Family-owned Stanburn Winery in Patrick County, Va. is a gem with gorgeous views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and a selection of award-winning wines. The winery produces 50–60 tons of grapes each year for winemaking, and sells about half of the grape allotment to other wineries. The name Stanburn originates from the two sides of their family, Stanley and Burnette, with father and son Nelson and David Stanley beginning the winery after taking a winemaking class at a local community college. After years with countless hours of hard work, ensuring the growth of the right grape variations and while working other full-time jobs, the family finally put Stanburn Winery on the map in 2011 when it officially opened.
When it comes to trying the variety of Stanburn Winery’s offerings, we recommend pairing each wine with these four-course summertime menu items:
Fresh Cheese Plate paired with Vidal Blanc
Start your summertime menu off with an assortment of soft cheeses, such as Brie, goat cheese and Camembert, they pair beautifully with the Vidal Blanc. The Vidal Blanc is fermented and aged in stainless steel, giving off tasting notes of peach and honeydew melon complementing the creaminess of the cheese. It’s very bright with lots acidity and offers a citrus finish.
Strawberry and Goat Cheese Salad paired with Traminette
This delicious summer salad is paired best with the Traminette. Fermented and aged in stainless steel, its tasting notes give off the essence of white blossoms and sweet honeysuckle, as it’s smooth and offers a crisp acidic finish. The balance of the acid, sweet fruit and creamy goat cheese makes this pairing light, fresh and healthy! Enjoy it for picnics and barbecues, or simply for a deliciously light summer meal. Visit here for the Strawberry and Goat Cheese Salad recipe.
Grilled Chicken (preferably not heavily sauced) paired with Highfly
Your favorite summertime grilled chicken or spicy dishes are best paired with the Highfly, a semi-sweet blend of Vidal Blanc and Traminette. It gives off the essence of rose petal, orange peel, fig, apricot and lychee. Sip on this lovely wine while grilling out with family or friends.
Fresh Strawberries and Homemade Whip Cream paired with Meadow Breeze
End a light summer meal with fresh strawberries and whip cream that pairs well with Meadow Breeze. Fermented and aged in stainless steel, Meadow Breeze offers tasting notes of strawberries and peaches. It will finish sweet and crisp on your palate and is considered to be a great porch wine, pairing well with desserts and perfect for lazy afternoons or summer cookouts. Visit here for the Fresh Strawberries and Homemade Whip Cream recipe.
For more information on Stanburn Winery, visit their website.

Author: Nisa Cochran