After a year of saying I was going to create my own wine, years of enjoying the excellent vineyards in Virginia and a desire to start the learning process in hopes of having my own vineyard one day as part of the Weekend Oasis Vacation Rentals business plan, I set out to create my first batch! The juiced was source using a Johannesburg Riesling grape.

Upon starting, the hydrometer measured the specific gravity at 1.070, with a temperature of 65', and potential alcohol level of 9%. We went to the secondary phase which consisted of transferring the wine from the primary fermenter to the carboy. Upon doing so, the hydrometer measured the SG at 1.01 and a temperature of 70.2. Next, clearing and stabilization. The specific gravity measured at .004 with a temperature of 67.6 degrees.

In the month of March 2010 we had a tasting wtih positive feedback.

In December 2010 the Sir Oliver Reisling was part of the Wine Maker Magazine Competition and took honorable mention.

Start date: February 6, 2010

Sir Oliver?

Sir Oliver was inspired by a snorting little pug puppy, our dog Oliver! Every vineyard has a vineyard dog and Backyard Winery has our very own as well. Oliver is a 1 year old pug. He loves to sleep, snort, and protect the cellar from intruders by licking them in the face non-stop. Oliver will continue to be part of our wine making adventures and hopefully will help contribute to an amazing private reserve for Backyard Winery. Oliver can be found roaming around the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia with us at Weekend Oasis and enjoying Project Hillside in Shavertown, PA.

Awards and Mentions

Winemaker Magazine, December 2010

Honorable Mention