Mentor Wine: 2019 Midland Blaufränkisch

I humbly admit to a bit of smug skepticism before pulling the cork. A Shenandoah Blaufränkisch? However the wine spoke to us. Intriguing, exotic, fresh, and irresistibly quaffable. The bottle was quickly emptied, which is our best quality indicator.

For me, this wine represents the beginnings of a new phase in Virginia wine evolution. A counterbalance to decades-old attempts to emulate Bordeaux or Burgundy. Diversity of grape varieties, styles, and mindsets can only enrich our industry.

This is a mentor wine because it reinforces our path of thinking outside the box. In the early days at Linden we benefited from studying and applying Old World techniques, most of which we will continue to practice. However as we better understand our own terroir and brace ourselves for climate change, we will need to adapt.

The times they are a-changin’.

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Linden Vineyards / Learn More / Latest at Linden | Mentor Wines: Midland Blaufränkisch | 2019