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Old House Vineyards 18351 Corkys Lane Culpeper, VA 22701 540-423-1032 (p) 540-423-1320 (f) info@oldhousevineyards.com |
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Tasting Hours Mon/Thurs/Fri 1 - 5pm Saturday 11am - 5pm Sunday 12 - 5pm All other times, please call for an appointment. |
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Also available for weddings, corporate functions and other private events. Click here for more information or call Allyson Kearney. |
Virginia Wine Guide: Tasting Notes Click here to read full article. Old House Vineyards in Culpeper County is one of the many new wineries that have begun operating in Virginia in recent years. Old House is located on 75 acres of a former Alfalfa farm, which the owners, Patrick and Allyson Kearney, of Fairfax, VA, began converting to vines four years ago. They have also beautifully restored an 1800's farmhouse that serves as their tasting room and a cozy venue for food and wine events. Old House Vineyards' wines are being made by consultant winemaker, Doug Fabbioli, and include a Vidal Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, and a Vidal Blanc dessert wine. They also have a Summer Red blend, but it was not available when we visited. WHITES Old House Vidal Blanc 2001 ($11.99) 86 Deep gold with high viscosity. A very singular nose of orange blossom and honey, with bright strawberry and apricot fruitiness on the palate. Good body, a silky texture, and well-balanced but short on the finish. 387 cases made. Old House Vineyards 2001 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine ($ 22.99 /375ml) 82 This dessert wine has good variety character and reasonable sweetness, but lacks fruit and is also soft on the finish, without the acid needed to make this a first-class dessert wine. We have high hopes for this winery, based on our tasting of its other wines, and expect that this dessert wine will improve in the coming years. 200 cases made REDS Old House Merlot 2001 ($16.99) 87 Fire engine red with a lovely nose of rose petal and raspberry. An uncomplicated wine that's very smoky on the palate with bright raspberry and currant fruit. A very pleasant wine. 170 cases made
Virginia Wine Gazette: Virginia Welcomes its Newest Wineries Full article published in Vol.8 - No.2 - Spring 2004 Written by Leslie Weinhardt OLD HOUSE VINEYARDS Patrick and Allyson Kearney had no intention of entering the wine business in 1998 when they bought a farm near Culpeper. They were just looking for a place to keep their sailboat. Having tasted local wines, Pat Kearney thought growing grapes would be a productive use of this land and began planting in 1999. After deciding to open a winery, the millwork shop owner meticulously restored the 1890's era Victorian house that gives the property its name. The entryway and front tasting room retain their Victorian feel while a more modern area near the back handles overflow and special tastings. Vineyard and wine making consultant Doug Fabiolli and vineyard manager Milan Arti are critical to the operation. Old House produces about 1,300 cases of mostly dry vinifera wine, but they also do a late harvest Vidal Blanc dessert wine, a Chambourcin Reserve and a light red blend, called AnSamhradh. The mother of three, Allyson Kearney wants to make Old House "children friendly" with things for them to do while their parents taste wine. An oversized chess board, each piece weighing 10 pounds, graces the front yard and provides some diversion. "People just come and sort of hang out" in the relaxed atmosphere, she says. Limited food items are available, including gourmet chocolates. The Kearney's plan to add space for sit-down dinners and private parties, seating up to 60, and may eventually put the boat on the pond for wine tastings. |
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