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Composition: Chardonnay Aging: 22 months sur lies in new French oak barrels with lees stirring Sweetness: Dry Complex and rich fruit notes mixed with a lingering butter and cream finish.

Composition: Cabernet Franc blended with small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot Aging: 15 months in both French and American oak barrels Sweetness: Dry Subtle hints of spice and coffee bean mix with soft berry and toasted vanilla oak in the finish.

The 2006 Chardonnay from Prince Michel is a result of grape selection, barrel fermentation, and sur lie aging. The vineyards selected for this wine are noted for their history of producing Chardonnays with elegant, lingering flavors and fresh, enticing aromas. To integrate and preserve the fruity, creamy, peach and vanilla nose, this wine was fermented in new and one year old oak barrels. A portion was fermented in stainless steel before blending to introduce a crispness to the structure of the wine. Aging sur lie allowed this wine to develop a butterscotch dimension with the broad mouth feel characteristic of our Chardonnay. The barrels also add a dimension of fruitiness and nuttiness. This Chardonnay is complex and lovely, with the structure and character to age well. The delightful aromas and clean, elegant fruit of this wine make it the perfect complement to fresh vegetables, fowl and French Provincial cuisine.

The bouquet of the Merlot is reminiscent of dark, jammy fruit. Aging for over 18 months in small oak barrels provides the wine with subtle hints of vanilla beans and toasted hazelnut. The traditional blackberry and raspberry characteristics of the Merlot grape are readily apparent up front and are well integrated with the soft tannin structure. All of these flavors come together in the end as a tapestry of lingering fruit and spice.

While the 2008 Pinot Grigio is perenially a crowd pleaser in the tasting room. Decidedly crisp, this refreshingly light wine has mineral notes and a clean cirus character that is reminiscent of Italian Pinot Grigios. Green apple, grapefruit, and pineapple notes lead to a flinty finish. This wine is sure to be a favorite at summer picnics or anytime you serve fresh salads and light meats.

2005 was one of the best growing seasons we have seen in Virginia. Dry conditions prevailed throughout the vintage and resulted in small berries that were concentrated with color and flavor. For this blend, I chose the lots that showed the deepest intensities and highlighted flavors of dark chocolate, current and blackberry. Powerful in fruit yet the tannins are soft and silky, the 2005 Symbius has a lingering texture of soft vanilla from the blend of oaks. Certainly one of our finest Merlot-Cabernet blends.

The seductive aromas of the French Sauterne and the subtle fruity nuances of the German Eiswein were the inspirations for the creation of our Tres Bien. Vidal Blanc grapes were harvested at the peak of ripeness and pressed. The juice was allowed to freeze in the tank. Slowly thawing the juice allowed us to capture the full essence of flavor, sugar and acid while separating a large portion of the water from the juice as ice. The juice was fermented slowly at 50 degrees F to retain these elusive flavors. The result is a powerhouse of tropical fruits such as pineapple and mango with lingering orange peel and kiwi. The viscous sweetness and refreshing acid are unmistakable notes that remind the taster of this wine’s inspirations. Tres Bien is a limited production wine, available only in 375ml bottles.

Composition: Pinot Noir Aging: 10 months in stainless steel Sweetness: Brut style (0.8%) Methode champenois, dry and delicate with clean aromatic notes of strawberry and pear.

Aging entirely in stainless stell allows this wine to remain crisp and clean. This light Chardoannay offers green apple aromas followed by lemon, grapefruit, and melon. Clean, uncomplicated finish.

The Rapidan River Dry Reisling is made in the traditional Alsatian style. It boasts crisp fruit flavors and sumptuous aromas guaranteed to please the most exacting palate. We harvested the Riesling in September 2000 at the peak of its flavor and ripeness. Our Riesling is protected from all possible oxidation in the fruit, juice, and wine stages of the vinification process. The juice is fined prior to fermentation and is cold fermented (45-55 degrees F) using Epernay and Wadensville yeasts. These yeast strains accentuate the natural fruit aromas of the Riesling variety. This Rapidan River Dry Reisling displays the aromas of apricots, mango, and rose petals. The flavors are full, and the balance is crisp and delightful. The wine is a wonderful companion to chicken, smoked salmon or trout, stir-fry vegetables, and shellfish.

The Rapidan River Semi-Dry Riesling shows the classic characteristics that have made this German variety one of our most popular wines. Harvesting at night, when grapes the grapes were cool, and a long fermentation at low temperatures helped to ensure that the delicate, fruity nuances of the grape were retained in the wine. This Riesling displays the aromas of apricot, green apple and pear on the front of the palate. The fruit and sweetness are balanced by the crisp, clean structure that one would find in the classical European Rieslings.

The Sweet Reserve White is a delightful and alluring white wine. Our winemaker calls on traditional winemaking techniques to produce a wine with appealing fruit characteristics and concentrated sweetness. The Sweet Reserve is the perfect dessert wine, with its intense, highly perfumed nose and its rich peach and honey flavors. This wine is also excellent with scallops, sweet sauces, and other light dishes. The Sweet Reserve White has won gold medals at the Mid-Atlantic Wine Festival and at the Wine Lovers International competition.

The Sweet Reserve Red is a pleasingly sweet red wine with a fruity nose and intense flavors of cherry and plum on the palate. This is the perfect red wine for the sweet wine enthusiast.

Ivy Creek Farm is in the beautiful footwills just west of Charlottesville, Virginia. Bright notes of cherry and cedar finishing with lingering fruit and vanilla spice. A big Cab perfect with robust red meats and roasted vegetables. 18 months in French and American oak. Monticello Appellation.

Ivy Creek Farm is in the beautiful footwills just west of Charlottesville, Virginia. This Rhone varietal is full-bodied and rich in texture. Delicate apricot aromas and tropical flavors of pineapple and creamy coconut showcase this limited production wine. An excellent match with seafood as well as creamier pasta and poultry dishes. Aged 9 months in stainless steel. Monticello Appelation.

Mt. Juliet vineyard is located along the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge mountains, west of Charlottesville, VA. Made in a dry style similar to Sauvignon Blancs, but with INTENSE tropical aromas and citrus flavors. Matches perfectly with seafood choices such as steamed crab or mussels marinara. 8 months in stainless steel. Monticello Appellation.

The Vineyard at Quaker Run Farm is located in Madison County in Syria, VA. Aromas of lavender and wild sage give way to flavors that range from ming to berry. These linger on the finish accompanied by supple tannins. Perfect accompaniment to game, roasted red meats, and sturdy cheeses. 15 months in American and French Oak. Monticello Appellation.