Horton Vineyards - Orange County, Virginia - Does Wine Taste Better in the Cellar Where it was Made?

Horton is one of the vineyards we had the pleasure of visiting during our trip to Charlottesville for the North American Wine Bloggers Conference. It is set in pristine Virginia farmland that is as beautiful as it is fertile.

We arrived at Horton by way scenic, windy, tree-lined country roads. The stately house stands out among the fields and trees and is the home of some very good wines.

After our tour of the vineyards we descended into the massive cellar to see how their wines are made and taste many of them.

Winemaker Mike Heny lead our tour and told the Horton story which began in 1977 when Dennis and Sharon Horton, who grew up in Missouri, arrived in Virginia, by way of Maryland.

Dennis loved wine and in a few years set out to make great wines in Virginia's warm and sunny but very humid summer climate. In 1983 he started a small vineyard at his home and in 1988 acquired the land that became the vineyard you see today.

His quest drew him to the warm climate of Southern France where he found what was to become the prominent, signature grape of Virginia, Viognier. By the early 1990's Dennis Horton's Viognier had won national acclaim putting Virginia on the map for fine vinifera wines. Followings Horton's success many other Virginia wineries began producing Viognier contributing to the growing popularity of this wine.

Horton Vineyards produces many unique wines including a sparkling Viognier which Mike shared with us in the cellar. Here he demonstrates the corking process for this delicious wine which we all tasted to our absolute delight. It is a wonderful fizzy wine. "Dom Virginion,This bubbly dry white (Brut) sparkler is made Methode Champenoise." Winemaker notes

We tasted many of the other Horton wines in the cellar, which provide a rich environment for getting to know them. I think it did make the wines seem better.

I really liked the 2008 Rkatsiteli Reserve a new grape for me which makes a full wine with flavors of "Kiwi, honeyed cantaloupe, and oily pistachio nougat aromas follow through on a very supple and soft entry to a dryish medium body with green apple sauce and dried lemon notes. Finishes smoothly with bright citrus and melon." Winemaker Notes

Another favorite was another new grape Petit Manseng, "famous in southwestern France for being the only wine used to baptize a royal child, namely Henry IV, has shown to be the perfect grape for the Central Virginia wine growing region. This rich, full bodied dry white wine is fragrant with unforgettable aromas of Pyrenean honey, toasted hazelnuts and acacia blossom, enhanced by a touch of guava and vanilla." It is actually on the sweet side and makes a great dessert wine.

Of the reds I liked the 2008 Cotes d' Orange "Chateaunuf du Virginia"

A "new world offering of a traditional Rhone style blend using 66% Mourvedre, 28% Syrah, 4% Carignan and 2% Viognier. A smooth and spicy red with a nose of candied horseradish and dried orange peel."

Last but not least was a very special wine called Blanco Xoco - White Wine with Chocolate Essence "Sweet chocolaty white wine made with Rkatsiteli, Vidal Blanc & Chocolate essence. Chocolate covered cherries gone wild!"

Our trip to Horton was an exciting and fulfilling introduction to the worthy wines of Virginia, we recommend Charlottesville and surrounding counties for a weekend trip this fall. Maybe I wil see you there.

Horton Vineyards
6399 Spotswood Trail
Gordonsville VA

800-829-4633