Tucked away in Caroline County, Virginia, there is a gem
that should be the next winery on your “places to visit” list. The Vine Wine Club
had the pleasure of exploring local vineyard, Castle Glen Estate Farm and Winery,
found right off of Route 1, nestled between oak trees and not much else. Nature
is the gorgeous frame that captures the picturesque beauty of Castle Glen. But there is one true star…and that is what
is in the bottle!
I have a confession.
Castle Glen Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the best that I’ve ever
tasted! And it makes me proud to know
that it is grown and bottled right here in Virginia.
It is a familiar story that someone falls in love with
wine and all of its nuances and decides to try to make it. Not everyone gets it right. As Ed Cowdrey, owner of Castle Glen Estate
Farm and Winery and winemaker-in-chief, found out, it isn’t an easy
process. After visiting numerous wine
shops and tasting thousands of wines, Ed found a love for wine. He was intrigued with how the beverage was so
versatile and how manipulating the process created a difference experience in
the bottle. His first attempt at wine
making was with a wine kit and led to him eventually growing Concord
grapes. Unfortunately for Ed, he didn’t
enjoy the “sweet” fruit of his labor since he had come to enjoy drier
styles. Fortunately for us, he didn’t
give up! Ed’s passion and commitment only grew.
Castle Glen Winery’s 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon was the
first wine for retail. The research and
persistence paid off. Cowdrey has perfected the wine’s dark, inky color while
finding the perfect balance of fruit and acid.
The wine offers a softness that is not always found in a Cabernet
Sauvignon. Aged 14 months in French oak
barrels, it lends a currant quality on the mid-pallet with a nice peppery
finish. The wine pairs very well with
dark chocolates, various cheeses, and red meats.
Ed Cowdrey credits his winemaking expedition to his
lovely wife, Pamela, who graciously shared the kitchen with Ed to start his
wine growing in their home in Chesterfield, Virginia. The vines quickly outgrew
the small space and soon decided to purchase enough land for a house and a
vineyard. Ed plans to extend the
vineyard with 6,000 additional vines to be planted in Spring 2017.
Castle Glen Estate Farm and Winery is a private winery
where Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot flourish.
Stainless steel tanks and French and American oak barrels throughout the
property almost make you forget that you are “home”. In addition to producing wine that rivals
some of the best Bordeaux, the setting takes you to something that must be
close to Utopia.
The Castle Glen Estate Farm and Winery is more than a
home for phenomenal wine but also a venue for private wine tasting events,
weddings, and private parties. The vineyard is a gorgeous space to hold a
special event as well as space for more wine!
To contact Castle Glen Winery for a private tasting or a
private event, you can visit www.castleglen.wine or
you can send a message to ecowdrey@castleglenfarm.com. Castle Glen Cabernet Sauvignon is available
at www.thevinewineclub.com. Bring the experience of France directly to
your door.
Check out my interview with Ed on the "Off The Vine with Benita and Terricinia" radio show on the May We Help You Radio. Click here!
