Glass House Winery

The most exotic of the vineyards in Virginia

Glass House Winery is a winery in the state of Virginia and specifically in the Central Virginia. The property was founded in 2006 by Jeff Sanders and his wife Michelle. The main buildings (tasting room) was inaugurated in 2011. It was designed from the outset to be fully dedicated to tourism and wine. Why did you choose this location/place to create your vineyard? “To be honest this is partly because here there is a very good school for children, and we were also very well received in the region. There are many vineyards created by Europeans here. One feels really supported / encouraged here. When we started we could not yet use our harvest, because the vines were too young. Our first vintages were therefore made 100% from grapes of the region, from our neighborhood, but not our vineyard. Since things have changed. For example, a year later no more than 60% of our wine production came from purchased grapes. Every year we increase quality. Talking about terroir what I like here is that we have a micro-climate that allows us to have a somewhat drier climate than the rest of Virginia. For example, Chardonnay is grown here very well thanks to the micro-climate and the large hills. “(Jeff Sanders – owner / winemaker) What allows us to recognize the wines of Glass House Winery? “It depends on the wine, we produce nine wines, so you can not have one style. In general, for red wines is not to produce on-wooded wines, too structured, too sweet. We focus on fruit, fruity aromas balanced wine but also the balance between American and European wines. “(Jeff Sanders – owner / winemaker) Where does the name Glass House Winery come from? The owners have lived many years in Central America (Guatemala) they came back with some nostalgia and memories that many tropical plants. Check on site they have built a large glass house for planting (tropical conservatory). This building is attached to the tasting room and is used to welcoming tourists. You can see a cacao tree, a banana, and dozens of other tropical plants Why did you choose to make wine? “I did not study at any wine or oenology school. I learned while I worked eah year. Other growers / winemakers in the region have also taught me a lot when I needed. Every vintage I learn at least two new things. What I like in the winegrower / winemaker is the approach, the change of different jobs to do each time. But also the fact that we start something different, again, it is a challenge to create his vineyard, a lifestyle and a passion. ” (Jeff Sanders – owner / winemaker) If you had to describe the Glass House Winery in 3 or 4 words? “Good wines, delicious chocolates, warm / hospitality. “(Jeff Sanders – owner / winemaker) Why “delicious chocolates“? Because Michelle Sanders, his wife, is a chocolate-maker and makes her chocolates in Glass House Winery. It produces different chocolates (tea, almond, caramel, hazelnut, coffee … etc) for the property. If you visit the property, you can also enjoy some wine pairing with chocolates. Do you have plans for Glass House Winery? “I founded the property not long ago, I regularly plant new vines … but now my project would be to make money. In a medium-term future we would like to reach a production of 3,500 cases (21,000 bottles) per year. “(Jeff Sanders – owner / winemaker) Some features:

• Reasoned Agriculture (limits treatment, green harvest, manual harvesting, uses geothermal …)
• Soil: rock, clay
• Range: 9 wines: Glass House Winery – Viognier; Glass House Winery – Chardonnay; Glass House Winery – Vino Signora; Glass House Winery – Pink Drink evill; Glass House Winery – 21st; Glass House Winery – One Lane Bridge; Glass House Winery – Barbera; Glass House Winery – Bellezza; Glass House Winery – Glass House Chocolates
• 90% of production is sold to property
• also produces coffee and fruit miracle. The coffee produced is used for homes chocolates.

Side anecdote: Glass House Winery is a property full of anecdotes. One that interested me most concerns “(Twenty-First) 21st” wine. He was named in honor of the 21st Amendment repealing the 18th amendment which established Prohibition in the USA in 1920. Side tasting (June 2014)

• Glass House Winery – Viognier 2012 – Monticello : The nose offers a mixture of white fruits, tropical fruits and lightly lemon. The palate is fat, nicely fruity, balanced and offers notes of granny apple, pear, tropical fruits (including papaya) and lemon. The finish is fruity notes including lemon zest. Rating: 12.5 / 13

• Glass House Winery – Chardonnay 2013 – Monticello : The nose reveals notes of apricot and citrus accompanied by light oak and spices (vanilla). The palate is fat and expresses notes of fruit (apricot, citrus) combined with hints of lime and spices. Also the presence of a slight hint of pineapple on the palate. The finish is medium long. Rating: 12.5

• Glass House Winery – Vino Signora 2013 – Monticello : The nose is fresh, expressive and reveals notes of white fruit (apple), honey associated with a slight hint of pear and slightly more exotic fruits. The mouth is rather balanced with a slight sweetness and a little freshness. Found a small note of honey associated with notes of white fruit (apple / pear) mature. The final takes notes of granny apples. Rating: 12.5

• Glass House Winery – evill Pink Drink 2013: (rosé pressed) The nose is fresh, fruity including red fruits (strawberry, gooseberry, raspberry, small berries) associated with a slight vegetal note. Mouth expresses notes of red fruits, fruit candy sucking and spices (especially pepper). Rating: 12

• Glass House Winery – 21st (Twenty-First) 2012 – Monticello : The nose is made notes of cassis, blackberry and black cherry accompanied by a slight hint of pepper. The mouth is rather marked by the Cabernet Franc with particular notes of cassis and pepper. It also includes aromas of blackberry, cherry and a slight nore toasted notes. A certain lightness in the mouth. Rating: 12.5 / 13

• Glass House Winery – One lane Bridge 2012: The nose is fruity, it offers a bouquet of red fruits and black fruits mixed with a hint of spice. The palate offers flavors of juicy fruits including cassis, strawberry, cherry and plum associated with small peppery notes. A wine marked by its terroir. Good length on the finish. Rating 12.5 / 13

• Glass House Winery – Barbera Reserve 2012 – Monticello : The nose is rather powerful and expresses notes of black fruit (especially blackcurrant), spices and wood. The palate is fresh, mineral, fruity and dynamic. The tasting is on a slightly acidic frame. It contains notes of red fruits and black fruits with particular aromas of currant, cherry and fig combined with spices as well as some woody notes. Rating: 13/13, 5

• Glass House Winery – Bellezza 2012: (Desert Wine) The nose is rich and expresses notes of prune, cherry and cassis along with hints of dried dark fruit and cocoa. The mouth is marked by plums. It also includes notes of chocolate, a little peppery note and a note of cherry. Sweetness in the mouth is not too heavy for the taste buds. A rich and harmonious wine. Rating: 13.5

• Glass House Winery – Mezlio 2010 : (Chocolate Port) An “original” wine that expresses notes of chocolate, cherry, cassis and spice. The palate is marked by chocolate and cherry which is associated with some spices at the end. The palate is balanced. Rating: 13

Thanks to Jeff and Michelle Sanders for their hospitality.     Jonathan Choukroun Chicheportiche Glass House Winery 5898 Free Union Road, Free Union, Virginia 22940 (USA) Website Facebook