Troddenvale "Dollop of Damson" Cider-Plum Blend, Virginia 2023

FROM TRODDENVALE:

THE CIDER: A dollop of Damson has been an evolving wine over the years, attempting to find harmony between different fruits that we feel represent Virginia well from an agricultural sense. To us, Virginia wine doesn’t have to be confined to outdated hierarchy or made to replicate the success of other growing regions. This vintage could possibly be our finest effort at this goal; a wine that truly showcases several different fruits in balance, creating a wine unique all together to its own. Crunchy fruit provides a refreshing and balanced acidity. There is a touch of sneaky grip and heightened aromatics with the new additional of extended maceration Traminette. The increased percentage of Damson offers brightness and less botanical components that previous vintages. Drink with a good chill and enjoy this beautiful color of this quaffable sparkling wine.

THE PRODUCER: In their own words: “Troddenvale roughly translates to the ‘valley road’ and is inspired by a lengthy history of visitors traveling to the cradle of Virginia’s Warm Springs Valley. Translated through our cider, we strive to preserve this valley’s treasured history, its spring water, forgotten orchards, and furthermore, we seek an opportunity for new stories to be told - of the land, the soil, and the people. We are focused on revitalizing fruit growing for cider production in our mountain region of Virginia. We believe that dedicating our efforts to where fruit is grown and how will lead us to achieve the greatest potential in our cider.”

In their efforts to support the broader region, they glean a lot of fruit from old abandoned orchards and seedlings on the perimeters of properties. However, they also consistently buy fruit from growers in the area, working with them to improve their agricultural practices even if the farmers are resistant to organic/regenerative agriculture. Will and Cornelia planted a home vineyard (pictured above) to many varieties and are farming it according to regenerative principles. They have also started a food share (basically a farmer’s market) that’s transforming the region’s agriculture; their chicken farming neighbors now sell the majority of their chickens to customers in Western VA.