Maggie Malick Wine Caves
by
Kathy Sullivan
Summary: Maggie Malick Wine Caves is in Northern Virginia’s authentic countryside and just a short distance across the Potomac River. Maggie Malick is the owner and winemaker of the winery and her husband Mark is in charge of the vineyards.
Upon reaching the entrance to Maggie Malick Wine Caves, visitors will be in Virginia’s beautiful countryside. The driveway is guarded by two sculptured lions sitting atop brick gate posts. After passing between the posts the long driveway wraps around a large home and beyond visitors will see the location of the winery. The winery is located in a white manmade cave covered with lawn. Gleaming stainless steel tanks shine outside the winery door. This is also the location of the tasting counter.
Wine and travel enthusiasts can walk through the cave to the back door where a large covered pavilion provides tables and seating with great views of the vineyards. This is also the location of weekend events. Picnic tables are placed on the grass close to one of the four ponds on the property. On a hillside, a gazebo stands between the winery and vineyards.
The couple purchased the 215-acre property in 1996 as a result of searching for a large property that would accommodate a small landing for a plane. Mark is a former commercial pilot and a realtor and Maggie’s full-time career is in aerospace engineering. When they purchased the property, it was an overgrown Christmas tree farm. Today the land is cleared and home to 30 acres of vineyards.
The vineyards were started in 2001 with a planting of five acres of Viognier. In 2004 Maggie started making small batches of wine. In 2010 Maggie made the decision to open a commercial winery and the winery opened in 2013.
Today the vineyards have numerous grape varieties including Albarino, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Garnacha, Malbec, Merlot, Mourvedre, Petit Manseng, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc, Tannat, Tempranillo, Syrah and Viognier.
Currently the winery produces 2,000 cases of wine and all the wines are sold in the tasting room. The winery only purchases Vidal Blanc grapes. Maggie learned how to make wine by practice, taking classes and talking with other winemakers.
The Malicks are experienced travelers and have visited the wine caves of California. They are fascinated with wine caves and wanted to create a wine cave for their winery. Purchasing a cave kit, they constructed the building and placed four feet of soil over the room. It takes a large mower to climb the sides of the cave to maintain the grass.
Wines
Maggie has produced several wines that are available for tasting. The wine bottle images are similar with a drawing of Maggie on a red label. In the drawing the image is holding a wine glass with red wine then the wine is red and vice versa.
The 2014 Petit Manseng with 13% alcohol was a dark yellow color. The wine offered tropical fruits and yellow stone fruit on the aroma. The wine was smooth with notes of peach and nectarine and a touch of sweetness. The wine had a crisp finish with a fruity aftertaste. Pair this wine with a rocking chair gently swaying on the porch. Viognier 2012 was yellow with a light orange blossom aroma and hint of baking spice. This crisp tasting wine was aged for nine months in neutral oak. The finish tended to be long. The Viognier 2014 was a pale yellow color with a delicate aroma. The taste was light and crisp while the finish had notes of orange blossoms. This would be a very pleasant summer wine.
The Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 with 13% alcohol was a translucent sienna color. The aroma had dark fruit notes. The taste offered plum and blackberry notes. The body was medium to full. The wine, with mild tannins, had a fruity finish. Petit Verdot 2012 with 13% alcohol was a dark translucent ruby color with a sienna hue. The wine offered dark fruit notes including blackberries with a hint of black cherries. The wine had a medium/full body. There were tannins and a fruity finish. Tannat 2012, also with 13% alcohol, was a dark translucent ruby color. The wine offered dark fruit notes on the aroma. The wine had a medium/full body with notes of blackberries and plum on the taste. Tannin lovers will enjoy this wine with its bold tannins. The wine had a fruity finish.
Garnacha 2012 was a translucent dark red color with an intense aroma. Notes of earthiness and spices including pepper, and berries were observed. The wine offered tannins and the finish lingered. Merlot 2011 with 13% alcohol was the first vintage. The wine was a translucent with a dark purple color. The aroma was earthy. Berry notes included plums and black berries. The taste was smooth with tannins and earthiness. The wine had a long aftertaste.
Future plans include increasing production and adding a wine tasting facility. Discover Maggie Malick Wine Caves soon.
Maggie Malick Wine Caves
12138 Harpers Ferry Rd.
Purcellville, VA 20132
GPS: N39º 16.705’ W77º 43.252’
Article written July 2015
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