The hustle and bustle of everyday life often can cloud the perception of our environment. The urgency of that big project at work, getting the car repaired or running the kids around town, checking things off our list takes utmost priority. This is where a visit to WindSong Winery, holding their Grand Opening August 14th is just what the doctor ordered. As their motto, the winery asks a simple question:

“What’s Your Hurry?”

The very name WindSong was derived from taking the time to be still and listen to the sounds of the ninety acre property. The wind as it rustles through the tall pines and oaks creates an orchestral melody with differing tones and tempos. In the near distance, a woodpecker adds percussion and an owl’s deep hoots providing a repeating bass line. Such a symphony is only available to those who stop and listen.

Located between Richmond and Charlottesville just off I-64, the journey to WindSong Winery is not particularly long but it is interesting. After leaving the interstate, one must be careful on the winding rolling rural roads watching out for slow moving farm equipment that must use the roadways to get from one field to the next. When making the turn onto Funny Tree Trail, visitors are riding on a one hundred year old road cutting through the forest. These elements of the journey helps visitors remember the value of slowing down.

At the end of the trail on the left is WindSong Winery. The property was originally a part of the Young America Gold Mining Company property. Gold was panned from a nearby creek and deep shaft mines were created in the early 1900’s. Remnants of the mining operation remain today but most of the mine shafts have been filled in. WindSong co-founders Jim and Sherry Ramey acquired the property in 1997, shortly after this portion of the expansive loblolly pine forest, which had stood nearly 100 years had been harvested and not replanted as a forestry resource.

Instead of forestry operations, the Rameys, along with fellow WindSong founders David Terrill and Bob Bansfield chose to use their land for viticulture. Working with family and friends, they cleared the front thirty acres for the vineyard. The decision to plant grapes was followed by the important choice of what grapes to plant. Months of research culminated with a trip to Canada where they found and fell in love with the Dornfelder grape.

Dornfelder is of German origin developed by August Herold ate the grape breeding institute in 1955. It is a cross between two Vitis Vinifera grapes (Helfenstiener and Heroldrebe). The resultant dark skinned grape is remarkably cold hearty and extremely versatile. Despite being the second most grown wine grape in Germany, only a limited number of American vineyards are growing Dornfelder and most are using it as a blending grape to add body and color to their other red vintages.

In the glass, WindSong’s Dornfelder has a deep, dark, almost mysterious core. The nose is best appreciated after the wine has the opportunity to open up (10 minutes or so) and features and undertones of plum and dark cherry. The attack is subdued and subtle with the flavors accelerating in the mid palate. The finish, while not particularly long, is both full and memorable.

When decanted, Dornfelder increases in complexity and additional dark stone fruit flavors become prominent. If decanting is an option this grape, much like Norton and Cabernet Franc, that benefits from the additional aeration.

Those who appreciate the sweeter wines can find several of the fruit wines at WindSong to fit the bill nicely. Plum is often found as an underlying component in many fine wines. WindSong’s plum wine has very nice approach and a surprisingly complicated mid palate leading to a sweetness on the finish that pair exceedingly well with hard cheeses.

WindSong’s Peach wine is a delightfully jammy fruit forward wine. Served chilled, this makes a wonderful summer picnic dessert. The light and fruity undertones and high level of residual sugar generates a fruit bomb that really must be tasted to be fully appreciated.

As the vineyards were into production and the wines were developing, it was time to build the tasting room. Rather than build a new structure, WindSong chose to repurpose an existing carriage house. The custom built tasting bar stretches diagonally across the room providing tasters ample elbow room. Specially constructed wall covering were created to give patrons the fell of the vineyard while in the climate controlled tasting room. For those looking for fresh air, a new deck was constructed adjacent to the tasting room and overlooking the vineyard.

WindSong is, and is proud to be, a small winery specializing in hand crafted vintages that reflect their unique terrior and provide simple lines and complex flavor profile. Located just off I-64 in Goochland County, WindSong, is halfway between Richmond and Charlottesville, an easy day trip from Alexandria.

The Grand Opening of the tasting room will be on August 14th. The event will feature music, light picnic fare and of course fine wines. The official ribbon cutting is scheduled for 2 pm. Directions are available on the winery website www.windsongwinery.com.

As with many boutique Virginia wineries, call first to set up an appointment to visit. Visitors should plan to spend at least an hour or two visiting and tasting through WindSong’s portfolio. After all, “What’s Your Hurry”.

Neil Williamson is a Virginia Wine veteran who is President of The Trellis Group, LLC. He also serves as the Chairman of the Virginia Wine Club Tasting Panel and Editor of the Virginia Wine Journal. He can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it