Kluge Estate Winery and Vineyard on the Monticello Wine Trail

Kluge Estate is practically neighbors with James Monroe's former residence, Ash Lawn-Highland, another jewel on the Monticello Wine Trail. Kluge maintains a keen focus on sparkling wines and embraces the title as one of Virginia’s larger producers (to the tune of 30,000 cases a year).

The 2007 Kluge Estate SP Rose ($28) is an estate grown sparkling wine made in the traditional méthode Champenoise, with plenty of strawberry and raspberry on the palate. The 2007 Kluge Estate SP Blanc de Blancs ($28) brings creamy citrus notes from nose to finish, with beautiful balance and ongoing elegance. Perhaps the most interesting wine in the Kluge Estate lineup is simply called "CRU." Kluge takes 100% Chardonnay grapes and fortifies it with Virginia brandy to gain palate intensity and presence - ongoing flavors include apple and pear, with focused lemon-lime appeal and a dash of warming spice.

Kluge Estate maintains an onsite farm shop to host wine tastings, offer delicious options for gourmet deli dining and showcase an assortment of luxury wine gifts. They are open for tastings June thru October with daily hours of 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (6 p.m. on Sundays). They offer an variety of food and imported cheese pairing options and two primary flights of wine: The Albermarle Flight ($10) consisting of two whites, a rose, two reds and a fortified wine and The Kluge Flight ($14) comprised of two sparkling wines, 2 reds and a fortified wine and a wine cocktail.