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theCompass mobile application is a winery, brewery, and distillery locator for North America. |
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Ankida Ridge Vineyards
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Far away from the cities on a steep eastern slope of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, sets a little vineyard. We planted these tightly spaced vines of the Burgundian grapes, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, at an elevation of 1800 ft, amongst the rocks and steep narrow rows of vines. There is no level ground underfoot. And the rocks! Oh, the rocks. Multiple tons of rocks were removed to make room for the vines. This was no easy cow pasture in which to plant vines, and we asked ourselves more than once, “What were we thinking?!”
Trying to grow grapes on a mountainside is no easy endeavor. But we continued to work the rugged land, tended lovingly to the vines and held on to the belief that this little spot of earth was a good site, a very good site, to create beautiful wines. The views are majestic and the mountain air is clean and fragrant with seasonal perfumes that would be infused into the grapes themselves. The beauty of this place had to be expressed in our grapes. We held on to that dream and patiently and steadfastly worked until the day would come when we could taste the wine made from the grapes raised on this land that we love.
For our consultants, we hired the renowned viticulturist, Lucie Morton to guide us in the vineyard. And for the wine-making end, the award-winning winemaker, Matthieu Finot, has overseen the transformation of our grapes into wine, with Nathan Vrooman, serving as the winemaker under Matthieu’s guidance. With a team like this, how could we go wrong?
And finally, in 2011, our first vintage is here. Our little vineyard, planted in 2008, has given us our first crop. After the harvest, after three seasons in barrel, at last… a small pour in a glass, a sniff of its bouquet. We held the glass up to the sky and looked at each another and smiled.
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Directions
We are located an easy one hour drive south of Charlottesville and north of Lynchburg, VA
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Chardonnay
First on the nose is pear, citrus, acacia flower, opening on the palate to hazelnut, tropical fruit, a hint of lemongrass and a wet slate minerality. A vibrant, long finish carries the minerality. Pair with lightly spiced seafood, poultry, vibrant summer salads such as Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Salad with a Tarragon, Chervil and Citrus Oil Dressing.
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Pinot Noir
First on the nose is heavy black cherry, followed by strawberry and sandalwood. The taste of dark fruits of wild blackberry and raspberry blending with tobacco and black tea create complexity in the mouth. A round, full body with balanced tannins reflects the warm 2010 vintage. A long, cherry finish lingers in the mouth.
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