Effervescence Unleashed Cocktail of the Month for March 2025: Mardi Gras Old Cuban

Effervescence Unleashed Cocktail of the Month for March: Mardi Gras Old Cuban

Capstone Vineyards Sparkling Chardonnay
Wildcat Brothers Distilling Noire Rum

Recipe:

• 6 whole mint leaves
• 1 ounce simple syrup
• 3/4 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 1/2 ounces aged rum
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 2 ounces sparkling wine, chilled
• Garnish: mint sprig

1. Muddle the mint leaves with the simple syrup and lime juice in a shaker.
2. Add the rum and bitters and ice and shake until well-chilled.
3. Double-strain into a coupe glass.
4. Top with sparkling wine and garnish with a mint sprig.
   
   

Capstone Vineyards is a family-owned winery located on the slopes of Blue Mountain in Linden, Virginia. The vineyard produces some of the best fruit in Virginia, resulting in handcrafted wines that are expressive of the land and the people behind them. Visitors can enjoy a unique wine-tasting experience surrounded by breathtaking views and a warm, intimate atmosphere. The 2021 method champenoise sparkling wine is dry, crisp, refreshing.

Wildcat Brothers Distilling is located in Lafayette, Louisiana and uses local sugarcane to produce smooth and unique French-style rums. According to the distillery, "Bourbon enthusiasts will appreciate the full-bodied flavor that our maturation journey produces."

An Afternoon at Capstone Vineyards

Last week we spent an afternoon on the outskirts of the Shenandoah Valley escaping the heat and humidity and finally visited Capstone Vineyards. This fulfilled a desire from early March after meeting winemaker Theo Smith at the 2024 Virginia's Governor's Cup Gala. The winery was participating because of their Gold medal winning 2022 Vintner's Blend - a Bordeaux styled percentage of 42% Cabernet Franc, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot.

On this visit we started in the tasting room with a flight of the 2023 Sparkling C2, 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, 2023 Chardonnay, and 2016 Vintner's Blend. This last wine raised the property's viticulture status as it was made by Jim Law across Route 66 at Linden Vineyards. When Smith and his partners purchased the property there was an abundant supply of this blend (60% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Petit Verdot) which has aged masterfully in the bottle. The 2016 Vintner's Blend is still fresh with juicy dark fruit and noticeable tannins. The generous staff also allowed us to sample the 2022 Vintner's Blend which is normally off the tasting sheet because of its short supply. Definitely see the aging potential, but our group landed on the 2016 for drinking now. 

The three white wines were all worth noting but the Chardonnay held our fancy until Theo joined us with a glass of their 2023 Rousanne. He told us it was the last fruit picked that season and with smaller than usual berries - the fruit concentration was ideal. Over this glass, Theo also gave us his backstory from biochemistry at Franciscan University to witnessing his first harvest at an Ohio vineyard that peaked his interest that lead to a degree in Viticulture and Oenology at Brock University. He received excellent advice to start his career in a less well-known, but rising wine region which lead to a dozen years at Rappahannock Cellars. Then in late 2022, he and two friends purchased Capstone Vineyards. 

You will be seeing more upcoming content about Capstone Vineyards as we joined the wine club and will be visiting hopefully once a month. We plan on learning more about Theo's contract winemaking as well as his sacramental wine that isn't oxidized.