Wisteria Farm and Vineyard.
Located in Stanley, Virginia, on the eastern side of the Shenandoah Valley, less than ten miles south of the town of Luray off of Route 340. Wisteria is on a working farm, run by Lebanon native Moussa Ishak and his wife Sue. Moussa made wine in Lebanon before coming to the US. Wisteria is a certified Virginia Green Winery.
Wine. Tier II. Five whites and five reds offered. Wine is generally popular from online reviews. The white Traminette and Ashtaroot red blend get most mention. All the wines are estate-grown, with the exception of the Merlot which is sourced from Afton Mountain.
Setting. Small winery set on the western flank of the Blue Ridge; very casual with limited parking, but owners are very attentive. Enjoy the sheep and hens running around. There are a number of events, including joining in the sheep shearing.
Stories. Underground Virginia: Luray Caverns. Virginia’s rich natural resources is not all above ground: the state is home to many cave complexes, several of which have become major attractions for travelers, or destinations in their own right. The most famous of all these is Luray Caverns, a National Natural Landmark. The Caverns are named after the nearby town of Luray, and have been drawing visitors since 1878 – roughly half a million a year at present. The caves were created over millions of years by acidic water eating into the soft limestone rock. Calcium carbonate deposits have been creating stalactite and stalagmites – downward and upward pointing columns respectively. The most famous formation in the caverns is the great Stalactite Organ. Several stalactites are over five feet long, and some rooms are over 10 stories high. Good outing to combine with a tasting at Wisteria or nearby wineries.