Chrysalis Vineyards
Chrysalis is found on US Route 50, just east of Middleburg and west of the village of Aldie in Loudoun County. Their new tasting room is at the “Ag Center,” and is well-signed as you come along Route 50.
Wine. One of the Top 100 wineries in Virginia. Chrysalis’ wine quality is a little difficult to assess. Chrysalis was named by the Washington Post as among the best wines of Northern VA, and received three stars in Hugh Johnson’s 2018 wine guide then two in the 2020 guide. However the winery rarely chooses to compete in better known tasting events, so ability to maintain relative quality is unclear. Chrysalis is home to the world’s largest planting of the native Virginia grape Norton. Owner and winemaker Jennifer McCloud first fell in love with Norton, and other odd varieties, after attending the American Society of Enology and Viticulture. Today, she has more than 70 acres surrounded by the Bull Run Mountains, where McCloud believes is the best place for Norton to ripen. In addition, McCloud grows viognier, petit verdot, tannat, fer servadou, petit manseng, albariño, tempranillo and Graciano.
Setting: One star. Panoramic views of the Bull Run Mountains and countryside around Middleburgh.
Stories: Natural Virginia – Ancient King of the Forest. (1) On your way to Chrysalis, consider a stop a few miles east at the corner of Route 50 and County Road 860, at Gilbert’s Corner Regional Park. There are good views, bluebird houses, and a short hiking trail through the woods. This was an Iroquois hunting trail before the arrival of Europeans. The trail will take you to an unusual nursery for Chestnut Trees. The American Chestnut used to dominate the forests of the Eastern United States, with many trees over 100 feet in height, and was an important source of both lumber and food. In the early 1900s, a chestnut blight arrived from Asia, and by 1950 had decimated the American Chestnut, killing over 4 billion trees. The Gilbert Corner Chestnut Orchard is part of an effort to restore this tree in Virginia. (2) More modern “nature”: Chrysalis is part of an entire agricultural district, an eat-and-drink-local venture, including 100 milking cows roaming hilly slopes and a creamery (with rumors of ice cream coming). This is a wonderful place to bring a blanket with the intention of purchasing some local products, a bottle of wine, and staying awhile. (3) At Chrysalis you’ll also find interesting stories behind wine names. Sarah’s Patio White is a summery fresh wine that is indeed perfect for sipping on the patio, preferably with a picnic lunch, while berry-infused Sarah’s Patio Red is dubbed sangria in a bottle. They’re both named for Sarah Girteude Lind whose parents owned the property in the 19th century; she died from TB in 1856 at the age of 16 and is buried just outside the tasting room. The Norton Schitz & Giggels is the perfect BBQ wine, though the best reason to drink it is just to say its name (the label states that two German immigrants, Schitz and Gigels, kept the Norton grape growing in their backyards through Prohibition, but whos’ to say they ever existed…).