Lexington Valley Vineyard

Cal and Janet Hale began their business off Turkey Hill Road as a vineyard in 2002, took their enterprise one step further in 2006, becoming the Rockbridge area’s second winery.
The Hales, both natives of Pittsburgh, moved to this area from Columbia, Mo., where Cal Hale was a professor of biochemistry at the University of Missouri, and Janet Hale, a registered nurse, worked in the field of health education and public relations.
Ready for semi-retirement, the Hales chose the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia because of its ideal elevation for growing grapes. In 1999, they found what would become their new home and vineyard on 69 acres near Alone Mill. The gravelly loam soil and gently sloping hillsides provided perfect drainage. “Grapes don’t like wet feet,” Cal Hale explained. With mostly western and southern exposures, the grapes would be somewhat protected from frost as well.
Lexington Valley Vineyard produces reds, whites and a rose. One of the white wines, Vignoles, is described in the winery’s tasting notes as “a crisp, dry white wine with the aromas and flavors of peaches and pears,” while another, Traminette, is “a light semi-dry white wine with just a hint of sweetness and flavors of apples and apricots.”
Two of the couple’s red wines are produced from Norton grapes, a type of grape native to Virginia that was first discovered growing near Richmond. All wineries in Virginia produce at least one Norton wine, Cal Hale explained. The tasting notes describe Black Tie Norton as “an everyday wine for expensive tastes … a classy big red that stands up to the best of food.” It’s Cal Hale’s favorite wine.
In September of 2006, the couple learned that Black Tie Norton had won a silver medal in the Virginia State Governor’s Cup Competition. It was the winery’s first and only entry in the annual state wine competition. 
The Hales describe their other 2006 red wine, a varietal Norton, as having “a great taste with black cherry flavors and complimentary tannins.” The rose wine, 2006 Chill, is said to be “unique, with a hint of sweetness, made to be enjoyed young, fresh and chilled.”
From the 2007 grape crop, the Hales added three more wines: Vidal Blanc, a light, fruity wine made from the Vignoles grapes; Catawba, a sweet rose wine; and Cabernet Sauvignon, a classic red wine.
Lexington Valley Vineyard is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. from May through October, and other days by appointment. To get to Lexington Valley Vineyard from Lexington, take Rt. 60 West to right on Big Spring Rd./Rt. 631. Big Spring Rd to left on Bethany Rd. Bethany Rd. to left on Turkey Hill Rd. Follow Turkey Hill Rd. 1.3 miles to Lexington Valley Vineyard.
For more information, call 462-2974 or visit http://www.lexingtonvalleyvineyard.com.

Phone: (540) 462-2974