Dry Mill Vineyards and Winery
by
Kathy Sullivan
Dry Mill Vineyards and Winery, located in Loudoun County, is one of Virginia’s newest wineries. The winery is family-owned and the owners have renovated a 1940’s barn and stable into a comfortable tasting room with a large event room above. Visit the Dry Mill Vineyards and Winery website for events to attend.
The owners of Dry Mill Vineyards, Dean and Nancy Vanhuss and their daughter, Michelle Pizzarello began planting vineyards in 1997 at Short Hill Vineyards in Lovettsville. Today the six acres of grape varieties include Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Gewürztraminer.
After discovering that the stable and barn for the Loudoun Hunt Club was available and purchasing the property, the Vanhusses set to work to restore the building. In restoring the building, they sought to reuse the original wood, which gives the tasting room a rustic ambiance. After restoration, the large building serves as a tasting room, patio, event room and space for the winery. Wine is made off-site, however future plans are to move the wine equipment to the Dry Mill facility.
Currently the tasting room offers eight wines to taste. A light menu is available and includes baguettes, salmon, Brie, salami, prosciutto and water crackers
White Wines
Traminette 2008 offers a light yellow color with a floral aroma. The taste had notes of honeysuckle, apple and banana. The finish was crisp and fruity. Viognier 2008 produced in stainless steel was almost clear. The wine offered a honeysuckle aroma with a taste of peach. The finish was crisp. Steel Chardonnay 2008 was almost clear. The aroma was of citrus. The taste was smooth with citrus notes. The crisp finish also had citrus notes. Barrel Chardonnay 2008 was a light yellow color. The aroma was of citrus. The taste was smooth with citrus notes. The finish was crisp with a hint of caramel.
Red Wines
Syrah 2007 was a blend of 90 percent Syrah and 10 percent Tannat. The result was a light reddish-pink color with an earthy and pepper aroma. The taste was of dark fruit and pepper. The fruity finish had mild tannins. Cabernet Franc 2007 had a light red-pink color. The aroma and taste were of dark fruit and pepper. The finish offered fruity and pepper notes with mild tannins. Norton 2007 offered an aroma of plum and cherries. The taste was very fruity. The crisp finish had mild tannins.
Rosé Wines
Rosé 2007 was a blend of Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Tannat and Chambourcin. The color was red and this wine had two percent residual sugar. The aroma and taste were of strawberries. The finish had sweet fruit notes.
When you visit consider taking time to purchase light fare from the menu and enjoy it on the patio with views of the countryside.
Drymill Vineyards and Winery
18195 Dry Mill Road
Leesburg, VA 20175
GPS: N39º 06.807’ W77º 36.108’
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