It’s been a personal goal of mine to visit a new winery every week. This week, I set my sights on Hillsborough Vineyards & Brewery. As I pulled up the steep driveway, I noticed a quaint stone building with one of the most stunning outdoor seating areas I had ever seen. As someone who has an appreciation for horticulture, it is important to note how lush and inviting their grounds were.

I made my way down the pathway into the main building and found myself at the wine tasting bar where very kind woman guided me through a tasting of two whites, two reds, and two rosés. Afterwards, I decided to sit outside and enjoy a flight of three ‘Vintner’s Selection’ wines. I love going wine tasting in the middle of the week because it is less crowded and you often get a more personalized experience. I felt a little bit like Alice in Wonderland (pre-rabbit hole) when I tucked myself into the furthest, most quiet corner of the patio. I was surrounded by old, twisted vines and beautiful rose bushes. The birds were singing, the cicadas were buzzing, I was alone- and for a moment- I thought this was all something out of a dream.

Vintner’s Selection

The first wine in my flight was ‘Opal’, 100% Petit Manseng, a favorite grape of Virginia growers. What’s interesting is that they are aging this 8 months in acacia wood barrels which lends this wine it’s bright, tropical fruit flavors.
While I had my sights set on a red for today’s cannabis pairing- this wine had me
second-guessing that decision.
Next up was ‘Bloodstone’, 100% Fer Servadou, a rare varietal originating from Southwest France. Subtle dark fruits blend with the earthiness, making for a lot of character. They’re aging this 18 months in French oak barrels, giving it a beautiful velvety finish.
This wine was something special and I may or may not have taken a bottle home for myself.
Last- but not least, ‘Onyx’, 100% Tannat, aged in French oak barrels for 18-30 months. Tart cherry & cranberry notes on the front of the palate with a subtle cocoa finish.
I imagine this wine with a nice steak or cigar.

After my flight of wines I returned my empties to the tasting room & purchased a bottle of Bloodstone to enjoy later with a half gram joint of Sour Diesel. This Sativa-Dominant strain is heavy in Myrcene & Limonene. I decided to play up the pungent, industrial notes in the cannabis and pair it with the earthy, musky undertones of the Fer Servadou grape. And, of course, you can’t go to Loudoun County without stopping at Monk’s BBQ for a pulled pork sandwich!