In the past year, my experience with "winery hopping" is that threesomes really are the best. Well, for wine anyway (I'll keep my own counsel about other instances). If you plan to go to just one winery, you run the risk of spending time at a place that isn't that great. Two wineries offers a slightly better chance at someplace you like, but it doesn't give you a broad enough spectrum of wines to compare. Three definitely gets you the most bang in one day.

On the other hand, four results in an upset stomach and slight hangover...

Oddly enough, we hit one AMAZINGLY GOOD winery, two decent and one horrendously bad one.

La Grange

I've been to La Grange several times, but never had a chance to get my notes down until now. This winery's location is one of my favorites because of the old plantation house it's in. It's one place I'd consider for a wedding (and if anyone romantically interested in me is reading this, then yes, I just admitted I'd like to marry someone someday).

Highlighted Whites

Pinot Grigio - This is a very clean, refreshing wine with some citrus tones. Great for summer.
Viognier - They ferment this in stainless steel and then age for six months in oak, making for a subtle, interesting and fruity flavor. It's not as sweet as other Viogniers, which works well here.
Riesling - For some reason, most Rieslings are way too sweet for my taste (and it doesn't help that I don't like sweet wines), but this one is just sweet enough without being overpowering.

Highlighted Reds

Tannat - This one has a dark, spicy, earthy flavor that I strangely like.
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon - As usual, I'm a sucker for a good Cab Sauv, and they don't get much smoother than this one.

Final Assessment: La Grange, is a good, solid winery with a broad range of wines to appeal to many pallets.


Pearmund

I've heard about Pearmund for some time since it's the sister winery to La Grange, but now having been there, I wish I had gone sooner!

Highlighted Whites

Sauvignon Blanc - Light, citrus taste, clean finish and definitely good with seafood.
Estate Chardonnay - Thanks to the oak aging, this one has a smooth, buttery flavor that isn't too heavy.
Viognier - Not only good for just being a Viognier, but it also has a vanilla finish that makes me smile.

Highlighted Reds

Lisa's Merlot - This one has a floral, herb quality that I can easily picture having with several Italian dishes.
Cabernet Franc - A pleasant "dark horse" wine with unusually welcome tobacco hints.
Ameritage - This is a Bordeaux blend that's big, full, round and bold. A good heavy wine for a heavy meal. the reserve blend is even more amazing.
Cabernet Sauvignon - Immaculately smooth.
Petit Verdot - Earthy with berry tones that I'd drink by itself.

Final Assessment: Go there as soon as possible.


Marterella

Marterella is one of two that were "impulses" to check out (i.e., they were en route to Pearmund and this one is literally across the street from the last one below). Two big hooks to this place - they have an outdoor brick oven that you can smell fresh pizza baking in from the parking lot and they have the most attractive wine hostesses I've come across so far (and yes, I shamelessly flirted with some of them).

Highlighted Whites

Pinot Grigio - Clean and crisp.
Viognier - I'm disappointed to say that this is the first Viognier that I don't like - it's mainly just plain.

Highlighted Reds

Cabernet Franc - Smooth with cherry flavors.
Meritage - There's something about Bordeauxes aged for two years in French and American oak that just makes for a wine you can't wait to have with a steak.
Grace - Stop everything and mark the date and time - I've had a dessert wine that actually like! It's not syrupy sweet!

Final Assessment: A few, solid wines that I'd consider going back for.


Mediterranean Cellars

Unlike some, I'm not saving the best for last. In fact, Mediterranean probably ranks as one of the worst Virginia wineries I've been to yet (sadly, Loudon Valley is still the standing champion for that award). It really pains me to say that, too. We met the owner, a very nice Greek grandfather who has some oddly similar mannerisms to my Italian grandpa. He explained how his idea was to make wines in a more traditional, Greek way, which unfortunately doesn't seem to be a great idea (i.e., the Greeks aren't known for their great wines). Probably the one major turn off is the high sulfur content in every one of the wines they have, offering a smell that just wasn't pleasant. Only one of the wines really stood out but still not enough to validate the others.

Rechina - This is a traditional, Greek wine that's aged with a heavy influences of herbs and spices (I tasted thyme, rosemary and basil). It's defintely a departure from anything I've had yet. I'm not sure I'd ever buy it though.

Final Assessment: I got the impression that this winery has a unique niche that apparently some peple like given the fine state of the winery, but I have no plans to head back there. I'm also blaming this place's wines for my giving praise to the porcelain god the following day.