Barren Ridge Vineyards — Attraction in Waynesboro

November 9, 2024 - Recent transplants to Virginia, we heard the “ buzz” about Barren Ridge . . . My wife & I loved it! 😃👍🏼

Although a bit warmer inside, we passed for patio seating, overlooking a westerly view of the Shenandoah Valley & mountains! A very helpful server at the bar guided us through our wine selections. What a gorgeous view ! 😃👍🏼❤️

Kudos to owners John & Shelby Higgs for their hard work with renovating their family’s old apple orchard! ( Purchased by James A. Higgs back in 1934) John & Shelby’s time living in Europe paid off! Bringing back their love of European wine making to Virginia, opening the Barren Ridge Vineyards in 2008. They hired several consultants, currently with Jessi Gatewood, the gold, silver, and bronze awards are proof to their dedication & delicious red & white wines entered in the Virginia Governor’s Cup ! ( I think I counted over 40 medals!) 😃

My wife & I shared a White flight of 4 wines ( 2oz each):

*Tinkling Spring - dry blend *Riesling - semi-dry, apple *Vidal Blanc - dry peach , citrus *Traminette - dry, lychee, fruity

We also shared a Red flight of 4 wines ( 2 oz each)

*Cabernet Franc - dry, spicy, plum *Merlot - dry, black cherry *Touriga - dry, dark spicy plum *Red Barren - off dry, blend of Tourgia, Chambourcin, Petit Verdot

Our favorite Wine 🍷 , we purchased a bottle of Red Barren . . . Smooth, robust, dry red wine we shall serve to family & guests on Thanksgiving! 😃👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

As we enjoyed our Woodsmoked cheddar cheese, and Mediterranean baked crackers with our red & white sips of wine . . . I would’ve enjoyed an actual tour of the wine making facility & wine fields ? Maybe they offer that opportunity? We also enjoyed the live music of the lady singer , and guy on guitar ! There’s a Crush Club for those who wish to purchase selected red & white wines quarterly with discounted prices. No cost to join! Members are invited to special events & concerts, plus receive facilities discounts !

Fun Wine Facts 🍷

Over 300 wineries in Virginia

Cabernet Sauvignon most popular Red 🍷

Chardonnay most popular White Wine

*Glucose & Fructose sugars in grapes

*Yeast used in fermentation to convert sugars into alcohol in wine

*ABV. . . Alcohol By Volume in wines

*Acidity describes wine as tart, sour, fresh

*Body describes robust, full bodied, medium, or light

*Complexity describes flavor at 1st sip, to final swallow of wine in one’s mouth

*Sweetness describes dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet, or sweet

*Balance describes different components of wine structure and how well they combine

*Tannins describes grape skins or oak barrel residue in wine

*Fruity describes added non-grape ingredients like pear, apricot, apple, berries, pineapple, peach, etc.

*Earthy describes smell or taste like soil, adds complexity

*Cedary describes aged in oak barrels, smells like cedar wood

*Buttery describes creamy texture, rich with less acidity

*Hollow describes lack of depth or flavor, less fruity

*Fortified describes sweet red wine at a higher alcohol level , Port and Sherry

*Cassie refers to Petite Sirah, dark red color of robust flavors, spicy, originated in France

*Lychee describes tropical berries/fruit from Asia, ripened turn red, added fruity sweet flavors of strawberry, citrus, pineapple, etc.

*Red Meritage describes a blend of Red Bordeaux grape varieties. . . At least 2 types of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, St. Macaire, Gros Verdot, or Carmenere ( No single grape above 90%)

Grape Varieties . . . So many in Wines 🍇

Viognier : white full body, fruity

Petit Verdot : small green turn red as ripen

Chambourcin: Hybrid red grapes , 1960’s

Vidal Blanc : White hybrid grapes 193O’s

Merlot : Popular red grapes, medium bodied

Cabernet Sauvignon: Most popular red, robust dark ruby color, full bodied

Cabernet Franc : Medium bodied, lower tannins, vibrant acidity, cherry, raspberry

Chardonnay: White grapes from Burgundy region of...

I just wanted to drop a note and say that Barren Ridge Vineyards COVID reopening is not safe. My wife and I were cautious but excited to read about a social distanced experience at the winery so we booked a reservation. When we arrived we noticed that the patio had no partitions or form of protections for the patrons. The tables were spaced a little further apart but still relatively close to each other. We also noticed that folks were hollering at each other across tables and walking around without masks. Ultimately, my wife and I felt uncomfortable so we decided to leave. After we left, I called and spoke with the general manager Robert and he had not even been to the patio to monitor or inspect how things were going. This is unacceptable. Seeing as Augusta County has not reached Phase 1 of the CDC guidelines for reopening (14 days of consecutive case reduction) I was appalled and saddened to see the irresponsible handling of Barren Ridge Vineyards reopening. Augusta County is currently seeing an increase in cases and hospitalizations of COVID cases and businesses behaving like this by putting profits over safety is going to lead to getting people killed.

Very disappointing to see this from a vineyard that we...

My (now) husband and I first visited Barren Ridge after a viticulture class outside Charlottesville. We have toured many wineries (VA, CA, WA, etc.) and were immediately impressed. The wines were fantastic, the tasting room was well appointed and cozy, the staff was knowledgeable and friendly. We ended up meeting the owners and hearing firsthand the lovely story of the Higgs' return to John's family property and its conversion from orchard to vineyard. We decided to hold our July 2013 wedding at Barren Ridge, and the owners and staff could not have been more helpful or accommodating. The Audrey Blackford Room (with its vaulted ceiling, stone fireplace and breathtaking views) was the perfect venue for our reception. We are grateful to the owners and staff for their contributions to our very special day. Their tending of the photogenic verdant vineyards; making great wines; maintaining such elegant and high quality facilities; opening them up for private rental, and working with us to plan and execute our wedding made our event ideal. We look forward to returning frequently to enjoy great wine in excellent company and beautiful...