Marceline Vineyards
In Mt Crawford, off of Interstate 81 exit 240 in the Shenandoah Valley, near Harrisonburg. Vines planted in 2006, and winery opened in 2016. The property is named after the mother of owner Susan Rudolph Pleasant. The tasting room is in a restored horse barn. Tim Rausse is the winemaker.
Wine. Tier II. A small vineyard, with limited number of wines. The Marceline 2020 vintage Vidal Blanc was awarded a silver medal at both the 2022 Virginia Governor’s Cup state-wide wine competition, and the 2022 Finger Lakes Wine Competition. White wines include a pair of different Chardonnays (one aged in steel, the other in oak), a Traminette, a Viognier, and the Vidal Blanc; red wines include a Cabernet Sauvignon, a Cabernet Franc, a “Peach Traminette,” and L’Amore de Notte – a raspberry dessert wine.
Setting. Attractive tasting room in the old barn. A selection of different chocolates is available, as is a cheese plate. Occasional “paint nights” combine wine and art.
Stories. James Madison University. Virginia today boasts one of the best public university systems in the country – including JMU. JMU, as most know James Madison University, is located along both sides of Interstate 81 in Harrisonburg – about 20 miles northwest of Marceline Vineyards. The state University dates back to 1908 – and was originally founded as a women’s college. Enrollment is just under 20,000. The school is governed by a Board of Visitors appointed by the Governor of Virginia. JMU is known for being a popular destination for Northern Virginia high school graduates, for its campus (Business Insider voted JMU’s campus one of the 20 most beautiful in the country), and for its marching band and athletics (the “Dukes,” as they are known, were the 2018 NCAA Lacrosse Champions).