Virginia’s Ankida Ridge Vineyards – Where Heaven and Earth Join

The word “An-kee-da”, in the ancient Sumerian language, signifies “where heaven and earth join”. Last week, it seemed that I was actually in that spiritual meeting place. As a participant in the popular #VaWineChat on twitter, I tasted three exceptional wines from Ankida Ridge Vineyards, a family-run micro vineyard located at 1304 Franklin Creek Road in Amherst, Virginia. I’m aware that the quality of estate grown wines from Virginia continues to rise, but, to be honest, I was astonished with each sip of Ankida Ridge Rockgarden Vert 2015, Ankida Ridge Chardonnay 2015, and Ankida Ridge Pinot Noir 2014.

 

At elevations of 1675 – 1800 feet, on the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains of central Virginia, owners Christina and Nathan Vrooman consider Ankida Ridge Vineyards Virginia’s “Little Burgundy” due to their efforts, quite successful by the way, in planting Burgundian grapes, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

At just under two acres, with rocks on decomposing granite soil on a steep hillside, Christine Vrooman admitted during our chat that this winery could be deemed a “reasoned struggle” (“La Lutte Raisonee”). Defying others’ opinions, Christine and her husband Nathan removed “multiple tons of rocks to make room for the vines” and remarked that they had a “what were we thinking?” moment (or two…); in 2008, the vineyards were planted. Yet, thanks to stunning vistas and refreshing mountain air, they embraced the dream and knew that “the beauty of this place had to be expressed in our grapes”.  It is.

 

The winemaking team at Ankida Ridge Vineyards practices “environmentally sensitive viticulture” with biodiversity and sustainability strategies as important elements. Sheep graze the vineyard floor and the presence of hummingbirds, honeybees, wildflowers, and insects help complete the pastoral scene at this must-visit winery. Their philosophy to attend to detail, have plenty of patience, and treat the grapes gently is at the core of their mission: “to ensure only the best fruit makes it into our wines”.

In 2010, the first crop at Ankida Ridge was produced. By 2011, after harvest, fermentation, aging, and bottling, wines were ready to swirl, sip, and, hopefully, savor. According to Christine Vrooman, the wines were a wonderful surprise…as they were to “many palates much more refined than ours”. Although I haven’t tasted wines from Ankida Ridge’s first vintage, I did have the opportunity to sip three wines, sent to me as samples.

The Ankida Ridge Rockgarden Vert 2015 ($18) is a low alcohol (10%) wine of Vidal Blanc, sourced from surrounding vineyards within a fifty mile radius of the winery. Young, refreshing, and effervescent, this is a go-to summer wine that I sipped on my back porch on a sultry, hot afternoon. On the nose, I found aromas of stone fruit and crisp Granny Smith apples. Flavors of tropical fruit and melon coupled with snappy acidity and a crisp finish were lovely. A chilled glass of Rockgarden Vert will be a delicious complement to oysters on the half shell, cheese and crackers, and a good book.

The Ankida Ridge Chardonnay 2015 ($32) was a beautiful surprise – I couldn’t believe that this balanced, age-worthy wine was from Virginia. Crafted from grapes hand-picked at Ankida Ridge estate vineyards as well as those from a neighboring vineyard, the Chardonnay was aged in 10% new and 90% neutral French oak. 70% of the barrels underwent malolactic fermentation resulting in a creamy texture and lively acidity; the wine rested sur lie for nine months. I noted juicy pear, spice, smoke, and caramel on the nose and elements of minerality, lemon, honey, and more pear on the palate. The lengthy finish was citrus driven and incredibly satisfying. Another sip, please!

Finally, I savored the Ankida Ridge Pinot Noir 2014 ($44) from estate grown grapes. Aged in 30% new and 70% neutral French oak, this wine is considered a “classic example of Virginia Pinot Noir” thanks to its complex palate profile. I found intense aromas of earth, herbs, cinnamon, raspberry, violets, and tobacco. Vibrant tastes of cherries, strawberries, rustic herbs, and spice led to a luscious, round finish. Balanced and broad with food friendly acidity, the Ankida Ridge Pinot Noir can age 5-10 years, but you won’t be able to wait that long!

Many of you know that Virginia is my home state and now I have another reason to return. I’m looking forward to exploring the wines of Ankida Ridge Vineyards in the elegant, comfortable tasting room or while relaxing in one of the Adirondack chairs with a glass in hand and a view of the majestic Blue Ridge mountains…where heaven and earth join.

 

Cheers! ~ Cindy