The Daniel Vineyards is a family-owned estate winery located in Crab Orchard, West Virginia.[1] The vineyard was created in 1990 at the former location of the 192-acre (78 ha) Twin Oaks Golf Course by Doctor C. Richard Daniel, a retired radiologist.[2][3] About 20 acres (8.1 ha) are used for vineyards, with an additional acreage for blackberries and 3 acres (1.2 ha) for blueberries. Visitors are allowed to pick their own blueberries when in season.[4]
| Daniel Vineyards | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Crab Orchard, West Virginia |
| Tasting | Tuesday thru Saturday |
| Website | www |
The vineyard is over 2,500 feet (760 m) above sea level, so cultivars were chosen that thrive in a cold climate. These cultivars are disease resistant and use a special trellis, the "Vertical Shoot Positioning V-shaped system", developed by Dr. Daniel.[4] By 2007 Daniel Vineyards was West Virginia's largest winery.[2] It has hosted the West Virginia Spring Wine Festival each year since 1999.[2][3] In 2008 the West Virginia Department of Conservation rated the vineyard as the third best conservation farm in West Virginia, due in part to features such as deer training fences and vegetation around the vineyard such as Canadian hemlock, Lombardy poplar, and roses.[4][5] Special events such as birthdays and weddings are held at the vineyard.[4]
Varieties of grapes
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Dr. Daniel has grown 116 varieties of grapes since founding the vineyard, 14 of which are in production as of 2013:[4]
- Cornell University Hybrids (Cayuga White, Chardonel, Traminette)
- French-American Hybrids (Seyval blanc, St. Vincent, Vidal blanc, and Vignoles)
- Native American (Norton)
- Swenson Hybrids (Brianna, Esprit, and Sabrevois)
- University of Minnesota Hybrids (Frontenac, La Crescent, and Marquette)
Red wines include Baco noir,[6] Blackberry, Frontenac, Marquette, Norton, Port, Pink, Sabrevois, St. Croix, and St. Vincent. White wines include Brianna, Cayuga, Chardonel, Esprit, La Crescent, Seyval, Traminette, Vidal Blanc, and Vignoles.[7][8][9] The best selling wine is the blackberry wine, which is made from all blackberries and no grapes.[6][7] It has won two bronze medals, two silver medals, and one gold medal.[7][10]
References
edit- ^ "Daniel Vineyards". West Virginia Department of Commerce. Retrieved June 2, 2013.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c Giggenbach, Christian (June 3, 2007). "Daniel Vineyard Wine Festival this weekend". Register-Herald. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
- ^ a b Plummer, Sarah (June 12, 2012). "Wine Festival Includes Puppies, Music, Vendors". Register-Herald. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e "About the Vineyards". Daniel Vineyards. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
- ^ "West Virginia Conservation Farm-of-the-Year Winners Announced" (PDF). West Virginia Department of Agriculture. 2008. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
- ^ a b "West Virginia Winery Reviews". Winery Adventures. Archived from the original on February 11, 2013. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Red Wines". Daniel Vineyards. 2008. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
- ^ "Grape Varieties". Daniel Vineyards. 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
- ^ "White Wines". Daniel Vineyards. 2008. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
- ^ "Award Winning Wine". Daniel Vineyards. 2010. Retrieved June 2, 2013.