Hiking the Appalachian Trail and Vineyards Views from Silver Dog Vineyards

With my new cyborg hip, I am finally able to hike again and decided to test my body with an excursion along the Appalachian Trail in Linden, Virginia.  The best place to start is the two small parking areas at the intersection of John Marshall Highway (Rt 55) and Rt 725 just east of Linden. For a challenging climb head north over the A.T. Bridge Crossing or for an easier hike, walk south.

But afterwards, be sure to visit one of the five wineries surrounding Linden: Silver Dog Vineyards, Linden Vineyards, Capstone Vineyards, Crimson Lane Vineyards, and Accord Vineyards (formerly Fox Meadow Vineyards). I decided to start my post-hike recovery at Silver Dog Vineyards. I had seen the vineyard many times during visits to Capstone and the winery just opened to the public late this summer.   

Getting to the tasting room is slightly challenging, requiring navigation of a short but steep gravel road. However, the drive also demonstrates how the steep terrain benefits the vines. First, the steep grade allows for ample drainage, ensuring the grapes must struggle for water. Second, the grade and elevation minimize frost damage. This was evident during the April 2026 freeze, when only the lowest-planted vines suffered damage, whereas those at higher elevations survived mostly unaffected.

These vines were first planted in 2018, when Eric Gronning convinced his wife, Lori Robertson, to expand their roles in the wine industry. At the time, they owned Maple, a wine bar and restaurant in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Gronning chose to plant a combination of common French grape varieties, including Petit Manseng, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, along with two Italian varieties less common in the Commonwealth: Barbera and Sagrantino. He utilizes the assistance of Virginia Tech's Virginia Cooperative Extension - a program that provides a wealth of information for potential viticulturists. The grapes are processed and bottled at nearby Blue Valley Vineyard and Winery in Delaplane under the direction of wine consultant John Levenberg. 

Interestingly, the contemporary tasting room is completely off-grid, with solar-generated electricity, water supplied by an on-site well and spring, and captured rainwater used in the vineyard. The energy-efficient design incorporates large overhangs to provide shade in summer and large doors to take advantage of cooling winds, while expansive glass, steel, exposed concrete floors, and American cedar define the building's aesthetic. The tasting bar was also recently enhanced with a large, beautiful wood slab from a tree felled by a storm. These features don't surprise those who know that Eric is also an architect, furniture designer, and wood and steel fabricator through his company, Gronning Architects.

After arriving at this unparalleled tasting room and taking in the scenic views of Capstone and Crimson Lane, a flight of their five wines was in order. All the wines are made from estate grapes. Starting with the 2023 Chardonnay,  I found it well made. The wine combines barrel and stainless-steel fermentation, resulting in a savory mouthfeel balanced by lively acidity.  My overall favorite is their 2023 Rock Island Red - a blend of Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sagrantino.  Think fresh black cherries, a slight earthiness, approachable tannins, and balanced acidity. Their 2023 Barbera was close behind with its bright plum overtones and black pepper spicy kick at the tail. Well done.

Cheers.