Crooked Run Cellars

Crooked Run Cellars
1685 Crooked Run Road
Mount Jackson, VA

jadamy@shentel.net
540-318-0195
http://www.crookedruncellars.com/

“Crooked Run Cellars is located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley; rich in heritage, grand views, small towns, and the spirit of the settlers before us. Crooked Run Cellars takes you back in time to reclaim that spirit; one of family, friends, and camaraderie. Our wines capture the flavors unique to the valley’s soil and climate. We invite you to be our guest and enjoy the wines and a taste of the simple life…Meet Me At The Barn”

That is the copy of our back label and truly the mindset and ambience we hope to create in our winery. Our tasting room is an old 40x65 Pennsylvania Bank Barn we estimate to date back to the early 1900’s. In researching the history of this barn style and how it became part of the landscape of the valley, I came across a passage from a book that really defines the spirit and uniqueness of the valley. It is by the author Warren Hofstra and the name of the book is The Planting of New Virginia.

"What is notable about this early landscape is what it is not. Absent, of course, were the grand houses of a gentry class of tobacco planters. Missing, too, was any significant disparity between the houses of the great and the small. Cramped though they were and simple in both construction and plan, the cabins of the Littles, Windles, Sellers, Stoners, and others were all much the same in size and social significance. These were the dwellings of families neither rich nor poor but all owners of their land."

Sitting on the deck of the barn, or standing on the ridge, this is still the landscape I see. Not only is the landscape similar, but the sense of community and loyalty to the land. As much as this valley has changed, its history can still be seen and felt. I think that is one of the things that drew us to the property. It wasn't just the views of the mountains. It was more the views of a simple life and a small farming community. That is the feeling we want to share with people when they visit our winery. A sense of history, a connection to the land, and most importantly a connection to each other.

Our goal at Crooked Run Cellars is to create a gathering place, where people can shed the worries of the day, connect with friends, relax with a glass of wine, and soak in what we who live here may take for granted. Through the summer months we will be staying open until 9pm on Fridays and Saturday’s. Saturday nights we aim to host live music from 6-9pm. Friday nights we are looking for musicians to play an open mic type setting. We have horseshoe pits, badminton, and charcoal grills for those who want to make a day of it. We also have a few secluded picnic sites we can guide you to. The property is a total of 120 acres; if seclusion is more your style, we can certainly accommodate.

Our vines are still young and will not produce until next year. The growers that we have chosen to purchase from are all located in the valley. We believe very much in wine reflecting the region in which it is grown. The Shenandoah Valley has its own unique viticulture. Its temperature, soils, elevations, and moderate rain fall help to produce some exceptional wines that we are proud to be able to craft.

So take a day, explore the wines, and a taste of the simple life…