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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Host your wedding or
corporate event or
party at Old House!
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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
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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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