It All Starts With the Soil
“Beauty begets beauty” at Ankida, both in the ground and above it. Soil plays a predominant role in the structure of grapes, their vines and ultimately the wines. This slide is a microscopic slice of our vineyard soil that feeds the vines. Formed for over 600,000 years as part of the Appalachian Mountains, the second oldest mountain chain on the planet, this soil is a testament to nature's enduring power and the impact it has on the wines we craft. This ancient, weathered igneous rock of charnockite granite contains a complexity of quartz, pyroxene, feldspar converting to clay and other minerals too numerous to mention here. We are grateful for this beautiful, porous soil that allows us to grow pinot noir. And we like to think that our wines are as beautiful and complex as the soil that sustains them and the views that surround them. To highlight the vital role our soil plays in our wines, we designed our wine labels to honor the soil. Each label's artwork reflects the soil and displays a reference to the wines’ attributes or a story that is interwoven with it. Look closely, and see if you can connect the description and the story with the art created specifically for that wine.
Lables That Tell The Story:
In Homage to the Elements
The sun, the moon. The honeybees, and our sheep. Here at Ankida, we honor and partner with these elements, which combine with our soil to play a crucial role in our vineyard practices and life on this mountain. In tribute to their importance, we have embossed their symbols into the four corners of our new labels, framing the artwork that depicts our soil. With an Ankida bottle in hand, look closely and touch the embossing in each corner. Notice the striations of gold in the artwork that blend with the characteristics and the story of each wine.
When you enjoy our wines, we hope you will remember and appreciate these influences. May each sip remind you of the harmony and dedication, the earth and the energy, both human and natural, that go into every bottle.
Chardonnay
This Chardonnay label, like all our thoughtfully designed labels, celebrates the earth's minerals, depicted through metallic striations on the left side of the artwork. The design evokes a river flowing through the globe, symbolically linking the earth’s minerals to the fruits derived from them. Reflecting the wine's notes of apple and pear, the label features delicate illustrations of tiny pears and apple blossoms. With just a whisper of oak, the wine retains its bright acidity, allowing the fruit flavors to stand out, creating a classic and elegant Chardonnay. This well-balanced wine is perfect for enjoyment throughout the year.
Rosé of Pinot Noir
When Christine, a co-owner in our family venture, and her daughter Rachel first explored the mountainous property that was up for sale, it was a vibrant early spring day. The land was wild and untamed, but when they walked into the woods they found themselves underneath a wonderland of fuchsia pink redbuds and it instantly captured Christine’s heart. She knew then that the property was destined to be theirs.
Each spring, to coincide with the redbud season, we release our Rosé of Pinot Noir. This wine, with its lovely pink hue, is a tribute to that initial mesmerizing visit. The label features a design of redbuds— intricate and delicate yet powerful, much like the Rosé of Pinot Noir it adorns
Verday
Our Verday is the quintessential summertime wine—bright and subtly effervescent. To encapsulate the essence of summer in the vineyard, we've adorned the label with summer flowers that bloom between the rows of vines: bright yellow buttercups, dandelions, and lovely red clover that nourishes the bees. Hues of verdant summer grasses and clear blue skies enhance the joyful, summery vibe of the label. This wine and its vibrant label are designed to evoke the happiness of a perfect summer day. Doesn’t this label and this wine make you feel happy?
Pinot Noir
When wine enthusiasts taste our Pinot Noir, they often describe its flavors as reminiscent of wild blackberries and dark cherries, beautifully complemented by the earthy aroma of a forest floor where wild ferns and mushrooms thrive. As you study the intricacies of the artwork, you'll notice depictions of berries, ferns, and tiny mushrooms, all of which symbolize the magical synergy between the soil and the plant life it sustains. This interconnectedness—between earth, plant, and fruit—is eloquently expressed in our earth-driven, fruit-forward Pinot Noir, capturing the essence of nature in every bottle, all grown and crafted in this place “where heaven and earth join.”
Blanc de Noir
Blanc de Noir, our sparkling wine crafted from Pinot Noir grapes, boasts a slightly deeper hue compared to our Blanc de Blanc, which is made from Chardonnay. Inspired by the enchanting night sky, we infused the colors of sunset and the dark, star-studded heavens into this label. Upon closer inspection, you'll discover a constellation that forms the outline of our beloved sheep, Roscoe, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 16, just before the release of this Brut. This tribute captures the essence of Roscoe, whose vibrancy, yet gentleness surpassed that of any animal we've known. Here's to sweet Roscoe—may his spirit sparkle as brightly as the stars above. Cheers!
Patiné
With butterscotch and honey notes, this aged white port-style wine is adorned with a label featuring honeybees and tulip poplar blossoms that celebrate the harmonious relationship between honeybees and the flora they pollinate. The symbiosis of bees and tulip poplars echoes the natural bounty of our mountain property, which is abundant with both. Our commitment to maintaining bee hives enhances the pollination of our vibrant ecosystem. This label pays homage to the ingenious interplay of nature and the rich flavors it creates, a palette of sweetness expressed in this lovely Patiné dessert wine.
Blanc de Blanc
Our Blanc de Blanc Brut, crafted from our golden Chardonnay grapes, features a hue that is slightly lighter than our Blanc de Noir. Wanting to maintain a hint of starlight, but embracing the lighter colors of dawn, you will notice the lightness of a golden dawn lifting, pushing the brightening starlit night sky away at the top of the artwork. Below, morning dewdrops on spiderwebs drip like glistening diamonds. The palette of bright and beautiful colors uplifts the spirit, as does a glass of our sparkling Brut at family celebrations. Cheers!
Ankida Ridge Cellar Selections
Browse and buy the best from our vines to your table.
INSPIRED BY BURGUNDY BUT "Distinctly Virginia"
At Ankida Ridge, our journey began with a vision to cultivate something truly unique for Virginia's wine scene. Inspired by the renowned wines of Burgundy, we set out to create a vineyard that would stand apart. Our decision to keep our vineyard small, under two acres which eventually grew to six acres, was deliberate – a manageable size for us to meticulously tend to each vine. Situated at a much higher elevation of 1800 ft, our site boasts cooler temperatures, rocky soils and pronounced air movement, creating a microclimate unlike any other vineyards in Virginia. As the cool mountain air sweeps down to the valleys on either side of us, we knew we were onto something special. "Little Burgundy," ampelographer, Lucie Morton suggested, and indeed, our vineyard could be Virginia's answer to the famed wine region.
