Event

Tuesday, March 21, 7:00 PM
$25/person $40/couple

We are particularly happy to focus on the wines produced in our home state of Virginia this month in our Wine Club class! You'll have an opportunity to hear from a long time Virginia Owner and winemaker about the obstacles and benefits of developing the wine tradition here.

Call  to reserve your seats today!!

703-668-WINE(9463)
The Wine Club
The Wines of  Gray Ghost,
A Virginia Winery!

With Special Guest
Al Kellert
Co-Owner and Winemaker
 
Al Kellert is co-owner and winemaker of Gray Ghost Vineyards and Winery with his wife Cheryl.  They started the vineyards in 1986 with the purchase of a small farm in Amissville, Virginia.  The winery opened to the public in 1994. Al received his Masters of Business Administration from Virginia Tech and his Bachelors Degree in Chemistry from Southern Illinois University. 
 
Al’s interest in wine began during college as a hobby that has since led to the establishment of Gray Ghost.  He has been involved in winemaking for over 45 years and is currently involved with all aspects, including production, distribution, marketing and sales.  He and his wife are professional members of the American Wine Society as well as the Virginia Wineries Association and the Vinifera Wine Growers Association.  Al is a past member of the Governor’s appointed Virginia Winegrowers Advisory Board where he held the position of Chairman of the Marketing Committee.
 
Mr. Kellert travels extensively throughout the wine regions in the U.S. where he has gained a great deal of knowledge from the leaders in the industry.   He has made numerous public and professional presentations both within Virginia and at National Conferences.  Gray Ghost is recognized as one of the premier East Coast wineries and leads the way in Virginia wines receiving recognition for excellence via the numerous National and International awards that Gray Ghost has received.
 

Gray Ghost, a family owned and operated winery, is placing Virginia on the international wine map by producing internationally acclaimed fine wines from immaculate vineyards.  All grapes are hand-picked and wine is aged in premium oak barrels.  Full-bodied reds are unfiltered and lighter-styled wines are fermented at lower temperatures to enhance fruit character.  This emphasis on quality resulted in Gray Ghost being named "Best of the East" by Vineyard and Winery Management Magazine four consecutive years!

A visit to Gray Ghost offers a knowledgeable staff, southern hospitality, beautiful picnic grounds and spacious indoor facilities.  Ask about Gray Ghost's famous winery events, entertaining tours and the most popular volunteer harvest program in the Commonwealth!

The Wines!

2016 Riesling  *Pre-Release Feature!*
An elegant, off-dry Riesling with aromas of tropical fruit and a hint of lemon. Bright citrus notes with flavors of pineapple, mango and tangerine.  Lively acidity and lingering fruit balance the finish. Serve with appetizers, salads and main dishes: fish, poultry, pork, Asian food, Havarti, curry and chutney. 

2014 Reserve Chardonnay  
Gray Ghost’s signature white wine is a Chardonnay for Chardonnay enthusiasts!  Fermented and aged in new French oak. 100% Malo-lactic fermentation. 
Ripe pear, fig and vanilla flavors.  Rich toasty oak flavors with a long, lingering butter finish. Winner of over 20 medals a year! A restaurant wine list favorite!  Serve with: salmon, lobster, Cornish hens and rich cream sauce dishes.

• Gold – 2015 Consumer Wine Awards, CA,   Gold – 2015 American Wine Society Competition
• Gold – 2016 Virginia Wine Lovers Wine Classic, Gold-2015 Wine Lovers of Tasters Guild Consumer
• Silver-2016 Los Angeles International Wine Competition, Silver-2016 Pacific Rim International, CA
• Silver-2016 Dan Berger International, CA. Silver-2016 Finger Lakes International
• Silver-2016 Florida State Fair Wine Competition, Silver – 2015 Mid-Atlantic Southeast Wine Competition
• Silver – 2015 Wines of the South Competition,  Silver-2016 Tasters Guild International
• Bronze – 2016 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, Bronze-2016 Amenti del Vino Wine Competition
• Bronze-2016 International Eastern Wine Competition,  Bronze – 2015 Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition
• Bronze – 2015 Grand Harvest Awards, CA, Bronze-2016 San Francisco International

  
2014 Ranger Reserve
Blend: 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Petit Verdot, 15% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 14% Malbec. 
A complex wine with blackberry, black cherry and mocha notes finishing with smooth, supple tannins.  Aged 18 months in French oak barrels.  Complements: steak, Gorgonzola, Parmesan, rosemary and dark chocolate.

• Gold – 2016 Virginia Wine Lover Wine Classic, Silver-2016 San Diego International Wine Competition
• Silver-2016 San Francisco International Wine Competition, Silver-2016 Great Lakes Wine Judging
• Silver-2016 Wine Lovers of Tasters Guild Consumer Competition, Bronze-2016 Lone Star International
• Bronze – 2016 Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition, Bronze-2016 Mid-Atlantic Southeast Wine Competition

 
2014 Cabernet Sauvignon 
Cabernet Sauvignon blended with small amounts of Merlot and Cabernet Franc to add complexity. 
An unfiltered, elegant, rich Cabernet with dark berry, currant and chocolate flavors and a rich velvet oak finish.  Serve with: prime rib, steak, red meat dishes and creamy cheeses.

• Gold-2016 Mid-Atlantic Southeast Wine Competition, Gold-2016 Virginia Wine Lover Wine Classic
• Gold-2016 Wine Lovers of Tasters Guild Consumer Competition
• Silver -2017 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition,  Bronze-2016 AWS Competition, CA
• Silver-2016 Lone Star International Wine Competition, Silver-2016 Great Lakes Wine Judging
• Bronze-2016 Indy International Wine Competition, Bronze-2016 Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition

2014 Petit Verdot 
Rich and complex, with a firm tannin structure allowing for extended aging.  Dense aromas and flavors of ripe plum, blackberry and dried blueberries. 
French oak aging gives a velvet mouthfeel and lingering tannins.  Pair with premium cuts of beef, bison, sausage, hard and semi-soft cheeses and wild game.

• Platinum-2016 Virginia Wine Lover MagazineGold-2017 San Francisco Chronicle Competition, 
• Gold-2016 Wine Lovers of Tasters Guild Consumer Competition
• Silver-2016 Great Lakes Wine Competition,  Silver-2016 Mid-Atlantic Southeast Wine Competition
• Silver-2016 Wines of the South Competition,  Bronze-2016 International Women’s Wine Competition, CA