Arterra 2024 Spring White Wine Release

I tend to put the release of something like Albariño right up there with a solar eclipse, as one of the most important events of the decade, most certainly not to be missed.

And so it was that I found myself headed back to Northern Virginia this weekend, to Arterra’s Vintage 2023 White Wine release. Arterra made a shift in their release schedule so that they can highlight individual vineyards, hold wines like Chardonnay a little bit longer, and hold their estate reds a little longer. It’s an interesting approach.

If you’re not familiar with Arterra’s overall approach to winemaking, it focuses on the farming rather than cellar intervention, growing good grapes on good land, using the right practices to bring the best out of the fruit. Site selection was made for drainage and managing the worst of the weather swings so that freezing cold air slides down the hill into the valleys below rather than freezing the vines, especially now that some are just breaking bud as you read.

This release featured five wines – four white wines and one rosé of 100% Petit Verdot. I think this is the second year they’ve done this full rosé of Petit Verdot, all from the Seven Oaks vineyard. These are lovely wines that are highly characteristic of Arterra’s style and approach, and I adored all of them. I’ll touch on each of them and what kind of wine drinker I think would enjoy them.

2023 Gruner Veltliner – This is Arterra’s second release of wine from this white grape. This is a light and refreshing white wine, and very drinkable. I see this as a wine I’d offer to someone who was reluctant about wine – this is a good one to get them interested – it isn’t heavy with acid, it’s not overly emphasizing any characteristic.

2023 Rosé – This has super-high acidity to it. The 2022 was not really to my taste when it was released. This one is much more my style – very enjoyable, very fresh and bright in the mouth. It definitely hits the spot with a lovely PV taste profile to it.

2023 Albariño – ahhhhh Albariño – Arterra planted you four years ago and you have truly shown up. This was bright and fresh and full of citrus – lots of pop and pow in the mouth. I was so excited for this wine, and it really delivered. A good bit of fresh lemon on the nose and taste. I have a suspicion that this wine will only get better as the vines age, and I am excited.

2023 Chenin Blanc – This is one of my favorite white wines, and I think it’s tremendous in Virginia. This feels more like the Chenins of years past at Arterra – very peppy and snappy – again, big fresh acid when you sip it. Zesty citrus throughout your glass, and pure enjoyment. This is a Virginia Chenin Lover’s dream.

2023 Roussanne – ooooooh. This wine is layered. At this moment it presented a little bit on the tart side, but was also joyous. I appreciate that Jason is holding back half of this vintage, and will release it in about a year – Arterra will age Roussanne as it does with Chardonnay. Having just recently finished off my last bottle of the 2022 Roussanne, I think this is a brilliant idea. I am 100% behind aging Roussanne and seeing how it turns out.

TL;DR? This release is fantastic. I enjoyed all five of the wines in this lineup. I didn’t bring any Gruner home this time, it honestly was the mellowest of the wines. I put my emphasis on the heavier hitters that I really enjoy – the Albariño, Chenin, and Roussanne. I grabbed two rosé, and of course, a bottle of Crooked Run 2021 – I have one on the rack for longer-term storage (as if I will ever share it at a vertical tasting at my house … sigh). I’ve missed the boldness of this red and am excited to have a bottle to have one weekend soon.

If you’re a fan of either Albariño or Chenin, get yourself to Arterra soon – these wines are relatively low production – 70 cases of each, with only 48 of the Roussanne up for sale this year. I have no doubt that these will go quickly – Chenin does every year. Arterra is, as always, lovely at this time of year with the trees just popping out green leaves and providing great shade in the afternoon sun.

It was appropriate to wear this shirt here too, since it was where I was introduced to the concept of “Forest Bathing.” You can buy your own too!