Grape Adventures in West Virginia
Winemaking in the Wild and Wonderful Mountaineer State
Come to West Virginia where winemakers are creating award-winning wines, and attracting wine lovers all over the state.
Wine and West Virginia - a combination many are discovering and liking.
Here are just some samples of where to indulge your wine loving passions
Award Winning Winery
Daniel Vineyards is located in picturesque Crab Orchard in the southern section of the state, near Berkeley. Since 1990, when retired radiologist, Dr. C.Daniel decided to combine his love of science and fine wine, the winery has been producing some of the region’s finest wines. The entire wine process is here, from growing the grapes straight through to the bottling of the splendid liquid.
Over 86 hardy varieties of grapes were planted. Among the white grapes are Cayuga, Vidal, Chardonel, Seyval, St. Pepin, Vignoles, Traminette, Bianca, and Aurore and more. For the red variety, Dr. Daniel planted Norton, Baco Noir, St. Vincent, St. Croix, Marechal Foch, Leon Millot, Frontenac and Kozma.
A multi winner in the 2007 West Virginia Wine Competition, the winery’s sweet Port and light white Espirit won gold, the Chardonel (a mixture of Chardonnay and Seyval) took the silver and its fruity Pink and NV Blackberry added to some bronze to the medal shelf.
Making Wine from Grapes, Fruits and Weeds
In Summersville, Kirkwood Winery has been operational for over two decades, and survived through its share of bad times like bitter cold winters and devastating droughts. Not content with selling wine from its grapes the winery also produces a variety of fermented beverage from its multiple fruits like apples, pears, elderberry, plum and red current. As many an old time mountaineer could attest too – vegetables, and even a weed, make a fine wine. Kirkwood also offers Swiss Chard Rhubarb, Dandelion and a garlic onion variety, cited for its use in cooking called Appalachian Ramp. Mead, with the infusion of honey, is another unique offering.
Riesling along the Potomac Highlands
In the Panhandle region of the state you can find Potomac Highland Winery.
With a terrain similar to the wine-growing region of Germany, the winery’s output of wines like a crisp and sweet Riesling, from Vinifera grapes, is almost a requisite. Other renowned table wines include oak aged Seyval Blanc, the semi aged red Chancellor and the light bodied young Pinot Noir.
Located under 100 miles west of Washington DC, West–Whitehill Winery is known for its variety of French influenced American wines.
Their Potomac Highlands location in the eastern part of West Virginia offers a climate ideal for the cultivation of the grapes and fruits used in their selection of wines.
Such marriages embrace the blending of white grapes and black currents along with Aurore grapes and red raspberries in the sweet wine selections of Classic Current and Raspberry Royale. The vineyard’s Vidal Blanc is perfect for those enjoying a semi dry wine while Chambourchin’s dry red wine is aged in French oak and offers a deep dry flavor and rich color.
All the wineries are open for business throughout the year and offer tours. During off season it is advisable to call before traveling.
