The breeze was crisp, the tulips freshly opened, and everything in Charlottesville whispered of something just beginning. It was our first time in the region—our first time at Michie Tavern, where the gardens spilled over with color and the scent of old timber mixed with damp earth and roasted chicken. From there, we made our way to Jefferson Vineyards, not yet knowing we’d taste eight wines and leave with two bottles—and a memory that would, somehow, last a decade.
Good Friday Tasting at Jefferson Vineyards – April 18, 2014
Our introduction to Charlottesville was crisp and hopeful, the kind of day that clings in memory—floral bursts outside Michie Tavern, and then a short drive to Jefferson Vineyards, where we tasted eight wines and started a spring tradition. Here’s a look at the lineup, from the quietly forgettable to the absolute standouts that came home with us.
Vin Rouge
Official Notes: Cherry on the nose with clean acids, light tannins, and a cranberry-nutmeg finish.
My Grade: B
My Notes: (None—not always a good sign!) This “festive blend” didn’t leave much of an impression. Pleasant enough but faded fast, like a background wine at a reception. One to sip and forget.
Chardonnay Reserve 2012
Official Notes: Lemon zest, pear, and vanilla—bridging Old World balance and New World boldness through barrel aging.
My Grade: B
My Notes: “I Like That” More memorable than the Rouge, this Chardonnay had charm—likely thanks to the oak—but didn’t quite cross into standout territory. Still, I liked it, which says plenty.
Cabernet Franc 2012
Official Notes: Cherry and spice with smooth fruit, soft tannins, and warm acidity.
My Grade: B+
My Notes: “SMOOTH” This one really opened up. Velvety texture, gentle spice, and that easy-drinking feel that Cabernet Francs from Virginia pull off so well. It walked the line between familiar and flavorful.
Petit Verdot 2012
Official Notes: Espresso, cedar, violet on the nose, with cassis and blackberry on the palate.
My Grade: A−
My Notes: (None recorded) Structured, brooding, and built to age, this was a red with backbone. Bold without being boastful. One of those wines I wish I’d scribbled a few tasting notes on—but maybe I was too into it to bother.
Pinot Gris 2012
Official Notes: Lemon peel, lychee, and star anise on the nose; lime and green apple on the finish.
My Grade: A+
My Notes: “Tart!” followed by a boldly underlined “Good!” Bright, expressive, and downright delicious. This was the first “aha!” wine of the lineup—something electric in its acidity and aromatics. It made me sit up and take notice.
Viognier 2012
Official Notes: Bursting with peach, honeysuckle, and grilled pineapple on the nose; soft peach, kiwi, and lime on the palate.
My Grade: A−
My Notes: A simple star—no words needed. This one snuck up on me—tropical, floral, and nuanced. A wine made for summer afternoons and fresh seafood, it must have struck a chord strong enough to earn a quiet star. Sometimes that’s all it takes.
Johannisberg Riesling 2011
Official Notes: A rare dry Riesling with just 0.5% residual sugar, featuring aromas of apricot and orange peel with honey and lemon flavors on the palate.
My Grade: A
My Notes: Labeled “FIRST”—our intro to the flight, and the one that stayed with me. Rieslings can be cloying, but this one danced—lean, aromatic, and unexpectedly rich without tipping into sweetness. It led the lineup and set the tone, both in order and in impact. One of the two bottles that came home.
Meritage 2010
Official Notes: A full bouquet of black cherry, anise, and vanilla, giving way to plum, spice, and orange peel. Hearty tannins mellowed by liberal French oak aging and two-and-a-half years of barrel time.
My Grade: A
My Notes: “THIS ONE” This was the showstopper—the bold, structured red that wrapped its tannins around the afternoon and wouldn’t let go. Smooth yet commanding, elegant but powerful, it’s the kind of wine that doesn’t whisper memories; it engraves them. This bottle came home. No regrets.
Also Available That Day
Though not officially tasted, the pour list also included a Rosé 2011 and a Vin Blanc—a white blend of Traminette and Petit Manseng. Even without a sip, those two hint at the breadth of what Jefferson was offering back then.
Ten Years Later…
Wine has a way of bookmarking time. What began as a simple stop on a cool Good Friday in 2014 became a tasting we still remember. Eight wines, two bottles, and one perfect spring afternoon in a place we’d never been but somehow felt familiar. We didn’t know it then, but this day would help spark a deeper journey—into Virginia vineyards, blooming taverns, and the stories wrapped in every swirl.
