Their white grape varietals include Chardonnay and Vognier.  As Sunset Hills has grown, by purchasing more vineyard land, additional grape varietals now include Vidal Blanc, Chambourcin, Tannat, Traminette, and Sangiovese.  Chambourcin, Traminette, and Vidal Blanc are hybrids that grow well in the Mid-Atlantic region and areas to the north as they are cold hardy and disease resistant.

The wine making team’s approach focuses on hand picking, which is more gentle on the land, sourced grapes from their own vineyards, and some additional grapes purchased from local wineries.

Their tasting room is a restored 19th century barn dominated by an open post and beam two story main room, with smaller areas on one side.  The barn is a lovely space.  While my visits were marked by overcast skies, plenty of natural light beamed in through the windows.  During two separate tastings, I walked through flights including Chardonnay, Chambourcin, Traminette, Cabernet Franc, other grape varietals, and blends of the same.

I found the staff friendly and knowledgeable, genuinely interested in the subject, happy to share their own notes with food recommendations, and offering details in how the wines had changed over last 6 months. This has not been my experience at some other wineries in the region.  The tasting room is quieter on weekdays.  However, with a full crowd on weekends and the music going, the place can be loud and boisterous. 

Tasting notes and details:

2015 Chardonnay
Notes:    Citrus and herbal flavors, ripe melon, creamy (creaminess due to the neutral oak)
Details:  100% chardonnay, 13% abv, aged 3 months, 60% stainless steel and 40% neutral oak, 10 – 20 year old vines, chilled and pressed whole cluster

2016 Sunset White
Notes:    Peaches and some apple flavors, nice bouquet, slightly sweet, Pinot Gris profile
Details:  100% Traminette, 12% abv, 100% stainless steel fermentation, 10 – 15 years old vines, chilled and de-stemmed

2016 Sunset Rose
Notes:    Strong raspberry and cherry flavors, dry, deeper red color out to the glass edge, gentle acidity, lighter tannins
Details:   100% Chambourcin, picked early, 100% stainless steel fermentation

2015 Sunset Red
Notes:    Black berry flavors, plum, lighter in body, some tannins (from the Tannat grape), good acidity
Details:  Chambourcin, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon in % order, 13.2% abv, aged 12 months in 5% new oak and 95% neutral oak (combination of French, American, and Hungarian)

2015 Cabernet Franc
Notes:   Wild black raspberry, red fruits, some hazelnut notes, integrated tannins
Details:  Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot in % order, aged in French and Hungarian oak, chilled and de-stemmed, 15 year old vines

2013 Dusk
Notes:    Light port style, plum and raisin flavors, spice & a bit of tobacco, caramel finish
Details:  100% Chambourcin, aged in Catoctin Creek whiskey barrels
Addt’l:    Despite the port style, a full glass could easily be enjoyed with a steak and root vegetables or beef stew.  The 2013 Dusk travels about 30% down the road towards a full tawny port.

Sunset Hills has wines suited for a number of tastes – the friend who only drinks chardonnay, the uncle who is a died-in-the-wool Bordeaux guy, a colleague who really enjoys a fresh dry rose – so everyone can find something they like in an enjoyable environment.  For myself, my first purchase was a bottle of their 2015 Cabernet Franc. Medium bodied, integrated tannins, stone fruit flavors center palate, this bottle should go well with a nice ribeye and root vegetables, pasta with red sauce, charcuterie, grilled salmon, or some smelly cheeses.  After my second tasting, I purchased a bottle of the 2016 Sunset White, which I plan to have with either sushi and wasabi or an Indian curry.

Sunset Hills Vineyard
38295 Fremont Overlook Lane
Purcellville, VA  20132
540-882-4560
www.sunsethillsvineyard.com
https://goo.gl/maps/Vj5mCUc7CRP3yuHw6

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