Linden Update | February 9, 2023
Future Hardscrabble Vineyard, 1984.
40 Years
My daughter Samantha reminded me that 1983 was the year that this overgrown, abandoned hardscrabble farm took on a new life. I’d like to use this anniversary year to write about then and now. Each monthly update sent out this year will include a look back.
Back to the Mountain
In 1983, the state of this hardscrabble farm was typical of most of the Blue Ridge landscape. It had gone “back to the mountain:” a local expression for overgrown abandoned farms. At the turn of the last century this area thrived. Apples were big business and almost all the land was in orchards. Much of the production was sold to Europe, in fact the neighboring village of Markham had its own barrel making facility for packing apples for export.
In the early 1920s trade wars and tariffs all but destroyed the market. Orchards were abandoned. Untended land in these parts quickly reverts back to first generation sapling growth and eventually woods: back to the mountain.
By 1983, this farm had gone back to the mountain. A few struggling apple trees could still be found, but poplar and locust trees dominated. 1984 was spent clearing. It was expensive, back breaking, and time consuming. It was what had to be done. Any cleared land remaining in these parts was rich bottom land well suited for corn or alfalfa, but unacceptable for high quality vineyards.
Petit Verdot 4-Pack
Petit Verdot
Petit Verdot was not part of Linden’s original plantings. A small planting was established in 1991 to give more power and complexity to our red blends. It adapted well to our growing conditions and just a small amount contributed exotic fruit and personality to the blends. So we planted more.
As the new plantings produced more grapes and more wine, we learned that in blending, more is not necessarily better. Petit Verdot’s strong personality dominated the finesse and elegance that are the signature of Linden’s blends. Petit Verdot makes powerful and expressive wines that do not play well with others. This conundrum resulted in Linden’s only varietal red wine.
Our winemaking has always been influenced by tasting benchmark examples from established regions. But Petit Verdot is not traditionally bottled on its own. We’ve been given the challenge to figure it out on our own. Over the last decade our winemaking approach to Petit Verdot has changed and evolved. This is especially evidenced in the four vintages offered below.
Petit Verdot 4-Pack
2014, 2016, 2019, and 2020
Detailed winemaking, tasting notes, and food pairing suggestions included with purchase.
$174.00 + tax. Free shipping. To order click Linden Direct.
February–March Tastings
Linden finally emerged from our winter hibernation. We are now open to visitors on Saturdays and Sundays. Our tastings are now all pairings comparing and contrasting differences in terroir or vintage. As many of you know, Linden has been driven by the impact of vineyard site on wine style. Recently, climate change has intensified the signature of vintage variation. These two themes are the focus of our educational tastings.
Linden Wine Dinner
at Blue Rock Inn with Jim Law
Washington, Virginia on Sunday March 5.
Chef Bin Lu has been presenting some amazing and creative dishes since Blue Rock opened last year. Chef will be preparing dishes specifically designed to pair with Linden’s wines (including some older vintages). Over the past few weeks Chef has been at Linden collecting grapevine cuttings and Chardonnay lees to work some magic in the kitchen.
Blue Rock Inn is handling the reservations.
Blue Rock Inn
12567 Lee Highway,
Washington, Virginia 22747
540-987-3388
info@bluerockva.com
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Linden Vineyards / Learn More / Latest at Linden | Update: February 9, 2023