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Fauquier Times | www.fauquier.com | May 23, 2018
BUSINESS WWW.FAUQUIER.COM
A unique blend aims to ‘uncork the cure’ By Anita L. Sherman Community Editor
Robert Frost’s “A Road Not Taken” comes to mind as you drive north in Fauquier County. Hume Road, for example, winds its way through the lush rural countryside. You can drive for miles and not encounter another car depending on the hour and day of the week. It was Hume Road that lured Bob Claymier, who grew up on a cattle ranch in the high desert country of Eastern Oregon, to explore that scenic road more than 20 years ago. Retired from the federal government, Bob was looking for a place to raise horses and honor his Oregon roots. He and his wife, Linda, first spotted their current location at 13726 Hume Road in the early ’90s but it would be some two years later, with the property still on the market, that they would be able to call it home. A lifetime of work had them living in desert countries like Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt as well as many other overseas assignments. Deserts have always had a draw for them, that and their memories of Oregon’s desert country, so it was a natural fit to name it Desert Rose Ranch Arabians. “Opening a winery was not in the game plan,” laughs Linda Claymier, who is sitting comfortably in a large open room bedecked with western memorabilia and wine bottles. In addition to Bob’s upbringing on a ranch was his love of grapes and winemaking. Breeding, boarding and training horses turned out to be a successful operation but harvesting grapes was always in the back of Bob’s mind. A small plot for growing and making wine for the family quickly morphed from hobby to household word as, over the years, the ranch part has waned. Desert Rose Ranch and Winery is now best known for its wines… partnered with a western flair.
A warm welcome
Their decision to embark on a wine adventure was enthusiastically supported by fellow winemakers in the Piedmont area like John Delmar at Rappahannock Cellars, which is located very nearby. The Claymiers had been selling some of their grapes to Rappahannock Cellars. Linda recalls John telling them that with the closure of Oasis Winery some years ago, the area was ripe for another vineyard. “We’ve been very pleased,” says Linda, “all of the neighboring wineries have been very friendly and helpful.” Now, you can choose from a Covert Cab or Fiery Run Cab Franc, if you prefer reds, to Hitch Hollow Chardonnay or Ole Moo Moo, for white wine aficionados, to a Sparky Rose. Amble on up to their horseshoe shaped bar for a wine tasting and history lesson. You can opt to join “The Posse,” which entitles you to
Bob Claymier’s unique white blend “Uncork the Cure” honors their daughter Kim.
Desert Rose Ranch and Winery Owners: Bob and Linda Claymier 13726 Hume Road, Hume Phone: 540-635-3200 Email: info@desertrosewinery.com Website: www.desertrosewinery.com
Linda Claymier discounts. Membership requires the purchase of two bottles a quarter. While sipping you can peruse the foreign currency under the glass from coins to paper. You’ll also find more pinned to a worldwide map detailing the countries the Claymiers have visited and/or worked or lived in. “Now, people bring in their own collections of foreign monies to add to ours,” smiles Linda. “It’s a great conversation starter and fun for the customers.” Linda’s effervescent personality is contagious. She emanates a positive and happy outlook on life and, while not expecting to run a winery in their “retirement,” she and Bob are loving it.
A life-changing event
But life threw them a curve ball in 2015 when on Good Friday of that year their daughter Kim was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer. She was in surgery all day that Easter with the cancer spreading into her lungs and reproductive organs. “She’s the best fighter,” said Linda of her daughter, who is well known in Culpeper working as the librarian at Culpeper County High School. Kim Mitchell has been a speaker at the Pamper Me Pink programs and is a good friend of Sharon Clark, owner of Pepperberries, who, for years, helped orchestrate that event.
Western décor like this ornate saddle offer patrons a hint into the Claymiers’ wine odyssey. Cancer-free but continuing on a chemo regimen, Kim, now 50, gladly shares the challenges and emotional roller coaster that life with cancer presents. But Dad had a Christmas gift in 2016 that brought inspiration and good taste. “None of us knew he was doing this,” said Linda, “it was a complete surprise.” As the family gathered on that Christmas morning, Bob’s gift to Kim was unwrapped. At first her reaction was, “Why would you give me a bottle of wine… you own a winery?” Then she looked at the label. Bob had created a unique white blend of wine all for her. The label reads “Uncork the Cure.” Kim was very touched. Linda laughs as she looks to the bottle with an illustration of a corkscrew under the name. Basically, it’s Bob’s way saying, “screw cancer.” Since then, the Claymiers donate a portion of all the sales of “Uncork the Cure” to cancer research or a specific cancer-related event or project. On Sunday, June 3, to commemorate National Cancer Survivors Day, Desert Rose Ranch and Winery will have a special fundraising event
from noon-6 p.m. With their two daughters and grandchildren all in this area, it is doubtful the Claymiers will return to live in Oregon but that’s all right with them. “We’ve found a home here…you never know what life is going to throw at you,” smiles Linda. “We love where we are.” The desert rose plant is native to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, haunts of their previous homes. It thrives in well-drained soil as do the grapes at Desert Rose Ranch and Winery. With hints of faraway lands, strong legs and an aroma of Western ambiance and compassion, the Claymiers wines will linger on your palette and call for a return.
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