Visiting a popular winery can be filled with more stress than actual enjoyment. The image of an assembly line often comes to mind, and by the time you squeeze in to the bar they are shuffling you out for the next group. They might offer you oyster crackers to cleanse your palate but might also rinse your glass with water between wines, which inadvertently gives the perception that your following wine is much lighter. The experience created at Fabbioli Cellars is anything but typical.

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The intimate experience created by Fabbioli Cellars involves sitting at a bar in a back cellar area, with your own personal host, and pairings for each wine. The pouring list changes by the month but always includes enough diversity to please anyone’s palate. On the last day of January our list included: Una Pera, Chambourcin, Sangiovese, Padrino, Petit Verdot, Rasberry Merlot, and the Royalty.

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With the cooler weather we were pleased to see fewer whites on the menu and more of a focus on red wines. If you’re looking for a smooth everyday wine it’s the Padrino, and if you want something with a little more body Petit Verdot is a good direction to go. We’ve recently started to enjoy more Port-style wines and really enjoyed their Royalty.

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In recent years, Fabbioli Cellars has attracted more attention with their Tannat and Tre Sorelle being awarded at the Virginia Governor’s Cup competitions. Our recent visit showed us they take just as much time preparing the perfect pairings and experience as they do their award winning wines.

Cheers!