Best Virginia Wines 2023? Central Virginia winery anticipates ‘phenomenal’ 2023 wines

In the vineyards of Albemarle County, winemakers are toasting to a season that has unfolded in their favor, and they are eager to let the fruits of their labor speak for themselves.

For those in search of exquisite wine, one particular vineyard in Albemarle County asserts that this year stands out as the finest in recent memory, and they find themselves in the company of like-minded vintners. Will 2023 be the best year for Virginia wine?

AJ Greely, the esteemed winemaker at Hark Vineyards, effuses about the exceptional nature of this year's grape harvest, awarding it an unequivocal A-grade. With a touch of Anderson Cooper flair, she describes the weather as nothing short of phenomenal—exceedingly dry with minimal instances of disease or pest pressure, making it an outstanding season in every aspect.

Despite facing a couple of notably dry spells, Greely assures that the grapes harvested are of remarkable quality. Summing up the season as "compact," she notes the exceptional chemistry, numbers, and fruit that came in. Her optimism for the 2023 vintage is palpable, anticipating the emergence of truly phenomenal wines.

As the winemaking process progresses, Greely details the meticulous steps involved in transforming the bountiful grape harvest into exceptional wine. From hanging and stirring to safeguarding the precious yield, the vineyard is focused on the upcoming holiday season, where they will delve into blending and prepare for the crucial bottling phase.

In the world of winemaking, the 2023 vintage from Albemarle County seems poised to make a significant mark, and as the holiday season approaches, the anticipation for these meticulously crafted wines grows.

Read the full article from NBC29 here.

We look forward to helping you tour all of your favorite, and new, wineries and taste the 2023 vintage (once it is aged, bottled, and on the shelves). Reserve your tour for next year soon. High demand weekends in the spring through the late fall book up quickly and there is limited availability for central VA wine tours. Ask which tour and vehicle style (limousine, forward facing, party bus, etc) is right for your group of wine lovers. Cheers to your 2024 Wine Tour!