GRAPEVINE
MATT FITZSIMMONS
Offbeat Adventures in Virginia Wine Country 2020
was filled with cancelled day trips in the name of social distancing, but now the world is transitioning to a healthier place. It’s time for wine lovers to dust off those plans and get back to traveling. Virginia wine country is the perfect place to escape – and not just for wine. Many wineries host recreational activities which range from truly adventurous to laidback and relaxing. Other are located in scenic or historical areas, making it easy to spice your trip with something extra.
PAIRING WINE WITH HIKING & KAYAKING DuCard and Chatham If you want to burn some calories before sipping wine, DuCard Vineyards near Shenandoah Park and Chatham Vineyards and Winery along the Chesapeake Bay have you covered. DuCard is only 15 minutes away from the trailheads of both Old Rag Mountain and White Oak Canyon. Old Rag is likely the most popular hike in Virginia – and one of the Old Town Crier
toughest. The 9 mile loop starts off easy, but soon takes you through a series of steep switchbacks through the forest. But the real challenge starts near the 3 mile mark where you start a series of rock scrambles right before the summit. If waterfalls are more your thing, then visit White Above: DuCard Vineyards Oak Canyon. Right: Chatham Vineyards Paddle Your Glass Off This 8.2 mile hike doesn’t have the 360° summit view Old Rag offers, but rewards you with a series of waterfalls and a watering hole with a For something on the water, natural slide. visit Chatham Vineyards After you’re done, DuCard American on the Eastern Shore and awaits. This place takes the Viticultural Area participate in a “Paddle your word ‘authenticity’ seriously. (AVA). The vineyard’s glass off ” kayaking trip. This It’s not just the estate-grown location on a well-drained wine; the staff is very friendly, 45 minute excursion takes sandy peninsula between you along the banks of nearby the Atlantic and Chesapeake and often owner Scott Elliff Church Creek, followed by a will greet you himself. allows for moderate visit to the winery. Finding a favorite wine will temperatures and a long Chatham is famous for be tough. Make sure to try out ripening season, perfect for their distinctive terroir-driven producing grapes that balance their Petit Verdot, but their bottle of “Decade One White” wines and is the only winery acid with bright, fresh flavors. is a steal. The result is a terroir located in the Eastern Shore
friendly to Europeanstyle grapes. While the soft reds are wonderful, Chatham is famous for its seafood-friendly white wines, especially their minerality, steel-fermented Chardonnay. GRAPEVINE > PAGE 36
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