August is officially Rosé month! Here are the best Rosé wines in Virginia and where to get them. You’ll want to check each vineyard or winery for availability, but many are offering shop online options and shipping!
With over 300 wineries in Virginia, there is no shortage of great wines to choose from. From award winning whites and internationally recognized Nebbiolo’s, our state is definitely for wine lovers!
Right now is the best time to grab a chilled bottle of your favorite Rosé and share with friends on the bank of a river, or at an overlook of the Blue Ridge mountains. Perfect for warm days and picnics, a good Rosé kicks off the end of summer with a cool breeze of refreshment.
Rosé Wine Facts
There’s a common misunderstanding that rosés are overly sweet and taste the same, which is not true. The varieties of rosé wines range from dry to sweet and hues from nearly colorless pink to red. If you prefer a less-sweet Rose, go with a dry variety.
Rosé wine is made up of the combination of red and white grapes. Winemakers create rosés of varying shades of pink by managing the length of contact between the juice and red grape skins during the winemaking process.
Rosé is the wine of choice during the warm summer months, because it is served chilled. It’s no wonder the whole month of August is dedicated to Rosé wine!
Best Rosé Wines in Virginia
- Boxwood Rosé – An elegant pink hue complements a subtle aromatic bouquet of freesia and white peach. A balance of fruit and acidity highlights the layered notes of strawberry, raspberry and nuanced pineapple. Its medium-light body leaves you with a lengthy finish which lingers with a final touch of stone fruit and floral charm.
- Crosskeys Vineyards & Winery (Fiore 2018) – A lustrous pink rosé of Cabernet Franc and Chambourcin with luscious fruit flavors and aroma. Delicately pressed and fermented cool to preserve aromas of raspberries, grapefruit, and a hint of vanilla. Electric acidity, juicy palate, clean finish with lingering ripe strawberry and fresh rosemary. Refreshing and light when served cold but bold enough to pair with a variety of dishes when lightly chilled. Soft cheeses, rich seafood dishes, or herb rubbed poultry will show off the complexity of the wine. (Not too sweet, not too dry!)
- Stinson Vineyards Rosé – Stinson Vineyards Rosé of Tannat 2019 Monticello, Virginia. Features: fresh cherries and lemons are vibrant and mouthwatering, and joined by black raspberries, fennel seeds, and coriander. Excellent concentration, and very food friendly.
- First Colony Rosé (2016) – The 2016 Rosé bursts from the glass with aromas of bright strawberries, and ruby red grapefruit. Herbaceous in nature with, raspberry, and watermelon to follow. The attack presents a soft feeling with a much bolder finish in this crisp racy rosé. The bright clean fruitfulness of this wine presents its taster with a sense of sunlight glinting upon the glass and an overwhelming feeling of freedom during a hot summer afternoon.
- King Family Vineyards Crosé – A dry, Merlot based rosé is fresh and crisp with notes of grapefruit, lime, watermelon, and a light grassiness on the nose. Throughout the palate, a lifting acidity carries flavors of bitter cherry, peach, and rose petal. Friendly with lighter fare, this wine is also a great companion for the porch or patio.
- Early Mountain Vineyards Rosé – Early Mountain seems to be going for the food friendly rosé style. This is on the heavier side of rosé with ripe, heady notes of lime and peach. There is some ripe grapefruit, as well as a hint of dill. On the palate the wine’s acidity and deep fruit character will give you pause until the food is ready.
- Breaux Vineyards – 2016 Breauxmance has a fine mousse when poured. Good balance of acid with the weight of the wine. This sparkling has a good body to it and meshes well with the effervescence. There is good fruit on the palate with some bright apple and pear. The fruit lingers throughout the finish. For a sweeter Rosé, try the Breaux 2019 Rosé.
- Barboursville Vineyards – (2019 Allegrante Rosé) Vivacious and classic Old-World Rosé blending their internationally esteemed Nebbiolo with recently established Petit Syrah has resulted in a vintage wine of complex aromatics and gratifying mouth feel, with the delightful lightness desired in a fine rosé.
- Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards – A Champagne style Sparkling Rosé features both intense fruity characteristics on the nose; lemon, peach, and strawberry with hints of granite and guava on the palate.
- Veritas Vineyard & Winery – the 2019 Veritas Rose is a light-bodied, refreshing Rose with aromas of delicate fruit with floral hints, dry with cherry and red fruit flavors.
- Chatham Vineyards – The 2018 Church Creek Rose is an aromatic and elegant Provence-style Rosé, ripe with notes of raspberry and white peach. A versatile wine choice year-round that complements spicy foods, dessert and cheese courses, and also lovely over fresh fruit with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
- Blenheim Vineyards – 2019 Rose Zest (grapefruit) and wet stone on the nose. Medium intensity. Palate is crisp and mouthwatering, notes of strawberry, raspberry, and white pepper. Long finish.
- Rosemont Vineyards & Winery – Their signature Rosé is bright and fresh, a dry Rosé, made from 100% Chambourcin. The 2019 vintage is a beautiful, light salmon color with beautiful crisp acidity. It offers aromas of wild mountain strawberries and zingy grapefruit. The perfect refreshment for warm Virginia days!
Did we forget to mention one or two? Please leave us a comment below!
