Lost Creek Winery: Summer Sips and Fluttering Butterflies
Hello Friends,
Vine Spot recently took advantage of a nice Friday evening and visited Lansdowne Resort, located in Loudoun County, to enjoy their complimentary Jazz on the Potomac summer evening concert series. Since the concert was not scheduled to start until 5:30pm, there was time to pay a visit to a local Virginia winery. TIP: Not all of your favorite Loudoun County wineries are open M-F, so be sure to call ahead or check their web site when planning your visit during the week. The majority of the wineries are open during the week, however, and the slower paced weekdays are an excellent time to visit your favorite local wineries.
After viewing the web pages of several Loudoun County wineries, I noticed that Lost Creek Winery had recently updated their home page with current information and an inviting new look. Since it had been a while since I last visited the charming, old-world styled winery, this bit of new information was reason to see what all the buzz was about. Additionally, Tasting Associate, Rose, can always be found in the tasting room and is a pleasure to talk with as you taste through the winery’s offerings.
Rose guiding guest through a tasting
The revised site boasts several upcoming new wine releases. One note of interest on the site states, “Unlike most Virginia Wineries, we make our wines completely from our own grapes, so all our wines are truly estate wines.” This statement got me thinking about the information we find on the local wine labels. A number of local producers make wines from fruit grown on their property, and that same winery may also source fruit in from other local grape growers to make other wines. One thing I find fair, and more so commendable, which Corcoran Vineyards and others are practicing, is giving credit to the growers by listing the vineyard name on the bottle label when and where applicable. After all, good fruit is the absolute basis for a quality bottle of wine, so why not give credit where credit is due, right?
Beautiful Butterfly
Besides bottling only estate wines, as stated on their web page, Lost Creek has completed work on a new banquet room that is just perfect for weddings, events, and parties, etc. The winery has also expanded and added new equipment to accommodate perhaps an increase in wine production. Tours are offered in the tasting room so be sure to ask about viewing the new wine-making facility when you visit. Lost Creek has also brought in a new full-time vineyard manager, Laura Larrick, who comes from a popular Loudoun County winery everyone will know, Willowcroft Vineyards. Laura manages Lost Creek’s 26 acres of vine plantings, and is also the resident local photographer. I think Laura is also responsible for the beautiful summer garden that plays host to multicolored fluttering butterflies. Much like the butterflies were enjoying sips of nectar from the flowers, it was time for Dezel to check out the wine selection.
The purple pen ... coming to a winery near you !!!
Lost Creek usually has about ten wines to taste; however, they were pouring five, and awaiting the release of several new wines before years end or shortly after. The staff at Lost Creek are knowledgeable, warm and friendly, therefore be prepared for a fun and satisfying winery experience. Tasting fees are $3 per individual, and the current offerings are namely off-dry selections that are decent picnic type wines ripe for the remaining summer weeks. Aptly named, the Springtime white wine blend (Vidal, Viognier, Chardonnay, Muscat Canelli) is a nice fruity picnic wine, while the popular Sweet Summer blend (Vidal, Chardonnay, Apple Wine) carries a tad more sweetness and is another warm weather sipper that appeals to a sweeter palate preference. Both of these selections should be served well chilled and enjoyed. For the reds, the Cabernet Sauvignon is a light bodied wine with spice, subtle dark fruit flavors and pinches of black pepper and touches of sweetness. Slightly fuller is the Chambourcin, a popular American hybrid grape variety that does well in Virginia. Lost Creek’s example displays a nice dark color, inviting aromas, friendly tannins and sips nicely, and like the winery suggests, “Pairs nicely with heavy stews and red meats.” For the sweet, and I mean sweet ending, try the Late Harvest “Alyce.” A sweet wine made from Vidal grapes in an ice wine fashion that makes for a palate pleasing after dinner dessert. With Thanksgiving and Christmas ahead, look for the release for Lost Creek’s popular Courtney’s Christmas dessert wine – off-dry but not overly sweet with cranberry hints making it just perfect for those holiday dinners.
Enjoy yourself on the outdoor deck
Lost Creek has a comfortable and welcoming tasting room, so be ready to enjoy a glass of your favorite wine paired with warm French baguettes and artisan cheeses, which is available for purchase in the tasting room. For the cooler months Lost Creek has ample seating and a cozy stone-fronted fireplace to warm up to. On a nice day find respite on the expansive outdoor deck that overlooks the vineyard and garden area. For more seclusion, try the gazebo and relax to the sounds of the babbling fountain. Whatever you choose, you are sure to have a nice time visiting Lost Creek Winery. Also, be sure to visit neighboring Hidden Brook Winery, which is a stone throw away from Lost Creek and owned and operated by the owner’s son and his wife. When you decide to visit friends, be sure to let them know you saw them here on Dezel’s Virginia Vine Spot.
Lost Creek Winery - 43277 Spinks Ferry Road, Leesburg, VA 20176
- Stay tuned friends, more to come!
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