It's (almost) Spring and my favorite part of the season is hitting the Virginia wine trail. There's a new winery/vineyard near my hometown of West Point, VA and on my recent visit home, I took my family by to check it out!
Pronounced Go-te-yay, Gauthier Vineyard just opened in New Kent County. They are currently only open on Saturdays and Sundays 11-6pm. The winery is situated on rolling hills with a fantastic view of a pond, the vines and a gazebo, their iconic symbol on the wine labels. Also on the property is an equestrian center, hosting horseback riding lessons and more.
This family-owned winery produces numerous wines using sourced fruit from Cave Ridge Vineyards in the Shenandoah. Gauthier Vineyard also has the same winemaker as Cave Ridge, Randy Phillips. They do, however, have 3 acres under vine and look to have fruit from those vines this year. The estate fruit is Norton and Viognier which Gauthier is looking to make a Norton port-style wine and a sparkling Viognier (exciting!). After talking with the owner, Mo, he also mentioned a rosé is in the works! Everyone knows rosé and bubbles are the way to my heart!
The tasting room is gorgeous with a wrap around porch, adirondack chairs, cozy interior with the tasting bar made out of cork! With plenty of tables inside and out, it's great for your small group and the staff is knowledgeable and friendly!
But how about the wines?!
All of the wines have at least 1% residual sugar but I was pleasantly surprised by them. The off-dry wines were not as sweet as I was expecting. The standard tasting includes 3 whites and 3 reds. You have the option of the reserve tasting which adds on 2 fortified, dessert wines; a port-style and a viognier.
The white wines are 100% varietal and Gauthier produces a Traminette, Riesling and Viognier. The red wines are 100% Chambourcin, 100% Petit Verdot and blend called Brick House Red. The blend is 60% Cabernet Franc, 20% Chambourcin, 20% Petit Verdot and was also the crowd pleaser for my group. I did sample the two dessert wines as well.
I truly enjoyed our time at Gauthier. After visiting the other wineries in the New Kent area, I enjoyed Gauthier the most and recommend you make a trip!
What a view that will be once the trees and vines are full!
Cheers!