I was recently at the Eastern Winery Exposition in March in Richmond, Virginia, and tasted a bunch of Virginia wines while there. It was there that I sampled my first Brix & Columns Vineyards wine.
Brix & Columns Vineyards is located in McGaheysville, in the eastern part of the mid-Shenandoah Valley. Steve and Stephanie Pence both grew up in the farming world. Steve helped his grandparents on their family farm, and Stephanie was an avid horse rider. The Pences knew that they wanted to provide the same farming experiences for their own children. In 2003, they found the perfect property just miles from both of their childhood homes. The panoramic mountain views were the icing on the cake of this 160 acre farm. They planted their first vines in 2016, and are currently growing eight varietals: Cabernet Franc, Chambourcin, Chardonnay, Petit Manseng, Petit Verdot, Tannat, Vidal, and Viognier.
Martin Rico Murillo is the vineyard manager, and has been with the farm for more than six seasons. Stephanie is the winemaker, and their big, lovable Great Dane, Wyatt, is the assistant winemaker and assistant vineyard manager, who proves to be a ubiquitous presence around the property.
Brix & Columns Vineyards Cabernet Franc 2024 is a medium bodied red wine. It's made with 100% Cabernet Franc grapes. The wine is aged in both new and neutral French oak for 9 months. This wine was very, very likeable. It had all the smells of fresh fruit - ripe cherries, red raspberries, plums, red currants, and a hint of violets (something floral). Those red fruits came across the palate, with wonderful nnotes of bramble and cranberry, spice, and a hint of black tea and soft white pepper. The resulting wine was a lush, soft, approachable fruit forward Cabernet Franc. Very easy drinking. Super quaffable.
Brix & Columns Cabernet Franc 2024 is a very, very drinkable wine. Perfect for sipping and perfect for foods like roast chicken, roast pork, pasta, and other dishes. A truly pleasant surprise from the Shenandoah Valley.