FOR THE TASTE OF IT Along a small Virginia creek in a quiet corner of heaven, Sandy and Milt McPherson tend the vines and bottle some unique vintages. Photography by Justin Robinson
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unting Creek Vineyard b egan making wine in 2002 when owners Sandy and Milt McPherson started with a plot of ground and three h un d re d lit t le vin es Today they've created s o m e o f t h e East Coast’s most interesting l i b a t i o n s . T h e v i n e ya r d , n e s t l e d in the foothills of Clover VA, shares a longitude with the some of the best Mediterranean viticultural regions and is proving itself ideal for growing some of the finest European grapes. Modern viticulture is immersed in soil samples and pH levels that make cultivating grapes and aging a good wine a combination of art and science. Wine grapes flourish in a mix of sand, silt, and clay, in a well drained area with just the right amounts of trace minerals. Clover meets those expectations and provides the p erfe c t lo c ation for growing some of the finest fruits in the region.“They are not indigenous to 19 Summer 2020 Hearth & Vine
A m e r i c a . M e rl o t , M a l b e c , Pe t i t Ve r d o t , V i o g n i e r. We h a v e developed relationships with Front Porch Vineyards and Pinehaven Vineyards to purchase locally grown quality grapes to expand our wine selections. They have diligent viticultural techniques that produce our excellent Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grapes. ‘Local’ is very important to us.” Sandy explained that, as in any industry, winemakers have their own language and a lot of information, decision making and care that goes into making good wines. Hunting Creek offers nine varieties of wine with distinct and unusual names: P ure Luck , made from Viognier grapes and aged in neutral oak barrels. Confession, a dry white wine from Pinot Gris purchased from a local vineyard. “The grapes were grown by Front Porch Vineyards in Pamplin, Va,” Sandy explained, adding that “Confession, is good for the soul." Innocence is a well balanced Traminette, while Forbidden is a Rosé made
