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Crozet gazette february 2008 s page 3King Family Vineyard Named Virginia’s Best Winery to VisitCrozet’s King Family Vineyardhas been judged the best winery inVirginia to visit by the SoutheastWinery Review, a Web site that ratesthe experience of going to differentwineries in Virginia, North andSouth Carolina, Georgia and Floridaand also solicits reviews from thepublic.“We were kind of surprised [tofind out about the top ranking],”said owner Ellen King. “They didtheir visits blind—which is whatthey should do—we had no idea wewere being evaluated.”Review representatives visit wineriesmore than once, on differentdays of the week and at differenttimes of day. The Review gives ascore on a one-to-10 scale on eachof seven criteria: wine quality (Whatis the quality for the varietal? KFVwas rated at 9); wine variety, (Is anice selection of wines offered?KFV=5); value for dollar (Is the visitworth the price of admission?KFV=5); Friendliness (How are youtreated as a customer? KFV=9);vineyards and vistas (Is the exteriorpleasant and inviting? KFV=10);interior atmosphere (Is the interiorDon’t miss any of the hometown newseverybody else is up on. Pick up a freecopy of the Crozet Gazette at one of themany area locations or have the CrozetGazette delivered to your home or dormroom. Mail subscriptions are available for$20 for 12 issues. Send a check to CrozetGazette, P.O. Box 863, Crozet, VA 22932.Published on the first Thursdayof the month byThe Crozet Gazette LLCP.O. Box 863Crozet, Virginia 22932Michael J. Marshall,Publisher and Editor434-466-8939www.crozetgazette.com© The Crozet Gazette LLCCrozet GazetteRoute Carriers:Claudius Crozet Park neighborhoods:Chris Breving: 823-2394Western Ridge/Stonegate:Ashley Gale: 823-1578Cory Farm/Clover Lawn/Foxchase:Austin Germani: 882-5976Old Trail/Haden & Killdeer Lanes:Andrew Periasamy: 989-5732attractive, inviting, conducive to thevisit? KFV=9); and overall experience(Is the winery worth the visit?KFV=9). The vineyard scored 56out of 70 possible points.“They considered the number ofwines we produce as our lowest category,but we think that not making30 different wines is actually good,”said King. The winery now offers 10wines, all made from grapes grownon the farm.“Their ‘overall experience’ score isa separate score, not an average ofthe scores in the other rating categories,”explained Kerry Hannon.“They are really doing this in a seriousway. They are trying to maketheir scoring meaningful.”“We try to make sure everyone isspoken to when they come in thedoor,” added King. “If we’re busy[at the tasting counter], we givepeople wine while they wait. It’s apeople business. We’re like a restaurant.You make up your mind withthat first impression. Hospitality isvery important.”This year the winery is offering itsfirst “sparkling wine” (alias a champagne,but that term is now trademarkedby that region of France)made according to the methodechampenoise and later this springwill bottle its first port-style wine(alias a port, but that term is nowtrademarked by Portugal). “The coolthing about it is it’s made from petitverdot [grapes] and aged in Americanoak barrels that have held bourbonwhisky for seven years,” King said.It will be bottled in a traditionalport bottle, she added. The wineryis looking for a name for that wine,she said, and invited Gazette readersto send suggestions. “We want anAmerican-sounding name,” shesaid.The winery won the 2004Governor’s Cup for wine excellenceand gold medals for its 2002Michael Shaps Cabernet Franc and2002 Meritage.The winery is offering aValentine’s Day dinner Feb. 14,four-courses paired with its wines.Passed hors d’oeuvres begin at 6:30p.m. and dinner will begin at 7 p.m.Prepaid reservations are requiredand the $100 per plate cost includesfood, wine, tax, and tip. Call434-823-7800 to make a reservation.King said the event can accommodate80-100 diners.Wine Business Monthly, a national wine publication, hasnamed King Family Vineyards among the “Hottest SmallBrands of 2007” in its February 2008 issue. It wasn’t justthe only Virginia wine to make the list, it was the only onefrom the East Coast.The crew at King Family Vineyard: (left to right) Matthieu Finot (winemaker), Rita Medici,Carrington King, Ellen King, and Kerry Hannon. Not pictured are David King, Amanda Gee-Taylor, and Christopher Hill.King Family Vineyard Label