Crimson Lane Vineyards: Full Winery Review 

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Every winery has a good story and a cute wine dog.

Crimson Lane Vineyards is no exception.

Locals Tom and Deanna Herrity met in Alexandria at a public affairs company, got married, and raised their four children in Arlington. They both shared a love for viticulture and the community of wine.

In 2014 they purchased a 134-acre property in Linden after consulting with well-known vineyard experts on the soil composition.

Deanna’s brother Dominick Fioresi was a network engineer turned winemaker. Deanna and Dominick come from a long line of Italian family winemakers.

Dominick received his certificates in viticulture and enology and apprenticed under Jim Law. He continued to hone his winemaking skills at Delaplane Cellars before joining Crimson Lane Vineyards.

If you are from Virginia and you love exceptional wine, then you know Jim Law.

Most consider him the Godfather of the Virginia wine industry. If someone wants to try an example of some of Virginia’s best wines, I always recommend Linden’s Hardscrabble Red.

The Herritys had their first harvest in 2018, and they just opened their winery to the public in March.

And yes, they have a cute wine dog named Jefa aka Boss Lady.

Get ready to be wowed.

The cedar-clad tasting room is stunning and offers panoramic Blue Ridge Mountain views due to its strategic position on top of the hill.

The central wood-burning fireplace anchors the large space and warmly invites you to sit and linger. The aesthetic feel is elegant and understated with high ceilings, plush couches, warm neutrals, and mid-century modern touches. Huge floor-to-ceiling windows offer a flood of natural light.

Deanna, who is an interior designer, clearly has impeccable taste.

Choose to have your wine tasting indoors or outdoors on one of two porches. If you choose indoors, you will either be seated at the tasting bar, at one of the tables near the window, or at the banquet-style seating on the side.

We had a group of 6, which is the maximum number they allow. To take advantage of the beautiful summer afternoon, we chose to be seated outdoors on the screened-in porch that had direct mountain views.

There is another porch on the side of the building that is open to the elements but is still covered to offer shade. Ceiling fans keep it comfortable. Beautiful setting but no direct mountain views.

There are a few Adirondack chairs next to the open porch that offers mountain views, but you will be in the sun. Something to consider if it is supposed to rain or is really hot.

After we were seated, our lovely wine educator walked us through six of their current releases:

– 2020 Sauvignon Blanc

– 2019 Chardonnay

– 2019 Barrel-Aged Chardonnay

– 2019 Collina

– 2019 Parral

– 2022 Petit Manseng

I really enjoyed their reds.

The 2019 Collina was a very elegant and balanced blend of 50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon.

I can imagine pairing this wine with pappardelle pasta and Wegmans’ Grandpa’s Pasta Sauce. Usually, Rao’s is our go-to brand, but this Wegmans brand (really pleasantly) surprised us.

The 2019 Parral was also fantastic, commanding a big presence with its bolder flavors of dark fruit and spice.

My husband will occasionally grill a delicious Florentine steak. The Parral would be the perfect accompaniment.

I am hesitant to share my next favorite Crimson Lane Vineyards wine. It was not included on the wine tasting menu, but you can purchase it by the bottle.

Let me introduce you to the 2021 Albariño.

Please don’t buy all of it. Only 120 cases are produced. I would like some the next time I go. 😉

Traditionally, I gravitate towards reds with Pinot Noir being my go-to wine. But I absolutely love a fresh, crisp Albariño that just screams a summer day by the coast.

Crimson Lane Vineyards makes a fine example.

Its clean and slightly tart flavors have hints of lemon and peach. Wonderful acidity.

I would enjoy this easy-drinking wine on a hot summer evening after a long day of work. Pair it with some delicious tilapia tacos from our local Chop Shop Taco in Old Town Alexandria, and buen provecho!

Let’s talk food.

I really appreciate the owners trying to include local Virginia products. For example, their cheeseboard includes the award-winning earthy Appalachian cheese from Meadow Creek Dairy in Virginia.  

In addition, they offer delicious hot empanadas (spicy beef, corn, and chicken) from Quattro Empanadas, which is a small business located in the charming historic town of Haymarket.

The star of the food menu though was clearly the prosciutto burrata toast with honey, Peruvian peppers, and chili flakes.

Really delicious! So sad I had to share with the table.

Crimson Lane Vineyards

13334 Crimson Ln

Linden, VA 22642

(540) 506- 5062

Website: https://crimsonlanevineyards.com/

Tastings: By reservation only through Tock. $35 per person. Open on Thursday and Friday (12 – 5 pm) and Saturday – Sunday (11 am – 6 pm).

Where to Stay Nearby: If you don’t feel like driving back to the city, make a weekend of it and stay the night at the gorgeous Glen Gordon Manor or a charming getaway rental.

My family and I had a lovely afternoon of food & wine tasting. The ambiance was modern, inviting, and comfortable. It wasn’t too loud, which made for easy conversation. I also really liked that after your 2-hour wine tasting, you could purchase a bottle or glass and linger at another table outdoors.

This boutique winery is adults-only, making it an exceptional place for a wonderful afternoon with your partner or small group of friends. Don’t forget to grab some hot apple cinnamon butter donuts from The Apple House on your way back to the city.

I cannot wait to see what wines Dominick produces in the future. Crimson Lane Vineyards is off to a great, strong start.

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Questions about our Crimson Lane Vineyards wine tasting experience?

Let me know in the comments below!