We wanted to delve into our most-asked question: “Why Virginia?”
Do you wonder what imparts the buttery charm to Napa Chardonnay, the earthy structure of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, or the tar and roses of Italian Barolo? The identity of a wine evolves from age and terroir - a magical, sometimes mystifying, combination of place, climate, and soil. Otherwise identical grapes from clones of identical vines, vinified in the same manner, but farmed in different terroirs, become wildly different wines, expressive of their origins.
We are often asked, “why are you starting a winery in Virginia? I’ve never heard of Virginia wine.” Many are not aware of Virginia as a budding wine region despite its placement in the top 5 to 10 wine-producing U.S. states! As a relatively young American Viticultural Area (AVA), Virginia's wine landscape is dominated by boutique, family-owned wineries, brimming with innovation and a compelling narrative for any wine enthusiast. The journey of discovering Virginia wines is one of collaboration and evolution, shared by vineyard owners, winemakers, and discerning drinkers alike. Many of these wines never leave the state borders (in part due to thirsty locals), but some are finding international acclaim, attracting the likes of Robert Parker and Jancis Robinson.
In Virginia's diverse terrain, each varietal finds its niche - Riesling and Chardonnay thrive in the cool Blue Ridge Mountains, while Cabernet and Merlot spread their roots in the rain shadow of the Shenandoah Valley. While Bordeaux varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot have already made their mark in Virginia, the journey of discovery is far from over. In many ways, Virginia is a blank slate, inviting winemakers and wine drinkers to define what makes Virginia wine special: which soils and landforms, which varietals, which terroirs create wines that exceed the average and approach the spectacular, worthy of the world stage. With a climate somewhat like Bordeaux and ready comparisons to both France and California, we believe Virginia’s wine identity isn’t found in trying to “be” either wine region, but through a middle path uniquely its own - a beautiful expression of balance: ripeness without fruit dominance, structure without austerity - in a word, harmony.
At Prelude, we embody this spirit of exploration. Our wines are a testament to Virginia's unique terroir, crafted with care and a deep respect for the land. We invite you to embark on this journey with us, to explore the unfolding story of Virginia wines and discover the distinct character that each bottle of Prelude offers. Our first vintages (due to release in a few weeks), a 2020 and 2021 Cabernet Franc, hail from a cooler site in the Shenandoah Valley AVA, expressing more of the cooler climate charm of Cabernet Franc without dominant vegetal flavors you might expect from France. For our 2023 vintages, the Cabernet Franc is sourced from a warmer vineyard further East: expect flavors to be a bigger and bolder, with firmer tannins. We’re also very excited about a mountaintop site, Russ Vineyards, that’s producing some beautiful, world-class merlot.
Join us in celebrating the art of winemaking and the discovery of new tastes that Virginia's vibrant terroir brings, and let our wines be a Prelude to exploring the symphony of Virginia’s wine.
Cheers to new discoveries, and stay tuned for more!
- Charles (and Nick, Erin, & Megan)