Fall 2024
It is the special season once again – Harvest! The picking lugs have been placed in the vineyard rows to receive the bounty and be taken to the winery. The heavily loaded trailers are pulled by the tractor to the crush pad. Before unloading, the overflowing contents of picking lugs are examined, gushed over, unloaded and then stacked.
What a year it has been! We were spared from any spring frosts, had a promising bud brake, the spring and summer months were kind to the plants, severe weather eluded us. The summer heat was well received by the vines; they thrived as their long tap roots found sustaining moisture way inside the protecting soils of our Shenandoah Valley region.
Our vineyards are truly magical: they produce bountifully; they are extremely beautiful, they are healing problems and soothing spirits, and finally reward our efforts with wonderful wine. When walking the vineyards during the growing season, it is always a pleasure watching our dogs and cats walk through the rows with us, examining different vines, and checking ground cover, and witnessing what we see as progress.
At the time of this writing, the Riesling, Chardonnay and Traminette grapes have been harvested. The absolutely gorgeous Vidal Blanc clusters are next. However, the Grüner Veltliner disappointed this year and will be looked at closely for next year’s growing season. Following the harvest of the white grape varietals, the Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and our Austrian Zweigelt will be harvested next, followed by the Petit Verdot. The fabulous clusters of Chambourcin will be last.
This is the 40th harvest for North Mountain Vineyards.
Dick McCormick, first owner at North Mountain Vineyards, had a bountiful first harvest: Vidal Blanc, Chardonnay, and Chambourcin.
This year marks Foster-Jackson’s 26th harvest. Congratulations to Brad, our late vineyard manager who helped establish the current vineyards, John our winemaker and also present vineyard manager, as well as our loyal vineyard crew of almost 20 years, Lupe and Angelica. A newer and younger crew member also important to our vineyard is Dennis – having been with us almost 3 years, and proving himself a valuable help as the “younger” generation.
Receiving the harvest in our cellar with winemaker John, is his assistant winemaker Andrew – who many of our customers know as the congenial source of valuable wine information in the Tasting Room. When a customer wants to know about the Shenandoah Valley, its history, hiking and fishing, ask Andrew.
A longtime member of our Tasting Room is Julie, always improving our Tasting Sheets, always knowledgeable about wine, always introducing new wine pairings, always busy. Newly added Tasting Room crew members are Shelly and Misty. As they are becoming familiar with North Mountain wines and the North Mountain customers, please come in and welcome them.
Thank You, Danke, and Gracias!
After a pause in production North Mountain is again bottling wine and stocking the Tasting Room. All favorites will be available shortly. Check our local outlets, the Woodstock Café, the Edinburg Mill Wine Shop, Shaffer’s BBQ Palace, you will be able to pick up your North Mountain favorites.
The Sonnenberg Wein Club Pick –Up Party will be on Saturday, October 19th, 3 – 5 pm, serving complimentary glasses of wine, fine little appetizers, talking to the winemakers and receiving the most recent information. Live music by Piper Hopkins. See you there!
Announcing special events and for the Fall 2024 season!
Saturday, October 12th – Annual Oktober Wein Fest 11 – 5 pm
Saturday, October 19th – Sonnenberg Wein Club Pick-Up Party 3 – 5 pm with Live Music by Piper Hopkins 2 -5pm
Saturday, October 26th – Live Music by Ryan Jewel 2 -5 pm
Saturday, November 9th – Smoking Jar-Head BBQ 12 – all gone and Live Music by David Elliot 2 – 5 pm
Saturday, November 16th – Fondue served by Chef Christa Nahas of La Grange Farm, by reservation – We will honor Chef Keisha Sellers – former Chef at Blair House
Saturday, November 23rd – Live Music by Bill Vaughan 2 – 5 pm
November 29 and 30th – Bavarian Christkindl Markt; Friday and Saturday
Saturday, November 30th – Live Music by Robbie Limon 2 – 5 pm
Saturday, December 21st – Annual Winter Solstice Bonfire with Live Music
Shane Click 2 – 5pm
Ryan Jewel Saturday 5:30 – 8:30 pm
We thank all our friends for their love and support – Frohe Weihnachten!
