We started making this wine in 2018, after a difficult year in the vineyard resulted in a decline of Pinot Gris grapes. We transitioned away from our traditional Pinot Grigio and ended up blending it with 50% Chardonel to make Block A, which pays homage to the location in our vineyard where we grow these grapes.
As the years have progressed, we’ve found that Pinot Gris is unfortunately just not a good fit for our site, and we’ve started to look at another white varietal to plant in its place. Petit Manseng is on our shortlist, as it’s becoming a much-heralded grape across Virginia, so in 2021 we purchased some from another Virginia vineyard to blend with our Chardonel.
We are thrilled with the way these two grapes complement each other and love the bright acid that the Petit Manseng brings to the blend. Perhaps we’ve found our next white varietal for the estate!
The 2021 blend is 56% Chardonel and 44% Petit Manseng and has elegant aromas of tart apples, lemon, and honeydew. It has a beautifully smooth mouthfeel with intense acidity and is a perfect pairing for seafood!
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Can’t wait to try this one!
Your Block A is THE BEST!! Light and crisp..perfect for summer!!
This is the BEST! Changed me from a red to a white lover!
Tried this wine at 313 Franklin Restaurant in South Hill, VA. Absolutely amazing.
Hi Alice – We’re so glad you love it!
It is a great idea to imaginatively blend when the vintage is a tough one. The result with Block A is a delightful, well-balanced wine with decent acidity. I am thinking it will pair with Rappahanock little necks, or sushi.
Jurgen – those sound like wonderful pairing ideas! I think the acidity would hold up nicely against sushi and clams are always a favorite! We’ll be doing oyster and clam pickup here at the Winery on Friday, June 19th and Saturday, June 20th, so keep an eye out for that! Cheers!
First time to purchase Block A……Enjoyed Block A tonight with Appetizers before dinner. What a delightful crisp wine with a nice sweet finish ( at least to my pallet) Hope you will be able to duplicate another year.