Twelve Loudoun wineries are selling a limited-edition wine specially made to celebrate the county’s 40th anniversary as a wine region. The wine, called Loudoun Red, was released this month for Virginia Wine Month.
It is described as “a fruit forward red wine blend with an earthy finish and spice infused mid-palate topped off with hints of cocoa and tobacco,” by Visit Loudoun, the county’s tourism arm.
Each of the wineries has 25 cases to sell. Each provided a barrel of wine, and those wines were combined to create the 3,600 bottles of Loudoun Red that were made.
The wineries selling Loudoun Red are 868 Estate Vineyards, 8 Chains North Winery, Bluemont Vineyard, Breaux Vineyards, Bozzo Family Vineyards, Carriage House Wineworks, Chrysalis Vineyards at the Ag District, Fabbioli Cellars, Hillsborough Winery, Brewery and Vineyards, Two Twisted Posts Winery, Williams Gap Vineyard, and Zephaniah Farm Vineyard.
Here’s exactly what’s in the collaboration that resulted in Loudoun Red, according to Visit Loudoun:
Vintage: 50 percent 2022 plus 50 percent 2023:
- Cabernet Franc – 25 percent (Breaux, Carriage House, Fabbioli)
- Cabernet Sauvignon – 16.7 percent (868, Bozzo)
- Chambourcin – 8.3 percent (Zephaniah)
- Merlot – 16.7 percent (8 Chains North, Bluemont)
- Norton – 8.3 percent – (Chrysalis)
- Petit Verdot – 8.3 percent (Two Twisted Posts)
- Tannat – 16.7 percent (Hillsborough, Williams Gap)
Components:
- Cabernet Franc 2023 – Fabbioli
- Cabernet Franc 2023 – Breaux
- Cabernet Franc 2022 – Carriage House
- Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 – Bozzo
- Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 – 868
- Merlot 2022 – Bluemont
- Merlot 2022 – 8 Chains North
- Tannat 2023 – Hillsborough
- Tannat 2022 – Williams Gap
- Petit Verdot 2022 – Two Twisted Posts
- Norton 2023 – Chrysalis
- Chambourcin 2022 – Zephaniah
Loudoun’s Wine Industry Growth
Loudoun’s wine industry has grown considerably in the last 40 years. About 1 million people visited the county’s wineries, breweries, and distilleries in 2023.
A study by Qualtrics and Aquino Consulting finds the county’s wineries, limited breweries, distilleries, meaderies, and cideries reported more than $48.6 million in revenue in 2023. That’s an increase of nearly 60 percent since 2018.
“What we know is that our wineries are the No. 1 visitor attraction and when people explore the 50 wineries in DC’s Wine Country, it creates an economic impact ripple effect for our towns, shops, historic sites, restaurants and other attractions,” said Visit Loudoun President and CEO Beth Erickson.
Feature image courtesy Visit Loudoun
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