Too Busy for Virginia Wine? Grace Estate Winery is a Cause to Pause

May2

Cool breezes, crisp mountain air, Peach trees and Redbuds blooming, Dogwoods lacing the fringe of new Spring growth and we’re too busy to pause in the moment! One of the perks of living in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains is reveling in the natural beauty that surrounds us, unique to each season. We have celebrations and festivals competing for our time. So much to offer but our schedules demand our attention.

Last weekend, we made an appointment for ourselves…with each other! Bob and I headed out to take a peek at the most recent winery opening on the Appellation Trail, Grace Estate Winery, neighboring already established Stinson Vineyards and White Hall and just down the road apiece from Mountfair and Glass House wineries. If you judge someone by the company they keep, we have another winner in Western Albemarle County. Jake Busching, formerly known for bringing attention and awards to Pollak Vineyards, has taken Mount Juliet Farm and Grace Estate to a new height (be sure to check out the silo, speaking of height). His experience in farming and wine making goes back to Jefferson Vineyards, as well as Keswick and Horton. The fruit at Mount Juliet will be kept for local use in wine making, thus remaining true to the terroir (still have a hard time saying that word!).

For years, local Crozet and White Hall residents have driven past the mature vineyards at Mount Juliet Farm and now, we have access to enter the property and admire the vines up close. White varietals are Viognier, Chardonnay, Petit Manseng, Sauvignon Blanc, and Vidal; red varietals are Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Tannat, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Personally, I’m looking forward to Pinot Gris which are planned for the future! All of the wines are made from Grace Estate grapes and Jake plans on keeping it that way.

The winery, otherwise cleverly referred to as the Barnery is rustic and farmish, flanked by a large silo and now furnished with benches for casual reflection and sipping. The wines we tasted were all quite impressive, Bob really liked the Baril which is French for barrel and is a lighter hued Bordeaux blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Cabernet Franc and 20% Petit Verdot which belies the complexity and spice fruit flavors. I’m not embarrassed to admit that I still love Chardonnay and the 2011 was creamy with pear over tones but not oaky. I think the overall best wine was the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon and it appeared Jake was pleased with this result himself. The vintage was excellent and blending 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot was a masterful combination especially having been aged for 16 months in French Oak. Buy this!

Looking for something to do? Head west out Garth Road and visit Grace Estate and their lovely neighbor, Stinson Vineyards.

Grace Estate Winery Mount Juliet Farm 5273 Mount Juliet Farm Crozet, VA 22932 tel & fax: 434-823-5014 web: http://www.graceestatewinery.com

Ankida Ridge & Cross Keys Vineyards- Opposite Sides of the Appalachian Trail

Feb16

With one toe still wedged in the doorway between 2012 and 2013, I reluctantly find it is time to take down our beautiful Christmas tree (after all it is Valentine’s Day) and start a new year of wine blogging. My own mini-vacation, a touch of procrastination, added to an already busy early Spring real estate market; the days speed ahead and we approach March! I find drinking wine easy, hanging out at a winery listening to music with friends certainly no rough task, but describing it in print requires a little effort from the grey matter that is already tinted a touch purple.

Reflections of Winter 2012

We wrapped up 2012 with a memorable tree trimming Christmas Party at Ankida Ridge and a delightful note to end the year. The famed Pinot Noir that the Vroomans are already known for was served along with their newest label, Rockgarden Cellars.

Sourced from grapes grown in neighboring Virginia vineyards that have made the journey up 1800 feet to become “The Voyager Series,” and in keeping the French theme, we are calling this “green-style” spritzy white wine “Voyage (voy-AJH) de Vert” and the red blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc “Voyage de Rouge.” We really enjoyed the Rouge as well as the family style sing along and many, glass in hand, headed further up the mountain via a tractor-pulled hayride. Here’s a little snippet of Christine Vrooman’s talented niece, Jessie Rogowski, leading the carols:

Keep your eyes on this boutique winery in the Amherst region of Virginia. They have an active intimate wine club and visits to the winery are arranged by appointment or scheduled events, next one is St. Patrick’s Day 3/17.

Early 2013

For Valentine’s, our celebration was highlighted by opening a Port wine saved after a visit with friends to Cross Keys Vineyards. It lies a little south of Massanutten in the Shenandoah Valley in Mt. Crawford. Cross Keys commands a rather regal presence over the valley with its palatial architecture. A perfect locale for weddings and grand photo ops that would please any bride. Move over Kate Middleton

Cross Keys does an excellent job by teaming up with Massanutten Resort, the Shenadoah Park Hotels and local B&B’s to provide dining, tastings and special events for vacationers. We stepped in midway through a tour and due to the number of visitors, extracted ourselves up to the tasting room and beat the crowd. Aren’t we the clever ones! Typically, port style wines don’t intrigue me, but this 100% Touriga Nacional was so aromatic with dark cherry fragrance and a slight orange scent, I had to bring it home for my husband. Aged for two years in French and American Oak, garnet red in color, with a smooth round velvet mouth feel, I felt it the perfect choice to set the mood for a romantic evening.

Cheers to a happy and prosperous, healthy New Year!

Virginia Wine Lover Magazine Favorite Tasting Room Poll

Nov13

If you haven’t subscribed to Virginia Wine Lover Magazine, the holidays are a great time to sign up for this publication. It offers wine news, gift ideas, events and information about local wineries to share with your holiday guests.

According to Virginia Wine Lover , the results are in from the September poll asking readers to vote for their Favorite Virginia Winery Tasting Room. Some 3,000 responses accounted for the top 25 winners selected from Virginia’s 220 wineries with tasting rooms. Selections were made on the basis of Friendliness of Staff (39%), Attractiveness of Location (37%), Staff’s Knowledge of Wine (19%), Proximity (3%) and Price of Tasting (2%). Several of the wineries that are local to our Charlottesville area made the list.

Cooper Vineyards in Louisa County, midway between C-ville and Richmond, took top honors as favorite tasting room. Perfect! Planning our first trip there this weekend which also coincides with their Holiday Open House ( free tastings Sat. & Sun. 1-5). Many of you may already be familiar with Cooper Vineyards.They were selected for the Cooper staff friendliness, the architectural design of the tasting room and for their fine wines. Cooper Vineyards recently earned the coveted LEED Platinum certification( the highest standard) for excellence in “Green” building technology. They have one many awards already and their Noche dessert wine is extremely popular. Made with Norton grapes and infused with chocolate, Noche is a versatile wine. According to Cooper Vineyards, it has hints of black cherry and raspberry complement rich aromas of cocoa with a chocolate ganache finish. Great for sipping, drizzled as a chocolate sauce over ice cream or combined with nutella for a chocolate fondue. This wine is definitely on my shopping list for Thanksgiving. These recipes can be found on their website or on VWL’s site.

2nd place honors for best tasting room went to Early Mountain Vineyards. Agreed! This winery is a very popular spot, augmented with a most hospitable tasting room staff, offering select wines from the Commonwealth and an attention to detail to create a most enjoyable wine tasting experience. Located in southern Madison County, EMV has already established themselves as a TGIF spot and situated conveniently between NoVA and Charlottesville, a premier wine tasting destination. The event facility rivals Pippin Hill for country elegance and an exquisite wedding venue.

Prince Michel nabbed the 4th favorite tasting room for its Madison County location. Prince Michel was chosen as the exclusive winery to produce the official 250^thanniversary commemorative wine for this year-long celebration. The two wines chosen to pay tribute to this historic occasion are Prince Michel’s award winning Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Both wines are made from grapes grown in the Monticello appellation of Virginia. Embellished with the custom designed commemorative label, these wines will be available in over 200 locations around the area. They will also be available April 21 for tasting and purchase at the First Annual Monticello Wine Festival at the pavilion on Charlottesville’s downtown mall. Prince Michel also has a tasting room on Carter’s Mountain with beautiful vistas over Charlottesville extending down to Nelson County.

Barboursville Vineyards, Glass House Winery, Keswick Vineyards, Horton Vineyards, Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards and Pollak Vineyards made the top 20 tasting rooms in Virginia. Each winery is unique in its own right offering a little something different from the others. Barboursville for its history, longevity, and 5 star restaurant, Palladio, serving award-winning wines like Octagon and Nebbiolo. Glass House lends an atmosphere of the tropics with its glass conservatory and warm welcoming tasting room staff. Top that off with Michelle Sanders’ gourmet chocolates and you could wrap up Christmas gifts right there. Keswick Vineyards is a cozy tasting room in the heart of hunt country with a beautiful backdrop of historic plantations. With this many delightful wineries to choose from, it’s no wonder Charlottesville has become such a great weekend destination. I think you’ll need more than a couple of weekends to get a real taste of Thomas Jefferson’s wine country.

As a real estate agent, I’m finding more and more people choosing the Charlottesville area as their home. Parents who have adult children graduating from the University of Virginia are building homes here after becoming acquainted with all Central Virginia has to offer. The wine industry, education, the arts, temperate climate, health care and more are inspiring weekend visitors to purchase second homes within driving distance from New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. If you’re interested in viewing homes for sale in the area, please call or email to schedule a visit. We’d love to welcome you to Charlottesville!

Top Life Lessons I’ve Learned While Blogging

Sep28

It’s been two years now since I decided to start a blog. My first post was a sentimental post on the anniversary of my fathers passing. Now I’ve reached that point in time for reflection, analysis and renewal. The most frequent question that I get from people is Why? Why do you blog? And what really IS a blog? I started blogging as a creative outlet, a place to post pictures and to be perfectly honest, as a real estate agent, it was highly recommended for Search Engine Optimization. Oh…and of course, because it was an excuse to drink good wine =). Which I have certainly done. So, after two years, why do I continue to blog? I think it can be summed up in one word, Discovery.

Reflect and Write it Down

Basically, a blog is a computerized journal published to share with others. Many friends over the years have told me that they “journal”. I really didn’t understand why. Now I do. It is a release, an opportunity to be introspective and it also, as a bonus, enhances lazy verbal skills. I think one of the greatest benefits is the ability to read back what you have written and see the growth and progression in your life. Where you were, where you are and where you are headed. In Conclusion, this is a good venue for personal growth and I believe anyone can derive satisfaction from this type of effort. Discover yourself.

Find Your Passion!

Start with something you love doing and through it you’ll find your passion. I love wine, luscious grapes in any color, grapevines, clean air and being outdoors (unless I’m indoors by the crackling fire). But through visiting wineries and vineyards, I discovered a passion for photography. Now I want to develop that skill and learn everything I can about that!

Change up your Environment!

“Oh, the places you’ll go!” (Quote from my fav M.D., Dr. Seuss). We’ve had opportunities to visit some breathtaking vistas that we never would have seen sitting home watching NFL football on a Sunday afternoon. We’ve visited beautifully appointed tasting rooms, rusticly elegant wineries and sipped wine with friends on fabulous decks, patios and conservatories. So, I encourage you to get up, get moving, charge up your camera and discover this beautiful world we live in! It’s right there outside your front door.

The People You’ll Meet!

And when you finally set out to explore, discover, and find your passion; you’ll meet many interesting people that you never would have encountered. People with similar passions, different personalities, unique individuals from all walks of life. You’ve now broadened yourself and gifted yourself with new friends. A double discovery! And guess what? You continue to grow.

Final Lesson, It is the People that Matter the Most!

This year, it’s been six years since my father passed away. What have I discovered? That the faces in the pictures are more important than the most scenic landscape, waterfall or sunset. When you flip through a photo album, what to do you seek? The faces of loved ones. I’ve now come full circle because my father’s passions were people, travel and photography. Hmmm, I think know where it comes from and blogging helped me realize that….and that is why I continue to blog.

I love you Dad!

September 26, 1932 – September 14, 2006

Tricia

Pairing Oysters and Virginia Wines, A Winning Combination

Sep20

Great minds drink alike!

My husband and I recently had the pleasure of being invited to a mid-week patio dinner party. Hosted by Bill and Joyce Sykes, to christen their new stone patio and inspired by the quadrifecta (a term coined by Bill) of fabulous food, wine, friends and weather. We were accompanied by our camera buff and fellow oenophile friend, Paulette Musselman and joined by the Sykes’ award winning architect Fred Oesch, new friends Henry & Laverne Chandler and Two J’s Smokehouse’s, Joshua and Megan Ball. The common denominator was a fondness for excellent wine, bubbly, and support of the Wildlife Center of Virginia…oh, yes…and dining al fresco!

The wine that received a startling reaction was Chatham Vineyards Church Creek Chardonnay causing a simultaneous applause for best choice to kick off the evening. I’ve written about this wine before, having enjoyed it at least four different times at Early Mountain Vineyards. Apparently each of us had experienced this wine separately and unanimously found this Chardonnay to be the exception to most Chardonnays, having been fermented in steel tanks and resulting in a slightly creamy but crisp refreshing wine. Described as below by Chatham Vineyards:

100% Dijon clone 95/96 Chardonnay fermented and aged in stainless steel. With delicate hints of pear and green melon, crisp acidity and mineral elements, this unoaked Chardonnay, at a sensible 12.5% alcohol, recalls Burgundy more than Napa. This is a pure expression of the varietal and Eastern Shore terroir.

Excellent with oysters, clams, and seafood pairings. (Agreed!!)

The highlight on the menu was the magnum of Janisson & Fils Champagne brought back from a recent trip to France by the Sykes. I believe we all were a little greedy about refills We missed Claude Thibaut and wife Pamela Margaux at the party but savored the Thibaut-Janisson sparkling Cuvee’ d’ Etat Blanc de Blanc. Heavenly!

We’ve reached that “delicious” time of year in Virginia for pulling on a warm sweater, early leaf changes, football and fire pits. Why not grill some seafood and toast Autumn with a Virginia wine?

Sippin Into Sunset at Early Mountain Vineyards

Aug22

After a summer hiatus from blogging ( I didn’t realize how long it had been) I am renewed and refreshed and ready to go! I have written more blog posts about Early Mountain Vineyards lately than any other winery. There are several reasons for this and I’ll have one more before I set out to conquer the “tales of the 2012 harvest”.

One- Early Mountain Vineyards only recently opened after taking over Sweeley Estate Vineyards, an excellent winery that struggled to get established.
Two- EMV appears to be masters at marketing and giving patrons what they’re looking for in a winery experience.
Three- I have had a couple recent experiences there that could have been awkward and the staff at EMV made it anything BUT!

Lessons and Faux Pas

When you consider a wine tasting event, one envisions jewel hued wines poured by knowledgeable servers in rusticly elegant surroundings enhanced by a backdrop of grapevines and vibrant sunsets. The reality is that sometimes it’s rainy and outdoor patio seating is no longer an option. Note the following scenario…

On our most recent trip to EMV, the weather forecast was absolutely not in our favor. Our favorite vino amigos (vinigos?) had just moved back to C-ville and the last time we had been together was at the same winery under the former ownership. It was absolutely fitting to return together for the Sippin’ Into Sunset hosted weekly on Friday evenings. Armed with our best goodies, we headed to the winery anticipating our patio picnic listening to music. That evening the headliners was the acoustic trio, the Local Vocals: Mike Perfater, guitarist/vocalist and Cindy Perfater, former lead singer of the Houserockers band were joined by Pat Burns, also guitarist/vocalist formerly of the Kool Kats and City Lights.

Ironically, one of the Houserockers, Jeff Pugh and his wife Pam were the friends I just mentioned! A nice spontaneous reunion ensued for our friends and we decided to enjoy our picnic inside. Early Mountain provides the music, however, the musicians must perform inside and even though you can hear it on the patio, the sound is better indoors. We selected the center round table in front of the tasting bar and spread our feast, pouring two excellent wines. Sounds perfect, right?

Pam & Jeff Back in Town!

Not quite, my cheeks flushed and not as a result of the wine, it was quietly and politely called to our attention ( I’m not one for reading the fine print, or even regular print ) that picnics were reserved for the patio unless you were purchasing food from the winery. I take sole responsibility for the faux pas. Instead of asking us to relocate, we were very graciously allowed to remain at our primo spot and thus, had a wonderful time. The bonus, our friends from Ankida Ridge, Nathan Vrooman, Christine Vrooman and Rachel Stinson of Stinson Vineyards were pouring their 2011 Chardonnay and their fabulous Pinot Noir.

It never did rain, sunset was less than spectacular and guess what? Nobody cared! Also, the servers were knowledgeable and charming ( Margaret Prior) and the wine was excellent! We chose the Ankida Ridge 2011 Chardonnay and the Barboursville Nebbiolo. Thank you Early Mountain Vineyards for a memorable evening.

Helpful Hint: If the sunset and outdoor fire pits and fireplace are more important to you than the music you can choose the delicious fare at EMV or pack your own picnic. Otherwise, stay inside and leave your picnic basket at home

TOMORROW- Sip & Shop

Bring a friend or three and enjoy a complementary glass of sparkling wine while styling and shopping the latest accessories by jewelry designer Hyla DeWitt, experiencing Rochelle Behrens’ The Shirt firsthand, and picking up tips and tricks from Wardrobe Stylist and the founder of Spendalla Wardrobe Styling Wendy Pilch.

Urban Chic, a contemporary clothing boutique, first opened in Washington, DC’s posh Georgetown neighborhood in 2004. It is a mainstay of the DC-area fashion community, hosting trunk shows, supporting community organizations, and producing a full-scale fashion show/charity benefit in Baltimore each fall.

The entire team at Early Mountain Vineyards is excited to have Urban Chic and its dedicated team of fashion professionals bringing the very best of DC fashion and the latest fall trends to our corner of the world!

Designers featured at the event include: Shoshanna, Vince, Joie, Trina Turk, Rebecca Minkoff, Tibi, Autumn Cashmere, Citizens of Humanity, Seven for All Mankind, Paige Premium Denim, Rochelle Behrens, Hyla DeWitt

A Select Winery-Early Mountain Vineyards

Jun20

It appears that it’s all about “selection’ at Early Mountain Vineyards. A “select” staff, “select” wines, and “select” locally produced meats, cheeses and bread. Wrap that up with “select” furnishings and Central Virginia’s latest winery has a package to offer any celebration. From a romantic weekend picnic, a gathering of good friends on the back lawn around a flaming fire pit or a full-blown wedding-extraordinaire, former America Online (AOL) executives and present owners, Steve and Jean Case have the recipe for success…even down to the bubbles and games for the children!

Early History

According to EMV’s own press release, Revolutionary-war veteran Lt. Joseph Early, the first landowner of this property, learned of a stranger traveling through the region in search of shelter and sent word that the stranger was welcome in his home for the night, only to discover it was General George Washington, under whom he had served at Valley Forge. It is the same spirit of warm welcome and hospitality that is extended to those who come through the doors at Early Mountain. Keeping a commitment to local farms, the guest shop refrigerator case is stocked with items for a picnic including cheeses from Caromont Farm and Everona Dairy, goodies from Feast and more. Whimsical gifts for oenophiles are available for a spontaneous picnic.

Too cute!

Tastings

Barboursville, Breaux, Chatham, King Family, Linden and Thibaut-Janisson are the featured wines offered for tastings, as well as the Early Mountain wines. Wine selection will change periodically, offering the best of Virginia wines and will be regionally represented. I was totally enamored with the unique “flight carrier” and the stemware engraved with their logo. It’s all about light and glass and jewel-hued wines that make wine tasting so sensuous. The photos themselves reflect what I’m attempting to describe better than my limited adjectives. It was great to see the familiar faces of Margaret and Heather with their infectious smiles, pouring wine on opening day . Wine flights are poured into four glasses for comparison and it was really nice to go back and re-taste and re-evaluate our choices. We opted for an excellent 100 % steel creamy, smooth Church Creek Chardonnay from Chatham for our lunch and the Early Mountain Merlot to serve with Organic Butcher steaks for Fathers Day dinner.

Plans are underway to enhance the property outdoors with a wildflower garden, fruit trees and bocce ball. And the Celebration Hall and winemaker, Frantz Ventre’s vision is a whole ‘nother story. An excellent post to read more details about EMV can be found in Dave McIntyre’s blog and now, it’s 5:00 somewhere…

Fun Summer Events at DuCard Vineyards

May30

Recently a small group of friends have started a book club and our selections are leaning towards a wine mystery genre. Reading Ellen Crosby’s series has been fun, especially because the setting is right here in Virginia. The series begins with The Merlot Murders and has historical facts about Virginia interjected into the story line. References to Charlottesville and the scenic landscape of Loudoun County tempt you toward weekend excursions in both locales. For oenophiles, the detailed process of growing grapes and winemaking add to the romance and authenticity of the novels. It also can de-romanticize the process explaining the critical timing of each step to yield an excellent wine. This would be a fun event for Ellen Crosby and DuCard fans combining the elements of wine, scenery and intrigue. Saturday, July 7, 6:30: Murder in the Vineyards! It’s a Murder Mystery Dinner and Show at DuCard Vineyards! Can you solve the who-done-it mystery in the vineyard? Come enjoy dinner and the show by the Mystery Dinner Playhouse and see if you can sleuth your way to the answer better than Sherlock or your dinnermates. $69 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Limited seating, advance reservations required. This will be a truly unique experience that should not be missed! Call or email now (540-923-4206 540-923-4206 marty@ducardvineyardscom) to make your reservations today!

Two other events worth attending are the annual art show presented by the Firnew Farm Artists Circle on Sunday, June 10, 12-6: Also, the Tucker Hill Art Scholarship Award will be presented to a budding young local artist. Live music and nibbles will be on hand so come and enjoy the beauty of the mountains, local artisans, and DuCard wines.

Saturday and Sunday, June 16-17, 11-6: Father’s Day Weekend – cigar pairings and wine specials. This Father’s Day Weekend come enjoy cigar and wine pairings by Panacea Cigars on Saturday and live music on Sunday. Wine specials offered all weekend. Show Dad how to really enjoy the weekend!

Memorial Day Weekend Festivities at Virginia Wineries

May24

Planning something entertaining for family in town this coming weekend? Check out some of the featured events at Virginia wineries. Whether you have friends or family visiting for weddings, graduations or considering moving to our lovely Central Virginia; here are some excellent wineries to consider:

King Family Vineyards & Roseland Polo

Current Match Status: The 2012 season will begin on Sunday, May 27th.

Polo Player

This Sunday! Polo Season kicks off at King Family. This is an extremely well-attended event so you may want to arrive early. Check out King Family’s website for tips to enjoy the afternoon. Best Tip: Bring some form of umbrellas for shade! Polo matches are held every Sunday from Memorial Day weekend through mid-October, weather and field conditions permitting. Matches begin at 1:30 pm and typically last about 1 1/2 hours. Matches may be cancelled depending on field conditions, rain, excessive heat or any number of reasons.

May I recommend the lovely venue listed below- Afton Mountain Vineyard boasts beautiful views and soft breezes due to their location just below the mountain pass. With the large pavilion complete with ceiling fans and now with a bar to purchase wine, bring your picnic basket and head towards the Blue Ridge Mountains in northern Nelson County. Weather forecast says we’re going to be HOT this weekend.

Afton After Hours at Afton Mountain Vineyards

Live music from 6:30pm to 8:30pm featuring Eli Cook.
Glass and bottle sales only – no tastings.
Bring a chair, bring a picnic and blanket, and enjoy a beautiful evening in our beautiful vineyard setting! Light picnic fare available in the tasting house. (Inclement weather: music will be held under cover in our Pavilion!)

Glass House Memorial Day Weekend Tailgate Also, if you love tailgates, creativity and a fun crowd, head to Glass House and sharpen up your culinary and artistic flair for a winning wine weekend. YES! There are prizes and everyone wins just by virtue of a great time in the “Tropics of Free Union” This Sunday afternoon starting at 12 p.m. Reservations highly suggested.

Prizes Awarded For:
Best Display of ‘GHW Team Spirit’ (strong focus on GHW & GHW WINES)
Best Single Pairing Food With a Glass House Winery Wine
Best Indoor/Deck Spread (table set-up)
Best Outdoor Spread (car-tailgating set-up – B.Y.O.-grill)
Judging based on decoration/theme, food, entertainment, and overall spirit.
Prizes:
Winery tour for four with barrel tasting, 1 Bottle of GHW Wine,
1 GHW T-shirt, and 4 GHW etched logo glasses.
Two tickets to the June 12th “Taste This!” at the Boar’s Head Inn,
1 Bottle of GHW Wine, 1 GHW T-shirt, and 4 GHW etched logo glasses.
1 Bottle of GHW Wine, 1 GHW t-shirt, and 4 GHW can koozies.
1 Bottle of GHW Wine, 1 GHW t-shirt, and 4 GHW can koozies.
Questions?
Contact Linda Hahn, Events Director at events@glasshousewinery.comRESERVATIONS SUGGESTED:Email to Events@glasshousewinery.comInclude name, phone number, table size for indoor tailgate (4’x4’ or 4’x8’) or number of cars for outdoor (tent space available behind cars, byo-tent)

2012 Festival of Wines in Wintergreen, VA on May 26 and 27

On Saturday, May 26, Virginia wines will be featured, and on Sunday, May 27, international wines will take center stage. Celebrate the Memorial Day Weekend at Wintergreen Resort on the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Proceeds support the extensive performance and educational activities of Wintergreen Performing Arts.

Location: The Evans Center at Wintergreen Resort

Dates: Saturday, May 26, 2012 – Virginia Wines and Sunday, May 27, 2012 – International Wines

Time: Noon-5:30 pm both days

Ticket Price: $20 per day includes souvenir glass; Two-day pass: $35; food will be available for purchase

Phone: (434) 325-8292 or visit: www.wintergreenperformingarts.org

Email: info@wintergreenperformingarts.org

Saturday, May 26 only

Price: $20.00

Virginia Wine at Fridays After Five?

May1

Well, No.

Unfortunately, even though we have many excellent wineries practically in our own backyards, the event apparently calls for more wine than our local wineries can deliver. This issue has been on my mind for the last few years and I couldn’t stand it any longer. I feel like this is my “Norma Rae” moment (showing my age) and called the Ntelos Pavillion to plead my case. After a brief discussion with Kirby Hutto, the General Manager of Fridays After Five, I was informed very nicely that they would need a commitment of about 200 cases of wine to meet the demand. In Kirby’s defense, he would also love to see some Virginia wine represented at FAF as well. He also explained that it is not a profit center for the free event and some of the profit does go to charity. I have heard some of the same comments directly from some winery owners and they would have to trek their wine out on a weekend when they have their own events scheduled. There are no “bad guys” here, just wino victims. Hence, the following poll to get some of your feedback.

Still, I think there could be a compromise! With Virginia’s vineyards increasing at a rapid rate and some of the vineyards adding even more acreage, it seems like we could have a shared booth between two or three wineries each week with each winery allocating X number of cases spread out over the Summer. Such a shame! The beer drinkers get Starr Hill. Just seems like it is so wrong and when in C-ville we should be able to do as the C-villians do! Looks like 2012 will be another year of Yellow Blue Box ( it is organic though) in plastic cups.

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Too Busy for Virginia Wine? Grace Estate Winery is a Cause to Pause