A DOLLOP OF DAMSON - 2024

Sites
Bluestone Vineyard - Bridgewater, Rockingham County, Virginia 1240’ elevation
Countryside Farm & Nursery - Crimora, Augusta County, Virginia 1260’ elevation
Great Country Farms - Bluemont, Loudoun County, Virginia 600’ elevation

Fruit

46% Vidal Blanc, 19% Ribston Pippin, 12% Virginia Hewe’s Crab,
13% Damson Plum, 10% Harrison

Vinification
Vidal Blanc was harvested on September 3rd, foot tread whole cluster and soaked overnight. The following day early apples were ground and pressed in combination with the Vidal Blanc directly to a 500L neutral French oak puncheon. Weeks later the puncheon was topped up with fresh Harrison juice. An uninoculated, native fermentation concluded later into November and the wine was left undisturbed until being racked off its gross/fine lees in February of 2025. Damson plum wine was blended in-tank and the resulting wine was bottled traditional method.  After resting on its lees for six months, bottles were hand disgorged in early September 2025. No additions of SO2 were made at any stage of this wine.

Notes
In 2024, Damson plums were more scarce than normal, forcing us to broaden our search to other parts of Virginia. We were fortunate to be connected with Andrew of Great Country Farms in Loudoun County who had an old plum orchard planted decades ago. Although Traminette was a welcome addition in 2023, we were not able to secure any for this vintage. These adjustments shift this wine back to the profile of 2020 and 2021 vintages; less tropical and more bitter grapefruit. Red currant concentration and tight, precise acid keeps in line with the higher carbonation. We are excited to see how this leaner and more nimble vintage evolves in bottle after disgorgement. As always, this ever evolving bottling is intended to showcase the unique capacity of multi-fruit coferments as a distinctive Virginian wine. 

55 cases produced, 9.7% Alc. by Volume, 750ml