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Montpelier Wine Festival
May 3-4 at James Madison's
Montpelier, Charlottesville, VA
America's Polo Cup 2008
May 9-10 in Leesburg, VA.
Don't miss out!
Ash Lawn-Highland WineFest
May 17-18 at the estate of President James Monroe in Charlottesville, VA
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Don't miss the 27th Annual
Vintage Virginia Wine Festival
May 31-June 1 at Bull Run!
Virginia Wine Marketing Office
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Cardinal Point Vineyard & Winery will celebrate its 5th anniversary on Saturday, May 3. Located in Afton, Virginia, there will be live music and special offers in the tasting room.
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Vol. III, No. 5 May 2008
Virginia Wine Lover Magazine's Premier Issue Now Available! |
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Dear Friend of Virginia Wine:
The cork's been popped! The first issue of Virginia Wine Lover magazine
is in the mail to subscribers and will soon be available at locations statewide. The initial response has been phenomenal, and we look forward to hearing your impressions, as well.
On behalf of Britt Marketing & Public Relations and our co-publisher, Randy Thompson of VistaGraphics, Inc., I would like to express our sincere appreciation for your interest and support of the newest and largest lifestyle magazine in the commonwealth.
P.S. First time subscriber to the newsletter? Please share this issue with your friends and associates...just click on the Forward to a Friend button below. Feel free to e-mail us your comments at info@vawinelover.com.
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| VIRGINIA WINE LOVER ON NEWSSTANDS NOW! |
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NEW ART PRINT FROM VIRGINIA'S WINE ARTIST: "MAKE MINE VIRGINIA WINE #1"
Christopher Mize Studio |
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(Painting "Make Mine Virginia Wine #1" by Christopher Mize, Maidens, VA is now available in an 18" x 24" print signed by the artist.)
Christopher Mize is quickly becoming known as "Virginia's Wine Artist." He has focused his paintings on capturing the wine lifestyle that is unique here in the Commonwealth. "I paint the aspects of the wine lifestyle that interest me and those that I hope others will find captivating. We have such a unique and beautiful state and people know that Virginia's wine age has arrived." Having lived in Europe and travel extensively, Mize believes that we have so much to be grateful for here in our wine regions. "Our mountains, foothills and piedmont offer endless opportunities to discover vistas of wine growing beauty and grab that special bottle produced locally."
 Mize's medium is oil on canvas. He produces original canvases in pure colors with a heavy "impasto" technique. A young master of this method of painting, he has painted still-life, landscape and figurative works, all capturing aspects of wine and wine culture. "I paint bottles of wine, vineyard scenes, corkscrews, corks, and people with glasses of wine because the subjects are endless and I could never tire of finding different ways to artistically represent something I love so much. In every painting I strive to lay down the colors and thick paint not to just represent the subject but to capture what the oils say as a substance in their own space."
Mize's collectors seem to have found value in his work as he has nearly sold out in every wine festival he has participated in. From the original canvases, to limited edition giclees and prints, Mize's work has reached an audience all over Virginia. Mize's latest painting titled "Make Mine Virginia Wine #1" includes images of many popular Virginia wines and Governor's Cup winners. The bottles are lined up and captured in the colors and texture easily recognizable as "Mize." The original painting, which is 30" x 40", is hanging in the Virginia Wine Marketing Offices in Richmond. Embellished giclees and signed prints are now available directly from the artist, wine retailers and winery tasting rooms. To view some of the artist's work and to purchase your piece of art, visit the artist's website at www.christophermize.com.
Mize also believes the future is promising for the wineries, unique wine festivals, and wine afficianados. "As the wine gets better with age, the culture develops also. Virginia Wine Lover magazine is a conduit for those of us who live the local wine lifestyle to learn more, see more and do more to support our state's vineyards. It will be a beautiful addition to local wine bars, cafe and coffee tables where we all savor a glass of vino with friends."
Christopher Mize works in a 1,500 square foot studio at his home in Maidens, Virginia in the rolling countryside outside Richmond. He lives with his wife Marianne and their two children Michelle and Caleb. In addition to his current inventory of work, he also accepts commissions for custom paintings.
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| WEDDING DAY CATASTROPHE SAVED BY WINE AWAY
By Michelle Steele Simpson, Wedding Bride |
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The reception was in full swing and I was walking around between courses at dinner, chatting with guests. My extremely loving and affectionate, though tipsy, father was hugging me and telling me how proud he was of me when he knocked into the glass of red wine in my hand. As you can see, my dress was pretty much covered. I handed my glass of wine to one of the photographers and slipped out the door to head to the room where I had waited before the ceremony. My friend Stacey showed up a few seconds later with Shout wipes, club soda and a towel, none of which seemed in any way capable of handling the mess we had on our hands.
 One of the catering staff came in with a little squirt bottle of Wine Away. Stacey tested a little bit and when it appeared to be working she basically poured the entire bottle down my left side. They brought us the other little bottle they had on hand and we quickly went through that as well. About half the stain had come out, but we were out of Wine Away, so our wonderful caterer ran the three or so blocks back to their head office, grabbed the whole gallon jug, and then ran all the way back.
We were able to get all of the wine out of my dress. Most of the guests had no idea that any of it had even happened! But because I was drenched in Wine Away, several people did comment I smelled very nice, which I thought was hilarious.
Somehow, during the whole ordeal, I was actually pretty calm - no panicking at all! I was trying to talk myself into being okay with idea that I would spend the rest of the evening covered in wine. Thankfully I didn't have to.
Since then, I've urged pretty much everyone I know, and certainly every bride I know, to have some Wine Away on hand. I now make sure to have a couple bottles both at home and at the restaurant that my husband and I own... just in case.
Wine Away can be purchased at most wineries and wine shops. You can also find it in the wine department of select grocery stores. Call 888-946-3292 to find a location near you. |
BED & BREAKFAST OF THE MONTH:
HOLLADAY HOUSE BED AND BREAKFAST, ORANGE, VA By Jack North, President, B&B Association of Virginia |
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The Holladay House Bed and Breakfast is a stately federal-style inn situated in the heart of the Monticello Appellation. The only bed and breakfast in the downtown historic district of Orange, Virginia, the Holladay House has been a local landmark for over 175 years.
The Holladay House proudly showcases the fruits of Virginia by exclusively serving wine from local vintners. The innkeepers, Sharon and Samuel Elswick, have created special packages for the Dionysus in all of us. The inn's latest package is called "The Perfect Pair:  Wine and Gourmet Chocolate," which elegantly pairs two bottles of Virginia wine with a 16-piece assortment of Gearhart's Fine Chocolates. For those who are uninitiated in central Virginia's established gourmet traditions, Tim Gearhart hand-crafts his edible art from Venezuelan chocolate, internationally recognized as some of the finest chocolate in the world. Sam and Sharon will deliver this sensation of the palate, which includes tasting notes, directly to their guests' rooms.
The Holladay House will also help you "wine" away your weekend with exclusive VIP Tours and complimentary tasting passes to select local wineries. In addition, the Holladay House provides a delectable homemade breakfast made from local and organic ingredients. Add discount tickets to Montpelier (the colonial plantation of President James Madison), horseback riding, or a hot air balloon ride, and you have a fantastic getaway to suit any taste.
For an extra special weekend why not stay at Holladay House during the first weekend in May - for the Montpelier Wine Festival!
Holladay House Bed and Breakfast
155 W. Main St.
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| VIRGINIA LAUNCHES WINERY DISTRIBUTION COMPANY
By Terri Cofer Beirne, Esq., McCandlish Holton and Counsel to Virginia Winery Distribution Company |
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(Picture left to right: Scott Wawner, VP of JW Sieg & Company, Chairman of Virginia Wine & Beer Wholesalers Association; Randy Philips, Owner of Cave Ridge Winery & VWDC Board member; Terri Cofer Beirne, McCandlish Holton and counsel to VWDC; Senator Emmett Hanger, 24th Senatorial District; Todd Haymore, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; Ellen King, Owner of King Family Vineyards; David King, Owner of King Family Vineyards, Chairman of VWDC Board; Jesse McDaniel, Wine Buyer for Crozet Great Valu; Joe Gogliotti, Republic National Distributing, VWDC Board Member; Bill Dickinson, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture & Forestry; Ann Heidig, Owner Lake Anna Winery and President of Virginia Wineries Association)
On April 17, 2008, the Commonwealth launched operation of the Virginia Winery Distribution Company (VWDC). The new company results from Virginia General Assembly action to provide Virginia wineries and farm wineries an alternative to using independent wine wholesalers. Any Virginia winery may distribute up to 3,000 cases of their wine per year through VWDC, which is associated with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS). In the past, wineries could market and sell their products directly to shops and restaurants without using a wine wholesaler. In September 2005 the federal courts ruled that self-distribution by Virginia wineries was unconstitutional, and on July 1, 2006, a new Virginia law eliminated self-distribution in Virginia. At that time, nearly two-thirds of Virginia wineries were left without wholesale distribution.
The 2007 General Assembly then passed a bill introduced by Senator Emmett Hanger of Augusta County creating the Virginia Winery Distribution Company. VWDC, which operates within the existing wine distribution system, is a wine wholesaler tailored to the needs of small Virginia wineries. Using VWDC, winery workers will continue to market their wine to shops and restaurants. However, VWDC and the winery will share delivery workers, bonded warehouse space and delivery vehicles to fill the orders. VWDC will provide electronic purchase orders and invoices, remit all taxes, and submit necessary government reports. The initial cost to Virginia wineries using VWDC will be $5 per transaction.
The Virginia wine industry credits self-distribution with being the single most important factor in the growth of the number of farm wineries from six in 1980 to more than 130 today. "Losing the capability to self-distribute was a major blow to many of our farm wineries," said Todd P. Haymore, Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture and a member of the VWDC Board of Directors. "Both Virginia winemakers and wine wholesalers recognize VWDC as a creative alternative for small wineries." He added that the wine industry is a fast-growing and important part of Virginia agriculture. "With 70 wineries already on-board as customers of VWDC, we can anticipate even more Virginia wine sales."
The VWDC is governed by a Board of two winery owners, two wine wholesalers and the Commissioner. David King of King Family Vineyards in Crozet, Virginia, is Board Chairman. "We are excited to launch this new company to support the Virginia wine industry," King stated. It's exciting for all sectors of the industry - wineries, wholesalers and retailers - to finally have this wine wholesaler in place. On behalf of the wine industry, I thank the Virginia General Assembly for their creativity."
For additional information, please contact David King, King Family Vineyards, 434-882-3200 or david@kingfamilyvineyards.com or Terri Cofer Beirne, Counsel to VWDC, 804-775-7233 or tbeirne@lawmh.com.
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MAY FESTIVALS & EVENTS |
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May 3-4: Montpelier Wine Festival
Rt. 20, 4 miles south of Orange
On May 3 & 4, James Madison's Montpelier will host the Montpelier Wine Festival, a weekend of Southern hospitality that showcases wines from 10 award-winning Virginia wineries. Montpelier is in the heart of Virginia's famed wine country!
Spending a day at the Montpelier Wine Festival is more than tasting great wines! You can learn new techniques of cooking with wine from Rowena Morrell of In the Kitchen Magazine along with Erica Hall of From the Scratch Baking Company in nearby Charlottesville. Joining them will be Orange County's own Melissa Close, chef of Palladio Restaurant at Barboursville Winery. Picnic on the grounds, listen to exceptional jazz and blues or wander through the many arts and crafts vendors.
Take a carriage ride on the grounds of this historic Steeplechase Course, stroll through Montpelier's gardens, take a walk through a 200 year old forest or enjoy a tour of Madison's home which is completing a three year renovation project. Visit the Revolutionary War encampment where soldiers, their families and visiting dignitaries from the 18th century re-create life at a period military camp.
Don't forget to "look to the skies"! Overhead will be a spectacular display by Wings Over Washington who will entertain you to your hearts delight. Children are invited to make their own kite and there are kite challenge events for the whole family. A barrel train will also wind through the festival and entertain the younger set.
Advance Tickets through May 1 - Adults $14, Designated Driver & Under 13 $5
Tickets at the Gate $20 for Adults
Private Tables & Tents available at 540-672-5216
May 9-10: America's Polo Cup Historic Morven Park, Leesburg, VA USA versus Italy. Benefiting the Journey for the Cure, a non-profit Charitable Foundation, events will include award-winning wines, celebrity chefs, fashion show, Polo Cup match, Military demos and concerts including a grand finale live concert by Huey Lewis & The News complete with a fireworks show! 540.622.2505. www.americaspolocup.com
May 10: The 2nd Annual AT&T Spring Town Point Virginia Wine Festival
11 am - 6pm Downtown Norfolk Waterfront Great music, gourmet foods, specialty wares, and samplings of newly released vintages and past favorites from Virginia's premier winemakers. www.festeventsva.org
May 16: Sunset Wine Tasting6:30 - 9:30 p.m. West Manor, Elkton Farm Road, Forest A festive event of wine tasting, hors d'oeuvres, auctions, and live music! Proceeds benefiting the National Kidney Foundation of the Virginias. . www.kidneyva.org/sunsetwine.htm
May 17: Romance on the River Wine, Art & Jazz Festival11am - 6pm Mill Point Park, Hampton Fine wines, performances by regional jazz artists, and juried art show. www.vasc.org/celebrationsbythebay
May 17: Hottest Smooth Jazz Festival
Chrysalis Vineyards, Middleburg
Cool cats on the lawn, slide your jibe and down some wine. Great wines, food and music by Leesburg Jazz. 540-687-8222.
May 17 - 18: Ash Lawn-Highland's 14th Annual Winefest 11am - 5pm each day
Charlottesville, VA
Held in the gardens of President James Monroe's home. Taste wines from ten Virginia wineries. Enjoy the music of Beleza Brasil. Browse selected artisans. Sample gourmet food. Visit the Monroe House. Admire the peacocks, sheep and cows. Take home your souvenir wine glass. Complete the experience with hearty fried fish, Carolina barbecue, and Mediterranean fare.
May 17-18: Tarara's 8th Annual Winds and Wine Festival
Tarara Winery, Leesburg
World class wine, outrageous live bands, kit-flying demos, wagon rides and u-pick asparagus. 703-771-7100
May 17 - 22: Annual Virginia Wine & Craft Festival
10am - 6pm
Historic Front Royal 19 Virginia Wineries, crafters, artists, food, live entertainment and children's area. www.frontroyalchamber.com
May 23-25: Virginia Vinters Table: Presenting our Best Harvests
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
Hosted by Virginia Tech, this event will showcase world class wines produced in Virginia. Seminars, tours and entertainment.
May 24-25: Lucy's Weekend at Cooper Vineyards
Louisa (I645 to Exit 148)
Annual Benefit for Richmond SPCA with Adopt-a-Pet SPCA Tail Wagon on site. Wine tastings and music. 540-894-5253.
May 24-25: Wine Into Summer Celebration
Wintergreen Winery, Nellysford
Live music, wine and food tastings, riverside picnics. Family friendly setting.
434-550-7516
May 31: Arts in the Vineyard Wine Festival
James River Cellars, Richmond
Extraordinary regional arts and award-winning wines. Local artisans and live music.
804-550-7516
May 31: Chesapeake Bay Wine Festival
White Fences Vineyard, Irvington
Guest wineries, free tastings, vineyard tours, live entertainment. 804-438-5559.
May 31-June 1: 27th Annual Vintage Virginia Wine Festival
Bull Run Regional Special Events Center, Centreville, VA
Attend seminars, browse through choice collections of fine arts and crafts and relax with premier musical entertainment.
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WE WERE THERE! |
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LEMAIRE: JEFFERSON HOTEL WINE DINNER
April 2, 2008
Courtesy of Charlie Knight, Vitis Virginia, Richmond, VA
Some of Virginia's top wines were recently showcased in Richmond at the Jefferson Hotel's monthly wine dinner. Charlie Knight of Vitis Virginia entertained a full house in one of the private dining rooms of Lemaire, the hotel's formal restaurant, but the real stars that night were the wines and the tasting menu created especially for the occasion.
Sous Chef James Schroeder and Ben Eubanks, Director of Restaurants and Wine Director, carefully selected wines from White Hall Vineyards, Ingleside Vineyards, and Rappahannock Cellars to draw attention to the terrific quality and diversity of styles being produced today in Virginia. The menu was then designed around the wines, incorporating local food ingredients throughout-Rockfish with Viognier, Braised Pheasant with Cabernet Franc, and Venison Loin with a complex and full-bodied Meritage.
Since 1895, The Jefferson Hotel has been recognized by discerning travelers as Richmond's grandest hotel and one of the finest in America. It is one of the few properties in the region to offer Five Diamond ratings for both lodging and dining. Fittingly, the hotel has also been one of the Virginia Wine industry's strongest supporters, among the first to showcase local wines as well as host to the state's Governor's Cup Awards many times.
MONTICELLO WINE FESTIVAL
April 19-20, 2008
Morris Farm, Stanardsville, VA
It was a sunny, breezy weekend in Stanardsville for the Monticello Wine Festival, with lots of Virginia wineries offering tastings of their wines, great entertainment, good food, arts and crafts. Visitors to the festival were the first to see Virginia Wine Lover magazine, as it was "hot of the press" on April 19. There was great enthusiasm about the magazine and many people signed up for subscriptions. All and all, a good time was had by all.
VIRGINIA TOURISM SUMMIT
April 21-23, 2008 Charlotesville, VA
Pictured above are Virginia Wine Lover publishers, Frank Britt and Randy Thompson along with Meredith Hemenway, Public Relations and Special Events manager for the magazine at this years summit. The Virginia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (VACVB) Tourism Summit & Annual Meeting is the association's event of the year. Over two days, the membership comes together for networking, information, education and celebration. The Tourism Summit & Annual Meeting is a great opportunity for representatives to learn what products and services are available from the Allied members, not to mention the invaluable exchange of ideas and thoughts among other bureaus and organizations across the Commonwealth. It's the event no member wants to miss. |
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Travel and Leisure Magazine names Virginia one of the top five new travel wine destinations in the world - July 2007.
 If you are interested in advertising in Virginia Wine Lover magazine, contact us at info@vawinelover.com.
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If you would like to contribute an article to our WINE LOVER E-Newsletter, please send information to news@vawinelover.com.
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