Any PA drinkers have any experience with Va La Vineyards (valavineyards.com), particularly their Mahogany and Cedar cuvees? Was thinking of paying them a visit, seems interesting but I can’t find any reviews anywhere. thanks!
Patrick, they have a great little tasting room. Cozy, lots of character, nice people. Very small production of mostly lesser known Italian varieties. Tony gets a fair amount of high praise for his wines. If you are open to trying local PA wineries I would recommend it.
I would recommend a visit also. Nice little winery, but I found the attitude (and prices) a little out-of-line with their wines. They were decent enough, but at some of the higher priced ones, one could easily find East Coast (or even Italian) alternatives that are less expensive and perhaps with better oak integration.
INHO, it’s the only PA winery worth visiting and whose wines aren’t sweet crap. Yes, a bit pricey but as a small operation they gotta make a living too. Plus, a close look at their website shows a quirky sense of humor.
I don’t see on the website anymore the story of how they got their name…basically they were told: "“No grapes can grow in Avondale. You people CRAZY.” Va La in idomatic Italian means “F**k off”.
Well, that’s certainly one opinion. I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t actively follow PA wines. Based on my own experiences and friendly sources, they are generally lagging behind VA and considerably behind NY.
That said, the wines made by Gino Razzi at Penns Woods can be VERY good and their Cab is definitely NOT “sweet crap”. I’ve had respectable dry wines from: Chaddsford, Presque Isle, and Crossing Vyd. I’ve heard decent things about Fero.
Very simply, there are far better wines (and QPRs) to be had elsewhere.
RT
I could understand those prices if this was Napa or Sonoma Coast fruit (and they would still be high), but this is supposed to be a place where vineyards land is cheap. I am sure they are good wines, but these prices only reflect EGO and not an actual competitive price reflecting costs from start to finish.
And I’m not one to buy the notion that a smaller winery has more work to do. 4 barrels of wine is much easier to watch over than 400 - just as one half ton of fruit is easier to crush (and manage) that 10 tons of fruit. . .
I mean, where do they think they are? Virginia?
I would second Rich’s opinion on Penns Woods. I am not a fan of Chaddsford though. I have not tried the others he mentions.
SE Pennsylvania is not exactly cheap land, plus, this is still intensively cultivated mushroom farming land, so I assume there is a premium as ag-land.
I am sure they are good wines, but these prices only reflect EGO and not an actual competitive price reflecting costs from start to finish.
Like I said before: I encountered attitude there myself.
I first visited VaLa vineyards after I had had a chance to taste some bottles from a case of wine my wife had purchased there just after they had opened .We had the fortune to live in Europe from 1982 thru 1985 and were able to learn and taste wines while I was working for NATO (to keep the world free from democracy).There is an elegance to the wines that Anthony makes that to my palate I have only found in the wines of Burgundy.Do not look for oak in his wines as he is all about the fruit.His vineyard lies in the lowermost regions of the Piedmont escarpment,predominantly facing west as do most of the best Burgundian vineyards.I think the warm afternoon settting sun results in enhanced sugar flavor as the plant thrives in distinct growing conditions.
I should have written sugar concentration,and not flavored as his wines are by no means sweet.
posting this on behalf of my friend, Anthony Vietri of Va La Vineyards:
RE: Ptheimer – “I can’t find any reviews anywhere”
The farmer /winemaker is not a member but wanted to respond to the question:
Dear Berserkers,
Howdy. Thank you greatly for the kind words and for your interest, very
much appreciated. Our small farm grows and bottles about 700 cases each
year. It is our family’s private belief not to submit wines into competitions
or for ratings, however we are fortunate enough to occasionally receive a
comment from a writer; here are a couple from Mr David Schildknecht:
“The highly unorthodox Va La quintet that issues from two dozen (mostly
Italianate) cépages ( largely in field blends! ) on six acres set just back from
the main drag of tiny Avondale… is worth a detour; Vietri is passionate,
experimental, articulate, and focused on vineyard excellence. Whether his
orange “white” La Prima Donna; his deep rosé Silk; Cinderbox, Cedar; or
Mahogany these will cause you to lick your lips as you rethink many things
you thought you knew.”
---- David Schildknecht, “Best of 2012” The Wine Advocate
"Here and there vintners prove themselves gratifying exceptions, going
against the grain of fashion and propagating field blends and their charm.
That includes not just those … in famous growing regions, but also in
places where only in this generation were vines even planted at all, as
is the case at Channing Daughters on Long Island, or at Va La (not far
from the suburbs of Philadelphia and Wilmington on the US East Coast),
where Anthony Vietri – also with Italian inspiration - practices co-cultivation
and co–fermentation of umpteen varieties. It’s not by chance that precisely
these — if as yet not well–known — wines from New York and Pennsylvania
belong to the most multifaceted and fascinating in the USA.”
— David Schildknecht, Vinaria.
Thanks greatly for taking the time to make folks aware of us, and all our best,
Anthony and family,
Va La.
www.valavineyards.com