A Sunday Afternoon in Purcellville, VA

For unknown reasons, I tend to visit Virginia wineries in the Fauquier, Charlottesville regions and have neglected some of the best VA wineries in the Purcellville, Loudoun County regions. This past Sunday I found myself in the gorgeous, picturesque Loudoun County.

I had a Groupon deal for Bogati Bodega for a wine and tapas tasting, which would be our first stop. An easy location right off of Harry Byrd Hwy (Rt 7), the tasting room is warm and inviting. Our appointment was at noon, as soon as it opened, so it was quiet and we had great conversation with Scott (our server). Even though we had the Groupon, we still chose to taste their full selection for a small $5 tasting fee.

They had a great selection of wines including a slightly oaky Seyval Blanc and a Viognier with a great finish. Some reds that stood out were the Syrah/Mourvedre blend as well as the Malbec. I prefer more Old World style wines and the Syrah/Mourvedre blend was just that! Not your typical Virginia wine, this was very earthy and an extensive depth of flavor. Another plus: Sangria! Their simple sangria recipe made with the Viognier was a perfect summertime sipper.

Once we tasted everything, we went on to the wine-and-tapas tasting. This pairs one white and one red with a cheese and charcuterie.  We took a seat in the beautiful dining area.

Scott brought us each a glass of the Seyval Blanc paired with a mild cheese and fig spread and the Malbec paired with spicy chorizo and sun dried tomatoes.

The fig jam was the show stopper for us. I'm always a sucker for good cheese and spreads! The spicy chorizo was perfect with the smooth, toasty Malbec as well.

Once we finished the glasses and tapas, we drove down the road to Hillsborough Vineyards. Atop a rolling hill, the vines cascaded down with a great tasting room and outdoor patio. It felt serene and peaceful, perfect for enjoying a glass of wine and taking in the lush scenery.

Inside, we were seated in the dining room and started with the tasting. They offer a wide range of award winning wines including a 100% Tannat, very uncommon in Virginia. Most, as did I, have a prenotion about Tannat, being very harsh and hard to drink on it's own. I was wrong! They use tannat in their Rose as well as blending it in their Bloodstone and Ruby. It is very smooth and not super tannic like other tannats you may have encountered. The Onyx (100% Tannat) is the one that stood out to me.

On the way out, we again took in the great views from the covered patio. It's an ideal setting for enjoying a bottle and cheese on a Sunday afternoon. Just take a look at this...

I'm sorry that I don't get out to Loudoun County enough! Great wines, people and views. I will definitely be back soon.

Cheers,
Jess