Virginia’s Northern Neck, renowned for its beautiful rivers and rich history surrounding those waters, is now also known for its wine. The nine wineries that make up the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail offer their own unique histories, as well.
Boomer looks at a couple.
A GIFT FROM THE GODS
After successful careers in the health industry, three retired nurses decided to move south from their academic jobs in Maryland and Michigan to see if they could grow grapes. “We wanted to do something interesting,” says Ada Jacox. “We didn’t want our minds to go stagnant in retirement.”
So, with shovels and hearty backs, Jacox, Carol Spengler and Ruth Harris have now cultivated more than 10,000 vines on 15 acres overlooking the Great Wicomico River at Athena Vineyards. They literally are spending their retirement enjoying the fruits of their labor.
So, why name their vineyards after Athena? You’d think Dionysus, Greek god of wine, would be more appropriate. “We figured we’d have to be pretty tough to do this kind of work,” says Jacox, so Athena, Greek goddess of wisdom and war, seemed fitting. “The way it happened was pretty fortuitous,” she continues. Their first winemaker, Jacques Recht, was an expert in Greek mythology. “We thought this must be from the gods!”
FAVORED BY MSNBC … AND POCAHONTAS
Ingleside Vineyards, named one of MSNBC’s Top 10 Wine Vacations of North America, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. As one of the oldest and largest wineries in Virginia, Ingleside has a rich history. Wirtland, a house on the property, is on the National Register of Historic Places. In fact, legend has it Ingleside is near the site where Pocahontas first laid eyes on John Smith. A museum of Indian artifacts found on the property is open to the public.
With upward of 18 wines to taste, some multiple award winners, you could easily spend an afternoon on Ingleside’s European-style courtyard. The winery even makes champagne — well, a Brut sparkling wine. Only the French can claim the name “champagne.”
A FAMILY TRADITION
Most Northern Neck vineyards are owned and operated by families who have lived in the area for quite some time. Ray Petrie, who with his wife, Catherine, owns Belle Mount Vineyards, can guide you to good eats in the area and places to stay, although Belle Mount also has five quaint cottages nestled in the surrounding countryside.
When asked his favorite wine, Petrie chuckled. “That’s an unfair question,” he says. After all, Petrie is in the business of creating wine for others to enjoy. So, if you’re visiting vineyards because your wife’s the wine enthusiast, but you’re more of a beer drinker, Petrie might steer you toward some of the sweeter wines. Why? He says the sweetness in wine is more closely related to beer because it creates a similar sense of thickness; the sugar in the wine replaces the carbohydrates in beer. Try Belle Mount’s Workboat Red, its most popular sweet wine.
Briana Easter is the editorial assistant for Boomer.
April is Alcohol Awareness Month
You can do your part for Alcohol Awareness Month – and beyond – by refusing to drink and drive.
You might also become involved in the Alcohol and Aging Awareness Group, which includes representation from 20 public and private organizations and which promotes the need for education and training on alcohol and medication misuse in older adults. For more information, visit www.abc.state.va.us and click on Alcohol and Aging Awareness. Or contact the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (VA ABC) at
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