Fabbioli Cellars

Dear Friends,

Where did spring go? Does this give the grower more things to worry about or more time to prepare for the growing season? Some vineyards and orchards have already leafed out leaving (pardon the pun) the shoots and clusters vulnerable to the cold temperatures. 28°F is a damaging temperature for grape vines. All of the year’s fruit come out when the buds open up and a heavy freeze can burn them off. Our vineyard seems relatively spared at this point, because our buds have not pushed, but our hearts go out to the growers who have been damaged by this cold weather shift. It is a very tough way to start the year.

Loudoun Wine Trail: The new Wine Trail brochure has been out for about a month now and Fabbioli Cellars is listed as “by appointment.” I have had a number of calls, and it seems to be working. I am trying to keep close to home on Saturdays, so I can be available for these folks and for you folks. I do have a group coming Saturday the 14th and will be open for the day. If you want to come by, give us a call and let us know. Also, you will notice two new wineries on the trail coming later in 2007. Bluemont Vineyards is part of the Great Country Farms Family off of Route 7 in Bluemont. There is a great team developing with this project, and I am consulting for them on the winemaking and development side. I am excited about the wines coming and how this business will dovetail with the existing business and the rural economy. Notaviva Vineyards is a small vineyard, winery and events facility off of Route 9 along the western side of the Blue Ridge. Steven and Shannon Mackey have met their challenging goals for a lot longer than I have known them. So when they told me their goals for their property, I had to consider what they have already achieved. Their home/events facility will be featured in a 7 episode miniseries on HGTV’s Dream House. This series will feature not only the building of the house, but also the business and passion of owning and developing a vineyard and winery in northern Virginia. Steve and Shannon are not ready for guests yet, but are getting closer every day.

Wine Tip: People ask me for tasting tips on a regular basis. Here are some thoughts on tasting and descriptions. Do not get caught in the pretension of the language and history of wine. Enjoy the wine for what it is and what you like about it. If you want to expand your palate, work with the foods and flavors that you know. Cooks are good with wine because they use their olfactory skill a lot. Taste things, smell things, and put words to these senses to draw from later. This is not a hard thing to learn, it just takes some practice. Do not limit yourself to pleasant smells either. Tar, dirty sneakers, fresh manure and musty basement can all show up in a wineglass. The taster is not the marketer so say what you taste and have fun.

Blend With Friends: Sorry, I did not post a date in the last note. Sunday April 15 at 2pm will be our blending. This is a great learning opportunity, along with having fun and meeting a few fellow wine fans. There are still a few seats left. Please Email me if you are interested.

New Tasting Event: Memorial Day Weekend May 26,27,28 at Great Country Farms in Bluemont. Great Country is having their Strawberry festival that weekend and Fabbioli Cellars has been invited to pour wines to compliment the fruit. Stop by for some fresh air, good wines and great farm life.

Calendar for Fabbioli Cellars