Do You Have Wine Resolutions for 2025?

One of the wine bloggers I follow posted an article he wrote about his wine resolutions for the year. While he doesn’t write about Virginia Wine (and I frequently nudge him to check it out in the comments section on his blog), he raises some interesting points in his possible resolutions about going a bit deeper with wine – reading about wine, watching movies about wine, tasting bottles of a single wine over the course of time to note changes, and attending tastings to learn more from others. All of these are good advice.

I stopped making resolutions in my early 20’s (and I am well past that age at this point). But I do think about my intentions, and I’m really thinking about my intentions related to this blog. You see, readership has really shifted over the past year. We had a surge of readership in early-mid 2023 and it’s been declining since. It’s rare for me to see posts get over 200 views now, but that was much more common a year or so ago. While I tend to think it’s just me, anecdotal evidence says it’s not, as other bloggers report the same. That’s fine, this blog has seen ebbs and flows with readership, and my ego needs to rely on something other than blog hits anyway. But it does suggest to me that my regular posts about the same old same old wineries, club releases, etc are not drawing readership interest. That makes sense, and after all the original purpose of this blog was to document myself trying new-to-me wines and wineries. I have found that when I can share about something a little less common, such as the post about Delve Wines, which was not a brand many had knew about at that point, then I get more readers engaged. That I really like.

In 2024 I started planning and writing more about planning LGBTQ+ wine events, and I’m continuing this in 2025, trying to get to just about one per month with Out and About. I’m hoping to take some people along on the journey to try out new wines and wineries, and connect people with wines and wineries that I adore.

So what are my wine intentions then for 2025?

1. Keep trying new wineries/wine brands. I think I only got to 6 or 7 last year, and in 2025, I need to get to more new-to-me brands and wines. I especially need to try more hybrid varietals to see what is being done well with them. I’ve sampled Lightwell Survey, Midland, and Star Party briefly, but I’d like to spend some time with them as they are leading the charge in developing these varietals and making uncommon blends that are getting rave reviews.
2. Take on some new experiences in Virginia Wine. I doubt I have it in me to go deep helping with harvest – that is some serious back breaking labor right there. But getting involved in some light pruning and preparations for the growing season could be fun. I’d love to see more of what happens with the grapes after harvest and how decisions are made once the grapes have been pulled before the juice goes into the barrels. I think it’d be fun to work with a winemaker thinking through that and try to capture the decision making process that informs taking the fruit and committing to a style. Those would make for really interesting posts. We know different growers are making these calls with very different priorities in mind.
3. Continue to check on barrel samples and verticals to build and write about understanding wine development over time – especially how aging differs with individual grapes. Part of my love for Petit Verdot and Tannat is their longevity – they make changes over time in barrel and bottle. I enjoy vertical tastings for this reason. While I have often said that I’d love to host a vertical tasting, it’s just not realistic. But wineries offer these regularly, and I will check in on them more. Linden and Walsh offer this with white wines too – and aging white wines grown in Virginia is showing exciting promise.
4. Taste as much 2023 as I can. Whether in barrel or bottle, the 2023 vintage is making its way into our glasses. Across the board, it’s shockingly good. I’ve noticed in white wines that every feature I love – bright acidity, expressive fresh flavors like apple and tropical fruit burst forth, and the sense of refreshment are amplified and close to explosive. In the reds I’ve had, I notice that they almost feel as if they’re a year or two older – they remind me of reds I’ve had that simply have more age – they’re earthier, the fruit is fuller, there is a more layered feel in them. I want to see how much 2023 will hit the shelves this year – so much will be held back to age, as it’s very age-worthy.

Those are my initial thoughts and resolutions intentions for wine in 2025. Have you thought about yours? What do you want to see in your Virginia Wine life this year?

And you know what? I want to see you in one of these shirts. And when I do, your glass is on me.