North Fork of Roanoke AVA: Difference between revisions

== Wineries ==

* Valhalla Vineyards, founded by James and Debra Vascik in 1994.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.winespectator.com/webfeature/show/id/American-Way-of-Wine_1530 |title=Wine Spectator: The American Way of Wine |publisher=winespectator.com |accessdate=2009-12-27 }}</ref> Its vineyards sit on twenty-one acres of converted peach orchard in Roanoke County.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-137763211.html |title=Roanoke Times: Taking a bite out of profits |publisher=highbeam.com |accessdate=2009-12-27 }}</ref> Construction on the winery building and [[wine cave]] began in 1996. The winery's first [[vintage]] was in 1998 and released in 2000. Valhalla is one of two Virginia vineyards to process its grapes underground.<ref>"Neurosurgeon turns mountain orchards into winery". The Associated Press Wire, October 19, 1998.</ref> The vineyard uses a "gravity flow"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.winespectator.com/webfeature/show/id/American-Way-of-Wine_1530 |title=Wine Spectator: The American Way of Wine |publisher=winespectator.com |accessdate=2009-12-27 }}</ref> aging system in which grapes are pressed through holes in the roof of the winery, which is set into the hillside. The goal of this pump-free process is to prevent damage to the grapes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=WnV4Euir2jcC&pg=PA269&lpg=PA269&dq=valhalla+wines+governor's+cup&source=bl&ots=UMys4MPjFn&sig=G9ZlmzTsgv-sxjAmezF8RGkY8r4&hl=en&ei=KUM4S4PCD8uTlAfezPicBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CA8Q6AEwAjgK#v=onepage&q=valhalla%20wines%20governor's%20cup&f=false |title=Breaking Away to Virginia and Maryland Wineries, by Elisabeth Frater |publisher=books.google.com |accessdate=2009-12-27 }}</ref>