Alexandria, VA – A ROSÉ IS A ROSÉ IS A ROSÉ. Wrong! All rosés are not alike. There’s the French style of Provence, a pale, delicate shade of Prosecco pink, made from a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, and Mourvèdre. At the other end of the rosé spectrum is the Côtes du Rhône—a rich, dry, darker rosé almost indistinguishable from a lighter cherry-hued good red wine. Nine grape varietals may comprise the blend but this style rosé is primarily made from Cinsault and Grenache.
Rosés can be crafted to achieve a variety of depth in color, from blush to coral to deepest rose. Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tannat, Tempranillo, even Pinot Noir and other varietals you’ve probably never heard of comprise rosé. Rosés also come bottled as a sparkling wine like champagne (Méthod Champenoise) or Pet Nat style—more like a beer cap than a pop cork.
PINK IS THE NEW WHITE—AND RED!
During a recent tasting tour of NOVA rosés on both unseasonably warm and cool weekend days, what proved to be the trend at every winery was rosé all day. Even once fall was in the air, and finally on the calendar, there was nary a bottle of red or a bottle of white in sight. October isn’t just for oaked Chardonnay or mulled Merlot anymore.
So… why is rosé sometimes listed under white wines at wineries? Rosé is basically a shortened skin-contact wine. Defining notes and characterizations are a function of how long the crushed red grapes and skins macerate. Once the desired saturation is achieved the wines are fermented and then clarified like white wines. This process gives rosé its signature pink color.
Ostensibly, rosé is both red and white wine. Think of the White Zinfandel. Despite being a cliché for casual wine drinkers, it’s a highly popular rosé—perhaps the most popular in the U.S. Yet it’s purely white in color. An off-dry style wine, it’s sweet, lacks texture and nuance, and is best left for white Sangria sipping. Drink Zinfandel macerated—it’s too great a grape to be weak French water.
ROSÉ ISN’T JUST FOR SUMMER ANYMORE
A great Virginia rosé isn’t hard to find.
The two closest vineyards are among the best in NOVA and the state. Paradise Springs in Clifton (with a sister winery in Santa Barbara, CA) is a regular Gold Medal winner at the Virginia Governor’s Cup. Owner Jane Kincheloe is a graduate of Saint Agnes School in Alexandria. With her son and co-owner Kirk Wiles, they currently offer two rosés: the Méthode Champenoise sparkling 2022 Après Rosé and Nana’s Rosé 2024, a Provençale-style sip yet presenting a deeper salmon hue with notes of strawberry on the nose and palate evolving into a pink picnic finish of watermelon and citrus.
The Winery at Bull Run in Chantilly is a half-hour drive from Port City. Situated adjacent to Manassas National Battlefield Park, the winery isn’t only for oenophiles but history buffs to boot. While planting the vines and constructing the buildings, countless artifacts from the Civil War battleground were uncovered and are now displayed in the tasting room and event spaces. Share a bottle of the NV Rosé while gazing across rows of ripened grapes, as horses gallop along a fence line near what was General William Sherman’s command post and Col. Erasmus Keyes’s brigade.
A bit farther into the west on Route 50 in Middleburg is 50 West Vineyards, sister winery to Sunset Hills in Purcellville. Situated on another Civil War battleground, the renovated stable tasting room has been expanded under the ownership of Chris and Katie Key. Making wine for the great good continues to be the mission begun by original owners Diane and Mike Canney who annually donated 10 percent of all rosé sales to breast cancer causes.
Currently sold out but already bottled for release in late winter 2026, the Rosé of Sangiovese is 50 West’s top-selling rosé. With SHV Rosé of Cabernet Franc and Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon in stock you won’t be disappointed. Locals and club members are anxiously awaiting the first sparkling rosé from the bubbles factory recently built on the winery grounds.
WHAT WILL THE MEN DRINK?
Rosés aren’t just for blushing bridal showers and bubble devotees. It’s said that macho man and writing legend Ernest Hemingway’s favorite wine was the Tavel Rosé from the Côtes du Rhône region. Tavel is a staple at Little Washington Winery. It ages well and goes great with manly meat hot off the grill.
This eclectic Rappahannock County winery and école des vins, perched on the side of Jenkins Mountain, borders Shenandoah National Park with breathtaking views of Old Rag. In a recent visit, owners Carl and Donna Henrickson had over half a dozen different rosés plus more to taste in the wine vetting event with sommelier Andrew Stover. An hour and ten minutes from Alexandria, Little Washington Winery is the place to be. AND October is leaf-peeping season!
Take a class in wine pairing or jump aboard a trip around the world of wine at their Foodie-Wine U. Here the wine selection can be as unexpected as a Côte du Rhône blend from Texas or a 20-year-old La Croix from France. Pull up a rocker on the front porch with a glass or flight or bottle. Come for the wine. Stay for the views.
LA VIE EN ROSE (LIFE IN PINK)
About the same distance from Alexandria as Little Washington, you can find Three Fox Vineyards and Brewery in Delaplane. Their estate blend Sparkling Rosé is interesting not only for using Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc, but the bubbles are released only on tap, served by the glass or carafe. Hot tip: Starting October 4, the Pizza Shack will be offering wood-fired pumpkin pizza that alone is well worth the drive.
Join Nunu and Abigail on October 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Mats and Mezza pairing yoga, Levantine mezza, and wine in support of breast cancer research. Yoga begins promptly at 11:15 followed by breaking bread together at noon with one of Nunu’s signature homemade mezza boards. Tickets are required but free with your any-amount donation to the Breast Cancer Research Fund.
