Breaux Vineyards Tops in Social Media for Loudoun County Wineries

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Tammy Cavanaugh

Loudoun Wine Blog’s First Annual Social Media Survey

We have released the first of its kind Social Media Survey of Loudoun County Wineries.

The top award for the First Annual Loudoun Wine Blog Social Media Survey goes to Breaux Vineyards.

“I’m thrilled that we were recognized for being at the top of the list with regards to social media in Loudoun County,” said Jennifer Breaux Blosser with Breaux Vineyards. “We see our social media outlets as an integral part of our daily business. We’ve successfully created a community without borders of customers, potential customers, and wine enthusiasts. Our brand awareness and sales have increased and just as importantly, the customer relationship has strengthened because of our efforts in social media. We love to engage and believe this is a huge part of why we’ve been successful online.”

Not only does Breaux Vineyards actively engage with it’s over 5,400 Facebook fans, but is active on Twitter as well. As of this writing, Breaux boasts a total of 4,250 Twitter followers and directly communicates with their Twitter fans with over 3,700 Tweets.

Bluemont Vineyards, which came in a close second in the survey, boasts a hefty 4,200 Facebook Fans, but was edged out by Breaux Vineyards by lower Twitter engagement numbers.

“At Bluemont Vineyard our team strives to provide an exceptional experience to all our guests visiting the tasting room,” said Venessa Joswiak, marketing associate at Bluemont Vineyard. “Social media forums have enabled us to connect with our guests both before and after they visit, providing us a valuable asset to enhance customer service. It has been equally rewarding having the patrons be able to share their photos and stories of their experience during their time at Bluemont Vineyard.”

Rounding out the top five are Tarara Winery, Boxwood Winery, and Fabbioli Cellars.

Honorable mention goes to Hillsborough Vineyards, Lost Creek Vineyard & Winery and Corcoran Vineyards. All are equally engaged on Twitter and Facebook with over 1,100 Twitter followers each and edging in on 2,000 Facebook fans.

The research, conducted by Clout Digital, is the first of its kind for the Loudoun County Wine industry.

“For the First Annual Survey, we took a simple approach,” according to Tom Donnelly of Clout Digital. “We wanted to quickly determine which wineries were using social media for marketing and how many followers and fans they had. We plan to use more sophisticated tools for future surveys as wineries become more capable and accomplished social media users.”

“I think the next social media agenda item for Loudoun County wineries is content and content strategy,” continued Donnelly. “There are a lot of stories to tell in the wine business, which makes for great social marketing and engagement with customers and fans.”

For a full summary of Loudoun County wineries social engagement numbers, feel free to contact us.

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Three Fox Vineyards

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Tom Donnelly

It has been a while since we have visited Three Fox Vineyards and other wineries in Delaplane, VA, mainly because we sold the house in Strausburg, VA, and do not travel the Route 66 Corridor anymore. Choosing instead to head out to wineries in Loudoun County, VA.

So, when a friend called and wanted to take a picnic out to Three Fox Vineyards, we agreed.

So, with two toddlers in tow, we ventured out to the winery for some adult and child play time.

We decided to forgo the tasting and instead I went in to decide on a white wine for the adults to enjoy.

We are Pinot Grigio drinkers mostly in our house, so I was excited to try their Pinot Grigio.

I must say, I was a little disappointed.  While I was expecting typical citrus notes, all I was able to take away was a heavy smokiness.

The tasting sheet reads:

Our estate grown Pinot Grigio is done in the true Northern Italian style that gives loads of lush flavors. It is light, refreshing and fun with lemon zest and citrus notes and a hint of apricot.

The taste was different. Even the volunteer mentioned the smokiness over tone while pouring the wine. Not a Pinot Grigio to me.

So, in order to get back to the group fun, I asked to taste one of their white blends.

The Gatto Bianca. Perfect! While it was a bit on the sweet side, it was perfect for running around on their spacious grounds.

Their tasting sheet notes the following, which I also agree with:

An off-dry white with a great sassy attitude, reminiscent of the whites from the Italian Piemonte. Pineapple & citrus nose with a hint of melon and pear on the palate. Great with seafood! Look for the sassy white cat on the label!

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If you have not been to Three Fox Vineyards, you should go out and visit.  The grounds are amazing, with plenty of space to run around.  There are even tables set in among the vineyard.

We did not taste any of the reds, so I am sure we will try to venture out again some time soon.

Cheers!

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Easter Egg Hunting and Wine Tasting

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Tom Donnelly

While the weather was a bit on the cold side (hasn’t it been ALL Spring), we ventured out for the annual Easter Egg and Peeps Hunt at Great Country Farms in Bluemont, VA.

After running around a bit, we stopped by the see the Easter Bunny and get warm by the fire pits.

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Then it was our time for Easter Egg and Peeps hunting, so we gathered by the area set aside for small children and got ready.

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Once they blew the whistle for the hunt to start, our son decided that he did not want to hunt for eggs with 75 of his closest friends.

So, next stop, Bluemont Vineyards.

If you have not been to Bluemont, VA, or Bluemont Vineyards, you are missing a great little town and a spectacular view.

And, if you are heading out to Bluemont, VA, from the Washington, DC area, look at a map for Snickersville Turnpike and take the Pike from right outside Aldie, VA, off route 50. You will not be disappointed with the drive and views.

We love Bluemont Winery for several reasons: views, the people, the service, and the wine.

On this day, we enjoyed the Farm Table White.

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This is an amazing, ready to drink blend of Bluemont’s popular Vidal Blanc, their own estate grown Viognier and Petit Manseng. Thankfully we were inside enjoying the views, but on a warm Spring day or hot Summer day, this wine is sure to please.

And, on your next visit, ask for Nancy. She is one of the nicest winery workers we have met in a long time. Even put up with three adults and two three year olds. Thanks Nancy.

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Bluegrass in Leesburg – Grape Hounds hit Loudoun County Wineries

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Tom Donnelly

The other weekend, we decided to head into Leesburg, VA, to the The 2nd Annual Loudoun Bluegrass Festival. The festival featured performances by Nothin’ Fancy and Della Mae along with all-day jam sessions; fiddle, flat-picking, banjo, and mandolin competitions. It was a hoot and our son enjoyed the dancing and music.

On the way home, we decided to stop by the Dry Mill Vineyards and Winery.

We had never been to Dry Mill, even though as a cyclist, I have ridden past the winery many times along Dry Mill Road.

Well, the weather was perfect and we were greeted by some nice music by Doug Bell.

The other thing we noticed was the fact that there were a number (10 – 15) of visitors with greyhound dogs.

Come to find out, the Grapehounds had invaded Loudoun County Wineries. For more information on the Grapehounds, click here.

Looking out from the patio at Dry Mill Vineyards and Winery.

We were able to find a spot at the counter and went ahead and ordered up a tasting.

Of the wines being offered, the two that stood out for me were the 2009 Steel Chardonnay and the 2009 Petit Verdot.

While most consumers are familiar with the early stainless steel fermented Chardonnay’s out of New Zealand and Australia, the broad popularity has led many wineries in Washington, California and elsewhere in the United States to offer a clean crisp Chardonnay without the heavy oak taste.

I found Dry Mill’s Steel Chardonnay to be on the heavier side, but still light enough to provide a great sipping wine on a beautiful Saturday.  Their literature states:

Medium bodied with aromatic fruits.  Citrusy, apple & grapefruit flavors.

The 2009 Petit Verdot, with blueberry and soft tannins, was my favorite at Dry Mill.  I found it to be closer to a light Bordeaux (the Petit Verdot is principally used in classic Bordeaux blends) that, for me, jumped around on my tongue.

In addition, the ’09 Petit Verdot brought home the Silver Medal in the 2012 Virginia Governor’s Cup.

All in all, I was pleasantly surprised at what I found at Dry Mill and look forward to a return visit soon.

Several greyhounds enjoying the day!

 

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