Rolfe, Strife, and Pinotage

The land of wine stretches down towards the Mason-Dixon line. When the culture of John Rolfe's tobacco ended in Virginia, perhaps the culture of dark wines ensued. Pinotage - the child of Pinot Noir and Cinsault was expressed wonderfully with the Lovingston Winery Rotunda Red 2011, PInotage - Cab Franc Blend.

This drank soft, with a leathery-tobacco palate and an inky black lettuce succulence.  Pinotage, which is quite unique, isn't as audacious as Pinot Noir because it is bred with a blending grape, Cinsault. The finish was short and inviting. The terroir of Virginia seems to be consistent, leathery and dark, sort of as if the soil was primed with centuries of tobacco farming.

The vineyard itself is as followed:

Exotic Sources, Domestic Inspiration

When the Vikings arrived to North Eastern Canada, they named it New Vine Land, because there were vines....everywhere, grape vines that is.

The grape is a succulent treat to those that delve into the frozen, rugged terrain. While it seems we have grapes thriving in hot climates - in reality we have "micro-climates" like the Uco Valley in Argentina (the mountainous region bordering Chile); or Coombsville in Napa, where it's sparse, rocky, and in the echos of the Atlas Peak heights.


Grapes are the product of their land. Terroir. They are again, a treat. A complex, mind buzzing, and sweet treat. When they are fermented, even more complex aromas arise.