So by now, you may have made the trek out to 8 Chains North, the winery that is 8 chains north of whatever is 8 chains south of where they are. Or something. As we all know, wines don’t make themselves, they’re made by winemakers (because oompa-loompas make candy, not wine. But even they would be horrified by Choco-vin). Who makes wine for 8 Chains North? Ben Renshaw, who graciously agreed to answer our deeply probing and profound queries!
Where did you grow up?
Air Force brat, born in Nebraska, lived in Alabama, both Dakotas, Germany, England & stationed in Va 3 times.
How long have you lived in VA?
I consider myself a Virginian, have been here permanently since 1983.
What brought you to wine?
Bartended my way through college at VCU in Richmond. Had a GREAT distributor who would make staff come in an hour early every month and he would bring 3-4 wines, paired with something on our menu…this is where I was introduced to my favorites (still) Kissler Chard, Pride Mountain Cab, Merlot, Cab Franc, Ridge Zin, Duckhorn Merlot, etc.
Where else (besides your current winery) have you made wine?
I was the winemaker at Sunset Hills for 3 years. Am currently making for Otium Cellars (they are not open yet and I am making and selling their wines through 8 Chains North) and another that is not yet open, but will be later this year Creek’s Edge Winery
What characteristics do you enjoy in wine?
I like big, deep and rich. For fruit that we can grow in Virginia I love Tarara’s Syrah, Glenn Manor’s Sauvignon Blanc, Northgate’s Petit Verdot. These wines accentuate the most positive aspects that we can produce in Virginia. I wish we could grow Zinfandel and Petit Syrah here.
If you could have a private tour of any winery in the world, which would you choose?
I wish my palate and knowledge was greater than it is, but my favorite winery Pride Mountain in Napa/Sonoma…I’ve been there for a tasting, but not a private one. Can you imagine getting into some of those barrels???!!!!!!
What is your favorite food and wine pairing?
I drink more red than white, so I really like a good Malbec with grilled Portabello Mushrooms. However, I have to admit that there is something magical about a good, acidic Sauvignon Blanc (Stolpman or Glen Manor) with shellfish like crab or little neck clams on a hot summer night!
What are your favorite wine varietals?
Over the years I have bounced around…Pinot Noir, Zinfandel were big for me a few years ago, but I am currently really into Malbec and Syrah. However, if I had to pick one it would be Cabernet Sauvignon…the king of wines and the wine of kings!
A lot of wine folks are excited for the 2010 wines. Which of your wines are you the most excited about?
The Malbec and Petit Verdot will knock your dick in the dirt! I’m going to do varietals out of both of them.
Who is your favorite cartoon character?
Well I’m sure you were expecting Bart Simpson, or Stewie, but I’m gonna go ooooold school on you and say Underdog!
What is one thing we haven’t asked that you want Virginia wine lovers to know about you or your winery?
I am at the core a vineyard guy, managing about 75 acres in Loudoun. To that end I am very hands off and old world style in the cellar. My wines are a true reflection of what the vintage was…this is great in years like 2007 and 2010, and more challenging in years like 2008 & 2009. Rich Evans from Flying Fox outside Charlottesville gave me a bottle of his Merlot a couple years ago and said something to the effect of “this is a bottle of what our vineyard produced last year”…real simple, but very telling of his style and approach. I work very hard in the vineyards and think this makes the critical difference in the cellar in both good years and not so good years.
Have you made a wine since you’ve been in VA that you think speaks to who you are as a winemaker? If so, what is it and why that one?
Like I said earlier, I am a vineyard guy and fairly “hands off” in the cellar (I dont like to fine or filter my reds, or make additions that are not absolutely necessary). So I would have to say the 2008 Furnace Mountain Red. Its a Bordeaux style blend of all 5 reds from Bordeaux. By taking the natural: structural characteristics from the Cab Sauv, the fruit characteristics from Malbec, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot and gripping tannins and acids from the Merlot, the blend of the grapes accentuates the natural strengths from each varietal…which are all generated in the vineyard.
Swirl, Sip, Snark 
April 20, 2011 at 8:40 am
I have to say Ben will probably do well to have someone else write his tasting notes in the tasting room with that description of the PV and Malbec. I think I nearly peed myself when I read that.
Ben in my opinion is one of, if not the best grower in the state. There are very few people as passionate about the vineyard as Ben and he is alway striving for better. He is an awesome addition to Loudoun.
Now if only he hd screw-tops on his wines….Sorry Ben, I had to get one dig.
April 20, 2011 at 8:56 am
“The Malbec and Petit Verdot will knock your dick in the dirt! I’m going to do varietals out of both of them.” I think I love this man, but I have to agree with Jordan on the tasting notes. While I would find this fabulous on a tasting sheet, it might put off some of the tourists.
His wine making style seems to really suit my palette. I didn’t realize he was making for Otium as well as 8 Chains, but that explains my tasting experience with both wines (which is to say I loved them). Probably, IMHO, the best MYWM post yet!
April 20, 2011 at 8:57 am
gonna have to a gree with jordan on the tasting notes thing. didn’t need coffee to wake me up this morning after reading that.
but i am going to have to get a bottle of those and see if he’s right
April 20, 2011 at 9:34 am
Crap. I get the feeling that this is going to turn into a game of winemaker one-upmanship.
April 20, 2011 at 9:21 am
I’m going to disagree with all of you. I like the description. 🙂 Hahaha But I could see how some might be put off by the description. Looking forward to that PV.
April 20, 2011 at 9:23 am
I think it takes courage to be at the forefront. Wine descriptors can be a little bland from time to time, so if that doesn’t grab your attention, I don’t know what will lol.
I stopped into 8 Chains North a few weeks back to see Ben, and while there was no dirt around, tasting through some of the barrels, these wines are great. I can’t wait for these wines to be released.
I say keep the tasting notes Ben lol.
April 20, 2011 at 9:26 am
Wow! Guess I should be more careful about e-interview responses at 11:30 at night! That being said, me (and my junk) are really happy with the 2010 malbec and petit verdot!
April 20, 2011 at 9:45 am
OMG…I can’t wait to get my dick knocked in the Dirt! Oh wait….I don’t have one! 😉 But seriously…. FANTASTIC Description…one my friends and I would use amongst ourselves, but have never heard from a winemaker.
Great Interview Ben! 🙂
April 20, 2011 at 9:52 am
GEG: No one-upmanship, Ben wins hand down. I might say some absurd things, but Ben completely wins this one. Most of what I say is a stupid slip of the tongue. That description takes wine and wine tasters into a whole new realm.
BTW, Ben, the Pride allotment for their Viognier and Syrah just came out. How much are you buying for me. I promise I will bring out our Syrah and you bring the Pride.
April 20, 2011 at 12:50 pm
Love the “dick in the dirt” description! As I am dickless, I would have to say knock my knockers in the dirt.
Would love to try the wine and knocked off my knockers!
April 20, 2011 at 1:35 pm
Jordan – honestly, I’m more worried about Andy. We’re working on follow-up questions so we can do a round two of G2KYW, and I’m now nervous about what he’s going to send.
Mel & Woogie – I think what this shows is that the first female winemaker who sends her stuff in (you know who you are, female winemakers for whom we’re still waiting!) has to come up with something pretty creative.
April 20, 2011 at 3:25 pm
On the other hand, I could find some guy named Dick, and drag him along and drag Dick’s dick in the dirt. Even better if he was a private detective.
That would be Dick Dick’s dick dragged in the dirt.
Now I need to get back to work.
My silly idiot quota for the day has been surpassed,
April 20, 2011 at 3:33 pm
GEG: Was the quote enough that Ben did not have to have anything in his picture? By looking at his picture it seems you may have even photoshoped a beer out if his hand.
April 20, 2011 at 5:33 pm
Great interview. The real question in my mind – is the tasting note accurate? I will have to reserve judgement until I taste.the wines but I am so looking forward to that day!
I also love the Underdog connection. That happens to be the exact pic I used for my facebook profile for a while a few months back.
Ed
April 20, 2011 at 8:39 pm
I’m really enjoying 8 Chains North wines after attending a tasting at Market Table Bistro. Tried the LoCo Vino on my husband, who was inclined at first to turn his nose up at it (not his sort of wine, he thought). Funny how he ended up marveling at how much he liked it afterall! Thanks Ben!
April 20, 2011 at 8:41 pm
And this…is why I love Ben! That and his wines are my favorites in the state. His simplicity and love for what he does shows in his products. I am so excited for the Malbec and all that is going on there!
April 21, 2011 at 6:05 pm
sounds like we need a malbec party at 8 Chains North!
April 21, 2011 at 9:07 pm
Sounds good to me but can you drink through those smiley face masks you guys wear?
April 21, 2011 at 10:17 pm
Straws are a wonderful thing. Fun fact: drinking booze with a straw gets you drunk faster. Drinking booze with a crazy straw makes you Charlie Sheen. #winning
April 21, 2011 at 10:30 pm
Malbec party? Count me in!
I thought I was one of the only ones out there that adores a great (or even a sort of good) Malbec!
April 22, 2011 at 7:53 pm
I used to have a saying – “I never met a Malbec I didn’t like.” Sadly, I have met a few in the past few months but I’m still a fan.
April 25, 2011 at 8:19 am
Jordan – as this late response attests, I’ve been buried at work. That’s the only reason Ben got off scot-free, There’s always round 2!
December 4, 2012 at 8:04 pm
I remember being treated to a tasting by Ben when I visited 8 Chains North on Easter Sunday. I got an education and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. 8 Chains North is one of my favorite wineries.