rests on picturesque acres of rolling greens, and it has a modest, but award-winning, palate-pleasing portfolio of wines.  If that’s not enough, try a day out of the city with an afternoon of chesse and wine tasting.  Even the most novice wine drinker will warm up to that!

On an early, crisp Fall Saturday morning we drove (my Guy and I) two hours and change to the breath taking vineyards of Monticello (near UVA).

Virginia boasts of a “World-Class Wine Experience” with over 160 wineries on more than 3,000 acres of vineyards. Sugarleaf Vineyard is not excluded from Virginia’s wine pride.  As a grape-producing newbie ordering their first vine in 2001, Sugarleaf (SL) is a gem.  (Some of Virginia’s vineyards date back to the 1600’s)

A boutique winery that focuses on producing superior fruit and award-winning, limited production wines.   A couple of the wines in the portfolio were out of stock at our tasting due to high demand.

The wine portfolio is focused and concise:  Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Vigoner, Vidal Blanc, Petit Manseng, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Cuvee Neubia.  I purchased a couple of bottles of the Cabernet Franc my portfolio favorite. This light to medium red had me with the heated spicy nose and white peppery finish.

As only my second trip to a vineyard, I was pleasantly surprised by the quaint and inviting experience at Sugarleaf Vineyards.  My first vineyard experience was in Epernay, France at Moët & Chandon it’s hard to measure up to that.  Albeit, in Spring, I’m looking forward to a weekend of wine tasting throughout Monticello maybe next year my circle of friends as well, but a re-visit to Sugarleaf is definitely on the 2011 “to-experience list.”  Live Brightly!