Our information comes from many sources, so we strongly suggest that you check websites and/or call for costs and details.  Space limitation prevents listing all the Virginia wine related events that take place; for additional information, please refer to www.virginiawine.org.  If you would like to be included in upcoming listings, e-mail information to info@vawinelover.com no later than 10th of the month.

 

AUGUST 1-2:  WINE, ART & MORE AT THE BEACH
Ingleside Vineyards at Colonial Beach every Fri. and Sat. night through August
Pairings of small tapas with award winning wines.  View fine art and listen to romantic music.
(804) 224-8687
www.inglesidevineyards.com

 

AUGUST 1:  BLACKBERRY HARVEST FESTIVAL
Hill Top Berry Farm and Winery (Nellysford)
Wines paired with food samples, including BBQ and blackberry desserts.  Music and vendors.  Pick your own blackberries.
(434) 361-1266
www.hilltopberrywine.com

 

AUGUST 1:  SANGRIA SATURDAY
Sans Soucy Vineyards & Winery (Brookneal)
Live music, plenty of good food and their famous Blackberry Ginger Sangria made with Sans Soucy blackberry wine.
(434) 376-3513
www.sanssoucyvineyards.com

 

Loudoun Valey Vineyards (Waterford)

Southern cooking and grilling class by noted Chef Joe Randall. Tips on pairing food and wines. (see article below)

(540) 428-3165

 

AUGUST 2-4:  VIRGINIA WINE ACADEMY
The Inn at Meander Plantation (Locust Dale)
Fun-filled, fact-filled opportunity to learn about and celebrate the amazing wines of Virginia.  Wine industry experts share their knowledge from grapes to glass. Limited to 20 people.
(540) 672-4912
www.meander.net

 

AUGUST 6, 13, 20, 27:  FLOWERS AFTER 5
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden (Richmond)
Stroll through the beautiful gardens, enjoy wine tastings, music, dining and shopping.
(804) 262-9887
www.lewisginter.org

 

AUGUST 7 & 21:  SANGRIA & GUACAMOLE
Winery at LaGrange (Haymarket)
Icy pitchers of sangria paired with spicy guacamole.
(703) 73-9360
www.wineryatlagrange.com

 

AUGUST 8:  BOTETOURT WINE TRAIL CONCERT SERIES
Blue Ridge Vineyard (Eagle Rock)
Enjoy a festive summer evening of live music featuring Fat Daddy the King of Blues.  Sip fine Virginia wines as you enjoy the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
(540) 798-7642
www.blueridgevineyard.com

 

AUGUST 8 & 15:  SUNSET DINNER ON THE DECK
North Mountain Vineyard and Winery (Mauertown)
A four course gourmet dinner delighted prepared by a local chef, matching with the perfect wine and served on the decks overlooking the vineyards.
(540) 436-9463
www.northmountainvineyard.com

 

AUGUST 15:  2ND ANNIVERSARY SOIREE
Sugarleaf Vineyards (North Garden)
Celebrating the opening of the tasting room along with the release of an inaugural award-winning vintage.  Wine, cheese and walks through the vineyard.
(434) 984-4272
www.sugarleafvineyards.com

 

Doukenie Winery (Purcellville)

Celebrating classic cars and new wine vintages.

(540) 668-6464

 

AUGUST 15:  ORVIS FLY FISHING SCHOOL
Unicorn Winery (Amissville)
Casting lessons and practice with expert instruction.  Includes use of Orvis equipment and streamside lunch (with wine, of course).
(703) 465-0004
www.unicornwinery.com

 

AUGUST 21:  MOVIES IN THE VINEYARD
Kluge Estate Vineyard (Charlottesville)
Watch the classics on a big screen.  Includes wine and cheese basket and Virginia wine.  Bring blankets or lawn chairs.
(434) 977-3895
www.klugeestate.com

 

AUGUST 22:  BEACH BASH SIP-N-SHAG
Parkway Marina (Huddleston)
Featuring wine from the area's best wineries, beach music, dancing and food vendors, all on the shores of Smith Mountain Lake.
(540) 586-9401
www.bedfordareachamber.com

 

Wintergreen Winery (Nellysford)

An evening to dance by the Light of the Moon

(434) 361-2519

 

AUGUST 22:  JAZZ & WINE FESTIVAL
The Sedalia Center (Big Island)
Enjoy live jazz and sip wines from across Virginia in a beautiful mountainous setting.  Also beer and other refreshments.  Rain or shine in covered pavilion.
(434) 299-5080
www.sedaliacenter.org

 

AUGUST 29:  FESTIVAL AT DEMOCRACY
Democracy Vineyards (Lovingston)
Visit the vineyard and taste some Democracy wine and apple cider from local orchards.
Bring picnic blankets and enjoy burgers and hot dogs.
www.democracyvineyards.com

 

AUGUST 29:  NO STRINGS ATTACHED AT THE WINERY
Fincastle Vineyard and Winery (Fincastle)
Festive outdoor evening of wine and music featuring award winning string ensemble.
Bring folding chairs or blanket.
(540) 591-9000
www.fincastlewine.com

 

AUGUST 29:  BLESSING OF THE VINES
Philip Carter Winery (Hume)
In a moving ceremony complete with Gregorian Chant, The Brotherhood of the Knights of the Vine blesses the vineyard to encourage a lush harvest.  Beautifully appointed wine dinner follows in the vineyard.
(540) 364-1203
www.pcwinery.com

 

AUGUST 29:  BLUE RIDGE WINE TRAIL TASTING TOUR
Foggy Ridge Cider (Dugspur)
The beginning point for visiting three wineries, a cider house, meadery and brewery ales in a self-guided tour near the Blue Ridge Parkway.  All five locations feature food pairings.
(276) 398-2337
www.foggyridgecider.com

 

AUGUST 29:  WINE, CIDER AND MEAD.  A PROGRESSIVE PAIRING
Chateau Morrisette (Floyd)
Enjoy selected food and beverage pairings as you progress from Chateau Morrisette, Villa Appalachia, Blacksnake Meadery, AmRhein Wine Cellars and Foggy Ridge Cider.
(540) 593-2865
www.thedogs.com

 

 

If you have an event to list, please email it to us at info@vawinelover.com by the 10th of the previous month.  If we have missed listing an event in this newsletter, we can still add it to our newsletter posted on the www.vawinelover.com website.

 

Chef Joe Randall, an Ebony Magazine 2008 top 10 African-American chef, will be delighting taste buds with his Southern cooking and grilling class August 2nd from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Loudoun Valley Vineyards, Waterford, VA.  The gourmet getaway wine and food tasting, organized by author Joe David, has been designed to provide grilling tips and techniques and information about pairing the winery's remarkable array of wines with Chef Randall's authentic Southern cuisine.

 

(as shown in above photo)

 

 

 

 

Doukenie Winery is nestled at the base of Short Hill Mountain in scenic Loudoun County. The natural beauty of the property creates an ideal setting for a day of relaxation. Enter the tasting room in a converted barn and sample a wide variety of award-winning new releases, including 2008 vintages of Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and the signature blend Mandolin, as well as 2007 vintages of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah.  This fall, Doukenie will release its much-anticipated 2007 Petit Verdot in 100% form, not a blend.  This varietal produces a wine that is deep purple in color and possesses a vibrant tannic structure. 

 

Located on a high ridge with a panoramic view of central Shenandoah Valley sits Barren Ridge Vineyards.  The landscape and terrior here make stunning vistas and superb wines. 

The winery is the first (and at present the only) one in Augusta County. It opened in April 2008 and has established itself as a place where wine, life and beauty intersect to produce an environment in harmony with the peaceful bucolic countryside.

For the past 5 years John and Shelby Higgs have been clearing the land, planting and renovating the historic packing shed.  The property has been in the Higgs family since 1934.   Once a spectacular orchard, it had been left untouched for 20 years.
John, under the tutelage of viticulturalist Chris Hill and enologist Michael Shaps, has planted 6 acres of vines and made wine in 2007 and 2008 with grapes from local vineyards.  Their first harvest will be this fall.

 

In their first year of winemaking John and Shelby received a number of awards including a gold medal for their Viognier. Bartholomew Broadbent recognized their '07 Touriga as one of the best in the world in the special tasting at the '09 Virginia Expo (see Virginia Wine Lover e-newsletter of April '08).

Barren Ridge Vineyards is located off of Rte 64, between Staunton and Waynesboro, just over the mountain from Charlottesville. They host business meetings, weddings and social events of all kinds.

 

984 Barren Ridge Road

Fishersville, VA  22939

(540) 248-3300

 

 

 

Congratulations to the winners of the Boar's Head Weekend Getaway: Ron & Kirsten Phillips of Washington, DC. (Shown above)

 

Ron told us, "Thanks so much for the opportunity to win! - and of course thanks for the great magazine - We Love It ! Virginia is for lovers - especially WINE LOVERS ! Kirsten and I are very excited about winning the drawing. I will make sure to take a picture of "the Happy Winners" at the Boar's Head and send it to you! Of course, a bottle of fine Virginia Wine will be in the photo as well.

The next weekend getaway drawing will be for a weekend at The Jefferson Hotel and dinner at Lemaire. Click the link at the top of the newsletter and register for your chance to win!

 

 

 

 

Travel and Leisure Magazine names Virginia one of the top five new travel wine destinations in the world - July 2007.