What to Buy
'07 La Boheme Viognier Lush pear, mango, tropical fruit $24
'07 Alouette Cabernet Franc Mouth filling chocolate, black cherry, toast, coffee, mild spice, caramel $24
'07 Il Volpe Sangiovese Yeasty, cherry, toast, coffee, chocolate $24
'07 Piemontese Nebbiolo Elegant, black cherry, spice $28
Getting There
From Washington, D.C., take Hwy 66 W. Exit at Delaplane (Exit 23) and take Hwy 17 (one mile). Cross railroad tracks, take an immediate left onto Three Fox Ln. |
In the heart of Northern Virginia horse country, Three Fox Vineyards is proving that the region's rolling hills are great for wine grapes as well as horses. The boutique winery, situated on 50 undulating acres, produces several award-winning estate wines from varieties native to or grown in Italy, like Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Pinot Grigio, and Cabernet Franc. Here, Proprietors Holli and John Todhunter have combined their passion for life, wine, and Italy to bring a little bit of la dolce vita (the sweet life) to Virginia.
Grinning statues of the three foxes—Milano, Della, and Giovanni—provide the first friendly welcome. One will usually find Vintner Holli and winemaker John in the tasting room ready to chat about vines and wines. There's a brick patio and flower gardens, a tented al fresco terazza, and a new barrel-table garden where guests can relax plus a "barrel bar" right next to the vineyard. The rolling grounds are dotted with hardwood tables that invite wine tourers to appreciate the splendid views, reminiscent of Tuscany. Down by Crooked Run a vast meadow with more picnic tables and hammocks can be easily reached in one of the winery's new four-seat Wine Mobiles.
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| But the views aren't the only things to savor at Three Fox Vineyards. The 2007 Volpe Sangiovese recently Gold Medaled in the Atlantic Seaboard CompetitionÐand the 2007 Alouette Cabernet Franc took a Silver. The Port alternative, Rosso Dolce, and Piemontese Nebbiolo also beg to be tasted.
Located just 40 minutes from Washington, D.C.'s beltway, Three Fox Vineyards hosts many fun events for wine lovers seeking a quick getaway. The "Lucy Stomp" in mid-September is a perennial favorite and there's a special day-and-a-half Vino Immersion package with a nearby inn. Three Fox Vineyards is a founding member of the "Generals Wine and History Trail" that melds wine touring with the rich Civil War history of the region. It's easy to see why the Todhunters say, "Every day is a festival of life at Three Fox Vineyards."
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