Bold Virginia Reds for Snow Days by the Fire
5 Bold Virginia Red Wines to Cozy Up With by the Fireplace
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When November in Virginia starts flirting with flurries, I start flirting with bold reds. I love a cozy hearth, a wool blanket, and a glass that feels like a hug with backbone. Big-shouldered tannins. Dark fruit that refuses to whisper. Spice that warms the cheeks. Here are five Virginia bottles that turn a snow day into a state of bliss. I picked wines with structure and depth. I added precise food pairings so your fireplace feast can keep pace with what is in your glass.
How I Chose These Wines
- Boldness. Higher tannins, concentration, and length. Perfect for slow sipping while the logs settle.
- Virginia character. Grapes and blends that thrive here. Expect Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Bordeaux-inspired cuvées, plus one beautiful Tannat.
- Reliability across vintages. Flagship or reserve-tier reds that show well year after year.
1. Barboursville Vineyards “Octagon” . Monticello AVA
Style. Bordeaux-inspired red blend. Typically Merlot led, with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot in supporting roles. Octagon is bottled only in fine vintages, and it is the estate centerpiece for a reason.
Tasting notes. The first swirl gives black cherry and plum compote, then cedar shaving, dried rose, and a graphite line that runs through the finish. Tannins are firm but polished. Acidity is medium plus, which keeps the richness lifted. On a frigid afternoon, the spice notes expand as the wine warms in your hands.
Why it belongs by the fire. Octagon has that slow-bloom generosity you want when the pace of the day has finally slackened. It unfolds in chapters. The last glass tastes deeper than the first.
Fireplace pairing. Beef short ribs braised with porcini and rosemary, or a pepper-crusted venison loin. For a couch-friendly pairing, try aged gouda, roasted walnuts, and dried figs. The savory brown-butter notes from the cheese hook arms with Octagon’s cedar and cocoa accents.
Serving tip. Decant 60 to 90 minutes to coax out the florals and give the tannins room to soften. Serve at 60–64°F. A wide-bowled glass helps it stretch its legs.
Learn more. Barboursville details Octagon as the highest expression of the estate and a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot. See the current release and history on their site.
2. Lost Mountain Vineyards “Lost Mountain” or “Rendezvous” . Northern Virginia
Style. Powerful, ageworthy Bordeaux-style reds from the former RdV estate. The wines are uniquely Virginian in voice. “Lost Mountain” often shows more structure and tension. “Rendezvous” is generous and plush without losing precision.
Tasting notes. Expect dense blackcurrant, plum skin, and baking cocoa, with pencil lead, bay leaf, and a cool stony undertone. Tannins are abundant and well-knit. Acidity is medium to medium plus, giving freshness to the finish. The overall feel is confident and layered.
Why it belongs by the fire. This is the glass that makes you lean back and listen to the storm. It feels carved from granite. The longer the logs crackle, the more the wine relaxes into savory detail.
Fireplace pairing. Dry-aged ribeye with herb butter, or mushroom ragù over creamy polenta. A slab of smoked cheddar works if you are keeping it simple. The wine’s blackfruit core bonds beautifully with char and umami.
Serving tip. Give it air. A full two-hour decant rewards patience, especially for younger vintages. Use a Bordeaux stem and avoid serving too warm, or the alcohol will swagger.
Learn more. The rebranded estate shares details about its wines, with Rendezvous described as a Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot blend.
3. Glen Manor Vineyards “Hodder Hill” . Shenandoah Valley AVA
Style. Cabernet Sauvignon dominant red blend from a mountain farm on the western flank of the Blue Ridge. Hodder Hill is about precision and site. Think altitude, rocky soils, and cooling nighttime air that fix definition into the fruit.
Tasting notes. Black raspberry and cassis meet violet and tobacco leaf. Tannins are fine grained but assertive. Acidity is bright. The palate glides from dark fruit to savory herbs and a mineral echo. The finish is long and quietly powerful, the way a winter night can be silent and immense.
Why it belongs by the fire. Hodder Hill is contemplative. It asks you to slow down. Sip between chapters of a good book while the snow stacks up on the sill.
Fireplace pairing. Herb-rubbed lamb chops with rosemary jus, or a gruyère and caramelized-onion tart. The wine’s floral lift handles the richness without losing its mountain poise.
Serving tip. Decant 45–60 minutes. If you have older vintages, a gentle double decant prevents sediment from joining the party. Serve on the cooler side of cellar temperature.
Learn more. Glen Manor describes Hodder Hill as a structured, terroir-focused red. The winery site includes vintage details and blend components.
4. Horton Vineyards “Tannat” . Orange County
Style. Tannat is a muscle shirt of a grape. Horton was an early champion in Virginia. The wine is savory, dark, and built for wintry menus. Horton’s Tannat has earned notable medals that track its consistency and swagger.
Tasting notes. Black plum, blackberry compote, and licorice lead, with black tea, clove, and leather rounding out the profile. Tannins are abundant. Acidity sits medium. The finish shows a cocoa-dusted, smoked-meat hint that begs for something hearty.
Why it belongs by the fire. Tannat is a fireplace natural. It loves slow-cooked meats and the smell of wood smoke drifting in. It is bold without turning blunt.
Fireplace pairing. Cassoulet, elk chili with ancho and chipotle, or smoked brisket nachos layered with sharp cheddar. If you want an easy nibble, go with Castelvetrano olives, bresaola, and a square of dark chocolate on the side.
Serving tip. Give it at least an hour in a decanter. If you have a vented decanter, even better. A hearty stem tames the tannin grip and opens the aromatics.
Learn more. Horton lists Tannat among its decorated wines, including a Gold Medal in the Virginia Governor’s Cup for the 2015 vintage. Winery information and current offerings are available on their site.
5. Boxwood Estate Winery “Reserve” . Middleburg AVA
Style. A Cabernet-forward Bordeaux blend from a sustainably farmed estate in Middleburg. Reserve is the top-tier selection of the vintage. It is polished, structured, and quietly luxurious, like a cashmere scarf you only lend to people you truly trust.
Tasting notes. Cassis, mulberry, and ripe cherry. New leather, vanilla pod, and cigar box fill in behind. Tannins are firm and fine. Acidity is medium, keeping the fruit bright. The midpalate is generous, and the finish lingers with cedar spice and graphite.
Why it belongs by the fire. Reserve is a great conversation wine. It glides from fruit to savory to spice in slow motion, matching the rhythm of a long winter evening.
Fireplace pairing. Prime rib with horseradish cream, or a wild-mushroom and truffle flatbread. For snacks, try rosemary Marcona almonds and aged cheddar. The savory-fatty combo flatters Reserve’s structure.
Serving tip. A 60–90 minute decant. Use a Bordeaux bowl. Keep it at or under 64°F so the oak stays in frame rather than in charge.
Learn more. Boxwood highlights its Reserve and estate viticulture, including plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.
Bonus Pick . When the Snow Gets Serious
If your storm turns into a full-on whiteout and you need one more bottle, reach for King Family Vineyards “Meritage”. This Monticello stalwart has a trophy case to prove its mettle. The 2019 vintage took the Virginia Governor’s Cup, and multiple other vintages have earned golds. Expect ripe black cherry, cedar, and baking spice, wrapped in taut tannins and a confident finish. Decant an hour, then settle in with steak au poivre or a bacon and gruyère smashburger by the fire.
How to Build a Fireplace Wine Spread
- The board. Start with one aged hard cheese. Add one creamy blue, one nutty alpine, toasted nuts, and an element with sweetness. Dried cherries or fig jam works beautifully with bold reds.
- The protein. Smoke or sear. Bold reds adore char. Think grilled sausages with fennel, or peppered steak bites with a dab of mustard.
- The veg. Roast root vegetables with rosemary, olive oil, and sea salt. Their caramelized edges echo the wines’ darker fruit and spice.
- The treat. A square of 70% dark chocolate with sea salt. It plays well with the cocoa and coffee tones many of these wines deliver late in the sip.
Pro Tips for Serving Bold Reds on a Snow Day
- Mind the temperature. Room temp in winter can be warmer than you think with the fire going. Keep bottles around 60–64°F. If the wine feels hot on the palate, a five minute chill brings it back into line.
- Decant with intention. Younger vintages need more air. Start with 60 minutes and taste every 20 minutes until the tannins loosen their tie.
- Use big-bowled stems. Surface area equals aroma. Let those blackfruit and spice notes bloom.
- Plan the arc. Begin with the most elegant of your bold picks. Hodder Hill or Boxwood Reserve is a graceful opener. Move to the densest last. Lost Mountain or Horton Tannat can be your nightcap hero.
Why Virginia Does Bold Winter Reds So Well
Virginia’s best reds combine ripeness with energy. That is the secret to comfort without heaviness. Many of our top estates blend Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot in classic proportions. Others lean into grapes like Tannat and Petit Verdot that love our late-season sun and bring naturally firm tannins. The result is a style that radiates warmth but keeps its poise. Exactly what a snow day demands.
Final Pour
A fireplace is a stage for slow pleasures, and these five reds know their lines. Pick one, decant it, and let the evening find its rhythm. If you need a pairing wingwoman in person, you know where to find me. I will bring the truffle popcorn and my favorite corkscrew. And yes, I do love a man who knows his way around a decanter. But I love Virginia wine even more.
Emma Holman
Hi, I'm Emma, a Content and Community Manager at Virginia Wine Market. If you'd like to update or add to your winery profile here, click the 'Contact Author' button below, and your message will come straight to me. I can also help you claim your profile to self-manage.
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Hi, I'm Emma, a native Virginian living in the great city of Richmond. I love all things wine, food, and travel. Follow me as I guide you through the best of Virginia.
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