Casanel Vineyards: Spring for Wine & Good Times!

Hello Friends,

Dezel recently jumped on the popular Loudoun County Wine Trail and paid a visit to one of its newest members, Casanel Vineyards. Casanel Vineyards is situated on a beautiful and tranquil forty acre property at the foot of the Catoctin Mountains in Leesburg, VA.

Casanel Vineyards

Casanel Vineyards is a vision-turned- reality by owners Casey and Nelson DeSouza, who purchased the Leesburg property in 2006 and quickly began work on an unique and striking tasting room where Virginia wine lovers could gather and share memorable experiences. Nelson, who was in the construction business, used his years of carpentry experience to restore a circa 1800s old cattle barn into a charming and spacious tasting room, which retains the historic structure’s heritage and character. The DeSouza’s also planted a vineyard for future estate wines, which include Virginia’s own Norton, Pinot Gris, Petit Verdot, Carménère, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon grape varieties.

Enjoy a glass of wine and stay awhile

The multi-level, stone-fronted, timber-framed tasting room features a long, elegant tasting bar to accommodate large crowds and several tables to enjoy a glass of wine and light fare, as well as a spiral staircase that leads to a second tasting bar with tables and chairs.

Tasting Room

Winemaker Karem Baki, who crafts the blended wines for his family-run operation, Hillsborough Vineyards, as well as a few other local wineries, serves as the winemaker for Casanel. Until the young vine plantings mature, fruit is sourced from local vineyards in the area. Current wines offered in the tasting room are Viognier 2007, Norton 2007, Merlot 2007, and Cabernet Sauvignon 2007.

The Gazebo is a great spot to enjoy a glass of wine

The Norton, also referred to as Virginia’s grape, has become a popular wine with visitors to Casanel. This is not your typical Norton, though, in terms of expressing the grape’s commonly known varietal character. Most Norton wines are rich, inky, and full to medium bodied, with mixed berry fruit, sometimes bordering on grapey, often with an alarmingly naturally high acidity. For everything a typical Norton is, this Norton is not. This Norton is done in a lighter style, with little color for a Norton wine, with soft cherry and berry fruit flavors, and moderate acidity – it could well be served chilled and enjoyed as you would a blush wine. A wine like this is ripe for sipping this spring and summer while sitting outdoors and enjoying the seasonal warmth. Other sips to enjoy are the crisp, well-rounded, dry Viognier, as well as the smooth and jammy Merlot.

With sunny days ahead, grab a bottle of wine and a cheese platter and head for the gorgeous stone floor patio or walk down to the gazebo that overlooks the surrounding fields and relaxing pond. Casanel’s introductory wine brand is aptly titled ‘Chegada’, which in Portuguese means ‘arrival.’ Since Casanel has ‘arrived’ on the scene, it’s your turn to ‘arrive’ at Casanel. When you visit, tell the kind people behind the bar you read about them here on Dezel’s http://www.myvinespot.com/ Wine Blog.

Info: Casanel Vineyards, 17952 Canby RdLeesburg VA 20175540-751-1776


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