Just 25 miles west of our nation’s capital, governing gives way to grape growing, where "DC's wine country" is reached by a smattering of country roads cutting right through incredibly scenic horse country.
"Here in Loudon County we have 28 wineries with two or three or more to come. We are considered the Sonoma of the East. We have clustered ourselves so we have five different clusters — we are a good 15 minutes away from every winery so you can go to more than one in a day," says Lori Corcoran, a Loudoun County winemaker.
Loudoun County Tourism recently sponsored a media visit that included three wineries starting with Sunset Hills Vineyard in Purcellville, housed in an 1870's era barn. There was also the sleek Boxwood winery located on one of the earliest horse farms in historic Middleburg and Bleumont vineyard, perched on an eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains with an elevation of 950 feet.
"I didn't know that D.C. had anything but the White House, cherry blossoms and the Capitol building. I'm really amazed that you can get wine outside of Italy," said Raymond, a visitor from New York City.
The Virginia varietals are more akin to what you might find in France, with similar growing conditions.
"We have some limestone soil as well as the clay and the rocks so we can really grow the Bordeaux grapes that we like. We do chardonnays very well. We have vinifera grapes. Viognier grows especially well here — that's what we're known for, along with cabernet franc," says Corcoran.
While the wineries can be open for tastings year round, it's especially popular to visit from September through November, during the 10-week growing season that culminates with the harvest.
For more information on Loudoun County, visit www.visitloudoun.org
