Experienced vintner returns to making magic with fermented grapes

Andy Reagan, multiple gold medal winner, is again crafting Virginia wines since his departure from Jefferson Vineyards in December 2012.

Reagan chose two avenues for his reappearance on the Old Dominion winemaking scene. First, he joined forces with Mike Shapiro, a budding venture capitalist, to produce a new line of wines. He’s also been given the keys to the cellar of a small but respected Virginia winery.

During his hiatus, Reagan collaborated with Mike Shapiro to create Roundabout Cellars. Given the entry level costs of a million dollars or more to start a winery, the two entrepreneurs took a “round about” way of producing quality wine at an affordable price without cashing in their 401(k)s.

“I always had a passion for wine and when I learned Andy was looking for opportunities, I thought it was a way to try a new approach to selling wine,” said Shapiro. The wines are only available online since there is no brick and mortar winery.

It’s reality wine retailed from a virtual tasting room.

Reagan, well connected in the industry, arranged for the purchase of finished wines from a few top Virginia wineries. He then utilized cellar space at an established winery and employed his blending skills to create five different cuveés.

Lest one thinks blending is a minor part of winemaking, Google Michel Rolland and learn how the French “Flying Winemaker” gained international fame by consulting to wineries worldwide. He achieved much of his success by employing his educated palate to taste and then blend wines of exceptional character.

Both Rolland and Reagan believe blending embodies the old chestnut that “the sum is greater than the individual parts”.

To confirm the quality of Reagan’s wines, the 2013 Governor’s Cup awarded three silvers to his first vintage and the Virginia Wine Of The Month Club snatched up 150 cases for its December 2013 selection.

Oenophiles interested in tasting the product of a talented winemaker need only visit www.roundaboutcellars.com and keystroke their way to a purchase.

Cellar redux
With over twenty years experience as a winemaker—yes, he started in his teens—Reagan was soon off on another project. After working on his Roundabout Cellars brand, he found himself creating wines at a conventional winery.

Old House Vineyards in Culpeper is where Reagan is now nurturing some ten different varietals. The winery is sited on an old alfalfa farm and draws wine tasters to its bucolic setting graced by a small lake, pavilion and wood burning pizza oven situated on a large stone patio.

The winery’s newest claim will be wines crafted by a top vintner with his best years ahead of him.