♪ ♪ SEAN: Boxwood Estate Winery is a Premier Virginia winery.

For those traveling to Middleburg, Virginia, it's a must-see.

It's a modern facility, but it sits well in the countryside.

We're a boutique winery that specializes in Bordeaux-style blends with A Virginia expression.

My stepfather, the owner John Kent Cook, has spent many decades in Middleburg and loved Middleburg from the beginning.

Originally a horse farm, but was perfect for growing grapes and putting a vineyard in.

Laurita and Lauren are going to be experiencing the art of blending, which is one of our newest experiences.

It's a ticketed event we hold twice a year and it takes place in our cave, and the idea behind blending is to make single varietals even better.

When you put them together.

STEPHEN: What we have here right now are three varieties.

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc.

What we're looking for by blending different varieties is synergy.

LAURITA: So where do we start?

STEPHEN: Well, the first thing you want to taste each individual one to see what its characters are like and what you like about it.

So we start with Merlot.

LAURITA: Okay.

I can easily taste the fruit.

SEAN: So we're trying when we blend to hit more of your palate, and finish longer.

LAURITA: Oh, I like that.

LAUREN: Yeah.

SEAN: So that is the goal when we put these together.

LAURITA: Ok, that's the full circle moment.

SEAN: That's right.

So when you first taste it, you want to burst of fruit on your tongue.

Then you want it to coat your entire palate with flavor, and then you want it to have a nice long finish, so when you put the glass down it stays with you.

STEPHEN: So we could try the Cabernet Sauvignon next, I guess let's do that.

LAURITA: Absolutely.

They use the word intense on here and you can tell that it's a little more heavy.

LAUREN: Yes, I normally have only seen beakers in like my chemistry sets or at school.

So why do we use beakers while we're doing a blend?

SEAN: So the beakers allow us to measure the wine as we create our blend.

LAUREN: So it looks like we have one more to try, should we go ahead and pour it in our glasses?

SEAN: Yes, absolutely.

STEPHEN: Cabernet Franc.

LAUREN: That one had a kick to it.

LAURITA: It did, yeah.

SEAN: A little bit of like a white pepper.

BOTH: Yes!

LAURITA: I like it.

LAUREN: I like that one too.

SEAN: So now we're gonna do our first blend.

BOTH: Okay.

SEAN: To make things simple, we're just going to blend 50 milliliters of each varietal.

LAUREN: See, good thing we do have the beakers with the numbers on it... LAURITA: Yes, so now you can kind of figure it out.

LAUREN: I don't think my eyeball would have been exact.

LAURITA: I feel like a mad scientist.

LAUREN: Right.

We're in the chemistry lab, right now.

SEAN: Well, that's funny you say that, because so much of winemaking is science.

STEPHEN: But when we get to the blending part, that's where I like to think a little art or craft comes in.

Cause then it's what we're tasting, smelling, feeling.

LAUREN: Alright, well cheers.

SEAN: Alright, well, cheers.

LAURITA: Cheers, yeah, yes.

LAUREN: Woo-hoo.

SEAN: Isn't that something?

LAUREN: Wow.

LAURITA: Totally different.

And you can feel each step in your mouth; hits you on your tongue, goes back, and then down the throat.

STEPHEN: And so, now, if you really like the Merlot or if you're intrigued by the Cabernet Franc, then that's when you think: Okay, I'm gonna play this hunch, and I'm gonna go heavier on the Merlot.

But, whichever your preference is.

LAURITA: So I've had blends before, but now I will actually use my new knowledge and look for wines, maybe a little heavy in Merlot.

LAUREN: I'm a math girl and science girly, so knowing all the background behind it has definitely made this a more enjoyable experience for me.

I think I am a Cab Franc fan.

LAURITA: Well, I'll be happy to taste your blend then.

(laughter) Well, thank you so much 'cause I love red wine and just the knowledge that you all have shared today has opened my eyes.

SEAN: Well, you're so welcome.

Now you've got your diploma and you've graduated from the art of blending.

BOTH: I love it.

LAURITA: Well, cheers again, thank you so much.

STEPHEN: Cheers to you all.

SEAN: Cheers.

STEPHEN: Thank you all.

SEAN: Cheers.

The great joy is creating this product from the Earth, sharing it with others, and having them really feel like they've tasted something special.

LAURITA: Stephen is making my blend.

That's Lauren's bottle being corked.

(camera shutter).

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