Location: Leesburg, Virginia
Date Opened: 2001
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| Fabbioli Cellars is a family owned winery that opened in 2001. About 15 minutes north of historic Leesburg, Virginia, this sign marks the entrance to the winery from a small dirt road. |
Fabbioli Cellars opened in 2001 when a family in California was transplanted to the east coast. Settling in Virginia with a dream of opening a winery, the Fabbioli family bought a 25 acre lot of land. Their goal is to make great red wine. They first planted Merlot and Petit Verdot for blending. Now they've expanded that to Petit Manseng, Cabernet Franc, and a few others. Interestingly, they've also planted hops to sell and make their own cider. Most grapes are grown on site, however they do purchace some grapes and produce wine with them on-site. Bottling also occurs on-site when a guy from Canada come down with his truck and bottles wine for several wineries in the area. The wine also purchaces many oak barrels, most of which are used. While most of the oak is American or French, they also have some native Virginian and Hungarian oak.
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| Of the total 25 acres, vines cover 13 acres. Most of the grapes grown by this winery are red. |
Tastings originally occurs in the first floor of the family's house. Last year though, the winery constructed a tasting house. Walking up to the house were vines lining the sidewalk with intertwined lights. When we went, the place had a lot of people in it. The wine tastings were conducted at sit down bars along the windows of the house. There were four bars, each staffed with a host. Also downstairs was a gift shop where they sold wines, novelties, cheese, meats, and accessories. On the second floor they had several tables where people could sit and enjoy food and wine off the menu. While I didn't get a chance to see it, the basement held a room for larger groups to visit and enjoy the wines.
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| Right by the parking lot stood this "Tasting House" built last year. The two story structure housed a tasting room on the first level and tables for people to order wine and snack on the second level. The windows lining the rooms overlooked the vines. |
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| Right through the door in the center of the house were these lights and vines wrapped around a pole. Along the wall to the right were all of the awards around the necks of various wines. Past the pole is the gift shop. To the right are the tables where wine tastings occurred. |
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| The winery store sold a large variety of wine accessories and novelties. They also had wine, cheese, and meats for sale. |
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| Grape vines labeled with their varietal. |
NV Attitude Adjuster
Winery notes: 100% apple hop infused wine: bright, light, and bubbly.
My notes: Not very sweet at all, especially compared to commercial ciders. Watery with slight carbonation, slight apple on the front while light hoppy taste to follow.
2015 Something White w/ Lemon Mint Aioli, Irish Cucumber on Stone Wheat Cracker
Winery notes: Vidal blanc and Viognier: ripe banana, crisp mellon, and soft pineapple.
My notes: Smelled of apple and ethanol. Tasted unbalanced with lots of alcohol and notes of peaches and flowers on its own. With the food, the alcohol taste faded bringing out minty and herb tastes. Very refreshing
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| Behind the house, the winery grew hops. |
Winery notes: Medium bodies- sweet tobacco, deep cherries, and cranberry. Chambourcin juices were fermented with skins from Cabernet Sauvignon to increase tannins.
My notes: Oaky, smoky, jammy strawberry smell. Immediate tasting was tart which settled to a dry lighter body. Jammy red berries, smoke, and oak was evident. The pairing brought out a balanced wine, savory tastes, and decreased acidity.
2014 Sangiovese w/ Blamey Castle Cheese, Corned Beef on Stone Wheat
Winery notes: Medium bodied- smoky cedar, truffles, and dark cherries.
My notes: Earthy smell. Gamey taste. Earthy while being pretty balanced and bland. Really nothing special coming out of the wine itself, even with the pairing.
2013 Fratelli- Cabernet Sauvignon w/ London Broil, Ballymoloe Irish Tomato Relish on Stone Wheat
Winery notes: Full bodied- blackberries, cranberries, and black pepper.
My notes: Cocca and rich jam smell. Very dry with a lot of tannins on the tongue. Blackberry tastes. When paired, the sweet brought out the oak and smoke while lowering the wines sweetness.
2013 Cabernet Franc Reserve w/ Balsamic Cherry Spread, Irish Cashel Blue on Stone Wheat
Winery notes: Full bodies- black cherries, white pepper, and vanilla
My notes: Oaky, berry, and spicy smell. Very dry tasting with hints of vanilla and spicy cherries. The blue cheese kind of ruined the wine though. It covered up the fruity taste leaving only vanilla and oak.
NV Raspberry Merlot w/ Dark Chocolate Truffle
Winery notes: Beautiful blend of raspberries and Merlot.
My notes: Overwhelming smell of distinct raspberries. Tasted like alcoholic raspberry juice and was too sweet. The chocolate pairing calmed the sweetness and brought out spice and grape flavors.
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