Oak Crest Vineyard Review
Address: 8215 Oak Crest Drive King George,Virginia 22485.
Phone Number: 540-663-2813
Tasting Hours: Jan-Feb: Sat-Sun 11:00-4:00, Mar-Dec: Wed-Sun 10:00-5:00
Region: Northern Neck George Washington Birthplace AVA, Virginia
Reviewer: Richard Rynders
Review Date: 10/9/2015
Reviewer: Richard Rynders
Rating: 3
The Review
Keep a vigilant eye out for the turn off the main road or you will certainly miss the drive into Oak Crest Vineyard & Winery and that would be a shame. Tucked in the woods about 2 ½ miles off of Route 301 in King Georges County is another gem in the crown of Northern Neck wineries. Although opened in 2002, the proprietors of Oak Crest have a long family history of wine making, and the unique offerings available are evidence of that saga.
Housed in a very comfortable, farm-style house, the tasting room adjoins the wine-making barrels. Unfortunately on the day of our visit, the winery was sold out of their three primary reds; Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. However, we did have the opportunity to see the 2014 Cab Sav being bottled as we tasted the sole red on hand. The Cannon Ridge Red is a blend of the three Bordeaux grapes which grow on the 14-acre estate. A smooth, easy-drinking red, its roots date back to the 1970s.
The winery takes great pride in its Rhine-style white wines, as well it should. Again all estate grown, the heart of the whites lie in the Symphony vine. Symphony is a grape that was grafted at UC Davis in California as an alternative to Riesling, which can be difficult to grow in Virginia. Obviously, with this as the focus, many of the whites were bright with moderate residual sugars.
Oak Crest has some very interesting wines on its list: Summer Medley co-ferments strawberries with Symphony to create a unique, but surprisingly delightful, summer-day or dessert wine. The Finale is a white dessert wine (17.1% Alc.) that is used in sangria or wine cocktails. The Ruby is Oak Crests port-style wine (17.5% Alc.), and their bottled Sangria is also quite tasty. The most unusual wine however, was the Hot Jazz, made with Symphony grapes and a pinch of jalapeno pepper. A wine like this is sure to surprise and delight at your next wine and cheese gathering (note: Mexican food/cheese is best paired here).
Purchase a bottle or glass and enjoy the well-kept grounds surrounding the tasting room. The wife of the wine-maker is a professional landscaper and it shows the grounds are magnificent! Bring your own food or purchase small offerings from the tasting room and enjoy your day either on the outside deck, complete with umbrellas and rain covering (which was needed this day), or take your wine and food out to the patio and enjoy. Either way, your visit to Oak Crest will be memorable.