I decided to begin my blog reviewing my last visit to a Northern Virginia winery because its food pairing feature is unique and a great way to start your new year by trying something new. (plus the picture can still make me pretend I'm on a holiday schedule)
Fabbioli Cellars had been on my visit list for a while, and I chose a Friday afternoon in December when things were pretty quiet. It's tucked at the end of a dirt road on the rural side of Leesburg, so make sure to drive slow. The tasting room is two stories with lots of light.
The tasting consisted of 6 wines with small bites of food, and 2 without (one was a 'bonus pour' for fun). The food and wine rotation changes monthly, so this is definitely a place you can keep going back to!
One other unique aspect of this winery is that they don't necessarily serve the typical Virginia wines, but variations on them or even something completely different, such as a pear wine or red Zinfandel using grapes from Washington state. For this particular tasting there was only one white wine, but they change every month and in the spring and summer you definitely see more whites and rose wines at all Virginia wineries.
The tasting is seated, which gives you a good hint that you should settle in and get ready for a more personal tasting than some other wineries you may visit. The staff member was one of the most knowledgeable and fun I've had, and it definitely made a difference.
Even if you're not sure if you'll like a particular bite of food, try it! There were several instances where I liked a wine better after I had the food.
My favorite pairing: Zinfandel reserve served with cranberry goat cheese and date on a wheat cracker. This Zinfandel is not only red but also aged in oak (pretty unique as a red is not often aged in oak and I normally think white when I hear Zinfandel), and the cheese settled some of the tannins and brought out more flavors.
Something Different: Their dessert wine is made from Merlot, so its a little less syrupy sweet than others you may have tried - I really liked it!
What I chose: a glass of the Paco Rojo, a really unique blend of mainly chambourcin (more of an intro red) with cabernet franc and vidal blanc (a white!) that was made to go well with Latino food. It's a tad on the dry side when drunk without food, but I'm not sure you'll find this varietal anywhere else!
The Vines and Stems (aka the Fundamentals):
Tasting Fee: $15 (pay when you arrive)
Tasting: Seated at a bar
Outdoor areas: Multiple
Indoor Space: Ample; upstairs for 21+ only
Food: In addition to the food pairing, you can buy larger portions of the pairing or other appetizers.
Other Wines: There are at least 20 other varieties that you can buy outside of the tasting menu, including multiple dessert and port style options.
Stacy's Take:
Red Range: * * * - I think there's something for everyone, especially depending on what bonus pour you get!
Family Friendly: * *
The tasting would probably be hard to sit through and there's not a lot of open space to run around, but there is a big seating area outdoors just for families.
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