
October 2024 Blog Letter
It’s that time of year when the extremes of summer soften, the air cools, the colors bloom and Virginia wines are savored overlooking glorious autumn mountain views. You will find it hard to find a view more beautiful in Virginia than from atop Ankida Ridge’s Overlook. We hope you will visit us this autumn to enjoy the fall colors, and of course the delicious fine wines we craft up here on this mountain.
The Vintage 2024 Harvest is history. All you loyal Ankida followers will be happy to know that we had a great harvest, perfectly sized crop and great numbers in sugar content (brix) and acids (pH). The fruit was balanced in structure and is all now safely in barrel or tank as the reds and some of the whites begin their secondary fermentation called Malolactic Fermentation (MLF), converting sharp malic acid to the softer, creamier lactic acid. The journey from grapes on the vine, to grape juice and finally into wine still impresses me deeply, even after all the years watching the process.
This past year we had a little help from a few friends and a couple of our grandsons with the processing of our Gamay! Below is a little video created from many scenes of Harvest 2024. Our crew worked day and night over a couple weeks to bring in the fruit. We continue to be so grateful for their presence, their dedication and care for our vines and the beautiful fruit they produce. We will miss them terribly when they leave us in mid-October to return early March. To our crew, safe travels home and MUCHAS GRACIAS!!
Please enjoy this little video of those memorable days and nights of Harvest 2024.
ANKIDA RIDGE HARVEST 2024 VIDEO
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Introducing Our Exclusive
“New Member Welcome Parties!”
🎉ANKIDA RIDGE FALL NEWCOMERS’ PARTY 🎉
For all new members who join in Oct-Dec this year!
Sat, January 18, 2025
1-3pm
(You can easily join online! It’s FREE!)
Here’s your golden ticket to truly kick off your journey with us – quarterly Meet & Greet Parties designed to make you feel right at home in the Ankida Ridge family! 🥂 You’ll get to meet the owners, mix and mingle with fellow new members, enjoy a complimentary glass of our finest wine, and savor some delicious charcuterie nibbles as you soak up the good vibes and gorgeous views that make our vineyard so special.
But that’s not all – we know our established members are eager to meet you too! That’s why we’re inviting a couple of our seasoned wine enthusiasts to join the party as Welcoming Ambassadors. This is your chance to get the inside scoop, share stories, and become part of something bigger than just wine… this is family.
🥂 The First Party – It’s Happening!🥂
Mark your calendar for Saturday, January 18th, from 1-3pm. We’re rolling out the red carpet for you and all the new members who joined our Wine Club family this quarter! And don’t worry, even if the weather gets chilly, we’ll keep the wine flowing to keep things cozy.
Future parties will be happening every quarter – on the third Saturday of April, July, and October, from 5-7pm. You definitely won’t want to miss these exclusive get-togethers, packed with fun, flavor, and friendship.
Ready to join the fun? You can JOIN HERE!
Already a member and want to help welcome the new faces? Email Ca****@an*********.com to become one of our Welcoming Ambassadors! These spots are limited, so act fast!
Let’s build something unforgettable together, one sip at a time. 🍷
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OCTOBER VIRGINIA WINE MONTH SPECIAL!
PLACE YOUR ORDERS THROUGH EMAIL FOR THE DISCOUNT
Email Carmen@ankidaridge.com to place your order
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In addition to the recent stellar scores of 92 (Ankida Ridge Pinot Noir 2022), a 94.5 (Chardonnay 2022), and 95 (Pinot Noir Reserve 2017) by acclaimed Master of Wine, Lisa Perotti-Brown, we learned last month that the London publication “Decanter” did a tasting on Virginia’s white wines. We were thrilled to learn our Chardonnay placed in the top 5 of the Virginia white wines tasted, with our Chardonnay 2022 receiving a 92! To be recognized internationally is surely a high point in our growing status as a premier vineyard in the highly acclaimed region of Virginia.
For those who might not have heard, Central Virginia’s Charlottesville area, “Monticello AVA,” was recognized as the Top Wine Region of the Year (in the world) by Wine Enthusiast. Virginia continues to dominate on the world stage as one of the top wine growing regions on the globe. So proud of this great wine industry and the folks that make it so great. Cheers to Virginia Wine.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Oct 12 – Yoga on the Overlook by Prana Yoga & Fitness
Oct 25/26 – Wine Club Annual Salmon Roast, Smith Mountain Lake
Nov 29-Dec 1 – Nouveau Gamay Release Party & Black Friday Specials!
Dec 7 – Fete de Noel
More details on website under Events
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PHOTO DUMP!
The puppies are growing and I think are being loved a little too much for Livestock Guardian Dogs!
At last! Announcing the Upcoming Opening of Phase 1 of our Forest Walking Trails! Stay tuned!
A dreadfully long stretch of rain drenched life up here, but happy to say the sun has returned!
Hope to see many of you in the coming weeks to enjoy the foliage from our perch in the Blue Ridge Mountains!
Cheers from our family to yours!
Christine and the rest of the Ankida family!