Estate-Grown Vineyard in Delaplane, Virginia Named East Coast’s First Grand Cru Winery
October 11th – (Delaplane, VA)— RdV Vineyards, a luxury vineyard an hour outside Washington, D.C., at the tail end of the Lost Mountain range of the Appalachian Mountains, has been designated a Grand Cru vineyard by famed oenologist Eric Boissenot, who Decanter magazine named Bordeaux’s secret weapon for his blending prowess of Bordeaux’s most famous châteaux.
“Virginia is a magical place and yet one which the wine world consistently underestimates. From my first internship in 2001 with Linden Vineyards, I saw the potential for greatness in this granite hillside and wanted to be a pioneer in helping to put Virginia on the world’s wine map. With our investments in winemaking, including technology and everything from tanks to barrels to experts, we’ve spared no expense to achieve what no one else thought possible,” said Vigneron Rutger de Vink.
“I’m so proud of what our team has achieved,” said winemaker Joshua Grainer. “Many of them have been with us since we first planted our vines, and to achieve our goal in twenty years is a testament to the hard work and commitment from everyone on the vineyard team.”
RdV is set to release their 100% allocated 2019 Lost Mountain on October 29, a world-class Bordeaux-style blend (Cabernet Sauvignon 60%, Cabernet Franc 38%, Merlot 2%) that marries the elegance of Bordeaux with the bold spirit of California. Of this vintage, Eric Boissenot said, “This wine has a great personality which is expressed first and foremost by its nose of incredible precision and great complexity. Without a doubt, this vintage is the most successful of the Lost Mountains, which places RdV as a true American Grand Cru.”
Noted wine critic James Suckling also had high praise, noting, “The balance and linear character in their red is their best ever. And it proves that Virginia can make world class wines with the right dedication and work in the vineyards and winery.” The wines of 2019 are the beautiful culmination of years of relentless and incremental improvements in the vineyard and winery, married with the attributes of a stunning growing season.
RdV Vineyards is located at 2550 Delaplane Grade Road in Delaplane, Virginia. Their tasting room is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays by reservation only. Follow their winemaking journey on Instagram at @rdvvineyards.
About RdV
RdV Vineyards, situated on a steep, granite hillside 60 miles outside of Washington, D.C. in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, produces two world-class Bordeaux-style blends. Its terroir of southern-exposed slopes and rocky soil are ideal for the Bordeaux varietals—Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot – and this hillside winery, in bucolic Delaplane, VA, has become a destination for wine enthusiasts from all over the world.
