Summer fun at the Wine Caves
Harvest Kindness Raffle
The Loudoun Wineries Association is teaming up with Harvest Kindness in the month of July to raise money for those in need in the local agricultural community while marketing unique experiences at our Loudoun wineries. Fourteen member wineries are participating by raffling off a fabulous experience at your winery. Raffle tickets are available at the wineries and cost $5.

Last year, Harvest Kindness was able to raise $20,000 for winegrower Jan Mathov to purchase a TrackChair to help her manage her vineyard. A huge part of the funds raised came from selling raffle tickets for unique winery experiences. Experiences last year included meeting with winemakers, an ATV vineyard tour and tasting, private dinners in the vineyard, and food and wine pairings. 
The Maggie Malick Wine Caves experience will be either a VIP seated wine tasting for four with Mark & Maggie or a one hour ATV guided tour of the vineyard. Stop by the Cave to get your raffle ticket.

Other upcoming summer Wine Cave events include:
  • August - Grand opening of the new Cave
  • August 24-25 - PondFest
Coming soon to your wineglass!
During enology research trips to Uruguay, Maggie and Mark discovered an unexpected blend, Tannat-Viognier. Back at home, Maggie began experimenting to see how this blend would work with Virginia grapes. To create the Tannat/Viognier blend, Maggie needed to co-ferment the two grapes together to link the Tannat's structure and lingering finish with the Viognier's rich yet elegant bouquet. In Virginia, Tannat and Viognier do not typically ripen at the same time but in 2017, Mother Nature cooperated and Maggie's 2017 Tannat-Viognier will soon be available. And don't forget that Tannat is often touted as one of the healthiest red wines thanks to much higher levels of antioxidants (like resveratrol).

Our 2018 Duet is now available and is taking the tasting room by storm! A surprising and lovely blend of Chardonnay and Petit Manseng, this wine exudes aromas of peaches, white flowers and subtle oak notes. On the palate, there are notes of stone fruits, apples and a hint of nutmeg. Come visit the Wine Caves to enjoy a glass on the new patio.
Reserve your cabin now for summer 2020
Sail with Maggie on the Rhone River wine cruise
Cruise with Maggie and Mark through France's Rhone River wine country on a once-in-a-lifetime, seven-night, summer 2020 vacation.
Reserve your cabin now.
I n addition to wine, cruise participants can choose free excursions, such as, truffle hunting; sightsee at the gothic-style St. Maurice Cathedral; take guided bike tours through Lyon and; visit Le Château de Tournon, for a red wine and chocolate pairing, and Saint Paul de Mausole Asylum, where Vincent van Gogh once lived and painted.
You’ll sample wines at vineyards in Condrieu and Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Both are inspirations for Maggie’s  award-winning Viognier and Captain’s Cuvée.
AmaWaterways is the highest-rated river cruise in the world. Our ship features rooms for just 144 total passengers, creating a unique and intimate travel experience for you. Due to the popularity of the cruise, 85% of the ship already is sold out. Reserve your cabin NOW.
Hurry to get your cabin for an unforgettable summer 2020 cruise. Call Dave Peet, at Just Vacations, Inc. , 717-633-7722, to reserve your cabin today.
Vineyard News - Harvest 2019
"Wild White" or Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a green-skinned grape variety that originates from the Bordeaux region of France. The grape most likely gets its name from the French words sauvage and blanc due to its early origins as an indigenous grape in South West France.

Mark and his team are pulling leaves on the Sauvignon Blanc vines to ensure that the grapes achieve optimum ripeness. Proper leaf removal can accomplish the following:
  • Improve air circulation
  • Expose the fruit to more sunlight
  • Improve flavor compounds, color and bud fertility

It's important that an adequate number of leaves remain on the shoot to produce carbohydrates to support vine growth, fruit development and ripening. Having the necessary energy stores, will allow the vines to develop reserves for overwintering and bud winter hardiness. It only requires the removal of a few leaves from around the fruiting zone to achieve the desired affect but with a total of 30,000 vines, timing is critical to ensure that each vine receives the appropriate amount of sunlight.

Sauvignon Blanc is the first grape to ripen each year, typically around September 1. The countdown starts - we're only six weeks away from the start of harvest!!