Wine
Drink More Wine! How Virginia’s Wineries are Going Virtual and What We Can Do to Help By Linda Barrett
V
irginia wineries have taken a hit from the COVID-19 pandemic. With government rulings that they can no longer serve customers in their wineries for the time being, they have had to get creative. So if you love Virginia wine, there’s no reason why you can’t continue to enjoy the experience—even from your own home. I talked with Nancy Bauer, author of the Virginia Wine Travel Journal and founder of the app and website Virginia Wine in my Pocket, and she offered up a number of ways that area wineries are still engaging wine lovers and how you can get involved.
Join a Virtual Tasting Lots of area wineries are now offering “virtual tastings.” They announce in advance what wines they will be tasting on a particular date, and bundle up
58
T YSONS PREMIER v May // June 2020
the bottles in a specially-priced package for either delivery or pickup for those who sign up. Then, you simply join the wine tasting virtually via a Zoom link or Facebook Live. For example, Breaux Vineyards is posting virtual tastings dates on their Events or Facebook pages, along with instructions on how to join in. Its tastings are led by Wine Educator/Sommelier Jim Koennicke in a fun an entertaining way to help wine lovers get to know the wines from the comfort of their own homes.
Purchase Virginia Wines Most Virginia wineries are offering special pricing on their wines, either by the bottle or the case— some as low as 50% off the normal price, or more. Others are offering free shipping or personal home delivery for a minimum purchase. VIVARESTON.COM
