Alcohol: 13.6%
Grape(s): Sauvignon Blanc
Localization: Virginia, USA
Tasting Notes: Defined by its fresh acidity, bright fruit, and delicate minerality
Food Pairing: Sauvignon Blanc is lovely as an apérifit or pair with seafoods, cheeses, or lighter fare
The Domain: Glen Manor Vineyards is located in Virginia approximately 70 miles west of Washington D.C., situated on a western flank of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The surrounding mountains, ranging between 1400 and 3400 feet in elevation, form a Glen which gives the vineyards a unique environment: A world of its own. The vines grow high on very steep mountain slopes characterized by deep, well-draining, and rocky soils. We employ a permanent cover crop between the rows and under the vines to aid in controlling the vines' summertime growth and to increase the biodiversity of the vineyard.
The original six-acre vineyard was established in 1995. Over time, we have added new plantings on our mountainside bringing our total acreage under vine to 17.
Blessed by our steep mountain slopes and high elevation, we are able to produce wines of concentration and precision. High elevation allows for slow, steady ripening of the fruit and balance of the canopy. Steep grades allow for water to flow away from the vines, encouraging the plants to focus their energy on fruit production rather than rapid vine growth.
Our mountainside is rich and poor: rich in its variety of soil types; poor in that the soils are rocky and well-draining. This combination is ideal for wine growing. The variety of soil types teaches us how each grape variety grows in different soils, allowing for more balance and choices in the short term and allowing for more informed decisions for replanting and the generations to come. The rocky and well-draining nature of the soils allows for the plants to bring their energy to fruit production and concentration, rather than vine growth and water retention in the berries.
Glen Manor Vineyards is located in Virginia approximately 70 miles west of Washington D.C., situated on a western flank of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The surrounding mountains, ranging between 1400 and 3400 feet in elevation, form a Glen which gives the vineyards a unique environment: A world of its own. The vines grow high on very steep mountain slopes characterized by deep, well-draining, and rocky soils. We employ a permanent cover crop between the rows and under the vines to aid in controlling the vines summertime growth and to increase the biodiversity of the vineyard.
The original six-acre vineyard was established in 1995. Over time, we have added new plantings on our mountainside bringing our total acreage under vine to 17.
Our slopes range from 7% to 35%. The elevation of the vineyards is between 1000-1400 feet above sea level.
Influenced by the variability of our Virginia climate, both in terms of erratic rainfall and quick temperature shifts, we look to Bordeaux as an initial example of how we structure our varietal choices and wines. With this template, we grow Sauvignon Blanc, and four of the Bordeaux red varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. From there, we step beyond the Bordeaux model and adapt to our specific mountainside. Drawing inspiration from other mountainous grape-growing regions, we add Petit Manseng and (more recently) Nebbiolo to our farm.
