Virginia Wine Chat is a monthly virtual gathering to discuss the wines, winemakers, wineries and regions of Virginia, the up and coming wine region at US East Coast.
Founder and Moderator is Frank Morgan, who introduces himself on his twitter account as follows: “Aerospace industry by day, proud parents, chronic traveler, wine enthusiast & vinous bloggers by night, reader, observer, kinda runner. Founder of #VAWineChat.”
I have known Frank for many years. Funny: Although we are both based in Virginia, we met the first time we met in person in Italy during the European Wine Bloggers Conference (now Digital Wine Communications Conference) 2011.
About a year ago, Frank created Virginia Wine Chat. It is a monthly one hour talk show at a Virginia winery with the winemaker and/or owner, via UStream and twitter. People watch the talk show online and interact with Frank and his guest(s) during the show via twitter. A few people, like my wife Annette Schiller and me this time, have the privilege of seeing the show “live”. You can also watch the show later at any time via the Virginia Wine Chat UStream channel.
There were about a dozen people sitting in the show, including Mark and Vicky Fedor from North Gate Vineyards, Kathy Lang Wiedemann and Kimberly B. Richardson.
I have participated in previous shows online, sometimes being far away from Virginia. This time, was the first time for me to be at the show and watch the show “live”.
Breaux Vineyards
Breaux Vineyards is owned by Paul Breaux, who made his money with a real estate company specializing in sales and property management on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and is managed by Jennifer Breaux Blosser, Paul’s daughter, and her husband Christopher M. Blosser.
What began as a small hobby in the carriage house of the original 1750's Log Cabin on the far side of the property, has grown into what the Washington Post describes as "Loudoun County's most impressive wine undertaking."
Today, the 404 acre estate has over 100 acres planted in 18 different grape varieties. Breaux Vineyards produces 10.000 to 12.000 cases per year. 90% of it is sold on the premises.
Breaux Vineyards has been voted Virginia’s “Favorite Winery” consecutively for the past three years. It is located only an hour from metropolitan DC, Dulles and BWI airports and a short distance from historic Harpers Ferry, WV.
See also:
Visiting Jennifer Breaux Blosser and Breaux Vineyards in Virginia, USA
Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller and Jennifer Breaux Blosser in the Breaux Wine Cellar
Winemaker Heather Munden
Heather Munden has been in charge of winemaking at Breaux Vineyards for about a year. She grew up in the Bay Area of California. Her education background includes a hotel and restaurant management degree from San Francisco City College and a Viticulture and Enology degree from the University of California, Davis.
Heather began her career in wine after a meeting with Robert Mondavi. “His passion for wine was infectious…and I was hooked,” she recalls. “I grew up on a large ranch and loved raising and cooking my food. The passion I found for flavor naturally led me to a passion for great wine.”
Heather, who most recently held the prestigious title of Artisan Winemaker at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards in Sonoma, CA, brings with her more than 20 years’ experience producing ultra-premium wines around the world. After graduating from UC Davis, Munden spent three years crossing the globe working as a harvest intern, consultant, and winemaker in Italy, New Zealand, Chile and Western Australia. Since earning her degree at the University of California, Davis she has garnered critical acclaim for her wines, with nearly 20 wines ranging from 90 to 95 points from Robert Parker, Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, and Wine and Spirits magazines.
See:
Coming-up: Wine & Art Tour to Saale-Unstrut - Saxony - Franken - Württemberg: Germany-East Tour by ombiasy WineTours (June 11 - June 20, 2015)
4 Wine Tours by ombiasy coming up in 2015: Germany-East, Germany-South. Germany-Nord and Bordeaux
“Heather’s skill in extracting the best from a single-vineyard environment and in small lots is what makes her unique.” says General Manager of Breaux Vineyards, Christopher Blosser. “As a 100% estate-grown farm winery it’s important to have someone who is passionate about the care of the land and who works as part of our team to build upon the world-class wines people have come to expect from Breaux.” Her passion for flavor extends beyond wine grapes and into making charcuterie, bee keeping and even building her own brick oven.
Virginia Wine Chat at Breaux Vineyards
We tasted 4 wines during the show. Frank posed 2 kinds of questions – they were either related to the 4 wines we tasted or to the 2 persons that he interviewed. As to the latter, Jenn provided a bit of background with regard to herself and the winery and Heather talked about about who she is and what brought her to Virginia from California.
NV Breauxmance – a delicious Vidal Blanc based sparkler, with 1% Chambourcain
2013 Lafoyotte – Cabernet Franc (100%). Heather Munden: Cabernet Franc is a blender in California, but a stand-alone variety in Virginia. Ripens early. Has great potential in Virginia. Virginia is a bridge between the old world and the new world style.
2007 Meritage – Cabernet Sauvignon (42%), Merlot (25%), Malbec (18%), Cabernet Franc (5%). Jen Breaux: 2007 was a fantastic year with high sugar level at harvest and thus high alcohol level in the finished wine. This one has 15,2% alc., but it is well integrated.
2002 Merlot Reserve – is holding up nicely, with a light sherry tone.
Virginia Wine Chat at Breaux and Upcoming Chats
You can watch the show at any time via the Virginia Wine Chat UStream channel here.
In April, Frank said, he will take a break and go on vacation. The May Virginia Wine Chat will deal with the Wines of the Northern Neck. Frank also mentioned that he is working on a show with a Virginia beer brewery.
schiller-wine: Related Posting
Northern Virginia Magazine October 2012: Wine Recs from Local Winos
Virginia Wines Shine in San Francisco - 2012 San Francisco International Wine Competition, USA
Jim Law and Linden Vineyards in Virginia – A Profile, USA
Boxwood Winery in Virginia: Lunch with Wine Makers Rachel Martin and Adam McTaggert in the Chai between the Tanks – TasteCamp 2012 East Kick-Off, USA
An Afternoon with Jordan Harris, Winemaker of Tarara, Virginia, USA
Vineyard Walk, Wine Tasting in the Vineyard and Lunch in the Tarara Tank Cellar with Wine Maker Jordan Harris, Tarara Winery, USA
Visiting Jennifer Breaux Blosser and Breaux Vineyards in Virginia, USA
Bordeaux Meets Virginia: Visiting Rutger de Vink and his RdV Vineyards with Anne Cuvelier from Chateau Leoville Poyferre in St. Julien, Bordeaux
Judging Virginia Wines in Suffolk, Virginia - Virginia Wine Lover Magazine Wine Classic 2012
A New Winery in Virginia - The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards, USA
Boxwood Winery in Virginia: Lunch with Wine Makers Rachel Martin and Adam McTaggert in the Chai between the Tanks – TasteCamp 2012 East Kick-Off, USA
Book Review: "Beyond Jefferson's Vines - The Evolution of Quality Wine in Virginia" by Richard Leahy, USA
TasteCamp 2012 in Virginia, USA – A Tour d’Horizont
As Close as You Can Get to (French) Champagne at the US East Coast – Claude Thibaut and His Virginia Thibaut Janisson Sparklers at screwtop Wine Bar
See: American Wines with French Roots: The Wines President Obama Served at the State Dinner for President Hollande, USA/France
Visiting Wine Maker Doug Fabbioli and his Fabbioli Cellars in Virginia, USA
North Gate Vineyard in Virginia, USA – A Profile
Virginia's Best Wines: 2015 Virginia Governor's Cup, USA
Virginia's Best Wines: 2014 Virginia Wineries Governor’s Cup, USA
Governor’s Cup Competition 2013, Virginia, USA
Coming-up: Wine & Art Tour to Saale-Unstrut - Saxony - Franken - Württemberg: Germany-East Tour by ombiasy WineTours (June 11 - June 20, 2015)
4 Wine Tours by ombiasy coming up in 2015: Germany-East, Germany-South. Germany-Nord and Bordeaux