Discover. Taste. Experience the Best of Virginia Wine.
The beauty of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley was the primary inspiration for CrossKeys Vineyards in Mt. Crawford. The 125 acre property selected by Bob and Nikoo Bakhtiar was originally an old farm that was overrun with cedar, but with stunning views of Massanutten and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The name comes from the old CrossKeys Tavern which stood just a few miles from the property. It was used as a hospital during the Civil War Battle of Crosskeys, and later as a pub and the community center in the 1800’s.

After clearing the land, the Bakhtiars began to dream of developing wine and culture on the property and creating something of worth and significance. Following years of planning and preparation, CrossKeys has emerged as a prominent Virginia winery. In 2002, the Bakhtiars planted the vines that yielded their first harvest in 2006. In 2008, they opened a stunning state-of-the art facility surrounded by sloping vineyards in the Tuscan style. Today, 23 (soon to be 31) of the 125 acres are under vine, with 11 varieties of grapes grown on site and producing some 3,000 cases of wine per year.

The sprawling mountain-view piazza with its picturesque front courtyard has spacious function rooms for weddings and other special events, such as wine dinners, themed parties and music concerts that occur on a regular basis. Upcoming Valentine events include a “Wine & Chocolate Pairing” on February 12 and a very special “Valentine’s Day Dinner” on February 14 (www.crosskeysvineyards).

The CrossKeys Tasting Room has knowledgeable associates who welcome guests daily to visit, tour, taste and purchase wines.   The Bistro, open for lunch 11:30 to 4:30, offers a seasonal menu of delicious light fare and locally produced cheeses. There is also a retail space featuring wine-themed gifts and souvenirs, and a Vineyard Room Gallery that connects with the community to showcase the unique artisanship of Virginia. A comprehensive program in wine education and the arts is a key component of the winery mission.

Echoing the classic traditions of fine European winemaking and embracing the burgeoning wine industry of Virginia, the estate wines of CrossKeys stand as symbols of excellence, hospitality and innovation. According to Bob and Nikoo Bakhtiar, “We always had a passion for good wine, but it was not until we used a batch of grapes from our first few acres of vines to make homemade wine that we realized with hard work and attention to details we could produce a quality wine at a decent price to represent this beautiful valley. No matter where you drink it, the wine will always bring you back to this gorgeous, little paradise.” With Stephan Heyns, a native of South Africa, as the head wine maker, CrossKeys wines have been recipients of numerous awards

A visit to CrossKeys Vineyards should be on the travel itinerary of every Virginia wine lover. It’s conveniently located in Mt. Crawford in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley between Harrisonburg and Staunton, about two hours southwest of Washington DC and one hour north of Charlottesville.

CrossKeys Vineyards
East 6011 Timber Ridge Road
Mt. Crawford, VA 22841
540-234-0505
http://www.crosskeysvineyards.com

Written by: Frank Britt
Publisher Official Virginia Wine Lover e-Newsletter “THE Source for Virginia’s Wine news.”www.vawinelover.com (Complimentary to OTC readers).

GREEK LAYER DIP
Pair with CrossKeys Joy White Vidal Blanc
1 container of Hummus (garlic, pine nut, Tuscan herb or roasted red pepper)
1 Red Bell Pepper
1 can sliced Kalamata Olives
1 Cucumber
1 small Red Onion
1 pack of crumbled Feta Cheese
Pack of fresh Dill
Pita Chips or fresh Pita Points

Finely chop the olives, onion, bell pepper, cucumber, and dill. Spread hummus about 1-2 inches thick in bottom of a wide serving dish. Sprinkle the vegetables evenly over the hummus. Crumble feta cheese on top. Sprinkle bits of dill and serve with warm pita slices.