Local Events: Taste of Science Tours at Doukenie Winery (Purcellville, VA)

A few months back, my fiancé and I had the pleasure of attending one of the Taste of Science tours led by Geologist Leann Wiberg at Doukenie Winery in Purcellville, VA (about an hour drive from Washington, D.C.).  Held the first Saturday of every month, the next Taste of Science tour that you are welcome to join is on Saturday, July 5^th.

What is the Taste of Science?  Simply put, the Taste of Science tours are led by a seasoned geologist, Leanne Wiberg, which gives the participants an in-depth look into winemaking and viticulture at Doukenie Winery with a more scientific and educational slant than the usual “show and tell” tours you might get

at other places.  Leanne offers a unique experience during the Taste of Science tours, which will leave you learning something new about winemaking or the influences of geology on viticulture and the finished wines, even if you know quite a bit already!

When my fiancé went on the tour a few months ago, we only participated in the winery portion of the tour, as that particular day they were not giving vineyard tours.  On most other Taste of Science tours, you get the whole shebang—winery and vineyard fun!

Since we weren’t able to go into the vineyard on the day that my fiancé and I went, instead we spent extra time in the wine cellar going over detailed geological maps of the area and getting a pretty in-depth scientific discussion on the influence of the local geology on the wines at Doukenie, where we as a group were welcomed to ask any and all questions that we had.

Leanne Wiberg is an incredibly intelligent and ridiculously fun guide, which makes the whole experience that much more enjoyable.  She is very knowledgeable about winemaking, and an expert in the influence of geology on viticulture, so I encourage you to ask her as many questions you’d like about the science behind the taste.  The flow of the tour and the amount of detailed scientific information you learn during the Taste of Science tours at Doukenie Winery, is in a way dependent upon the group that you are with.  Ask no questions and just smile and nod?  Well, it’s tough to gauge whether or not you actually understand the material.  Ask a lot of detailed questions?  Well, you’ll end up leaving that day with a lot more knowledge on viticulture and winemaking than you thought you would! Your questions guide the complexity of the tour, so don’t hold back!

Oh, I almost forgot!  The “Taste” part of the tour!  Of course you get a chance to do a tasting of some of

the wines at Doukenie, which allows you to not only learn about the science behind the wine, but allows you to physically connect what you learned with what you’re tasting.

I recommend the Taste of Science tour at Doukenie Winery with Leann Wiberg to anyone with an interest in the science of wine and viticulture.  You might run into me if I happen to be visiting on that day!

Please tell Leanne that The Academic Wino sent you! 

Here are the details on the event from the Doukenie Winery website:

Saturday, July 5, 2014 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

“Join Leanne, our geologist, for an extensive winery and vineyard tour. Learn scientific and technical details of winemaking and vineyard management during this indoor and outdoor tour.  After, join her for a wine tasting and discussion in our barrel room. Cost is free for Heritage Club member, $18.00 for general public. Reservations are suggested but not required. Groups of 20 max. Call Bill at 540-668-6464 x 203. Tours to be held at 11:00am and 3:00pm.”

Cost is free for Heritage Club members.

$18/person for non-members.

Visit the Doukenie Winery events page here for future Taste of Science tour dates (just remember:  1^st Saturdays of every month!)