Château MerrillAnne

A young and promising family vineyard in Virginia

The Château MerrillAnne is a winery in Virginia and specifically in Orange County. The property was acquired in 2003 by Kenny White, who bought the farm from his father. Following studies highlighting the potential of the soil, he also saw the growing market for Virginia wines and loving the wine, he decided to embark on viticulture. In 2008, after a long reflection on the implications this new challenge, a long research and feasibility studies he engaged in viticulture with the support of his wife Emily whom he had just married. Wanting to learn and understand the business of winemaker Kenny and Emily White followed a course of “Viticulture and Oenology” at the Piedmon Community College in Charlottesville.

In 2010 the first plots were planted. In 2012 they decided to renovate the old barn area and turn it into a tasting room. A small tasting room which is nevertheless very pleasant and friendly. You can stay here to enjoy a glass of wine while sharing with the owners. Or, if you’re lucky (not like me that day!) you can sit outside on the terrace to enjoy the countryside of Virginia! The lucky ones can even see animals such as deers or rabbits coming out of the forest surrounding the Château MerrillAnne to venture into the vineyard property.

Today the property is well expanded and with diversified its soils. In fact, thanks to the acquisition or rent Château MerrillAnne now covers 4.5 acres (1.82 hectares) with plots in the Orange County, but also in Albemarle County and in Loundoun County. Currently Kenny and Emily work in the vineyard and Michael Shaps make wines. They hired a winemaker in 2012 who is responsible for the vinification.

Where do the name and the logo (black cat) of the Château MerrillAnne come from?

“Our name comes from our parents. ‘Merrill’ was the name of my father and ‘Anne’ my mother. Regarding the logo when we arrived there was a black cat, it was quickly adopted and immortalized on our labels. “(Kenny and Emily White)

How did you think about the project of making wine here?

“We love this product! It flowed naturally from making wine here given the terroir that was it; would be a shame to do anything or not do anything here. Originally it was my idea and this project grows as the years pass. I lived here, it was owned by my father before. Also we liked the idea of ​​living here in the countryside. “(Kenny and Emily White)

What does the wine and property of Château MerrillAnne is/repesents for you?

“This is our project, our passion. That’s what we do, it’s part of our job. We are very involved since we are only two, both of us working in the vineyard. We love what we do, we are passionate and we always try to do the best we can, to give the best of ourselves.

Château MerrillAnne is the fruit of our work to my wife and I, we do everything together. However, some times children or friends come to help us also for big works. “(Kenny and Emily White)

Do you have plans for the property ?

“Yes, we want to plant Norton grape here. This is a variety of Virginia which is quite popular here. In the other side, we do not want to grow in size, we want to maintain a reasonable size and simply work better. We will produce a maximum of 1000 cases per year. “(Kenny and Emily White)

What characterizes the wines of Château MerrillAnne ?

The character present in our wines and Château MerrillAnne are a good freshness, a slightly creamy texture and good precision in fruit flavors. These are wines that are not over-forested.

“Freshness and we look to have enough dry wines because that’s what we love. “(Kenny and Emily White)

Some features:

• Production: 450 to 600 cases per year
• Size: 4.5 acres (1.82 hectares)
• 60% of the grapes used come from the vineyards of Château MerrillAnne
• practice a sustainable agriculture
• terroir typical red clay of Orange County (Virginia) and lots of quartz on the hill that allows for good drainage
• Production of 6 wines: Château MerrillAnne – Chardonnay; Château MerrillAnne – White Palace; Château MerrillAnne – Vin Gris; Château MerrillAnne – Governor Spotswood Red; Château MerrillAnne – Red Palace; Château MerrillAnne – Cabernet Sauvignon
• White wines on the lees
• Grapes used: Cayuga, Chambourcin, Chardonnay, Viognier, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Side anecdote:

Despite its small size and its location the vineyard of Château MerrillAnne often receives the world! “We regularly receive wine critics or bloggers who come here, in the middle of nowhere to enjoy a glass of wine with us, to meet us.” (Kenny and Emily White)

Side tasting (June 2014)

• Château MerrillAnne – White Palace 2013 – Virginia : (blend of Seyval and Cayuga). The nose is fruity, fresh and offers a relatively wide range of aromas. It expresses notes of citrus (lemon and tangerine) accompanied by a note of pineapple, eucalyptus and more lightly in the background we find the granny apple. The attack is fresh. The palate is fruity, mineral and slightly creamy. The tasting is done on a small frame that comes alleviate acid mouth. There are citrus aromas, with ripe white fruits and ripe pineapple. The finish is long and takes notes of lemon zest. A nice wine, well made, with precise aromas, balanced and greedy. Rating: 15.5

• Château MerrillAnne – Chardonnay 2012 – Virginia : (blend of Chardonnay and Cayuga with most of Chardonnay). The nose is rather particular with fruity apple notes that are associated with a light and a small grilled vanilla note. The palate is fresh, balanced and creamy with notes is fleshy white fruits and exotic fruits (including papaya). The finish is fruity and fresh. Rating: 14.5

• Château MerrillAnne – Red Palace 2012 – Virginia : (blend of Chambourcin and Merlot) An aromatic wine, balanced and quite delicious. The nose and relatively powerful and gets notes of red fruits (including cherries) associated with cassis and light spice in the background. The palate is fresh, fruity, full and tender crisp fruits. The presentation includes notes of cherry, strawberry and raspberry combined with some woody / spicy. The tannins are well made, well integrated and supports the fruit comes. The finish is of good length and made ​​notes of red fruits. Rating: 14.75

• Château MerrillAnne – Governor Spotswood Red 2012 – Virginia : (blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Malbec) The nose offers a bouquet rich in fruit (including cherries) with a note of violet and a few toasted notes and mild spices (especially pepper). The palate is fresh, fruity and relatively creamy. It contains notes of red fruits (cherry, crushed strawberry, raspberry) that are associated with notes of blackcurrant, plum and spice. The tannins are soft and well integrated. The finish is of good length and is a blend of fruits and spices. Rating: 14.75

• Château MerrillAnne – Vin Gris 2013 – Virginia : (Blush 100% Chambourcin) The nose is fruity, fresh and is on aromas of red fruits (including strawberries and cherries) related to notes English candy and notes apple granny. The attack is fruity and fresh, including some white fruit that quickly give way to aromas of cherry, strawberry and raspberry. The palate is fruity, rich and always with the freshness that characterizes this vineyard. Final notes include English candy. The tasting is done on a small acid frame. A nice wine that I would call “fun to be enjoyed as an aperitif with friends.” Rating: 13.5

Thanks to Kenny and Emily White for their warm welcome.

Jonathan Choukroun Chicheportiche