Troy McHenry

Jeff, Unfortunately I'm not going to be able to make it. I will be up in your neck of the woods on April 30th and plan to stop by. I hope the inaugural barrel tasting is a success! Thanks, -Troy

Great job Jeff! I'm impressed you were able to keep up with the posts; just shows what a Virginian can do when they set their mind to it (like make great wine). Happy New Year and I hope 2011 is a successful year for you and your winery. Thanks for the memories, -Troy

Jeff, I hope you and your family had a good Thanksgiving. I was able to enjoy mine with my 90 year old grandmother and it seems she still always has new stories to tell. I can't imagine the relief it must be to have all the grapes in doors slowly percolating away and being somewhat removed from the daily swings of nature for a brief period of time. Your first barrel tasting had me thinking, are you going to be releasing any new wines during that time, similar to what Linden does? Stay warm, -Troy

Very nice! Our forecast is very similar but warmer, which I'm now starting to get concerned over as fall wine shipping season commences! -Troy

Jeff, It's interesting to know that the stink bug problem we've been facing in Lynchburg has gotten to you as well. I can only imagine what subsequent years are going to be like after this one with them. I hope you get some sunlight to dry out your vines. -Troy

Jeff, Glad you saved the vines and your life, but what a bummer about the truck. I like all things in nature, but I've never been able to warm up to bears. I think it started when I was backpacking in the Smokey Mtn's and a bear came up and sniffed around our tent in the middle of the night. Since then I always give them a very wide birth. Thanks for also solving the mystery as to why you don't grow chardonnay, I've always wondered, but then again your Sauv Blanc is so good, I probably wouldn't grow chardonnay either -Troy

Jeff, What is your typical yearly time table for when wines get released to the public? The current Hodder Hill is 2007, right? When will the 2008 come out, etc? Thanks, -Troy

Jeff, I'm so glad I finally joined and was able to read through your whole thread this evening with only brief interruptions from son #2, Jackson, who turns three weeks old on Thursday. A neighbor took my out for cigars a week ago and we decided to bring along a bottle to enjoy and I ended up picking a 2007 Hodder Hill, which incidentally was the year my first son was born and tasted fantastic! There is a ton of great information in this thread. I always thought Merlot was rather easy to grow, now I know that's not the case. One question for you - when you are making your blends, do you try and produce a similar blend in taste and style as prior years or just making the best with what each season gives you? Also, since you are making in essence a Bordeaux blend do you try to model it after a particular region (Pommerol and St. Emillion come to mind)? Thanks and keep up the good work! -Troy