The Winery at Kindred Pointe Review
Address: 3575 Conicville Road Mount Jackson,Virginia 22842.
Phone Number: 540-477-3570
Tasting Hours: Fri-Sat 12:00-7:00, Sun 12:00-6:00 and by appt.
Region: Shenandoah Valley AVA, Virginia
Reviewer: Richard Rynders
Review Date: 8/15/2015
Reviewer: Richard Rynders
Rating: 4
The Review
Nestled in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley is a fairly-new (opened in 2009) addition to the Virginia wine world. Formerly a horse barn and stable, The Winery at Kindred Point has elegantly taken the equestrian theme to new heights. Currently open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (if you are interested in visiting during the week, the winery suggests you call ahead to ensure they are open), the converted horse barn offers a very comfortable tasting bar along with tables and very comfy couches to enjoy a glass (or bottle) of your new favorite wine. Although my visit was on a warm August afternoon, I look forward to returning in cooler months to enjoy their two large fireplaces.
As for the sampling options the tasting room offers three different flight choices; their current wine list with whites, reds and their notable sangria, a reserve service that includes a couple limited reds, or their notable selection of hard cider (six ciders in all). Choosing the reserve wine flight, I dove right in.
With most all grapes grown on the estate, exploring the whites was a pleasant journey. Of note were the Chardonnays; the 2013 and 2014 vintages were two distinctly different wines. Although both have roots in the California “big & buttery” fashioned chard, due to their French-oak aging, the amount of time spent in that oak distinguishes each. The 2013 was barrel fermented with 13% new French Oak while the 2014 was made with 30%. As a California native and fan of that style, I preferred the 2014 vintage.
The exploration of the reds was just as pleasurable. Of note were the two “reserve” wines, the Country Malbec and the Picasso. A full-bodied 100% Malbec, this wine has soft tannins with lingering oak tones. We learned that Kindred Pointe is the first winery in the Shenandoah Valley to grow and produce Malbec. The Picasso is a Bordeaux-style red that adds Chambourcin to the mix. I believe this is the only wine made with “outside” grapes, as the winery had lost all its Cabernet Franc vines during the winter of 2013. Easy on the palate, this wine is fantastic to drink now or hold for a couple years.
When you are there, do not pass on the winery’s sangria (it is part of the wine list). Although I am not usually an enthusiast of wine mixed with fruit, this was a winner. I can certainly see myself with a glass (or sharing a pitcher) on a warm afternoon, sitting outside the winery, enjoying the manicured landscape and maybe playing some yard games. As the winery also offers a “virgin” margarita, this turns out to be a place to bring the kids they will enjoy it, too.
Stay tuned to Kindred Pointe, I expect you’ll be hearing more about them as time goes on.