Early Mountain Vineyards
Virginia vintners are growing in confidence, producing blends of varietals specially suited to Virginia’s terroir. Early Mountain Vineyards’ 2014 Block 11 Blend, with petit manseng and muscat grapes, is a prime example. Ben Jordan, winemaker at Early Mountain, says petit manseng matches the climate and soil in Madison perfectly, yielding high quality grapes, “but tends to be so rich and boisterous that you want to tame it a little,” which is why Jordan has paired the petit manseng with the leaner, lighter muscat. “The richness and lightness balance each other out,” says Jordan. “You get this interplay of aromatic flavors and a wine that’s even greater than the sum of its parts.” If that all sounds a bit abstract, a single rich-but-fresh sip of the Block 11 blend should be enough to convince—though you’ll probably want to drink the whole glass, just to be sure. $23. EarlyMountain.com
See all the Made in Virginia 2015 Winners!
Overall Winner
Fern and Roby, Richmond
Home
Monolith Studios, Charlottesville (category winner)
Huger Embroidery, Richmond
Duvall Designs, Millwood
Owen Suter’s Fine Furniture, Richmond
Style
Shockoe Atelier, Richmond (category winner)
Rockbridge Guitar Company, Charlottesville
Melissa Lew Jewelry, South Riding
North End Bag Co., Virginia Beach
Drink
Belle Isle Craft Spirits, Richmond (category winner)
Early Mountain Vineyards, Madison
Texas Beach, Richmond
LUMI Juice, Charlottesville
Food
Brown Dog Handcrafted Premium Ice Cream, Cape Charles (category winner)
S. Wallace Edwards & Sons, Surry
Swover Creek Farms, Edinburg
Pennacook Peppers, Virginia Beach
Click here to see 2014 winners.
Click here to see 2013 winners.
Click here to see 2012 winners.
