Varietal(s):
50% Merlot

33% Cabernet Sauvignon

15% Cabernet Franc
2% Petit Verdot

AVA:
Middleburg Virginia AVA ☸

Vineyards:
Iron Will (Waterford Estate) (CF) ☸
Sycamore Springs (CS, PV) ☸
Quartz Creek (M) ☸

Harvest Dates:
September 22, 2021 (CF, CS)
September 24, 2021 (PV, M)

Fermentation and Aging:
Barrel Fermented
50% new French Oak (medium toast)
50% 2 year-old French Oak
For 14 Months
Blended at Bottling

More Technical Stuff:
Alcohol 13.5%
pH (M) #
Brix (M) #

pH (CF) 3.77
Brix (CF) 22.4
pH (CS) 3.60
Brix (CS) 24
pH (PV) 3.40
Brix (PV) 23.3
Residual sugar 0.0
Cases Produced 140

Label:
Front and Back Label

Background on the Wine:
One of two red blends from our 2021 fruit, Prossimo aims at capturing a more traditional Merlot-based Bordeaux approach. Comprised of all-Loudoun fruit including our own grapes and grapes from neighboring vineyards. Aged 14 months in new and old French Oak.

More details on the process:
Merlot was a fruit we played with little beyond our first red (Prologue back in 2016) and we have found some splendid fruit from our neighbors in the region. We wanted to go with a Merlot forward wine and this was the result.

Background on the name:
If you ride trains in Switzerland, they change the “main” language used in announcements depending on where you are. If you are in Southern (Italian speaking) Switzerland, such as Riva San Vitale where owner Jon lived and enjoyed Virginia Tech’s European campus, you hear “Prossima Fermata…” to tell you when the next stop is. This wine is a next stop in our journey.

Background on the Virginia Tech CESA:
Virginia Tech’s European academic center has been housed a beautiful and historic building in the Swiss municipality of Riva San Vitale south of lake Lugano. It was an experience that has shaped many Hokies, including the folks behind the Wine Reserve at Waterford.

Learn more: Link