RDV Vineyards
A Young Vineyard from Virginia That We Have to Follow!
RDV Vineyards is a young winery in Virginia founded in 2004 by Rutger de Vink on areas where for almost a century were cattle farms with livestock and rodeo center. The property was bought in 2004 but needed two years of extensive work (clearing, gorund works) before the first vines can be planted.
Rutger de Vink did not start his professional life in the world of wine but in business / economics. Indeed right out of his studies in Business School he got a job on Wall Street. There he worked for many years and with time he realized he wanted to wanted to create / enhance rather spend his time chasing after time.
Being passionate about wine and having family in the wine industry he decided to go in the search of a “property, that decision is taken very easily because despite that he spent many years at the Bourse Wall Street wine flows in his veins. “In fact his grandfather was during many years a monastery vineyard worker in the Netherlands.
Today it aims “not only to one of the best wines from the United States but one of the best in the world.” (Jarad Slipp, Marketing Manager)
Why did you choose to create a vineyard in Virginia?
“Initially Mr. Rutger de Vink looking for a vineyard acquired a vineyard in California but to be honest the prices were too high. He then heard of Virginia is a state in the making and with places with good soil. He then sought an exceptional terroir and got surrounded by recognized professionals to choose the vineyard and make wine. It is on a hill that allows us to have a well-drained which is important in Virginia soil and be relatively protected from the elements in winter. We are currently advised by Mr. Eric Boissenot who is a consulting oenologist in Bordeaux for many properties such as Châteaux Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Leoville Las Cases, Ducru Beaucaillou, Sigalas Rabaud … He advises many properties in Bordeaux and around the world but he has agreed to advise a single property in the U.S. and that is RDV Vineyards “(Jarad Slipp, Marketing Manager)
Where does the name RDV Vineyards come from?
Contrary to what one might think the first idea when choosing the name was not to resume the French abbreviation of the word “Rendez-vous (get togheter)” In fact, “RDV” is just the first few letters of the name of the owner. However, some time after the establishment when he realized what it means get together in French as well, he decided to play including calling his second wine “Rendezvous“.
Why have you chosen to make wine?
“It’s an incredible exciting job. We work / on creating a product of our hands. And what I like is when we share our product, which tells its story to people for a tasting or a meal.
I believe the wine is perhaps one of the most intellectual and sensual realization of man “(Joshua Grainer, Technical Director of RDV Vineyards)
If you had to define the RDV Vineyards in 3 words, what would you choose?
“Amazing wine and Undiscovered Jewel” (Jarad Slipp, Marketing Manager)
What is the signature of RDV Vineyards’ wines?
“In a blind tasting you will generally prefer ours wines”. “What characterizes the wines of the property is the quality of the fruit produced in the vineyards that allows us to have a nice fruity but also minerality , power, concentration, finesse and intensity. RDV Vineyards is in the style, the balance between Bordeaux and California.“(Jarad Slipp, Marketing Manager)
“… In Virginia we have a very similar climate to Bordeaux with rain or equivalent may be 1.5 times higher. Here it is important to have good management of hydrology. “(Joshua Grainer, Technical Director of RDV Vineyards)
For my part I would add that the long enough élevage, the creamy / silky texture, richness on the palate and the intensity / persistence characterize the final of RDV Vineyards wines.
Do you have any plans for the property?
“Yes of course. I want to plant more, learn more of our land, sell more and make us more aware. We do not just make the best Virginia wine but one of the best in the world. We want to continue to increase in quality.“(Jarad Slipp, Marketing Manager)
Side anecdote:
If you visit the property you will notice the large grain silo in the middle of the buildings, the property having never had cereal you must ask yourself why? Joshua Grainer “the grain silo is a beautiful story of RDV Vineyards. We built it because the French chateau often have a tower that is also often an emblem / symbol representing the chateau. We have built a grain elevator, a building which is most of the time associated with American farms.”
Thanks to Jarad Slipp et à Joshua Grainer for their warm welcome.
RDV Vinyards
2550 Delaplane Grade Rd,
Delaplane, VA 20144, États-Unis
+1 540-364-0221
