ANY WAY YOU POUR IT
OUR PICKS FOR FOUR FAB WINE GLASSES
VIRGINIA FESTIVALS & EVENTS SEE OUR PICKS FOR WHAT’S GOING ON
SWEETS FOR THE SWEET
CHOCOLATE AND WINE PAIRS MIGHTY FINE
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GET WOWED IN WINCHESTER! HISTORY, HOSPITALITY AND HOT HAPPENINGS MAKE THIS SHENANDOAH VALLEY TOWN A WONDERFUL WINE LOVER’S WEEKEND ESCAPE.
Vino Value: DOES VIRGINIA WINE STAND OUT IN QUALITY AND COST WHEN COMPARED TO ITS COMPETITORS?
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GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE • INCREDIBLE SELECTION • LOWEST PRICES
Virginia’s Largest Selection of Wines Under One Roof— At the Lowest Prices!
The Best Wines on Earth. The Lowest Prices Anywhere. Total Wine & More is like no other wine store you have ever visited. Each of our stores carries over 8,000 different wines, 2,500 beers, and more. With nearly 70 superstores, we have the buying power to bring you the best wines at the lowest prices. Our wine team is the best trained in the industry. Just think of them as tour guides, guiding you through the great wine regions. They are committed and dedicated to bringing you the Total Wine Experience™.
MCLEAN | ALEXANDRIA | SPRINGFIELD | FAIRFAX | CHANTILLY STERLING | MANASSAS | FREDERICKSBURG | W. RICHMOND | S. RICHMOND www.totalwine.com
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NEWPORT NEWS | NORFOLK-GHENT | VIRGINIA BEACH | CHESAPEAKE
2/22/11 12:08 PM
11th
Annual
April 16-17, 2011 9 AM – 5 PM both days
Cost: Admission $15 per person (children 16 and under free) Where: On the South River in Waynesboro, VA Grand Prize Raffle Win a week’s fishing in Alaska at Alagnak Lodge sponsored by Hanover Fly Fishers Over $10,000 Gear Raffle VFFF Foundation Dinner Buffet $50 Over 70 Vendors Present
Festival Features
8 Virginia Wineries Free Wine Tasting Live Bluegrass Music Free Women’s Casting Class Paid Casting Classes Children’s Catch & Release Trout Pool See the latest 2011 model Subarus
Headline Speakers Lefty Kreh Bob Clouser Randy Hamilton Ed Jaworowski Beau Beasley Cory Routh Harry Robertson Tracey & Eric Stroup Wanda & Gary Taylor
www.vaflyfishingfestival.org www.matchthehatch.com • PIONEERS & LEGENDS VWL VA FLY FISHING 2_11.indd 3
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Contents | Feature
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Cost vs. Quality Is Virginia vino too pricey? Side by side, the commonwealth’s wine is standing out among tough competition when it comes to value. Article by Frank Morgan Q & A by Patrick Evans-Hylton
Special Sections & Supplements 9 Vino! Virginia 32 Great Getaways – Outstanding offerings across Virginia
Barrel room tasting at Jefferson Vineyards. Photo by Frank Morgan
49 Classifieds
Contents | Departments 6 Publisher’s Note
8 Editor’s Note
18 For the love of chocolate—
16 When Irish lips are smiling—classic
cuisine from the Emerald Isle is complemented with Virginia vino.
Winter Issue Popping the Cork
Quaff Quiz 8
Cork re port 11
try this at home 12
Quaff Quiz
Quaff Quiz
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Visit our website at www.virginiawinelover.com with your contact information and where you found the cork. On May 1, we will draw for five lucky winners!
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Jon wehner, second generation virginia wine grower, has great grapes on the eastern shore | By Patrick Evans-Hylton
on Wehner, owner and operator of Chatham Vineyards, looks out across his vineyard, growing in the sandy, loamy soil of the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Here on this narrow strip of land, with cross breezes from the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Chesapeake Bay to the west, Wehner grows wine grapes in the shadow of Chatham, a Federal-period brick house built in 1818 and along the tranquil shores of Church Creek. Wehner is a second generation Virginia wine grower; his mother and father planted a vineyard in Great Falls
in 1970. Wehner and his wife, Mills, started Chatham Vineyards in 1999 and have been growing grapes on Virginia’s Eastern Shore for more than a decade now with more than 32,000 French vinifera vines planted in a high density 20-acre vineyard. In addition to overseeing the growing, winemaking and sales at Chatham Vineyards, Wehner is also general management. Mills also works fulltime for the winery, and owns/manages Eastern Shore Classic Wines, the wholesale business the couple run to distribute their wines.
How do you tHink folks outside Virginia View tHe wine industry Here? Folks outside Virginia are curious about our state. I always find when I travel abroad or within the country that Virginia has a mystic appeal to it. Our ties to the old world, our agrarian history and our winemaking efforts beginning with Jamestown and Monticello have created this image. I think we need to continue our efforts to improve the quality of our wines overall, and to educate people outside the state. I feel fortunate to be operating in partnership with such strong state support from Governor and First Lady McDonnell, his administration, the Virginia Wine Marketing Office, and the Virginia Tourism Commission.
How would you reCoMMend soMeone learn More aBout wine? The best way to learn about wine is to taste. Visit tasting rooms and ask questions. Traveling is a great way to immerse yourself in wine culture.
wHat faCtors do you Consider in Pairing wine witH a disH? One of the most important factors is to pair the weight of the wine with the weight of the meal. Delicate reds should be paired with delicate food, heavier reds should be prepared with heavier food. Crisp whites should be paired with lighter more subtle cuisine.
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naMe tHree tHings folks sHould Consider wHen CHoosing a wine. When I choose a wine I first decide on red or white. I then think about wine styles, different wine regions, the food I am having and the friends that I am sharing it with. Also, weather is a huge factor. Crisp whites are wonderful during the summer whereas big reds are nice during the winter months. People’s eating habits change with the seasons. I look at price, I try to avoid the extremes of high and low. I hate to be disappointed. wHat are soMe of tHe Most rewarding asPeCts of your JoB and wHy? The most rewarding aspect of my job is getting wine into the bottle. Once it goes into the bottle, it becomes a time capsule of weather conditions, vineyard decisions and the people who worked endless hours making it expressive of the vintage and place.
wHat do you see as soMe of tHe Biggest CHallenges to tHe Virginia wine industry? The weather is certainly one of the biggest challenges. It is also what makes it so rewarding. I have never seen a perfect vineyard site, not in California or in France.
RSVP Chatham Vineyards 9232 Chatham Rd., Machipongo 757-678-5588
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SEASONINGS
Find the hidden “VWL” cork in this issue to enter a raffle for a free subscription to Virginia Wine Lover.
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15 Wine, dine and shop mighty fine
Campaign in Newport News.
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ACCOUTREMENTS
29 History Uncorked: The Peninsula
Cabernet Franc, Hume Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon.
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wines and incredible eats pair for a perfect wine tasting event.
50 Chester Gap Cellars
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BLOGGERS IMBIBE
www.chatham vineyards.net
do you HaVe a faVorite graPe (or two) grown in tHe state, and wHy? The flavor profile of Chardonnay and the ripeness and color of Petit Verdot are consistent in my vineyard, year after year, making them my favorites to grow. This is important when you are developing a brand and creating a following for specific wines. I also think Viognier has a lot of potential. wHat is tHe future of Virginia wine? The future of Virginia wine is huge. Virginia wine has come a long way in a short period of time. wHat do you tHink tHoMas Jefferson would tHink of Virginia wine today? I think Thomas Jefferson would be delighted. naMe tHree of your faVorite Virginia wines of tHe MoMent, and wHy. Wine not only reflects its place but also the quality of the people who make it. I have always admired Jim Law at Linden and Luca Paschina at Barboursville. They both produce wonderful wines and contribute to our industry by running a sustainable business. I have also been impressed with the winemaking talent of Matthieu Finot at King Family. I recently enjoyed his Meritage, the winner of the 2010 Governor’s Cup. VWL
PHOTO BY DAVID UHRIN
wine-related news.
hospitality and hot happenings make this Shenandoah Valley town a perfect weekend escape.
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24 Wonderful Winchester—history,
44 Wine events
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their experiences traversing the Virginia countryside.
A FORK & THE ROAD
42 Winery list
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entrepreneurial spirit and Virginia wine and blends a delicious experience for wine lovers.
40 Winery map
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POPPING THE CORK
10 Quaff Quiz – Alex Papajohn takes
GRAPEVINE
delicious things happen when the food of the gods mix with wine.
Find The Cork
A PERFECT PAIR
Quaff Quaff Quiz Quiz talks talks wine wine with with folks folks who who make, make, promote, promote, sell sell and and drink drink Virginia Virginia vino. vino.
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A great place to start and end every evening, Lemaire’s new chic bar offers a specialty cocktail menu that features seasonal drinks and modern twists on classic favorites. Stop by and experience it for yourself. Oh, and lose the tie. It’s time to loosen up.
101 W E S T F R A N K L I N S T R E E T, R I C H M O N D I N T H E J E FFE RSO N H OT E L
Bar opens at 4 pm with a bar menu available until midnight. No reservations needed; just walk in, sit down and have a drink.
Free valet and self-parking available. For more information, call 804-649-4629 or visit our website at lemairerestaurant.com. JEF7803-VaWine_7.125x4.656.indd 1
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The Original, the Star, where it all started
Can we talk Wine & Romance?
For the Wine Geek in you.
6190 Georgetown Road Broad Run, VA 20137 540.347.3475 PearmundCellars.com
4970 Antioch Road Haymarket, VA 20169 703.753.9360 WineryatLaGrange.com
7150 Lineweaver Road Vint Hill, VA 20187 703.991.0191 VintHillCraftWinery.com
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Publisher’s Note Exciting Times
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Taste wines at 4 wineries for an exceptional value of $10!
his is really an exciting time at Virginia Wine Lover magazine. This spring issue kicks off the voting for our first annual Reader’s Choice Awards. This is where you get to decide what are the best Virginia wines, Virginia wineries, wine getaways and much more. With more than 60 categories, you will be able to select everything from your favorite regional wine to the best cheese shop in Virginia and Virginia’s best winery dog. Of course, you don’t have to vote in all categories. Vote in as few or as many categories as you’d like, but you can only vote once. Your vote counts because this is about you and your favorites. You can encourage friends and family to vote for their favorites as well. It’s as simple as logging on to www.virginiawinelover. com/bestof for you and your friends to cast your vote. We’ll be presenting the winners in the upcoming summer issue as our primary feature. Typically these “Best Of” issues quickly become a reader’s favorite, and we look forward to presenting Virginia Wine Lover’s to you. As I write this note, I also just learned that Senate Bill 1292, sponsored by Senator Jeffrey McWaters of Virginia Beach, just passed the Virginia House of Delegates by a resounding majority (78 to 18). This bill, if signed into law, will permit restaurants the option of allowing patrons to bring in their own bottle of wine. There are differing and opposing views on this bill but hopefully it will be a boost for the Virginia wine industry as many restaurants currently have a limited (if any) offering of Virginia wines. Now, the next step. Why not make all Virginia wines tax-free during Virginia Wine Month (October)? Can you imagine the retail and restaurant promotions that would get behind this? What a boost for the industry. Certainly would be worth a close look to weigh the long-term benefit to Virginia versus the short term loss of tax revenue. I hope you enjoy this issue of Virginia Wine Lover and please, cast your vote today!
Best Of
If a picture is worth a thousand words, visit our website and become speechless!
Readers’Choice
Awards
Cheers!
Enjoy our fine wines and our 134 acre grounds
Molliver Vineyards & Winery www.molliver-vineyards.com
Randy Thompson Publisher
(434) 349-1000 6 SPRING 2011 n Virginia Wine Lover
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Best Of Readers’Choice
Awards
Which Meritage holds the most merit? Which Norton never ceases to knock your socks off? What is the hippest, greenest or most romantic Virginia Winery? And what Wine Festival is marked on your calendar months in advance? With nearly 200 wineries in Virginia, we figured it was high time we gather together a list of the BEST of the Virginia wine industry. And there’s no one better to ask than YOU, the Virginia Wine Lover! Winners will be published in the upcoming Summer 2011 issue of Virginia Wine Lover Magazine, and polls close on April 15, so… VOTE NOW!
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Editor's Note
VOLUME 4
ISSUE 1
What’s the best Virginia wine? You tell me 1264 Perimeter Parkway Virginia Beach, Virginia 23454 757-422-8979 www.VirginiaWineLover.com
“What’s the best Merlot?” “Can you recommend a good sparkling wine?” “Where is your favorite winery?” “Can you tell me a good winery tour company?” I get questions like these all the time, and it’s very flattering. It’s a great job as executive editor for Virginia Wine Lover magazine because I do get to attend a number of festivals and special events, visit some wonderful wineries and drink some delicious wine. It’s awesome to have the experiences that I do, and I am always happy to share what I know; you read many of my wine pairings and travel suggestions not only in the pages of the magazine, but also in our free weekly e-newsletter (which, if you don’t already subscribe to, I highly suggest you do). But we all have differing opinions from time-to-time, and I love to turn the questions back on the folks who ask me to hear what they think. Sometimes they tell me about a wine that I’ve not tried, or one that I haven’t tasted in a while. Sometimes they mention a winery that I haven’t made it to just yet, or a wine shop that wasn’t on my radar screen. That’s one reason I am so excited about something new we are doing here at VWL—our first-ever reader’s choice for Best Of. And best of what? You tell us—the best Virginia wine, the best wine dog, the best winemaker, the best winery, the best place for a girlfriends getaway, the best restaurant with a Virginia-centric wine list, the best bed & breakfast, the best festival—and more. Right now you can go to our website, www.virginiawinelover.com/bestof, and voice your opinion. The Best Of competition is open to all Virginia wines, wineries, wine shops and the like; everyone has a shot. You can only vote once, so make it count—but do tell all your friends about it. Best of all, one lucky voter will be picked to wine a wine weekend getaway. Voting ends April 15, and all the Best Of winners will be published in our summer issue. I hope to hear from each of you!
Publisher Randy Thompson Editor-in-Chief Melissa M. Stewart Executive Editor Patrick Evans-Hylton Web Editor Ashley Schafer Associate Editor Angela Blue Contributing Writers John Hagarty, Frank Morgan Art Director David Uhrin Associate Art Director Matt Haddaway Production Manager Kathleen Thibault Contributing Designers K. Thibault Director of Photography Jim Pile Contributing Photographers Patrick Evans-Hylton, David Uhrin Photo Editor James Miller Vice President of Sales & Distribution Paul Brannock Sales Manager Jay Bellamy
Cheers!
Account Executives Christie Berry, Jack Butka, Elizabeth Cummings, Sandy Godwin, Laura Hebert, Kevin Rose, Brenda Whitlow Sales Coordinator Tracy Thompson Circulation Manager George Carter
Patrick Evans-Hylton patrick@virginiawinelover.com
Circulation Marketing Coordinator Brittany Monroe Special Events & Style Coordinator Pamela Hopkins Virginia Wine Lover is published by
A destination as unique as the wines crafted here.
www.VGnet.com Controller Anita Burns Production Manager Robin Cather IT Director Mark Hall Accounts Receivable Margaret Hawkins Web Creative Director Christine Murphy Publisher's Assistant Sheila Wood Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content without permission is prohibited. Opinions in the magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent management views.
wytheville virginia www.visitwytheville.com • Free Visitors Guide call 877-347-8307 • cvb@wytheville.org
VIRGINIA WINERIES ASSOCIATION
Celebrating the good life
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SP E CI AL
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THE VIRGINIA WINE INDUSTRY SALUTES VINO! VIRGINIA
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irginia now proudly boasts almost 150 wineries, producing quality quaffs that are gaining a well-deserved national and international reputation. Increasingly, restaurants throughout Virginia are featuring these wines and offering selections not only by the bottle but also by the glass as a means of introducing even more folks to our world-class vintages. The following restaurants all offer Virginia wine(s) by the glass, and Virginia Wine Lover magazine invites you to stop by one of these fine establishments and raise a glass – or two – to our wine industry.
NORTHERN REGION
Restaurant 3 Arlington
Bilbo Baggins Restaurant Alexandria
Stardust Alexandria Tempo Restaurant Alexandria
Brass Cannon Restaurant Gainesville
The Red Fox Inn Middleburg
Café Torino Warrenton
The Wine Kitchen Leesburg
Fire Works Pizza Leesburg Flemings Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar McLean Goodstone Inn & Estate Middlebrug
The Jefferson Hotel Lemaire, T.J.’s Richmond
CENTRAL REGION
The Melting Pot Richmond
Aberdeen Barn of Charlottesville Charlottesville
Jackson 20 Alexandria
Madigan’s Waterfront Historic Occoquan Magnolias at the Mill Purcellville
ino! irginia
Ramparts Restaurant Alexandria serves Virginia win oudly t pr es by ran the tau s e
ss gla
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Charleys Waterfront Café and Wine Bar Farmville Depot Grille Lynchburg
Downtown Grille Charlottesville
Lightfoot Restaurant Leesburg
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Palladio Restaurant, Barboursville Vineyards Barboursville
Dish Lynchburg
Lansdowne Resort Leesburg
Recognition Award from
virgi niawinelover.com
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South River Restaurant & Wine Shop Waynesboro
Tuscarora Mill Restaurant Leesburg
Harry's Tap Room Arlington
Hunter’s Head Tavern Upperville
Siips Wine & Champange Bar Charlottesville
Thornton River Grille Sperryville
The II Georges Inn Danville
Historic Cedar Knoll Inn Restaurant Alexandria
Restaurant Pomme Gordonsville
The Dining Room at Berkley Hotel Richmond
Griffin Tavern Flint Hill
Hidden Horse Tavern Middleburg
Outer Banks Seafood Company Midlothian
Edible Garden Richmond Hamiltons’ at First & Main Charlottesville Hunter’s Head Tavern Upperville Keswick Hall Keswick Main St. Eatery and Catering Company Lynchburg Mangia Lynchburg Maxine’s Fine Dining at The Manor Resort Farmville
The Pointe at the Omni Charlottesville Hotel Charlottesville The White Hart Café Lynchburg WESTERN REGION Oddfella’s Cantina Floyd Zeppolis Inc. Blacksburg EASTERN REGION Abbey Road Pub & Restaurant Virginia Beach Aberdeen Barn of Virginia Beach Virginia Beach Angelo’s By The Sea Virginia Beach Berret’s Seafood Restaurant Williamsburg Bistro 515 at Holiday Inn & Suites Williamsburg Blue Talon Bistro Williamsburg Brutti’s Portsmouth
Café Provencal Williamsburg Catch 31 Virginia Beach Deja Blu Virginia Beach Fin Newport News
Restaurant owners
Gabriel Archer Tavern Williamsburg
and sommeliers:
Little Italy Ristorante Nassawadox
do you offer Virginia
Lynnhaven Fish House Virginia Beach
wine by the glass, too?
Mahi Mah’s Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Saloon Virginia Beach
Let us know! Contact Tracy at
Montgomery Grill Portsmouth
tthompson@
Outer Banks Seafood Company Virginia Beach
virginiawine lover.com
Passion the Restaurant Chesapeake Riverstone Chophouse N. Suffolk Riverwalk Yorktown Rockafeller’s Restaurant Virginia Beach Salacia – Prime Steaks and Seafood Virginia Beach Sonoma Wine Bar & Bistro Va Beach Schlesinger’s Newport News Smithfield Station Smithfield Surf Club Virginia Beach Swan Terrace at The Founders Inn & Spa Virginia Beach
The City Dock Restaurant at Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Norfolk The Trellis Restaurant Williamsburg Tradewinds at the Virginia Beach Resort Hotel Virginia Beach Vintage Kitchen Norfolk Vintage Tavern Suffolk Waterman’s Surfside Grille Virginia Beach Williamsburg Lodge Restaurant Williamsburg SHENANDOAH REGION
Buon Amici Williamsburg
Sweet Madeline's Cafe & Catering Hayes
One Block West Winchester
Burton’s Grill Virginia Beach
The Boxwood Inn Newport News
Staunton Grocery Staunton
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lex Papajohn is riding the wave of Virginia wine interest but in a different way; his Richmond-based company, Variant Events, specializes in producing major trade and consumer wine shows, among them the Virginia Wine Expo held each winter in Richmond. “I come from a very entrepreneurial family,” says Papajohn. “My grandfather was a dirtpoor Greek immigrant who became a classic American success story because of his hard work, risk-taking and street smarts. My father, too, was an entrepreneur, who became highly successful as well. “Both of them started with an idea—a vision—and then worked like the dickens to take that idea and make it into a reality. The challenge of starting a company from scratch and building it into a real, profitable, enduring entity is very exciting and rewarding. However, the most rewarding aspect of my job is watching as thousands of attendees pour into an event and have the time of their lives. I always get a rush when that happens.” Between planning and executing his company’s successful events, like the Virginia Wine Expo, Richmond International Wine Excursion, National Wine Experience and Monticello Wine Experience, Papajohn took time to talk Virginia vino with us: HOW DO YOU THINK FOLKS OUTSIDE VIRGINIA VIEW THE WINE INDUSTRY HERE? There is a growing respect for Virginia wine. I talk with winery owners across the country and many of them express an interest in Virginia wine, although, more often than not, it’s based on what they’ve heard and not on what they’ve tasted. If the Virginia wine industry wants to enhance its image further, it needs to get its 10 SPRING 2011 n Virginia Wine Lover
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WHAT DO YOU SEE AS SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES TO THE VIRGINIA WINE INDUSTRY? I’m a political and business news junkie and love analyzing business problems, so this question really got me thinking. The
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with regard to Virginia wine. major challenges facing First, tasting Virginia’s efforts to brand its the Virginia wine indusas much wine wine seem to focus on Virginia try are competition, creas possible is wine month (October) and ating a unique position in the marketplace that dis- essential, especially are tied closely to Virginia if you can do it with Tourism’s marketing campaign. tinguishes Virginia wine This is a good start, but it is from wine outside of the friends who are not good enough. Virginia state, improving quality, trying to learn wine needs to market its brand gaining more national along with you. all year long in print, billboard, and international attention, increasing production and increasing online and other media. market share in Virginia. I could write a dissertation on all of the nuances associDO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE GRAPE (OR ated with these challenges. TWO) GROWN IN THE STATE, AND WHY? Virginia will never be able to make I really enjoy Viognier and Cabernet its reputation on the production of masFranc. Viognier has such a rich, arosive quantities of average-to-good wine. matic, lush and fresh nose. It’s really Instead, the industry’s agenda needs to luscious juice. Cabernet Franc has focus on quality over quantity. [That that earthy richness which I crave. It said, Virginia still must do what it can to expresses the soil in which the vine has encourage greater production. One way grown and I really like that. Yum! to do this is for the state to offer wineries low-interest loans to expand their NAME THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE acreage under vine.] Increased research VIRGINIA WINES OF THE MOMENT and the dissemination of information AND WHY. gleaned from such research will help. This is a tough question. Enjoying Virginia needs to set up an independent wine is both a personal and group expeboard, which should establish industry rience for me. Tasting the wine is per(quality) standards for the Virginia wine sonal, but enjoying it is a both a personal industry. Wineries that meet or exceed and social experience, since I usually the standards set by this board would drink wine with friends. receive a designation attesting to this One of my favorite Virginia wines “of achievement. Wineries that don’t meet the moment” is the Lovingston Winery those industry standards will not receive 2009 Cabernet Franc. When one considthe designation. ers the price ($14 on Lovingston’s webIncreasing market share in Virginia site and less at some wine shops), it’s a should be a priority as well. Above steal. It’s medium-to-full bodied, has and beyond increasing quality, that trademark earthy flavor profile the key is to motivate wine and tastes delicious. RSVP retailers to highlight and recAlso, I really enjoyed the www. ommend Virginia wine. Go King Family Chardonnay 2009. VariantEvents into virtually any wine store I visited the winery recently .com and ask for a great bottle of with friends and was extremely wine, no matter what the varietal. impressed with this wine because Ninety eight times out of 100 the proit was so rich and well balanced. What prietor will not recommend a Virginia impressed me was that the oak-aging wine. The shop owner is the crucial was not overdone, but, instead, was very intermediary between the wine and well integrated, so that the fruit domithe consumer. Persuading that owner nated the palate while the oak influences to start recommending Virginia wine added a subtle complement. is vitally important. The Virginia wine Finally, I continue to be impressed by industry needs to invite wine retailers the entire portfolio of wines crafted at from around the state to special tastings Barboursville Vineyards. This winery and seminars to get them more enthusiimpresses me with their quality and astic about Virgina wine. consistency and their price points are Virginia must establish more of an reasonable as well. VWL identity in the mind of the consumer —PEH
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HOW WOULD YOU RECOMMEND SOMEONE LEARN ABOUT WINE? I have several recommendations. First, tasting as much wine as possible is essential, especially if you can do it with friends who are trying to learn along with you. But, I would take it a few steps further. My eureka moment when it came to discovering wine was when I went to my first wine festival. Before then, I had little idea that different grape varietals actually could taste so different. And I was also surprised at how the same grape varietal— Chardonnay, for instance—could vary so much in its flavor profile depending on the winery. So, go to as many wine festivals as you can! If you really want to understand the difference between a cheap $5 bottle of wine and an excellent $25 bottle, then you must taste a “flight” of wines. A flight of wines is a head-to-head comparison of the same grape varietal, one right after the other. Once you taste a $5 bottle of wine, then a $10 bottle, and then a $15 and $25 bottle of the same grape varietal—say a Cabernet Franc— I’m confident the experience will open your eyes and you’ll really understand the difference between a quality bottle of wine and a low-quality one. Trust me, try this out—you and your friends will be astounded!
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wine into the mouths of more consumers and the trade outside of the state. Also, the industry needs to continue to work hard to get its wines into the hands of the media and push for stories about Virginia wine and culinary tourism. The industry must continue to aggressively improve quality, including the creation of an advisory service that will enable wineries with fewer resources to get free advice on cultivating, harvesting and making their wine. Virginia’s wine production is so small that even a handful of low-quality wineries will have a significant impact on how wine in the state is perceived.
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Tasting notes
Some favorites from Cathie Carlson
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Three wineries make for one terrific birthday Editor’s note: This issue we are starting a new occasional column, Field Report, for readers to share their experiences traversing the Virginia countryside, exploring wineries and all that the state has to offer.
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n this Field Report, Virginia Beach resident Cathie Carlson chronicles a recent trip through central Virginia with family and friends to celebrate a milestone birthday. Part of this article originally appeared on Cathie’s blog at http:// magicmarkingsart. blogspot.com/ A weekend getaway to a few vineyards in Virginia with my spouse and four great friends for a 50th birthday celebration was a fabulous way to unwind, reconnect, drink wonderful wines, eat well and have fun together. The wife of “ birthday boy” set up our wine tour in central Virginia, rented a limo and surprised her husband with an additional guest—their son, who is attending school in the area and one of the main reasons for celebrating in
this part of Virginia. Some wineries were favorites of the birthday couple and some chosen after watching the documentary Vintage: The Winemakers Year, a new film about the Virginia wine industry— specifically the Monticello wine region in central Virginia—that traced the 2008 vintage from winter pruning through harvest. Considering these two factors, our first stop was to the Kluge Estate Winery Vineyard. Our next stop was right up the road at Veritas Winery, a family owned business that opened in June 2002. Although their name derives from the Roman historian Pliny the Elder’s observation “In Vino Veritas,” meaning “In Wine There Is Truth,” they believe that the truth in their wine is in their grapes.
At Veritas the setting is idyllic with gorgeous views, a great outdoor deck, and visitors are welcome to bring their own picnic foods. Our hostess’ had prepared a full spread which was artfully arranged on a table and devoured with great gusto and appreciation. Our next—and last stop—was to Afton Mountain Vineyards, one of Virginia’s pioneer farm wineries with their oldest vines dating from the 1970s. There was a cancellation for their small group tastings which take place in their tasting house boardroom, so we were able to slide right in for a wee sip and a very small lesson on their vintages. After a day of celebrating, toasting, noshing and fun it was time to hop back in the limo for a leisurely ride home and a little nap and walk before a birthday dinner at The Ivy Inn Restaurant. —Cathie Carlson
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of minerality and balanced acidity. Cabernet Franc Reserve – ripe black cherry, cassis and hints of black pepper dominate the flavor with undertones of red currant and plum. The 18-month maturation time in French oak adds complexity in the form of caramel and vanilla. The wine has an elegant mouth feel with well integrated tannins and a long balanced finish. From Afton Mountain Vineyards: Afton Petit Verdot – this 2009 dry red has subtle tannins, big dark fruit and black pepper. It is ready for drinking now but is suitable for aging as well. One hundred percent Petit Verdot, a Bordeaux varietal typically used for blending but gaining favor as Virginia’s best red.
Do you have a Virginia wine adventure tale to tell? Email the details and photographs to: patrick@virginiawinelover.com 12 SPRING 2011 n Virginia Wine Lover
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A Circuit Through Central Virginia
Saddleback Chardonnay – the nose is clean, showing aromas of ripe apples, honeydew melon and quince. The palate is mediumbodied, layered with ripe tree fruits and the soft impressions of toast and spice from oak aging … [it] Afton Pinot Verdot finishes with and vineyards. a backbone
WINERIES UNLIMITED
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A celebration of Virginia wine comes up in midMarch with the Virginia Wine Marketing Office’s Love By The Glass: Virginia Wine Week. The event, which promotes restaurants that sell at least three Virginia wines by the glass and retailers who sell at least three Virginia wines by the bottle takes place March 18 through 27. Look for specials during the week from restaurant and retail partners. More information: www.virginiawine.org
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Wineries Unlimited, the second largest vineyard and winery conference and trade show in North America, is moving to the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond after a 34-year run in eastern Pennsylvania. Wineries Unlimited 2011 is scheduled for March 29–April 1, a period that is approximately three weeks later in the season than recent shows. Organizers say the new venue offers several advantages while the more southerly location and later dates are expected to provide better weather conditions for attendees traveling from other states. Wineries Unlimited has been produced by the wine trade publication Vineyard & Winery Management since 1976. Notable speakers include Jim Trezise, president of New York Wine & Grape Foundation, and Todd Haymore, Virginia secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. Trezise will be the featured guest at the Keynote Speaker Lunch on March 31 and will discuss the current state of the U.S. wine industry during his presentation of
“American Wine Industry Growth: Opportunities and Challenges.” Haymore will elaborate on Gov. Bob McDonnell’s vision and work to expand the domestic and global marketplace for Virginia wines and to make Virginia the premier wine destination on the East Coast. Haymore will be the featured guest speaker following the governor’s welcoming comments at Best of the East Grand Gala on March 30. The event also includes workshops and networking opportunities. The 2010 conference, held in suburban Philadelphia, drew some 2,300 folks from 30 states, Washington, D.C. and four Canadian provinces. Virginia is estimated to benefit with more than $1.5 million in new revenue. More information: www.wineriesunlimited.com
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Popping the Cork Cork Report
WINERIES – APPLY FOR THE VWL WINE CLASSIC
Virginia Wine Lover magazine invites Virginia wineries to apply for the fourth annual Virginia Wine Lover Wine Classic, a celebration of vintages from across the state. The contest is judged by authoritative members of the wine community in a controlled, blind tasting. All awards are announced in the Fall 2011 issue of Virginia Wine Lover magazine. Details and registration can be found on the magazine’s website. The deadline for applying is May 16. More information: 2011 www.virginiawinelover.com/ wineclassic —PEH Do you have wine news to share? Email to: patrick@virginiawinelover.com
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Popping the Cork Try This At Home
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Picks O Editor’s for Spring 2011 Go to www.virginiawinelover.com for winemaker and cooking videos of these featured pairings and more:
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Corcoran 2009 Cabernet Franc
Paired with Grass Fed Szchuan Beef Stirfry featuring Gryffon Aerie beef, Dave & Dee oyster mushrooms and Hanover tomatoes
Corcoran
Fox Meadow
Sunset Hills
Drink—And Eat—What You Like Wonderful wines and incredible eats pair for a perfect wine tasting evening
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And what to enjoy with your wine? We’ve paired exclusive recipes with our Editor’s Picks and created cooking videos with step-by-step instructions—look for a link on our website for these. Our recipes are developed by VWL executive chef Patrick Evans-Hylton, a Johnson & Wales Universitytrained culinarian. The most important thing to remember is to drink—and eat—what you enjoy: these are just suggestions. The next most important thing to remember is to send o in your photos and results A t H of your at-home wine tasting, using our party-planning tools found on the Virginia Wine Lover website. VWL
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ur “Try This At Home” column encourages wine lovers to host tastings in their home and report their findings to us. Enthusiasts of all levels can participate— we give you the tools you need for a successful vino venue at our website, www. virginiawinelover.com Where to start? How about with a tasting of your favorite Virginia wines coordinated in a theme. Maybe taste all Meritage blends or all Chardonnays or Th wines from the Eastern is Shore; below, we offer some wines to get you started and even have posted video interviews on our website with winemakers to tell you a little more about their vintages.
—PEH
Hosting a Virginia Wine Lover wine tasting party at home is easy: 1. Go to www.virginiawinelover. com and download our free, exclusive guidelines. You’ll find wine selection and serving tips, party planning ideas, food pairing guidelines, and easy-to-follow judging sheets for everyone at your party. It couldn’t be easier!
2. Host your party, have fun, and take lots of pictures. Gather your judging sheets from everyone in attendance at the end of the evening; just by participating, you and all your friends will be signed up for our free Virginia Wine Lover e-newsletter featuring exclusive content like wine tips, recipes and giveaways.
3. Send your photos and wine tasting results to us; we’ll post the results on our website and, once per issue of Virginia Wine Lover magazine, we’ll feature a party in print—with everyone in attendance winning a free one-year subscription to the publication.
Winemaker tasting notes: “… This Bordeaux grape is fruitier and lighter than its offspring, Cabernet Sauvignon. Our 100 percent Cabernet Franc wine is showing typical dark cherry and raspberry fruit flavors balanced with hints of spicy black pepper. With its mild tannins, this is excellent to pair with grilled beef and stronger tasting vegetables such as roasted eggplant.”
Fox Meadow 2007 Les Renard Rouge
Paired with Whiskey & Cider-Glazed Steak Tips Winemaker tasting notes: “Plush but tight raspberry, wild berry and crushed red plum layer the nose while flirting with a slight toasty oak aroma. A palate of expansive boysenberry glides across fine-grained gentle tannins. Beautiful, layered fruitdriven and marvelous.”
Sunset Hills 2009 Viognier
Paired with Virginia-style Crabcakes Winemaker tasting notes: “[Aromatics on the nose] are apricot, grapefruit, crème brulee and a candied ripe melon. This Viognier is higher in acid than our previous years, giving it a deeper complexity and balance between the thickness of body and spiciness of finis, and allowing for more fulfilling food parings.”
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Raise A Glass Functional, fun or a little of both, wine glasses (1) The GOVINO GLASS (www.govinowine.com) from Olde Dominion Wine Shoppe in Occoquan is made from a food safe polymer but looks and performs like crystal. Featuring a thumb indention for easy handling, the GoVino glass is recyclable and reusable; we picked ours up at the Olde Dominion Wine Shoppe in Occoquan (www.olddominionwine.com) for $3 each or $11.50 for a set of 4.
(2) Bold, yet delicate floralinspired designs accent hand-painted glasses from Richmond artist WENDY LINDNER, who began painting glassware in 2001 as original Christmas presents for family and friends. Having successfully battled breast cancer, 10 percent of the proceeds of glass sales benefit the Virginia Beast Cancer Foundation. We grabbed our glasses at Turkish Star in Charlottesville (www.turkishstar.net) for $14.95 each.
(3) Designed as much as a conversation piece as a vessel for wine enjoyment, the Rewine Designs REDNEK WINE GLASS (www.rewinedesigns.com) is a canning jar atop a wine stem. Complete with lid, at least you’ll never spill your wine at crowded festivals. Available at a number of Virginia locations, ours comes from Mattaponi Winery in Spotsylvania (www.mattaponiwinery.com.) $16.98.
(4) These Slovenian DORSET WHITE WINE GLASSES feature hand-cut fluting that not only captures and reflects light, but also makes them perfect for serving white wine. Their brilliant clarity and balance comes from the 24 percent lead crystal. A set of two came from WilliamsSonoma (www.williamssonoma.com) for $56. —PEH
Gourmet/wine/lifestyle retailers – have a product that enhances the Virginia wine experience? Find out how to highlight it here; email patrick@virginiawinelover.com www.VirginiaWineLover.com n SPRING 2011
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When Irish Lips Are Smiling
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Words and Food Styling by Patrick Evans-Hylton | Photo by Jim Pile
Classic cuisine from the Emerald Isle is complemented by Virginia vino
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Get VWL Executive Editor Patrick Evans-Hylton’s lamb stew recipe on our website, www.virginiawinelover.com 16 spring 2011 n Virginia Wine Lover
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Irish cuisine is flavored
with the foods and foodways of the island nation; the earth and climate offer an assortment of root and green vegetables, like potatoes, onions, carrots, cabbage and kale. The abundance of dairy gives the cooking style rich butter and cheese. Surrounded by the sea, fish and shellfish are plentiful, and pastoral lands give beef, lamb, mutton and poultry. Grains, like wheat, oats and barley, are also found. Many Irish dishes are widely popular in America, especially around St. Patrick’s Day, including Corned Beef and Cabbage, Bangers and Mash, and Lamb Stew. Simple preparation, straight-forward presentation, and rich and hearty flavors and textures have universal appeal. Although many folks think of raising a glass of beer to these plates, we offer our suggestions for pairing some of the classic offerings with Virginia wine:
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CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE
The dish: Corned beef, cabbage wedges and occasionally other sliced root vegetables, such as carrots or parsnips, boiled and served with a mustard or horseradish sauce. The wine: Too-bold a red would overpower this classic dish, both in flavors and textures; we like Fabbioli Cellars’ 2009 Chambourcin From Fabbioli Cellars: “Fermented on Tannat skins gives this wine structure and spice with notes of ripe cherries.”
ALL DAY IRISH BREAKFAST The dish: Two eggs over easy, bangers (sausage), rashers (bacon), grilled tomato and potato wedges. The wine: A mixed bag of fried tastes that, at the base, are pork-centric, pairs well with the slightly spicy components of Fox Meadow Winery’s 2008 Syrah. From Fox Meadow Winery: “Dried raisins, plums and blackberry lead this beautiful wine aromatically. Soft palate structure and refined palate of fruit and tannins linger.”
LAMB STEW The dish: A blend of lamb, carrots, onions and potatoes in a rich broth. The wine: Rich and hearty, the earthy flavors of lamb and root vegetables come together in a classic stew. To pair, we like the White Hall Vineyards’ 2008 Cabernet Franc. From White Hall Vineyards: “Aromas of violet and blackberry pave the way for a smooth palate of raspberries, finishing with lengthy notes of smoky vanilla.” VWL Special thanks to Keagan’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, which operates several locations in Hampton Roads, for preparing the trio of dishes featured in this article. More information: www.keagans.com
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Chocolate Delicious things happen when the food of the gods mixes with wine
By Patrick Evans-Hylton
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he story of chocolate is an old one, dating back to the ancient Aztec and Mayan civilizations of South and Central America. In fact, the Mayans called the beans of the cacao tree “food of the gods” and consumed it in great quantities. But chocolate wasn’t for the faint-hearted; the roasted beans were made into a drink called xocolatl and mixed with water, peppers and spices—something that would be nearly unrecognizable to our palates today. Explorers brought cacao back to Europe, where sugar was introduced to the mix, and the types of chocolates we know today began to take shape. Many holidays are accented with the enjoyment of chocolate, but plenty of regular days are too. In fact, Americans consumed 3 billion pounds of chocolate in 2001, according to The World Atlas of Chocolate. And it’s not all bad news—when consumed in moderation, certain types of chocolate have shown to have certain health benefits, including lowering the risk of heart failure. Wine goes great with chocolate; here are some of our favorite sweets and pairings:
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SEXTUPLE TRUFFLE
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Chef Sydney Meers, owner of Stove restaurant in Portsmouth, offers an incredible chocolate dessert called Sextuple Truffle (pictured), so named because the six types of chocolate used in the dish form a dense, intense truffle-like tart. To pair with the rich, decadent flavors of this tart, or with chocolate truffles in general, the dessert needs to be offset with a stronger red wine with vivid fruit notes; we like the Pearmund Cellars 2009 Ameritage Reserve. From Pearmund Cellars: “An equal blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, this hearty, full-bodied red is as powerful as it is smooth.”
CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM The higher sugar and fat content in chocolate ice cream is complemented by something equally decadent; we like Cooper Vineyards’ Noche, a chocolate-infused wine. In fact, we like to pour some of the Noche over the ice cream to create a fabulous adult float. From Cooper Vineyards: “Our original classic chocolate dessert wine. Virginia Norton infused with essence of chocolate.”
DARK CHOCOLATE The concentrated flavors of chocolate, accented with a bit of bitterness and earthiness, make dark chocolate a distinct enjoyment. An equally intense red wine is also needed to complement these elements. Our pick is Afton Mountain Vineyards’ Festa di Bacco. From Afton Mountain: “This Super Tuscan-style red is a blend of 40 percent Sangiovese, 35 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 25 percent Petit Verdot. This is our flagship premium red wine. Smooth and velvety, with aromas of candied cherries and rich red fruits and lingering finish of licorice, this wine is very drinkable now but will age well for five to seven years.”
CHOCOLATE CAKE Classic chocolate cake is a combination of textures—tender cake, creamy frosting and sweet rich flavors. The perfect foil is a sparkling wine, and we pick Prince Michel’s sparkling wine for the job. From Prince Michel: “Crafted one bottle at a time in the true methode chammpenois, this dry and delicate brut has aromatic notes of apple and melon with a yeasty finish.”
LOVE NOTES Host a chocolate lovers—and wine lovers—evening at your home and let your guests leave their comments, or love notes, on the bottle of wine they are sampling from this fun heart-shaped Post-it pop-up note dispenser. It’s a fun way for interaction, and you can type up the notes after the soiree is finished and send them to your guests as a reminder of the wines you tried—and loved.
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cost vs. quality Is Virginia vino too pricey? Side by side, the commonwealth’s wine is standing out among tough competition when it comes to value. story and phtos By Frank Morgan
Virginia wine is overpriced. I hear this refrain often during discussions with some of my local wine friends when asked why they don’t drink more Virginia wine. Like all wine regions, Virginia does have its share of crappy, overpriced wine, but I feel the ‘good’ Virginia wines provide an excellent value for the dollars spent. When I hear “Virginia wine is overpriced,” I wonder if people are really referring to the value a particular wine provides, or, are they really saying the wine is overpriced solely because it’s from Virginia. I have a wine friend who has held the opinion that Virginia wine is overpriced as long as I’ve known him. I believe he thinks Virginia wine is overpriced just because it’s Virginia wine (sound familiar.) To test him—and to prove a point—I set up a mini-blind tasting (three flights, three wines per flight), and my friend selected a Virginia wine as his favorite in two of the three miniflights as I suspected he would. I concede that this mini-blind tasting was far from scientific, but it did prove a point—when compared to similar-priced wines from more notable regions, Virginia wines match up very well.
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The topic of the price of Virginia wine came up during a recent conversation with Andy Regan, winemaker at Jefferson Vineyards that began as a result of a comment by someone on Twitter during a live tasting. We both lamented about these Virginia wine is overpriced comments and talked about a comparative tasting at some point. The day after our conversation I received an email from Andy about the tasting—a blind comparative tasting with similar-priced wines from across the world and Virginia. In his initial email, Andy noted that the intent of the tasting would not be about determining the ‘best’ wine in each flight (which would be impossible to do), but more about providing an opportunity to evaluate Virginia wine relative to comparably priced wines from around the world. As a passionate wine enthusiast and huge advocate of the value and quality of Virginia wine, I jumped at the chance to participate in such a tasting. In addition to other bloggers—including my friends from Swirl, Sip, Snark—Andy had an excellent group of tasters for the event, among them Bruce Zoecklein, Virginia state enologist and enology Professor at Virginia Tech; Jim Raper, wine writer for The Virginia-Pilot newspaper; Stephanie Williams from Flavor magazine; Stephen Barnard, winemaker at Keswick Vineyards; Kat Schornberg, also from Keswick; and Kath Younger from the Kath Eats blog. The tasting included 14 tasters/scorers evaluating each wine on seven criteria—aroma, fruit, acidity, tannin, mouthfeel, finish and overall complexity along with our opinion on whether or not the wines were priced reasonably based on the quality. Each taster was also asked to identify the region/country of each wine. For me, the Virginia and French wines were easy to identify, but I had a more difficult time identifying the wines from California, South Africa and Argentina. Flight One: Pinot Gris (price range of $18 to $22) Eola Hills Pinot Gris 2009 (Oregon) Pollak 2009 Pinot Gris Estate (Virginia) Jefferson 2009 Pinot Gris (Virginia) Charles Schleret 2005 Alsace Pinot Gris (France) Adelsheim 2009 Pinot Gris (Oregon)
Though I am not a fan of Pinot Gris (which moonlights as Pinot Grigio in Italy), and typically only drink it by accident or when included in formal tastings such as this one, I gave this flight my all but couldn’t muster true interest. All of these wines would definitely be at the very high end of what I would be willing to pay for Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio. Thankfully there were only five entries in this flight. Finishing at the top of my tasting sheet—the Jefferson 2009 Pinot Gris. The overall group of 14 tasters scored this flight as follows: 1. Jefferson, 2. Pollak, 3. Eola Hills, 4. Charles Schleret 5. Adelsheim. The Eola Hills Pinot Gris is the only wine in this flight outside the price range, with a retail price of $13.99.
Flight Two: Viognier (price range of $18 to $30) Jefferson 2009 Viognier Reserve Monticello (Virginia) Keswick 2009 Viognier Estate Reserve (Virginia) Francois Villard De Poncins 2006 Condrieu (France) Blenheim 2009 Viognier (Virginia) Porter Creek 2007 Viognier Russian River Valley Timbervine Ranch (California) Yalumba 2009 Viognier (South Australia) Chateau Camplazens Vin de Pays D’Oc 2007 Viognier (France) Terra Blanca 2005 Viognier Yakima (Washington)
Viognier could be the future of Virginia white wine. Given the quality of Virginia Viognier, this was the most anticipated flight of the tasting for me, and Virginia did not disappoint. The Jefferson Viognier Reserve and Blenheim Viognier finished at the top of my score sheet with a slight edge going to the Jefferson. Though the price range for this flight was roughly $18 to $30, Andy did include a lower and higher priced offering as well. Viognier Flight
Interestingly, the most expensive Viognier in the flight—the $75 Francois Villard from Condrieu—finished at the bottom on my score sheet and didn’t fare much better in overall group scoring. Though I don’t want to Monday morning quarterback, I would have liked more vintage consistency in this flight, and perhaps another round of eight Viogniers with more regions represented. I have no doubt Virginia Viognier would still have finished atop a flight of 16 Viogniers as well. One could argue that some Virginia Viognier may be underpriced relative to Condrieu and California in terms of price-to-quality. I often wonder why people pay the $50–$75 price tag for Condrieu for such little quality relative to the price (amazing what a French name on the label will do for rationalizing high price of wine). The overall group ranked this flight as follows: 1. Jefferson Reserve, 2. Keswick, 3. Porter Creek, 4. Blenheim, 5. Francois Villard Condrieu, 6. Yalumba, 7. Terra Blanca, 8. Ch. Camplazens Vin de Pays d’Oc. Each of the three Virginia Viogniers in this flight were stellar, so no surprise they took three of the top four spots.
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Flight Three: Chardonnay (price range of $18 to $29) Jefferson 2009 Chardonnay Reserve Monticello (Virginia) Champy 2009 Pouilly Fuisse (France) Catena 2009 Chardonnay Mendoza (Argentina)
expanded to include more regions like Chinon and Long Island. No doubt Virginia Cab Francs would finish at or near the top of an expanded flight. The overall group ranked this flight as follows: 1. RAATS, 2. Keswick, 3. Jefferson, 4. Frederic Mabileau, 5. Blenheim, 6. Lang and Reed.
amilton Russell 2009 Chardonnay (South Africa) H Hemel-en-Aarde Valley (South Africa)
Boring. Snorefest. I respect the fact that Chardonnay is a global workhorse, but I simply cannot get into this varietal. I realize there are many amazing Chardonnays throughout the world, but I would not consider any of the wines in this flight ‘amazing’ examples of Chardonnay. Overall scoring in this flight was very close—group rankings were as follows: 1. Jefferson, 2. Tie Hamilton Russell and Champy 4. Catena After three white flights, we moved on to the much-anticipated reds beginning with Cabernet Franc, followed by Merlot, and finishing with red blends. Flight Four: Cabernet Franc (price range of $18 to $35) RAATS 2008 Cabernet Franc Stellenbosch (South Africa) Jefferson 2008 Cabernet Franc Reserve Monticello (Virginia) L ang & Reed 2008 Cabernet Franc North Coast (California) Blenheim 2009 Cabernet Franc (Virginia) Keswick 2009 Cabernet Franc Monticello (Virginia) F rederic Mabileau 2005 Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil Eclipse (France)
Like Viognier, Cab Franc thrives here in Virginia so I fully expected the home team to sweep this flight. When the bottles were revealed, I was surprised by the origins of my top scorer – the RAATS 2008 Cab Franc from South Africa. In looking through my tasting notes from the last two years and plumbing my memory, I believe this is the first time I’ve had a Cabernet Franc from South Africa, and it certainly will not be my last. Finishing second in my ranking was Keswick followed by the Jefferson Reserve. For our next tasting, this flight should be
So, is Virginia wine overpriced? We asked three folks—a winemaker, a wine merchant and director of the Virginia Wine Marketing Office; here are their answers: VWL: Do you think Virginia wine, as a whole, is perceived to be overpriced? Jonathan Bess, owner/ winemaker, Holly Grove Vineyards: I see that the well-informed public which has had the opportunity to visit wineries to see what is required to make a quality wine does not perceive it to be overpriced at all. If anything it is underpriced for the amount of time, skill and attention to detail that goes into producing a fine wine. Ian Honaker, owner, Let’s Talk Wine shop, Chesapeake: I think a
lot of people think that by relative proximity to the wineries there should be some kind of pricing discount for in-state purchases. That is probably because when/ if they travel to California they may notice wines are a bit cheaper out there and they figure that it should be the same here. The difference is probably due to commonwealth tax structures and shipping costs more than anything else. There is also the thought that by a comparison of quality, Virginia wine is simply outmatched against wines of
Flight Five: Merlot (price range of $20 to $35) Jefferson 2007 Merlot Reserve Monticello (Virginia) Thelema 2006 Merlot Stellenbosch (South Africa) Keswick 2009 Merlot Monticello (Virginia) Sbragia 2007 Merlot Dry Creek Home Ranch (California) Di Lenardo 2006 ‘Just Me’ Merlot IGT Venezia Giulia (Italy) Mauvais Garcon 2006 Bordeaux (France) Blenheim 2009 Merlot (Virginia) Te Awa 2004 Merlot Hawkes Bay (New Zealand)
Considering how the Sideways Effect has impacted Merlot prices in many regions, I worried if Virginia would be able to compete with equally priced Merlots from other regions. Once again Virginia wines showed well when tasted alongside similar priced wines from around the world. The Sbragio Merlot from Dry Creek Valley was my top scoring merlot followed by the Keswick Merlot. The overall group ranked this flight as follows: 1. Di Lenardo, 2. Keswick, 3. Thelema, 4. Jefferson Reserve, 5. Sbragia, 6. Mauvais Garcon, 7.Blenheim, 8. Te Awa. Flight Six: Bordeaux Blends (price range of $24 to $34) Bodegas Benegas Don Tiburcio 2006 Mendoza (Argentina) Keswick 2007 Heritage Monticello (Virginia) Chappellet 2008 Mountain Cuvee Napa (California) Jefferson 2007 Meritage Monticello (Virginia) Mulderbosch Faithful Hound 2006 (South Africa) Chateau Cambon La Pelouse 2005 Haut Medoc (Bordeaux, France)
the same, or less cost produced elsewhere. Annette Boyd, director of the Virginia Wine Marketing Office: I hear frequently that people perceive Virginia wines as over-priced. I spoke to one gentleman who loved a taste of a Virginia wine and when he heard the wine was $18 a bottle, he said, “Oh that’s too expensive.” When I asked him what he would spend $18 on, he answered, “Nothing!” So it’s all relative. There are many people who either tasted a bottle of Virginia wine many years ago that wasn’t very good or they just assume that the wines will
not be very good. My answer to those folks is taste again. Virginia wines will surprise you. VWL: What do you think about the cost of Virginia wine, and why? JB: Virginia wines can be procured at a price that provides value in terms of the degree of quality of a handcrafted wine which truly expresses the unique environment from which it is produced versus the cost to produce. IH: The truth is that wine can be overpriced anywhere it is made. A lot of Virginia wines are very good and will drink differently than wines from other areas. That is the basis of terroir. Our climate can never be a California or Australia and I believe Virginia wine producers have to keep searching and learning and be realistic about which grapes are worth our time in the long run.
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Cab Franc Flight
Stephen, Frank and Andy
AB: When you compare Virginia wines against other wines in the same price points, they compare favorably. I also notice that when I’m tasting Virginia wines, there are many nuances that I can taste in each bottle that make it unique; I love that. When tasting many wines in the $10 and under price point, they all taste the same to me. There is no distinction in many of those wines for me. I love being able to taste the unique flavors in the wine that come from small plots of land and individual preferences of winemakers who work with those wines. VWL: What do you think are some of the factors in why folks say Virginia wine is overpriced? JB: The staggering number of choices of wine on the shelf spans the spectrum from a few
dollars a bottle to over $100 a bottle. There are a number of mass-produced wines from larger viticultural areas that can be purchased cheaply. They may be of acceptable quality but the flavors and structure of the wine certainly doesn’t equal that of the individual handcrafted wines of a smaller winery. AB: It’s important to remember that 90 percent of all wine sales in the US are under $10 a bottle. But if someone is looking for a little more in terms of the flavors of the wine that come from how the grapes were grown, or exceptional techniques when making the wines, or from unique wine varietals that are not widely grown, there is a very big world out there. Not just Virginia wines but from everywhere. It’s fun to explore the possibilities. Virginia is an exciting part of that rich
Bordeaux type blends are yet another area where Virginia is excelling and turning out great wines at reasonable price points. The only exception to the $24–$34 price range was the Don Tiburcio at $13, which finished as my top rated wine of the flight. I liked the character of this wine—eucalyptus and dark fruits along with light vegetal components throughout. Tied for second were the Keswick Heritage and Jefferson Meritage. The overall group ranked this flight as follows: 1. Keswick Heritage, 2. Chappellet, 3. Jefferson Meritage, 4. Bodegas Benegas Don Tiburcio, 5. Mulderbosch, 6. Cambon La Pelouse. Once the wines were unbagged and the scores were tallied Virginia wine was the clear winner (not that this tasting was about winners or losers). Virginia wine finished atop three flights on my score sheet and near the top in every flight. In overall scoring, a Virginia wine finished atop four of the six flights. Not only did a Virginia wine receive the most votes in four of the six flights, Virginia wines also consistently finished in second or third place in most flights. I realize this one tasting does not prove that Virginia wine is reasonably priced or overpriced or whatever. There is no way to definitively conclude that Virginia wine is overpriced, or not, because we all have different economic circumstances that determine our wine budgets, we have different preferences, and of course different definitions of value. What I hope this tasting proves to those who feel Virginia wine is overpriced is that Virginia wine can go head-to-head with similar-priced wines from more notable regions. Frank Morgan is a Virginia wine enthusiast and blogs about his adventures in vino at http://drinkwhatyoulike.wordpress. com/ This feature originally ran on his blog. VWL
raw materials. landscape. But not everyone is looking for that, and that’s OK too. AB: The one thing that needs to happen to lower the price of Virginia wine is to plant VWL: What do you think needs hundreds of acres of grapes and to be done to (1) lower wine costs and/or (2) change folk’s perception start mass producing wine in large quantities. That’s not going of the cost of Virginia wine? to happen in Virginia. Most IH:We need to have Virginia people that start wineries here be noted for certain wines and are looking to run smaller styled do them well to create a better family farms. But the wineries are opinion of quality of the state’s wine production keeping in mind producing excellent wines that are competing on a national and that character and perceived international market. In order value are very important to to change people’s perception, consumers. Wine quality has they need to taste the wines. We never been better and the future are attempting to do that one looks to improve even more as information about winemaking is customer at a time and the fact that Virginia wines sales have readily available to our growing had double digit growth for the state wine community. Virginia last three years, tells me that we wineries have to be realistic are accomplishing our goal to about their capabilities and how it relates to overhead spending to get people to taste the wines. try to produce a delicious wine or —PEH style that is appropriate to their www.VirginiaWineLover.com n SPRING 2011
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Wonderful Winchester History, hospitality and hot happenings make this Shenandoah Valley town a perfect weekend escape By Patrick Evans-Hylton
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itting at the top of the state, Winchester lies in the Shenandoah Valley, between the Blue Ridge and the Appalachian Mountains about 75 miles west of Washington, D.C. The area is known for being on the pioneer frontier as a young America began to push westward. Many settlers came as early as 1729 on the Great Wagon Road from Pennsylvania; early families were largely Scots-Irish and German. One of the remarkable things about visiting Winchester and surrounding Frederick County in the spring is watching the surrounding Shenandoah Valley come to life after winter. It’s a perfect time to drive down winding roads and explore the countryside, to walk through the streets of Old Town Winchester and to visit some of the many wineries that dot the area. Above: Abram’s Delight Museum, the oldest home in Winchester. Opposite page (clockwise): One Block West Restaurant’s Blueberry Cheesecake, One Block Chef Ed Matthews and the restaurant’s wine selection and Stonewall Jackson’s Headquarters Museum. 24 SPRING 2011 n Virginia Wine Lover
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PHOTO COURTESY OF ONE BLOCK WEST
PHOTO COURTESY OF WINCHESTER CVB PHOTO COURTESY OF ONE BLOCK WEST
PHOTO COURTESY OF ONE BLOCK WEST
A Fork & the Road » Winchester
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George Washington Hotel
Where to go, what to know Murphy’s Beverage Co.
For a complete listing of wineries in the Shenandoah Region, Northern Region, and throughout the state, visit the Grapevine section of Virginia Wine Lover.
What to do Where to stay George Washington Hotel This landmark hotel is preserved in the grand style in which it was built and opened in 1924. The Georgian Revival-style building features marble flooring, soaring ceilings and much attention to architectural detail. www.wyndhamgeorgewashington.com There are also wonderful bed-and-breakfasts in the area. A full listing of B&B options can be found through the Bed & Breakfast Association of Virginia, www.innvirginia.com
Where to imbibe Some of the wineries in the upper part of the Shenandoah Valley and area include:
Bluemont Vineyard Wines include: Vidal Blanc, Viognier, various roses, Merlot, Norton, various fruit wines including peach, strawberry and blackberry www.bluemontvineyard.com
Glen Manor Vineyards Wines include: Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, red Bordeaux-style blends www.glenmanorvineyards.com
Misty Mountain Meadworks Wines include: mead www.mistymountainmead.com
North Mountain Vineyard & Winery Wines include: Chardonnay, Riesling, Vidal Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Chambourcin, red wine blends, blushes www.northmountainvineyard.com
Some of our favorite springtime places to visit and things to do in the Winchester area include:
Belle Grove Plantation An authentic 1797 manor house, built by Major Isaac Hite and his wife Nelly Madison Hite, sister of President James Madison. The home is open for touring and events. The 1864 Civil War Battle of Cedar Creek took place around the mansion. www.bellegrove.org
Blue Plate Books Used, out-of-print and antiquarian books www.blueplatebooks.com
Civil War Orientation Center An interactive display to examine the area’s rich Civil War history before setting out explore. www.shenandoahatwar.org
Dining Out Scores of restaurants are located across the Winchester area; a full list can be found on the Winchester Frederick County Visitor Center website. www.visitwinchesterva.com
Eugene B. Smith Gallery A display of original and prints on display, featuring many local landmarks. www.eugenebsmith.com
GNC Antiques & Collectibles A two-floor, 10,000-square-foot antique mall featuring 40 dealers with a wide assortment of antiques and collectibles. www.gncantiques.com
Homespun Gifts and Gardens Array of antiques and Americana-centric works from more than 200 artists and craftsmen in an 18th century Virginia farmhouse. www.homespun.us Veramar Vineyard
Twin Oaks Tavern Winery Wines include: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, red Bordeaux-style blend www.twinoakstavern.com
Veramar Vineyard Wines include: Chardonnay, Riesling, Seyval Blanc, Vidal Blanc, Viognier, various roses, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chambourcin, Meritage blends, Merlot, Norton www.veramar.com
Murphy Beverage Company Wine shop with hundreds of vintages and hand-crafted beers; sommelier on staff. Large selection of Virginia wines; tastings and other events. www.murphybeverage.com
Museum of the Shenandoah Valley Regional history museum complex including the Glen Burnie Historic House and six acres of gardens. The museum features four galleries, a museum store and tea room. www.shenandoahmuseum.org
Newtown History Center One of the oldest settlements in the Shenandoah Valley, an exploration of the 267-year-old frontier settlement gives an appreciation for the early pioneering of the Western Frontier. www.newtownhistorycenter.org
Old Town Winchester A 45-block National Register Historic District including a number of museums such as Stonewall Jackson’s Headquarters Museum, George Washington’s Office Museum and the Old Courthouse Civil War Museum. A pedestrian walking mall features specialty retail shops, outdoor cafes and historic attractions. Many activities focus around the all-season farmers market. www.ci.winchester.va.us
The Rocking S Ranch Trail rides, lessons, parties and horses for sale. www.therockingsranch.com
Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival A celebration of spring in the Shenandoah Valley includes more than 30 events such as band competitions, dances, parades, a 10K race, the coronation of Queen Shenandoah and more. This year’s event takes place April 25 through May 1. www.thebloom.com
Wayside Theatre A live performance professional theatre featuring a number of productions including Broadway, contemporary and classic comedies, dramas, mysteries and musicals. www.waysidetheatre.org More information regarding attractions, lodging, dining, shopping and entertainment is offered through the Winchester Frederick County Visitor Center, www.visitwinchesterva.com —PEH
More information regarding attractions, lodging, dining, shopping and entertainment is offered through the Loudoun Convention & Visitors Association, www.visitloudoun.org 26 SPRING 2011 n Virginia Wine Lover
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Although there are many quaint bed-and-breakfasts in which to stay, we love the grandeur of The George Washington Hotel. This grand old style of hotel was once common through the South but few remain. Located in downtown Winchester, The George Washington Hotel was built in 1924. In the late 1970s, the building went into decline and became a home for adults through 1993, when it was vacated and sat empty until 2004. The hotel reopened in 2008 after extensive renovations under the Wyndham Hotel flag. Today, much of the appeal of the original building remains, including marble flooring, soaring ceilings and much attention to architectural detail. Upgrades bring the historic property in line with current luxury hotels. We like the convenience of The George Washington being in downtown Winchester, too, because it makes it easy to explore a lot of sites on foot. Set aside a day for walking and exploring; just south of the hotel is Old Town Winchester, a 45-block National Register Historic District. Within the parameters of Old Town are a number of museums such as Stonewall Jackson’s Headquarters Museum, George Washington’s Office Museum and
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the Old Courthouse Civil War Museum. A pedestrian walking mall features specialty retail shops, outdoor cafes and historic attractions. Many activities focus around the all-season farmers market. Nearby, too, is GNC Antiques & Collectibles, a two-floor, 10,000-squarefoot antique mall featuring 40 dealers with a wide assortment of antiques and collectibles. Also within walking distance is One Block West Restaurant (www. oneblockwest.com), named because it is one block west of the pedestrian mall. Chef/owner Ed Matthews does a remarkable job with an ever-changing menu of local, seasonal cuisine. The dining room is quaint and comfortable, the food upscale and remarkable, and the experience extremely satisfying. A few tips: make reservations to be seated at the chef’s table, a private dining option featuring special menus and interactions with the chef. Also, consider taking a cooking class offered at the restaurant to hone culinary skills.
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Another day is set aside to explore areas outside of downtown, including a drive by the home of country music legend Patsy Cline (608 Kent St.), where she lived from ages 16 to 21, and periodically during her rise to fame in 1957 with “Walkin’ After Midnight.” The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley is a regional history museum complex including the Glen Burnie Historic House; the museum features four galleries, a museum store and tearoom. Spring is a wonderful time to visit the six acres of gardens surrounding the home; features include shaded walks, flower and vegetable plantings, statuary, ponds and fountains. Winchester is known as the Apple Capital, and in the areas around the town are vast orchards, many of which export apples across the country. This time of year, that fact is celebrated at the Apple Blossom Festival; this is the 84th year for the fete. The event includes more than 30 events such as band competitions, dances,
parades, a 10K race, the coronation of Queen Shenandoah and more. This year’s festival takes place April 25 through May 1.
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The rich soil of the Shenandoah Valley makes it a great place to grow grapes. Around the region, there are a number of Virginia wineries, including some north and south of Winchester, and just over into Berryville and Purcellville. Ones to in the immediate area to explore include Bluemont Vineyard, Glen Manor Vineyards, Misty Mountain Meadworks, North Mountain Vineyard & Winery, Twin Oaks Tavern Winery and Veramar Vineyard. Look for offerings like Viognier, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Norton —grapes that do especially well in Virginia, and classics like Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Bluemont Vineyards offers a number of fruit wines, including peach, strawberry and blackberry, while Misty Mountain Meadworks features mead, also known as honey wine. VWL
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History
Uncorked
The Civil War’s Sequicentennial
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ewport News is one of the independent cities in Hampton Roads, located on the Virginia Peninsula, and tracing its history back to the possession of the Native American village of Kecoughtan in 1610. Today Newport News has a population of more than 180,000 and is home to Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipbuilding, Fort Planning a trip to Eustis, and the the Hampton Roads Peninsula? Newport News/ Williamsburg Newport News Tourism Development International Airport. 888-493-7386 Much of www.newport-news.org the Peninsula Want more Campaign of information on the Civil War the Civil War took place in in Virginia? Newport News, Civil War Trails which was then www.civilwartrails.com largely Warwick County. Union Gen. George McClellan had gathered a large number of troops in the spring of 1862 at Fort Monroe at the tip of the Peninsula and hoped to march them north and west to Richmond. Gen. John Magruder and other Confederates entrenched in strong fortifications to hold off the Union and did so for a month before withdrawing through Williamsburg to Richmond where Gen. Robert E. Lee attacked and drove McClellan from the capital region. History Uncorked is an ongoing column examining Virginia people and places of the American Civil War during its sesquicentennial through travel to historic destinations statewide. —PEH
Endview Plantation Circa 1760 house museum used as a hospital during the Peninsula campaign by both Confederate and Union forces. www.endview.org Lee Hall Mansion Circa 1850 home used as a headquarters for Confederate commanders Johnston and Magruder. A Peninsula Campaign visitor center is in the basement. The restored house museum is home to an annual Virginia wine festival in early summer. www.leehall.org Lee Hall Mansion
O Norton, Sweet Virginia (red wine blend.) www.newkentwinery.com
The Boxwood Inn Restored 1896 home providing dining and accommodations in the Lee Hall area of Newport News. www.boxwood-inn.com
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Saude’ Creek Vineyards Wines include: Chardonnay, Saude’ Creek White (white wine blend), Vidal Blanc, Tavern White (white wine blend), Saude’ Creek Blush (from Chambourcin), Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Meritage, Saude’ Creek Red (red wine blend), Chambourcin. www.saudecreek.com
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The peninsula campaign in newport news
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Boxwood Inn
A full listing of lodging can be found at the Newport News Tourism Development Office website. www.newport-news.org
TO SUP
The Mariner’s Museum/ USS Monitor Center The USS Monitor Center at The Mariner’s Museum is an exhibit of historical artifacts and interactive displays centered around the iconic ironclad. www.marinersmuseum.org Virginia War Museum Museum interpreting American military history from 1775. www.warmuseum.org Virginia War Museum
99 Main Restaurant Comfortable but fine dining restaurant with a Continental influence. www.99mainrestaurant.com Circa 1918 Kitchen & Saloon Upscale restaurant featuring American regional cooking. 757-599-1918
TO SIP Wineries in the region include: New Kent Winery Wines include: Chardonnay, Chardonnay Reserve, Vidal Blanc, Meritage, Merlot, White New Kent winery tour.
A full listing of sites, activities and events can be found at the Newport News Tourism Development Office website. www.newport-news.org
Williamsburg Winery Wines include: Vintage Reserve Chardonnay, Acte 12 Chardonnay, John Adlum Chardonnay, Samuel Argell Riesling, Barrel Aged Seyval Blanc, Estate Grown Traminette, Viognier Reserve, James River White (white wine blend), Governor’s White (white wine blend), Sir Christopher Wren (white wine blend), Virginia Trianon (from Cabernet Franc), Arundell Cabernet Sauvignon, Hening’s Statute Claret (Bordeauxstyle blend), Gabriel Archer Reserve (Bordeaux-style blend), Merlot Reserve, Adagio (from Merlot), Burgesses’ Measure Merlot, J. Andrews Merlot, Lord Botetourt Red (red wine blend), Two Shilling Red (red wine blend), Susan Constant Red (from Syrah), Plantation Blush, Vin Licoreux de Mures (red wine with blackberry), Vin Licoreux de Framboise (red wine with raspberry), Settler’s Spiced Wine, Late Harvest Vidal. www.williamsburg winery.com
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AftonMountainVineyards.com 540.456.8667
Opening in April 2011 Visit Website for details www.desertrosewinery.com Or call (540) 635-3200
25th Annual Virginia Wine & Craft Festival Historic Downtown Front Royal, VA Friday, May 20, 2011 25th Anniversary Celebration Admission - $10 Saturday, May 21, 2011
Wine Admission $15 in Advance $20 at Gate General Admission $2 Children 6 & under Free Visit www.wineandcraftfestival.com for package information
VA Wine Tastings from 20 Wineries Arts & Crafts Delicious Food Chester Street Children’s Area Live Entertainment
private events . weddings . tastings
No Pets Please! 540-635-3185 www.wineandcraftfestival.com
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GREAT GETAWAYS
Botetourt ONE OF VIRGINIA’S OLDEST COUNTIES IS ONE OF IT’S NEWEST DELIGHTS.
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iscover for yourself a place of timeless beauty and abundant history. Botetourt County has it all – charming towns, breathtaking mountain scenery and award wining wineries. The classic American experience is alive and well in Botetourt County. Let your nostalgic journey begin with tree-lined sidewalks, mom-and-pop shops, old-time theatres and smiling faces of Botetourt’s friendly Downtowns. Explore all three unique downtowns featuring cultural and historic sites, annual festivals, and unique shopping and dining options. See the Blue Ridge Mountains as you’ve never seen them before as you paddle the Upper James River through Botetourt County. The mighty James River begins its majestic journey in Botetourt and winds it way through the Blue Ridge Mountains on its way to the see. The unspoiled beauty of the river is more accessible than ever through the Upper James River Water Trail.
Paddlers, anglers and families can get back to nature and enjoy the sights and sounds of 45 miles of the Upper James, including 14 pristine miles designated as a Virginia Scenic River. Discover a taste of the good life as you explore The Wine Trail of Botetourt County. The crisp, fresh air and fertile valleys of Botetourt County provide the ideal conditions for growing grapes. The county’s three wineries place a special emphasis on quality wines made with old-world techniques. You’ll find a wine to please every palate, from a light sweet white to a full bodied red. The scenic views and old-fashioned hospitality of Botetourt County creates the perfect environment to enjoy these fine wines. The Wine Trail of features three charming, family-run vineyards offering tours, tastings and special events including the Summer Concert Series staring in April. So no
matter where you start, The Wine Trail of Botetourt County begins and ends with great taste. For more information on all great ways to explore Botetourt County visit us on the web at www.explorebotetourt.com
Discover the sounds of the good life as the Botetourt Wine Trail Summer Concert Series presents five fun, family-friendly concerts from April to September. Kick-off Concert April 30, 2011 Daleville Town Center
For more information, visit www.botetourtwinetrail.com
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Great getawaYS
Staunton The place where new beginnings combine with old favorites.
Hamlet 2008/09 Photography by Tommy Thompson
René Thornton, Jr. and Sarah Fallon in Othello 2010 Photography by Michael Bailey
Kevin Blackburn Photography
Photography by Kathy Frazier
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ith a charming downtown and the Shenandoah Valley as a backdrop, Staunton is the perfect destination for a spring getaway in Virginia. Get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather by exploring the area on foot—all you’ll need is some good walking shoes. There’s no better outdoor activity than sipping wine at one of the beautiful vineyards in Staunton and nearby areas. Barren Ridge Vineyards is a converted apple barn that now houses a state-of-the-art winery. If you have an appreciation for architecture, you’ll enjoy Rockbridge Vineyard’s rustic barn atmosphere boasting a great number of fine vintages. Stroll past the lush vines at Veritas Vineyards to get a sense of where the wine in your glass began. Spring is all about new beginnings so to fully celebrate the season, experience the new beginning of Ox-Eye Vineyards. They’ve been growing high quality wine grapes for a number of central Virginia wineries since 1999, and If You’re now they’re constructing Going… their very own on-site What to Do: winery so that they may American offer their own special Shakespeare vintage under their own Center label. 1-540-851-1733 While you’re in www.american Staunton, find that special shakespeare gift at one of the unique center.com shops, treat yourself to Ox-Eye Vineyards some of the most delicious food around and www.oxeye gain a sense of culture. vineyards.com Staunton is home to the American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse, a re-creation of Shakespeare’s original indoor theatre. This spring, experience the classic plays Measure for Measure, As You Like It and Macbeth like you’ve never seen them before. Looking for the hottest events this spring? Don’t miss The Virginia Hot Glass Festival April 30–May 1 to watch glass artists from across the region demonstrate various hot glass techniques, and taste the wine offered by Barren Ridge Vineyards. To appreciate the warm weather, stop by the Art in the Park show May 28–29 in Gypsy Hill Park to view the local talent and partake in live music, food and children’s activities.
Discover Staunton, Virginia: from world-class theatre at the Blackfriars Playhouse to live music and artisan fare at Mockingbird’s Roots Music Hall, this historic city in the Shenandoah Valley offers it all. www.AuthenticStaunton.com
www.arts.virginia.gov
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Great getawaYS
Charlottesville
Nearly 200 years in the making...
Wine Festival at Monticello™
May 14, 2011 www.monticello.org/winefestival
get tickets online or call (434) 984-9880
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the napa valley of the east
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estled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, it’s easy to see why Charlottesville is dubbed the Napa Valley of the East. With over 20 different wineries and vineyards to choose from, prolific cities like Charlottesville make Virginia the 5th largest producer of wine in the nation. This spring when the weather is perfect and the flowers are just starting to bloom, you’ll discover why this area is an all-in-one package for the wine connoisseur and the traveler.
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exceptional dining
Enjoy a romantic dinner for two with Virginia wine pairings in our awardwinning Old Mill Room, a peaceful night’s sleep for two in our classically appointed guest rooms and a hearty breakfast buffet for two the next morning. Rates from $328*. Book your stay by March 31, 2011 and receive a complimentary upgrade when you mention VWLMAG. Reservations | 800.476.1988 *based on double occupancy, based on availability, alcoholic beverages not included
indulge
800.476.1988 www.boarsheadinn.com
dining | lodging | golf | tennis | spa | meetings | weddings Owned and Operated by The University of Virginia Foundation
Exquisite scenery, fine dining, a pulsing city, thrilling adventures and a bounty of charming wineries peppered across the lush rolling hills of the historic city await you. Take the time to experience the rich history in Charlottesville.Visit the home of Edgar Allen Poe and President James Monroe. Discover the university that inspired Georgia O’Keeffe to create some of her most astounding art, and finally, explore the stunning home of Thomas Jefferson. Tucked away in the furrows of the Southwest Mountains sits the illustrious Monticello, surrounded by blooming flowers and giving new life to this historic gem. If you’re looking to enjoy a relaxing morning in Charlottesville by getting back to nature, visit one of the beautiful orchards to gather your favorite fruits such as strawberries, cherries, peaches and apples. For your more adventurous side, take a trip down the James or Rivanna River on your very own kayak or feel the warmth of the sun on your back as you bike the trails and quiet country If You’re roads, passing farmers Going… Where to Stay: who are tending their early crops. Boar’s Head Inn There’s always 434-296-2181 something wonderful www.boars to discover there, but headinn.com spring is when things really come to life. What better way to celebrate this season in Virginia than to attend the Dogwood Festival in April? Enjoy fireworks, a carnival and an exciting parade to jumpstart the beginning of a beautiful spring. To let your creative side run wild, don’t miss the Crozet Arts & Crafts Festival in May showcasing the fine selections from 125 of the nation’s most talented crafters. With so much to offer, it is no wonder Jefferson fell in love with Charlottesville, and we know you will too.
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Great getawaYS
Orange County america’s natural treasure and ideal relaxation destination
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ositioned in the heart of Virginia lies a quaint and friendly town surrounded by scenic views of the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains. Known as the birthplace of former U.S Presidents James Madison and Zachary Taylor, Orange thrives on its rich history. St. Thomas Episcopal Church now listed in the National Register of Historic Places, once served as Robert E. Lee’s place of worship while he and his troops were encamped. The James Madison Museum houses his most valuable possessions from his Montpelier home including clothing, jewelry and books, and acknowledges his contributions to American history. In addition to its rich historical roots, Orange provides visitors with the pleasure of shopping at its distinctive antique and clothing boutiques. East Main Shops is a great place to pick up home furnishings and eclectic accessories designed by local artists. For the antique lovers, check out J.S Mosby Antiques and Artifacts to find memorabilia from the Civil War along with fine American antiques. Put your credit card to good use at the Colonial Shopping Center, a buyer’s haven for a casual shopping experience for the whole family. Take advantage of the beautiful weather by visiting the Orange Farmers’ Market to find fresh produce for a romantic picnic by the lake. Open throughout the year, the market is also great place to find crafted pieces made by local vendors. For the wine connoisseur, award-winning wineries such as Horton Vineyards offers daily tours with tastings of more than 40 different flavors to excite your palate, some that include fruit wines! Their Spring Barrel Tasting held April 2–3, provides visitors with the opportunity to taste their new wines and tour the cellars of the stone winery. Whether you want to tap into your adventurous side with a skydiving lesson or swing your clubs on the green at the golf course, Orange has an endless amount of activities for everyone. With its harmonious blend of tranquility and spectacular views, Orange is the perfect place to get away and enjoy all of the perks this town has to offer.
If You’re Going… Where to Stay: Barboursville Vineyards, Restaurant and Inn 540-832-3824 www.barboursvillewine.net
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Great getawaYS
Culpepper Taking the scenic Route for life
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ust an hour northwest of Fredericksburg and hiding quietly from the hustle and bustle of Northern Virginia is the beautiful town of Culpeper. Located in the foothills of Shenandoah, visitors from all around visit this peaceful area each spring for the spectacular scenery. There are hundreds of miles of hiking, biking and horse trails nearby for the outdoor If You’re enthusiasts among us, as Going… well as beautiful rivers and Where waterways for canoeing. to Stay: When the day is done, Fountain Hall wind down with a glass Bed and Breakfast of wine from one of the 540-825-8300 four Culpeper wineries, www.fountain boasting some of the hall.com finest wines in Virginia. Prince Michel, Old House, What to Do: and Gray Ghost Vineyards Old House and Unicorn Winery offer Vineyards an unlimited variety of 540-423-1032 flavors from the best of www.oldhouse Virginia wine. Many of vineyards.com them hand-crafted, these award-winning wines are often shipped across the country. The wineries in Culpeper also host special events throughout the spring, so bring the entire family along for a day exploring the festivals and fare. Enjoy the excitement of Culpeper Fest on June 2nd and peruse dozens of booths from local artisans and
exhibitors while munching on festival food and listening to live music. Aside from being known for its fabulous wine, Culpeper boasts wonderful shopping. The downtown area has small, one-ofa-kind stores to find the perfect gift for everyone in the family. Antique shops abound, and bookstores are filled with volumes on local history as well as classics and the newest read. Sporting goods, toy stores, hobby shops for quilters and knitters, Culpeper offers shopping galore for everyone.
Visit the Graffiti House at Brandy Station where you can see comments and signatures written by Civil War soldiers in charcoal on the walls of this historic house. Even before this town became an epicenter of the Civil War, it was surveyed by George Washington himself and became home to the Culpeper Minutemen, a pro-independence militia in the Revolutionary War. Culpeper is an escape from the fast-paced lifestyle of Washington, D.C., and visitors will love the charm, hospitality and beauty of Culpeper as much as our Founding Fathers did centuries ago.
March 5 — Mardi GRAS Wine Dinner Reservations only
March 19/20 — Beef Stew Weekend May 8 — Mother's Day at Old House
Bring Mom, a picnic, and enjoy a day in the country with live Music. Mom receives a complimentary wine tasting and a rose. No fee, no reservations necessary.
Tasting Room Hours Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, 1-5pm Saturdays and Sundays 12-5pm 18351 Corkys Lane, Culpeper, VA. 22701 540-423-1032 • www.oldhousevineyards.com
Fountain Hall Bed & Breakfast www.fountainhall.com 800-29-VISIT (800-298-4748) www.VirginiaWineLover.com n spring 2011
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Cook and Quaff in Your Own Kitchen with our Try It At Home Videos!
Celebr ating
the
good
Life
Sip, swirl and learn about a Virginia wine in a video straight from the vintner. Then pair it with an easy-to-make meal, with step-by-step video instructions from VWL’s Chef and executive editor Patrick Evans-Hylton. Our Spring 2011 wine videos will feature the Corcoran 2009 Cabernet Franc, the Fox Meadow 2007 Les Renards Rouge and the Sunset Hills 2009 Viognier. Make sure to view all our new and archived wine videos and check out our upcoming pairing recipes at www.VirginiaWineLover.com/Video
VWL VIDEO HSE AD 2_11.indd 2
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GREAT GETAWAYS
Harrisonburg DINING DESTINATION OF THE VALLEY
Y
es, Harrisonburg is the dining destination of the Shenandoah Valley.The City has so many choices representing international influences, traditional flavors and locally owned, it has been referred to as “Restaurant Row” by some. It’s all about great food and delicious drinks.Take the popular restaurant week in Harrisonburg,Taste of Downtown, returning in early spring, March 6 – 12, with even more restaurant and menu choices than last year. In only three years, this event has nearly doubled in size, with downtown resIF YOU’RE taurants offering specially GOING… Where to Stay: priced menus for lunch and dinner. Locals find it’s just Thistle Ridge another great reason to eat 540-828-4118 www.thistleridge out.Visitors can’t believe the value and the incredible bnb.com culinary choices. If you plan on visiting What to Do: later in spring, don’t forget Shenandoah the rooftops and patios. Caverns Patios all over the City 888-4cavern www.shenandoah offer a unique dining experience and the rooftops in caverns.com downtown give every diner an incredible view of the Courthouse clock tower.Wine has found a home in Harrisonburg, with several specialty wine shops and our very own Wine Barknown as Wine on Water. Located on Water Street in downtown, Harrisonburg, it features the wines of Cave Ridge Vineyard.The Chambourcin really impresses with a beautiful dark red color with intense ripe fruit flavors and a smoky character that is lasting on the back of the pallet. Can you taste it? Thinking of great food and drink, will lead you to the one of the area’s biggest festivals. ValleyFest, is the Shenandoah Valley’s Annual Beer & Wine Festival, brought to you by the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce. More than 4,000 people celebrate the holiday weekend each year dancing to live music, sampling food, shopping for unique and handmade crafts, and enjoying quality wines and microbrews of the Shenandoah Valley,Virginia and beyond. Many varieties of beer and wine will be represented, from merlots and seasonal ales to meads and maibocks. Its’ all of the beer and wine you could possibly enjoy in one place. Add music and mountain views and you know why coming to Harrisonburg and Rockingham County keeps reminding us, it’s always about the food and drink.
Sat., May 28, 2011
11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Massanutten Resort 4620 Massanutten Drive, McGaheysville, VA
A variety of Microbrews Regional Wines Live Music by Carbon Leaf, The Hackens Boys, and Mike Davis Food Crafts and more!
Four Attractions, One Location 5 Wineries Nearby!
Advance Tickets are available online at www.hrchamber.org/ valleyfest
Exit 269 Off I-81 20 Minutes North of Harrisonburg 540. 434. 3862 www.facebook.com/valleyfest2011
shenandoahcaverns.com 888-4CAVERN
Thistle Ridge Bed & Breakfast and Winery Tours Nestled in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. We are located minutes from Bridgewater, Harrisonburg, and Staunton and several local Wineries! Let Thistle Ridge Winery Tours chauffeur you to local Virginia wineries.
11 Pops Ln., Bridgewater, Va. 22812 540-828-4118 www.Thistleridgebnb.com
Go. Celebrate. Shop. Dine. Stay. Plan your adventure in Harrisonburg, VA HarrisonburgTourism.com 540.432.8935 www.VirginiaWineLover.com n SPRING 2011
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O
O
Virginia Winery Map
O
O
Where to Find Virginia Wine With the number of Virginia wineries surpassing 150—and no signs of slowing down—there are plenty of places to find some mighty fine wine, right from the source. On the next page is an alphabetical listing of Virginia wineries, by region, along with the city and phone number. The regions listed correspond with our Grapevine calendar of events. This listing is provided as a service to readers and wineries, which are listed free of charge. Send any changes to: patrick@virginiawinelover.com.
ROCKING
Harris
S-12
HIGHLAND Staunton AUGUSTA
S-2
BATH
SHENANDOAH
Waynes
S-14
ROCKBRIDGE ALLEGHANY
64
S-10
64
C-5 C
64 60 220
V
Y
W
K BUCHANAN
C
E
I
G
R
N
I
I
S-20
Roanoke ROANOKE
N
Salem
E 77
TAZEWELL
BLAND
WISE ALT 58
W-10
Norton
WYTHE
W-11
SMYTH
SCOTT WASHINGTON
58 81
100
W-3
W-2
77
58
GRAYSON
W-4 W-6
E
N
N
C-32
C-49 W-9
PITTSYLVANIA
C-20
Martinsville
Galax
Danville HENRY
E
S
S
E
E N
O
R
T
H
This map is intended for travel planning only and not navigational purposes. 40 SPRING 2011 n Virginia Wine Lover
VWL 040-43 WINERY LISTINGS 2_11.indd 40
MOLLIVER
8
PATRICK
T
C-43
C-21
221
CARROLL
91
W-1
CAMPBELL
FRANKLIN
W-12
80
Bedford
FLOYD
W-5
72
Bristol
MONTGOMERY
PULASKI
C-30
PEAKS OF OTTER
C-53
S-17
S-1
W-9
81
WESTERN
RUSSELL
581
Lynchburg
C-37
11 460
Radford
DICKENSON
W-7
A BEDFORD
T
K
C-11
S-7
CRAIG GILES
U
AMHERST 81
T
S
C-40
S-3
BOTETOURT
A
Buena Vista
Lexington
Covington
2/24/11 3:45 PM
O
O
SPECIAL
KEY
S-11 M A R Y L A N D
N-21 N-49 N-36 N-6 N-12 N-20 N-22 N-14 N-26 Winchester N-47 N-16 N-35 N-27 N-53 S-16 S-19 N-15 S-18 N-7 N-4 CLARKE N-56N-57 LOUDOUN N-1 FOX N-48 N-43 WARREN MEADOW N-11 S-8 N-2 N-13 N-5 Front Royal N-41 N-25 N-51N-55 LA GRANGE N-9 N-3 N-50 Fairfax S-1 N-10 N-23 N-31 PEARMUND PARADISE N-40 SPRINGS 66 N-39 N-44 FAUQUIER N-38 Manassas N-28 Park & FAIRFAX RAPPAHANNOCK NARMADA N-54 Manassas HILL N-34 N-30 VINT PRINCE CRAFT WILLIAM N-17 N-18 N-52 N-32 N-46 CULPEPER
S-13
S-15 S-22 S-5 S-4
S-21
Harrisonburg
1
N-19
MADISON
C-36 C-4
E-10
KING GEORGE
Fredericksburg
C-35
E-8
BARBOURSVILLE
HE
BUCKINGHAM
AMHERST
203
E-12
NO
RT
HU
RIC
HM
KIN
GA
ND
ER LA
Bloxom
E-1
201
D
E-3
200
NC
354
QU
EEN
GW
3
ON
LA
KIN
Chincoteague
MB
ND
ACCOMACK
3
AS
TER
Onancock
E-13
Accomac Onley
Richmond
IAM
MIDDLESEX
NEW KENT
MB
E-9
EASTERN
C-55
95
CHARLES CITY
CHESTERFIELD
Exmore
E-6
Nassawadox
MATHEWS
NORTHAMPTON
E-4
Eastville
GLOUCESTER
JAMES CITY
13
E-14
Williamsburg CAMPBELL
C-44
Colonial Heights
Hopewell
NOTTOWAY
PRINCE EDWARD
E-11
PRINCE GEORGE
Petersburg
C-7
85
Hampton
s w Ne
C-32
MOLLIVER
rt
DINWIDDIE
Poquoson
po
SURRY
C-42
YORK 64
w Ne
NIA
3
360
CU
Lynchburg
E-2
17
CAROLINE
AMELIA
C-30
E-5
202
ESSEX
64
CENTRAL
APPOMATTOX
RELAND
ILL
ICO
POWHATAN
ER
C-11
WESTMO
E-7
NR
ND
C-40
LA
ena ta
95
95
ORANGE SPOTSYLVANIA C-33 LAKE ANNA N-29 MATTAPONI N-24 C-5 C-23 C-8 S-2 ALBEMARLE C-15 64 C-28 CharlottesvilleC-46 C-27 C-38 JEFFERSON Waynesboro C-26 C-17 C-50 C-2 C-46 COOPER LOUISA C-12 C-18 C-54 C-10 95 C-6 C-22 C-29 FLUVANNA GRAYHAVEN C-54 C-51 C-16 C-13 C-19 C-33 C-14 GOOCHLAND 64 HANOVER NELSON C-9 C-31 C-25
C-52
S-14
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Alexandria
GREENE
Staunton
AH
O
Falls Church
N-42
STAFFORD
N-8
C-47 C-45
N-45
N-37
C-39
S-12
USTA
OLD HOUSE VINEYARD
81
S-6
For advertising opportunities to have your business listed on the map, contact Tracy Thompson at 757-422-8979 ext. 156, or email tthompson@virginiawinelover.com.
NORTHERN
PAGE ROCKINGHAM
ADVERTISER
O
81
SHENANDOAH
BUSINESS NAME
DOUKENIE
FREDERICK
CHARLOTTE
95
ISLE OF WIGHT
C-3 C-24
Portsmouth
64
Norfolk
LUNENBURG SUSSEX BRUNSWICK
HALIFAX
264
Virginia Beach
SOUTHAMPTON 95
MECKLENBURG
C-20
58
Emporia
GREENSVILLE
85
C-41
C
A
R
O
L
I
N
A
Franklin
Suffolk
Chesapeake
See next page for our coresponding winery listing.
»
www.VirginiaWineLover.com n SPRING 2011
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O Virginia Winery Listing S-7 Fincastle Vineyard
O
N-3 Barrel Oak Winery
& Winery Fincastle – 540-591-9000
NORTHERN SHENANDOAH EASTERN CENTRAL
Delaplane – 703-798-8308
N-4 Bluemont Vineyard
WESTERN
S-8 Fox Meadow Winery
WESTERN REGION W-12 Attimo WInery Christiansburg– 540-382-7619
W-1 Abingdon
O
Middleburg – 540-687-9770
N-6 Breaux Vineyards Hillsboro – 540-668-6299
S-9 Glen Manor Vineyard N-7 Casanel
Vineyards Leesburg – 540-751-1776
Front Royal – 540-635-6324
W-2 Blacksnake Meadery Dugspur – 540-834-6172
N-5 Boxwood Winery
O
Vineyard & Winery Abingdon – 276-623-1255
Bluemont – 540-554-8439
Linden – 22642 3310 Freezeland Road 540-636-6777 www.foxmeadow winery.com Mon – Fri 11am-5pm, Sat & Sun 11am – 6pm Other times by appointment
S-10 Lexington Valley
W-3 Brooks Mill Winery Wirtz – 540-721-5215
W-4 Chateau Morrisette Winery Floyd – 540-593-9218
W-5 Davis Valley Winery and Vineyard Rural Retreat – 276-686-8855
N-8 Castle Gruen
Vineyards Rockbridge Baths – 540-462-2974
Vineyards and Winery Locust Dale – 540-229-2498
S-11 Misty Mountain Meadworks Winchester – 540-888-4420
N-9 Chateau O’Brien
S-12 MistyRay Winery Harrisonburg – 540-433-8243
at Northpoint Markham – 540-364-6441
N-10 Chester Gap Cellars Front Royal – 540-636-8086
S-13 North Mountain
Vineyard & Winery Maurertown – 540-436-9463
W-6 Foggy Ridge Cider Dugspur – 276-398-2337
S-14 Rockbridge Vineyard
W-7 Mountain Rose
Raphine – 540-377-6204
Vineyards Wise – 276–328–2013
N-11 Chrysalis Vineyards Middleburg – 540-687-8222 N-12 Corcoran
Vineyards Waterford – 540-882-9073
S-15 Shenandoah Vineyards Edinburg – 540-984-8699
W-8 Rural Retreat Winery & Dye’s Vineyards Rural Retreat 276-686-8300
Delaplane – 540-592-7210
S-16 Twin Oaks
Tavern Winery Bluemont – 202-255-509
W-9 Villa Appalaccia Winery Floyd – 540–593–3100
N-13 Delaplane Cellars
S-17 Valhalla Vineyards Roanoke – 540–725–9463
W-10 Vincent’s Vineyard Lebanon – 276-889-2505
N-15 Dry Mill Vineyards
S-18 Veramar Winery
Vineyard & Winery Max Meadows – 276-699-2020
Winery Leesburg – 571-271-6799
Berryville – 540–955–5510
W-11 West Wind Farm
S-19 Vino Curioso Winchester – 703-447-0648
S-20 Virginia Mountain
NORTHERN SHENANDOAH
Vineyards Fincastle – 540–473–2979
EASTERN CENTRAL WESTERN
SHENANDOAH REGION Bent Mountain – 540-929-4632
NORTHERN SHENANDOAH EASTERN
Eagle Rock – 540-798-7642
CENTRAL WESTERN
NORTHERN REGION
S-4 Cave Ridge Winery S-5 Crooked Run Cellars Mount Jackson – 540-477-9030
S-6 Cross Keys Vineyards
N-19 Hartwood Winery
Vineyard & Winery Edinburg – 540-984-3306
S-3 Blue Ridge Vineyard
Mt. Jackson – 540-477-2585
Amissville – 540-937-4869
S-22 Wolf Gap
Vineyards Fishersville – 540-248-3300
N-17 Gadino Cellars N-18 Gray Ghost Vineyards
& Vineyard Stanley – 540-742-1489
S-2 Barren Ridge
N-16 Fabbioli Cellars Leesburg – 703-771-1197 Washington – 540-987-9292
S-21 Wisteria Farm
S-1 AmRhein Wine Cellars
N-14 Doukenie Winery Purcellville – 20132 14727 Mountain Road 540–668–6464 www.doukenie winery.com Everyday 10am -6pm
Fredericksburg – 540–752–4893
N-20 Hidden Brook Winery Leesburg – 703–737–3935 N-21 Hiddencroft
Vineyards Lovettsville – 540-535-5367
N-22 Hillsborough
N-1 8 Chains North Winery Waterford – 571-439-2255
N-2 Aspen Dale Winery
Mt. Crawford –
Delaplane – 540-364-6178
Vineyards Purcellville – 540-668-6216
N-23 Hume Vineyards Hume – 540-364-2587
N-24 Lake Anna Winery
Spotsylvania – 22551 5621 Court House Rd., 540-0895-5085 www.lakeannawinery.com Open year round Wed – Sat 11am -5pm, Sun 1pm – 5pm Except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years
N-25 Linden Vineyards Linden – 540-364-1997
N-26 Lost Creek Winery Leesburg – 703-443-9836
N-27 Loudoun Valley Vineyards Waterford – 540–882–3375
N-28 Marterella Wineries Warrenton – 540-347-1119
N-29 Mattaponi Winery
Spotsylvania – 22551 7530 Morris Road 540-582-2897 www.mattaponi winery.com Weekends 11am – 6pm Weekdays by appointment
N-30 Mediterranean Cellars Warrenton – 540–428–1984
N-31 Miracle Valley Vineyards Delaplane – 540-364-0228
N-32 Molon Lave
Vineyards Warrenton – 540-439-5460
N-33 Naked Mountain Vineyard Markham – 540–364–1609
N-34 Narmada Winery
Amissville – 20106 43 Narmada Lane, 540-937-8215 www.narmada winery.com Summer Hours: Thur 12pm – 5pm, Fri 12pm – 6pm, Sat 11am – 7pm, Sun 12pm – 6pm Federal Holidays Mondays 11am – 6pm All other days by appointment
N-35 North Gate
Vineyard Purcelleville – 540-668-6248
N-36 Notaviva Vineyards Purcellville – 540-668-6756
N-37 Old House
N-38 Paradise Springs
Winery Clifton –20124 13219 Yates Ford Rd., 703-830-9463 www.paradise springswinery.com Wed – Sun 11am – 7pm Fri Happy Hour 5pm – Dark
N-39 Pearmund Cellars
Broad Run – 20137 6190 Georgetown Rd. 540-347-3475 www.pearmund cellars.com Daily 10am – 6pm
N-40 Philip Carter Winery Hume – 540-364-1203
N-41 Piedmont Vineyards & Winery The Plains – 540-687-5528 N-42 Potomac Point
Vineyard & Winery Stafford – 540-446-2266
N-43 Quattro Gombas Winery Aldie – 703-327-6542 N-44 Rappahannock Cellars Huntly – 540-635-9398
N-55 Vintage Ridge Vineyard Rectortown – 540-364-3371
N-56 Willowcroft Farm Vineyards Leesburg – 703-777-8161
N-57 Zephaniah Farm Vineyard Leesburg – 703-431-2016
NORTHERN SHENANDOAH EASTERN CENTRAL WESTERN
EASTERN REGION E-1 Athena Vineyards & Winery Heathsville – 804-580-7327
E-2 Belle Mount
Vineyards Warsaw – 804-333-4700
E-3 Bloxom Vineyard Bloxom – 757-665-5670
E-4 Chatham Vineyards Machipongo – Eastern Region 757-678-5588
E-5 The Hague Winery Hague – 804-472-5283
N-45 Rogers Ford Farm Winery Sumerduck – 540-439-3707
E-6 Holly Grove Vineyards
N-46 Sharp Rock Vineyards
E-7 Hummel Vineyards
Sperryville – 540–987–9700
N-47 Sunset Hills
Vineyard Purcellville – 703-725-3546
N-48 Swedenburg
Estate Vineyard Middleburg – 540–687–5219
N-49 Tarara Winery Leesburg – 703-771-7100
Franktown – 757-442-2844
Montross – Eastern Region 804-493-1554
E-8 Ingleside Vineyards Oak Grove – 804–224–8687
E-9 New Kent Winery
New Kent County – 804-932-8240
E-10 Oak Crest Winery King George – 540–663–2813
E-14 Saude Creek
Vineyards Williamsburg– La Grange 804-843-7100 Haymarket – 20169 4970 Antioch Rd., 703-753-9360 E-11 The Williamsburg WineryatLagrange.com Winery Daily 11am – 6pm Williamsburg – 757-229-0999 N-51 Three Fox Vineyards Delaplane – E-12 Vault Field Vineyards 540-364-6073 Kinsale – 804-472-4430 Unicorn Winery N-52 Amissville – E-13 White Fences 540–349–5885 Vineyard Irvington – 804-438-5559 N-53 Village Winery Waterford – 540–882–3780
N-50 The Winery at
Vineyards Culpeper – 22701 18351 Corkys Lane 540–423–1032 N-54 Vint Hill Craft Winery Vint Hill – 20187 www.oldhouse 7150 Lineweaver Road vineyards.com 703-991-0191 Mon., Thurs., Fri. www.vinthillcraft 1pm - 5pm winery.com Saturday - 11am - 5pm Fri – Sun 11am – 6pm Sunday - 12pm - 5pm
42 SPRING 2011 n Virginia Wine Lover
VWL 040-43 WINERY LISTINGS 2_11.indd 42
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Vineyards Saxe – 434-454-7559
C-4 Autumn Hill
Vineyards Standardsville – 424-985-6100
Farm Vineyard & Winery Nathalie – 434-349-5349
C-23 Horton Cellars Winery Gordonsville – 540-832-7440
C-24 Hunting Creek C-25 C-26
C-8 Burnley Vineyards & Daniel Cellars Barboursville – 540-832-2828
C-9 Byrd Cellars
Goochland – 804-475-8536
C-27
C-10 Cardinal Point Vineyard & Winery Afton – 540-456-8400
C-11 Chateau Z Vineyard Lynchburg –
C-28
Winery & Vineyard Charlottesville – 434–977-3895
Vineyards Louisa – 23093 13372 Shannon Hill Rd., 540-894-5253 www.cooper vineyards.com Daily year round 11am – 5pm
C-13 DelFosse Vineyard
and Winery Faber – 434-263-6100
C-30 Leo Grande Winery Goode – 540-586-4066
C-31 Lovingston Winery Lovingston – 434–263–4533
C-32 Molliver Vineyards Nathalie – 24577 2046 Waller Rd., 434-349-1000 www.mollivervineyards.com Summer 11am-8pm Winter 12pm-6pm
C-14 Democracy
Vineyard Lovingston – 434-964-6124
C-15 DuCard Vineyards Etlan – 540-923-4206
C-33 Montdomaine Charlottesville – 434-971-8142
SH
C-39 Prince Michel
Vineyard & Winery Leon – 540-547-3707
C-40 Rebec Vineyards Amherst – 434–946–5168
C-41 Rosemont Vineyards & Winery LaCrosse – 434-636-9463
C-48 Thibaut-Janisson
Winery Afton - 434-996-3307
C-49 Tomahawk Mill Winery Chatham – 434–432–1063
C-50 Veritas Winery Afton – 540-456-8000
C-51 Virginia Wineworks Charlottesville – 434-923-8314
C-52 White Hall Vineyards White Hall – 434-823-8615
DELIVERED
CELEBR ATING THE GOOD LIFE
Greenwood – 540-456-8844
Vineyards Clover – 434-454-9219 C-42 Sans Soucy Vineyards Brookneal – James River Cellars 434-376 –9463 Glen Allen – C-43 Savoy-Lee Winery 804–550–7516 Huddleston – Jefferson Vineyards 540-297-9275 Charlottesville – 22902 C-44 Spring Creek Wine Cellar 1353 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy, Pamplin – 434-977-3042 434-248-6981 www.jefferson C-45 Stone Mountain vineyards.com Daily 10am – 6pm Vineyards tours and tastings Dyke – 434–990–9463 Keswick Vineyards C-46 Sugarleaf Vineyards Keswick – 434-244-3341 North Garden – 434-984-4272 King Family C-47 Sweely Estate Winery Vineyards Crozet – Madison – 434-823-7800 540-948-9005
C-29 Kluge Estate
C-12 Cooper
C-38 Pollak Vineyards
CU
I S I N E PA I R S W
IT
Shamrock Sips
I
C-7 Bright Meadows
Farm & Winery Nellysford – 434-361-1266
SWEETS FOR THE SWEET
CHOCOLATE AND WINE PAIRS MIGHTY FINE
INIA WINE • IR
Charlottesville – 434-293-5366
C-22 Hill Top Berry
SEE OUR PICKS FOR WHAT’S GOING ON
RG
C-6 Blenheim Vineyards
Vineyards Moneta – 540–296–1393
VIRGINIA FESTIVALS & EVENTS
S P R I N G 2 0 11
VI
Vineyards Barboursville – 22923 17655 Winery Rd Barboursville 540-832-3824 www.barbours villewine.com Tasting Room: Mon-Sat 10am -5pm, Sun 11am-5pm Winery Tours: Sat & Sun 12pm-4pm or by appointment
C-21 Hickory Hill
ANY WAY YOU POUR IT
OUR PICKS FOR FOUR FAB WINE GLASSES
H
C-5 Barboursville
Gum Springs – 23065 C-37 Peaks of 4675 East Grey Otter Winery Fox Circle Bedford – 24523 804-556-3917 1218 Elmos Rd., www.grayhaven 540–586–3707 winery.com www.peakesofotter Everyday 11am – 5pm winery.com Weekends: C-20 Greenwood Jan-Mar 12pm – 5pm Vineyards Daily: Apr-Dec – Vernon Hill – 12pm – 5pm 434-579-2836
TO GET
Farm Winery Midlothian – 804-739-2774
I
C-3 Annefield
C-55 Woodland Vineyard
Vineyards Madison – 540-948-6570
INIA WINE • IR
Ciderworks North Garden 434-297-2326
C-19 Grayhaven Winery
C-36 Neala Estate
TODAY
Nellysford – 434-361-2519
RG
C-2 Albemarle
Charlottesville – 434-296-5328
C-54 Wintergreen Winery
Crozet – 434-823-7605
VI
Vineyards Afton – 540-456-8667
C-18 Gabrielle Rausse
C-35 Mountfair Vineyards
H
C-1 Afton Mountain
Vineyard Afton – 434-361-1692
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DOES VIRGINIA WINE STAND OUT IN QUALITY AND COST WHEN COMPARED TO ITS COMPETITORS?
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Take a Taste in Time with our New World of Wines! Mattaponi Winery
7530 Morris Road, Spotsylvania, VA 22551 540-582-2897 www.mattaponiwinery.com Hours: Weekends (Sat & Sun) 11AM–6PM Directions: I-95, Exit 118 Thornburg, West, 4 miles left on Morris Road/ Rt. 606
A Native American Indian Winery
www.VirginiaWineLover.com n SPRING 2011
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WINERY MAP • LISTING • REGIONAL SPRING EVENTS
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A SELECTION OF WINE EVENTS IN VIRGINIA
EARTH DAY VINEYARD TOURS April 23. Educational vineyard walking tours and tastings. $. 11 a.m., 2 p.m. Keswick Vineyards.
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O SPRING OPEN HOUSE April 9-10, 16-17. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres, winery tours, tastings, and discounts on gifts and wines. 12 p.m. Chateau Morrisette.
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CLARKSVILLE LAKE COUNTRY WINE FESTIVAL April 9. Features 15 Virginia Wineries, live music, food and tastings. $. 12 p.m. Historic Downtown Clarksville. www.clarksvilleva.com
ITALIAN FEAST April 16. Wine dinner. $. 6 p.m. West Wind Farm Vineyard Winery. PLANTING FESTIVAL April 23. Winery opening and spring planting festival. Attimo Winery. BLACKSBURG FORK & CORK April 30. Food, wine, and art festival featuring wines from over 20 regional wineries, cooking demonstrations, art and live music. $. 12 p.m. First & Main, Blacksburg. www.blacksburgforkandcork.com BLOSSOMS & BEES May 7. Joint spring open houses with tastings and food pairings. $. 11 a.m. Foggy Ridge Cider and Blacksnake Meadery. MUSIC, MEAD AND CIDER May 28. Joint cider and mead tastings; live music at both locations. $. 12 p.m. Foggy Ridge Cider and Blacksnake Meadery. SUNDAY SOUNDS June. Free live music every Sunday in June; food and wine available for purchase or bring your own picnic. $. 12 p.m. Chateau Morrisette.
SHENANDOAH VINTNER’S DINNER March 5. A special menu paired with wines from Linden Vineyards at The Inn at Vaucluse Spring. Reservations required. $. www. vauclusespring.com CHILI COOK-OFF March 5. Annual chili cook-off at the winery with prizes for the tasters’ favorites. Registration required. $. North Mountain Vineyard & Winery. FIRELIGHT FRIDAY March 18. An evening of wine and live music featuring Jimmy O. 7 p.m. Barren Ridge Vineyards.
SPRING RETREAT
central April 9-10. Sample wines paired with food from the covered pavilion. 11 a.m. $. Hill Top Berry Farm & Winery.
BLUES NIGHT March 26. Food, live music and wine in the barrel room. Cave Ridge Vineyard. VINTNER’S DINNER March 26. A special menu paired with wines from Glen Manor Vineyards at The Inn at Vaucluse Spring. Reservations required. $. www. vauclusespring.com BARREL TASTING & PRE-RELEASE SALE April 2-3. Sample the 2010 Glen Manor Vineyards red wines. Reservations required. $. 11 a.m. Glen Manor Vineyards. LADIES NIGHT April 9. An evening of tastings and gourmet food guided by wine experts. Reservations required. $. 7 p.m. Veramar Vineyard.
demonstrations and lectures, wine tastings and live music. $. South River, Waynesboro. www.vaflyfishingfestival.org
festival featuring local wines, craft beers, live music, and craft and food vendors. $. At Massanutten Resort. www.hrchamber.org
MOTHER’S DAY WINE PAIRING May 8. Wine and cheese pairing. $. Shenandoah Vineyards.
WINE & MUSHROOM FESTIVAL June 11. An afternoon of mushrooms, wine, cooking demonstrations, crafts, food and live music. $. North Mountain Vineyard & Winery.
VINE DAY May 14. Tour of the vineyard, vine planting demonstration and wine tastings. Reservations required. $. 1 p.m. Veramar Vineyard. BEGGARS’ CIRCUS May 14. An outdoor evening of wine tasting and live music; food available for purchase or bring your own picnic. $. 5 p.m. Fincastle Vineyard and Winery.
SUNSETS AT THE VINEYARD April 15, May 20, June 17. Wine and live music. 7 p.m. Barren Ridge Vineyards.
WINE & CRAFT FESTIVAL May 21. Features tastings from 20 Virginia wineries, a variety of artisans and crafters, live entertainment, children’s activities, and regional foods for purchase. $. 10 a.m. Downtown Front Royal. www.wineandcraftfestival.com
FLY FISHING & WINE FESTIVAL April 16-17. Features fly fishing
VALLEYFEST May 28. Annual beer and wine
MOVIE NIGHT UNDER THE STARS June 17. Movie starts at dusk; light fare and wine will be available for purchase or bring your own picnic. $. Suggested donation to benefit Magic Lantern Theater. Veramar Vineyard.
CENTRAL WINE & CHEESE PAIRING March 5. Guided presentation and tasting of artisanal cheeses paired with Wintergreen Winery wines. Reservations required. $. Wintergreen Winery. PORT TASTING March 5-6. Past vintage and vertical port tastings. $. 11 a.m. Horton Vineyards. www.VirginiaWineLover.com n SPRING 2011
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March 26. Seatings at 12:00, 2:15 and 4:30 Three-course, gourmet meal paired with six different vintages of Merlot, an introductory wine and lagniappe (something extra) will also be served. Michael Shaps, guest winemaker, will be hosting the event along with Jennifer Breaux Blosser of Breaux Vineyards. Reservations Required
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SPRING OPEN HOUSE March 12-13. Tastings, previews of upcoming releases and gift shop specials. 11 a.m. James River Cellars. ST. PATRICK’S DAY TASTING March 17. Tastings, discounts on wine purchases for wearing green. $. 12 p.m. Peaks of Otter Winery. IRISH DINNER March 18. Irish stew and Irish music by the fireplace; wine available for purchase. $. Sweely Estate Winery. WINE DINNER March 18. Four-course dinner prepared by C&O Restaurant paired with Pollak Vineyards wines. Reservations required. $. 6 p.m. Pollak Vineyards.
VINTNERS RESERVE MERLOT TASTING March 20. One-day-only tasting of 2009 Vintners Reserve Merlot. Afton Mountain Vineyards. CABERNET SAUVIGNON TASTING March 26-27. Vertical tasting of four vintages of Cabernet Sauvignon. $. 11 a.m. Burnley Vineyards. BIG HAT BRUNCH March 27. A four-course, winepaired brunch. Proceeds to benefit Relay for Life. Reservations required. $. 11:30 a.m. Veritas Winery. BARREL TASTING April 9-10, 16-17. Cellar tours, wine discussions, barrel tasting of 2010 wines and cheese pairings. $. 1:30 p.m. Autumn Hill Vineyards.
PINOT GRIGIO CELEBRATION March 19. Tasting of the 2010 Pinot Grigio paired with cheeses, meats, and homemade breads. $. 12 p.m. Barboursville Vineyards.
SPRING RETREAT April 9-10. Sample wines paired with food from the covered pavilion. 11 a.m. $. Hill Top Berry Farm & Winery.
FRENCH CRÊPE DAY March 20. An assortment of crêpes and wines available for purchase. $. 1 p.m. DelFosse Vineyards and Winery.
SEMANA SANTA WINE RELEASE April 16. Release of the 2010 Verdejo paired with Spanishthemed food. 9 a.m. Keswick Vineyards.
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EARTH DAY VINEYARD TOURS April 23. Educational vineyard walking tours and tastings. $. 11 a.m., 2 p.m. Keswick Vineyards. OPEN HOUSE April 23. Wine, snacks, live music by Scuffletown. 11 a.m. WindSong Winery.
EVENING WITH MORELS April 30. A gourmet five-course meal prepared by Chef Melissa Close Hart paired with Barboursville wines; learn more about wild mushrooms with expert Dr. Jeff Long. Reservations required. $. 7 p.m. Barboursville Vineyards. REOPENING CELEBRATION May 2. New release tastings, live music and food available for purchase. 11 a.m. Sans Soucy Vineyards. MONTPELIER WINE FESTIVAL May 7-8. Live music, tastings, specialty food vendors, children’s entertainment and rides. $. 11 a.m. Montpelier. www.orangevachamber.com MOTHER’S DAY CHOCOLATE & WINE PAIRING May 7-8. Learn about pairing
chocolate and wine; includes tastings, truffles, and hors d’oeuvres. $. Sugarleaf Vineyards. WINE FESTIVAL AT MONTICELLO May 14. An evening featuring tastings, vineyard tours, live music and local wine experts. $. 6 p.m. Monticello. www.monticello.org BARREL TASTING May 14. Barrel tasting with live entertainment and light refreshments. $. 12 p.m. Tomahawk Mill Vineyard & Winery. BROOKNEAL WINE FEST May 14. Features live music, craft and food vendors, and 6 local wineries. $. 12 p.m. At Red Hill Patrick Henry National Memorial, Brookneal. www.redhill.org PIG ROAST May 22. Annual pig roast with food from Hill City BBQ, live bluegrass music and wine. $. 12 p.m. King Family Vineyards. WINERY BRUNCH June 6. Includes a brunch buffet, wine tastings, self-guided or private winery tours. $. 10:30 a.m. Prince Michel Winery.
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ANNUAL BARREL TASTING
ANNUAL BARREL TASTING March 19-20. The only weekend open for barrel tastings; sample cabernets, merlots and chardonnays from the barrel in the underground barrel room. Signature logo glass. 11 a.m. $. Gray Ghost Vineyards.
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MERLOT VERTICAL TASTING March 26. A flight of six vintages of merlot offering along with a three-course chef pairing guided by winemaker Dave Collins. 11 a.m. $. Breaux Vineyards. WINE CLASS March 26. Wine appreciation class with tastings. 1 p.m. Philip Carter Winery.
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CENTRAL VIRGINIA WINE FESTIVAL June 18. Features 14 Virginia wineries and a variety of food and beverages vendors. Proceeds to benefit Virginia Tech scholarships and programs. $. 12 p.m. At SnagAJob Pavilion. richmondhokies.org/ events/winefestival
FATHER’S DAY CHEESE & WINE PAIRING June 18-19. Learn about pairing wine with cheese; includes tastings, cheese, and hors d’oeuvres. $. Sugarleaf Vineyards. SUMMER SOLSTICE WINE FESTIVAL June 18-19. Local wines and food, art and craft vendors, and live music. Lazy Days Winery. FATHER’S DAY TASTING June 19. Tasting with complimentary cheese pairings. 11 a.m. Cardinal Point Winery. SUNSET DINNER June 26. Dinner paired with wines introduced by winemakers Chris Briener and Gabriele Rausse. Reservations required. $. 7:00 p.m. Stone Mountain Vineyards.
NORTHERN
WINE DINNER March 5. Five-course Mardi Gras dinner with Old House Vineyards wine pairings. Reservations required. $. Old House Vineyards. SAMEDI GRAS March 5. A Fat Saturday event with tastings, live Cajun music and Cajun fare available for purchase. $. 12:30 p.m. Breaux Vineyards. CHARDONNAY DAYS March 5-6. Vertical tastings of Fox Meadow Chardonnays. $. Fox Meadow Vineyards. BARREL TASTINGS March 5-6, 19-20, April 9-10. Spring barrel tastings with hors d’oeuvres. $. 12 p.m. The Winery at La Grange. COOKING CLASS March 11. Cooking class and wine pairings with Chef Mike Lund. Reservations required. $. 6:30 p.m. Delaplane Cellars. ST. PATRICK’S WEEKEND March 12-13. Live Irish bands and bagpipes, traditional fare, tastings,
and door prizes. $. 11 a.m. Chateau O’Brien at Northpoint Winery and Vineyard. VERNAL EQUINOX CELEBRATION March 19. First day of spring celebration with live music by Robbie Limon. Gadino Cellars. TASTE OF IRELAND March 19. An evening of Irish cheeses, music and wine with 8 Chains North Winery, Northgate Winery, Fabbioli Cellars, and Notaviva Vineyards. Reservations required. 6 p.m. Notaviva Vineyards. WINE & CHEESE March 19. Pairings of a variety of wines and cheeses. $. 9:30 a.m. Vint Hill Craft Winery. ST. PATRICK’S DAY March 19. St. Patrick’s Day celebration with live music by Dave Pepper. 12 p.m. Casanel Vineyards. RITES OF SPRINGS WINE FEST March 19-20. Features 10 wineries, microbrew and craft beers, artisans, food, live music, and children’s entertainment. $. 11 a.m. At Fredericksburg Fairgrounds. www.emstat. net/events
LIFE’S A BEACH March 26. Live calypso music, tastings and “wine-a-ritas.” $. 12 p.m. Sunset Hills Vineyard. WINEMAKER’S DINNER March 26. A gourmet dinner paired with Barrel Oak Winery wines at Marriott Ranch. Reservations required. $ 7 p.m. www.marriottranch.com VERTICAL CABERNET SAUVIGNON TASTING April 2. Black tie event with heavy hors d’oeuvres. 7:30 p.m. $. Gray Ghost Vineyards. WINE CLASS April 2. Wine appreciation class with tastings. Reservations required. $. 11 a.m. Delaplane Cellars. FESTIVAL OF FOOLS April 2-3. Tastings and raffles to celebrate April 1st. 11 p.m. Barrel Oak Winery. SPRING CELEBRATION April 9-10. Tastings, live music, tours and light hors d’oeuvres. $. 11 a.m. Hartwood Winery. RANGER RESERVE BLENDING CLASS April 30. Lunch and a class on blended wines led by winemaker Al Kellert. Reservations required. $. 10 a.m. Gray Ghost Vineyards. WINE FESTIVAL AT MOUNT VERNON May 13-15. Features wines from 16 Virginia wineries, live jazz, food vendors, and tours. $. MountVernon.org www.VirginiaWineLover.com n SPRING 2011
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March 19-20. The only weekend open for barrel tastings; sample Cabernets, Merlots and Chardonnays from the barrel in the underground barrel room. Signature logo glass. 11 a.m. $. Gray Ghost Vineyards.
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Grapevine
HERE COMES SUMMER June 11. Dancing, live music, food, tours and tastings. $. 6 p.m. Lake Anna Winery.
PHOTO BY DAVID UHRIN
WINE FESTIVAL AT THE PLAINS May 21-22. Tastings of Virginia wines, arts, food, steeplechase races, and opening night of Twilight Polo. $. At Great Meadow Equestrian Center. www.winefestivalattheplains.com
WINE BLENDING WORKSHOP
March 20, 27. Wine tasting and blending program. $. 3 p.m. Chatham Vineyards.
SUMMER SOLSTICE SUNSET June 25. Live music and wine in the tasting room. Gadino Cellars.
EASTERN CORKS & CANVAS March 13. An afternoon of wine, art, live jazz, and hors d’oeuvres. Proceeds to benefit Seton Youth Shelters. $. At Princess Anne Country Club, Virginia Beach. www.setonyouthshelters.org WINE BLENDING WORKSHOP March 20, 27. Wine tasting and blending program. $. 3 p.m. Chatham Vineyards. BARREL TASTING April 16. Tour, tasting, live music, and light fare. $. 1 p.m. Ingleside Vineyards.
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SPRING TOWN POINT WINE FESTIVAL May 7. Food, entertainment and more than 20 Virginia wineries. $. 11 am. At Town Point Park, Norfolk. www.festevents.org
TASTE OF NEW KENT WINE FESTIVAL May 7. Wine tasting featuring 14 local wineries, gourmet food, fine art, live music, and carriage rides. $. 11 a.m. New Kent Winery. VIRGINIA BEER FESTIVAL May 14. Food vendors, live music, and local and imported beers. $. 2 p.m. At Town Point Park, Norfolk. www.festevents.org WINE AND FOOD EXPO May 21. Food paired with wine from Ingleside, Rockbridge, Jefferson, Lovingston, White Hall and Naked Mountain. 11:30 a.m. $ Surf Club at Wyndham Virginia Beach Oceanfront hotel. 800-365-3032, www.wyndhamvirginiabeach.com WINE CLASS May 21. “Ladies Only” wine class. 1 p.m. Ingleside Vineyards. WINE & CHEESE June 5. Wines from local wineries, cheeses and hors d’oeuvres, live music, and silent auction to benefit the museum. $. 5 p.m. At Westmoreland County Museum. www.westmoreland-county.org SUMMER CELEBRATION WINE FESTIVAL June 11. Tastings from Virginia wineries, live music, and food and craft vendors. $. 11 a.m. At Lee Hall Mansion. www.leehall.org Calendar listings are provided as a reader service. Because of space limitation, check with your favorite winery for more detailed event information and/or other possible events. Virginia Wine Lover is not responsible for erroneous information. To submit calendar listings, email: grapevine@ virginiawinelover.com VWL
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Bloggers Imbibe
Cyber sips and tips from the blogosphere
The internet brings folks together—instantly. Across the world, folks Facebook, Tweet and otherwise blog about everything goig on in their lives; fortunately many of them are imbibig at the time. What are some of Virginia’s top bloggers enjoying at the moment? Three of them—John Hagarty and the SwirlSipSnark.com team of VA Wine Diva and Grape Envy Guy (who write anonymously)—share their current Virginia wine finds with VWL. photo by John Hagarty
Chester Gap Cellars’ Cabernet Franc Goes Deep John Hagarty
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“We’re having rack of lamb tonight,” my wife, Jean, advises. It’s my cue to select a wine from our cellar and get the fireplace going, both enjoyable tasks that will culminate in a cozy evening at home. With the fire roaring, I turn my attention to the wine that will accompany our flavorful
varietal character. His ’08 Cabernet Franc rack of lamb, roasted red is one of my favorites. It pours an almost bliss potatoes with inky garnet in the glass and releases rosemary and aromatic notes of mint, cherry, vericot vert Chester smoke and spice. I force myself green beans Gap Cellars to swirl and sniff rather than just sautéed in olive Cabernet start drinking; easy boy, easy. oil with sliced Franc – 2008 almonds and a On the palate, the nose has faithfully dash of crushed interpreted the rich, mouth-filling garlic. My selection black fruit, mint and subtle coffee notes, all for the full-bodied framed by smooth tannins. We enjoy a glass repast verily jumps out of before dinner and relish the rest of the bottle my wine rack: Chester Gap Cellars’ 2008 with the lamb. With our food, the wine Cabernet Franc. jumps into overdrive and we both exchange smiles of pleasure. Is this Napa Valley in a I’ve enjoyed Chester Gap wines from Virginia bottle? Not a chance. This is Old the day the winery opened. Owner and Dominion wine at its best. winemaker Bernd Jung produces clean, artisanal wines with depth and spot-on
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John Hagarty blogs at www.hagarty-on-wine.com
food, so we pulled this wine off our racks Part of the fun with Virginia wine has and planned a beef dinner to accompany always been finding that new wine or the bottle (yes—we often match our new winery that people aren’t yet talking foods to our wines rather than the other about. When we first visited Hume way around). Vineyards soon after they opened in July, we not only found potential, we found a This is a wine that can definitely be solid portfolio of offerings. In consumed in its youth (although it did cool weather, we definitely benefit from some time in the glass gravitate towards heavier Hume and swirling to open it up) rather reds with lots of full Vineyards than having to wait a few years for flavors as opposed to Cabernet it to mellow. The nose offered dark the crisp and refreshing Sauvignon fruit elements along with a hint whites and rosés of the 2008 of something earthy. On the palate, summer, and Hume’s reds earthy leather and coffee notes became definitely fit the bill. more prominent. Black cherry was also present along with some vanilla on the Their 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (with 5% finish. The wine paired well with our beef, Cabernet Franc) was a wine we were but it also drank well on its own. interested to try both with and without
photo by swirlsipsnark.com
Hume Vineyards Cab Sauv: enjoy now—or later
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Hume Vineyards is definitely one to watch. I’m looking forward to my next glass of this cabernet sauvignon and upcoming tastes of their new releases.
VA Wine Diva and Grape Envy Guy blog at swirlsipsnark.com
Bloggers Imbibe is a column featuring opinions from well-respected wine bloggers from across the state who focus on Virginia vino. —PEH 50 SPRING 2011 n Virginia Wine Lover
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Attention Virginia Wineries: Are your wines worthy of a Gold Medal?
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