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| New Kent Winery Uncorked |
| Friday, 17 July 2009 08:08 |
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Nestled comfortably within an abundantly beautiful wooded area about 20 miles east of Richmond, VA is the New Kent Winery. Although the first vines were planted in 2001, the winery didn't actually open to the public until May, 2008. I had heard a lot about it, but I had never visited, so this week I journeyed to the winery to see it for myself. I was impressed from the moment I arrived.
Amazed by the design, I was curious to find out as much as I could about it, so I entered the winery to sign up for a tour and tasting and was instantly greeted by the friendly winery staff. It was early, so I was the sole member of my tour. We began outside where the guide described how the exterior was constructed. The first thing that she emphasized was that the New Kent Winery was constructed almost entirely of recycled materials. It was designed to reflect a period in time when wine making was common in this region. The materials used to build it were all reclaimed from buildings and structures that are at least 100 years old, if not older. For instance, the stunningly beautiful exterior facade that I saw as I drove up was constructed using handmade bricks that date back to the pre-Civil War era. The siding and the shingles were milled from Cypress trees that had been found in North Florida rivers. These trees had been cut down over 100 years ago and had been submerged since that time. Closer inspection reveals that perfectly symmetrical rows of handmade nails were used to secure the siding. The inside of the winery is just as impressive. There are heart-pine trusses that were reclaimed from the Southern Railroad Depot that used to be located in Historic Shockoe Bottom in downtown Richmond, VA. The timbers used for the floors and parts of the interior structure are from a Connecticut warehouse that dates back to 1852. Several of the doors are from the original Jefferson Hotel in downtown Richmond, VA, which opened in 1895. Despite the antiquity of the materials used to construct the winery, the wine making equipment is state-of-the-art. They are able to produce about 7000 cases of wine per year and they only use barrels made from American oak to age their wines. The vineyards are adjacent to the winery and consist of soil that contains red clay. Currently, the vineyards have Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Chardonnay grapes planted. The wine making process is managed by Tom Payette who was named Winemaker of the Year by Vineyard and Vines Management Magazine in 1999.
After the very informative tour, we moved on to the tasting counter. This large elegant counter has insets made of tile and two types of wood and could easily accommodate 20 tasters. Behind the counter is a large set of beautifully framed windows that provide a nice view of the vineyards. The tasting glass, which is yours to keep, is quite a bit nicer than most tasting glasses I've collected over the years. The wines were quite amazing as well. The 2005 Chardonnay is described as fruit forward, balanced, lively and expressive. I sensed a hint of slate in the nose. The 2006 Reserve Chardonnay is what most would describe as oaky. It would pair well with creamy pasta dishes and seafood. The Meritage was very interesting. It's a non-vintage blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The color was a lot lighter than I'd have imagined it to be, but it was really very good. My favorite wine on the list was the most unique wine on the list. It's called White Norton. Introduced by Dr. Daniel Norborne Norton of Richmond, VA in 1820, the Norton grape is considered to be the oldest cultivated American grape. It is a hybrid and its flavor is described as intensely grapy -- similar to the concord, but less sweet. White Norton is a rose that is made by treating the Norton grape, which is a red wine grape, like a white wine grape in what is described as a proprietary process. The details aren't important. What is important is that the wine is very good. As I said, it's unique. It's mildly sweet and could be paired with almost anything: seafood, pizza, and barbecue. It's definitely suitable for cookout fare. The first thing that you taste is a hint of concord grapes. This is the perfect wine for summer time, especially for those new to the wine drinking experience. After the tasting, I had another look around the grounds on my own. I discovered that the winery also features a back deck with tables and chairs to allow visitors to enjoy wine, cheese, crackers, and good company. I really enjoyed my visit and I can't wait to return with friends, so that we can enjoy a bottle or two on the deck. So, there you have it. The New Kent Winery uncorked. If you haven't been there, then what are you waiting for? Tours and tastings are offered from 10 AM- 6 PM Tuesday through Sunday. The $7 fee includes a really nice etched souvenir glass that I mentioned earlier. As always, drink responsibly. Until next time...prosit!!! Quote this article on your siteTo create link towards this article on your website, copy and paste the text below in your page. Preview :  Powered by QuoteThis © 2008 |
| Last Updated on Friday, 17 July 2009 16:22 |
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