Pennsylvania wine? Yes, oh yes. Nestled in the agricultural heart of Montgomery County, just northwest of Philly, is a unique 250 acre property that has been farmed since as far back as the days of William Penn. Wanting to do something innovative with the land while keeping to its historic traditions, owners Nick and Athena Karabots decided to plant vines here in 2003. When naming this project, they wanted to combine their Greek heritage name with the land’s original name ‘Oxmoor Estate’, creating Karamoor Estate – which loosely translates in Greek to ‘my happiness’.
Initially starting off with 12 acres of vines, the vineyard quickly expanded in the years that followed and is now at 27 acres. Wanting to have topnotch winemaking, they brought in world-renown viticulturist and consultant Lucie Morton as well as former Rutherford Hill winemaker Kevin Robinson. The estate now produces Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, a Meritage blend and a Reserve Merlot. And with the immense talent of the team, the wines of Karamoor are an excellent expression of what the hills of this historic land can do.
And while it is a private pKaramoor Estate Drink Me operty that is not currently open to the public, their wines can be purchased online at http://karamoorwines.com/
2013 Chardonnay
Price: $30
Like after a spring rain, this expresses aromas of wet stone, quince and ripe tangerine. A crisp wine with a medium body, the palate offers a spritzy sense of citrus along with white pepper, saline and a long finish of juniper. -JA
2012 Cabernet Franc
Price: $31
As if from a scene at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, this unveils refreshing scents of black plum, kirsch, sawdust and evergreen. Nearly opaque in color with velvety tannins, this full bodied red is both fruit forward and earthy with a long finish of pine. –JA
2012 Meritage
Price: $32
Made from 60% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petite Verdot, this wine offers an ambiance of bright red cherry, mint leaf, leather and a bit of dusty wood. Incredibly supple tannins hold together the wine’s soft texture, bright fruit and bold cinnamon spice finish. -JA
