Pearmund Cellars
by
K.L. Sullivan
Summary: Pearmund Cellars is located just a short distance from Washington, DC. After visiting Washington’s tourist attractions, consider a visit to Pearmund Cellars where one can relax and enjoy a glass of Pearmund’s quality wine inside the tasting room with a cozy fireplace setting or outdoors on the newly installed patio near the vineyards.
A visit to Pearmund Cellars is a delightful experience for wine lovers. Located in the large Washington, DC metropolitan area, this 7,200 case winery offers quality wines produced from their onsite vineyards and grapes sourced from Virginia vineyards. Chris Pearmund, managing partner, proudly notes, “Our best customers have been to many Virginia wineries and choose Pearmund Cellars as the best.” For Chris it is important they be the best not the biggest winery. Pearmund Cellars is consistently a top producer of quality wines notes Chris.
A long driveway winds through vineyards before reaching the tasting room and winery. A visit to Pearmund Cellars offers a unique time for visitors. Numerous bluebird boxes have been installed. Last year the winery had approximately 20 bluebirds and they are returning this year. In addition, there are beehives on the property. Half barrels are filled with bright summer flowers.
Vineyards
Vineyards consist of a little more than 15 acres. These vineyards were planted in 1976 and have produced mature fruit for many years. The primary grape is Chardonnay with more than a dozen clones. For optimization the rows are running north/south. The first vineyards were planted in 1976. Chris notes, they “grow what we need for quality.” At the time of an April visit, vineyard workers were in the vineyard and buds were beginning to swell on the grapevines.
The tasting room at Pearmund Cellars is bright and cheerful with a large tasting counter. Across from the tasting counter is a cozy spot, including a fireplace, where one can relax and enjoy a glass of wine. Be sure to notice the back wine labels with “Think Globally, Drink Locally.” Tabletops made from wine barrels, add to the atmosphere of the room. On the walls are paintings by local artists that are available for purchase.
Adjacent to the tasting room is the barrel room. The room can hold 200 barrels and was nearly at capacity. The racking system holding the barrels make it easy to rotate a barrel. When racking the wine, one can easily turn the barrel upside down to empty the last few liters of wine in the barrel. The next room in the winery houses the stainless steel tanks used for the production of white wines. Pearmund Cellars produces about 7,200 cases of wine. Petit Manseng has the largest production with 1,000 cases.
White Wines
Petit Manseng 2009 was a golden yellow with nuances of melon, apple, pear and a hint of banana. The finish was crisp and fruity. Pearmund Cellars produces the largest amount of Petit Manseng. Old Vine Chardonnay Meriwether Vineyard 2009 was golden yellow. The aroma offered apple, pear and mineral notes. The taste was silky with apple and pear nuances. On the finish, the fruit yielded to caramel and butter. Viognier 2009 was yellow and the aroma was floral. The smooth taste had tropical fruit salad notes and the finish was fruity.
Red Wines
Malbec 2009 was ruby. The wine offered an aroma and taste of dark fruit with oak nuances. The fruity finish had mild tannins. Cabernet Franc 2009 was a reddish purple color. The wine’s aroma had spices and the taste offered dark fruit notes. The finish with mild tannins was fruity yielding to spice. Ameritage 2007 was a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Merlot. The color was bright ruby. The aroma was of dark fruits while the taste was of dark fruit with oak nuances. The finish was fruity with tannins. Illuminatus Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 offered dark fruit with oak nuances. The taste was of dark fruit especially blackberries. The fruity finish had silky tannins.
About Chris Pearmund
Chris Pearmund has spent a large amount of time in many aspects of the wine industry. Today Chris is the Managing Partner at Pearmund Cellars and two other Northern Virginia wineries. In addition, he is the winemaker for several other wineries. As a strong supporter of the Virginia wine industry, Chris serves as a speaker for winemaking courses and vineyard management discussions as well as winemaker dinners. Special positions Chris has held include “Chairman of the Board for the Virginia Wine and Food Society, President of the Virginia Vineyards Association, Publisher of "The Grape Press," founding member of the Blue Ridge Wine Way, and nationally certified wine judge/instructor for the American Wine Society.” (Pearmund Cellars website)
Asked why he is so involved in the wine industry, Chris provides insight into his look at wine. He likes wine. Wines move slow enough for people to understand. “Science justifies the art.” Chris likes the people involved in the industry and the consumers who come by the tasting room.
Enjoy a visit to Pearmund Cellars for the experience and the quality wines. When visiting, ask to see the photo album of Pearmund Cellars wines that have traveled the globe. Customers have taken Pearmund Cellars wines to share with friends and family world-wide. The photo shows a 2004 Meritage that was shared with some of the staff of Vinopolis in London.
Pearmund Cellars
6190 Georgetown Road
Broad Run, VA 20137
(540) 347-3475
GPS: N38º 46.991' W77º 44.392'
For more information: Pearmund Cellars
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