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VIRGINIA
WineLover
Magazine can be found at these
locations:
VIRGINIA WINERIES
Abingdon Vineyard &
Winery
Abingdon
Afton Mountain Vineyards
Afton
AmRhein Wine
Cellars
Bent Mountain
Barboursville Vineyards Barboursville
Belle Mount
Vineyards
Warsaw
Blenheim Vineyards
Charlottesville
Blue
Ridge Vineyard
Eagle
Rock
Breaux Vineyards, Ltd.
Purcellville
Brooks Mill
Winery
Wirtz
Casanel
Vineyards
Leesburg
Chateau
Morrisette
Floyd
Chatham Vineyards & Winery Machipongo
Chester Gap
Cellars
Front
Royal
Chrysalis
Vineyards
Middleburg
Cooper
Vineyards
Louisa
Corcoran
Winery
Waterford
Davis Valley Winery
and Vineyard
Rural Retreat
Delfosse Vineyards &
Winery
Faber
Dry Mill Vineyards &
Winery Leesburg
Ducard
Winery
Charlottesville
Fabbioli
Cellars
Leesburg
Fincastle Vineyard
& Winery Fincastle
First Colony
Winery
Charlottesville
Gabriele Rausse
Winery
Charlottesville
Gadino
Cellars
Washington
Gray Ghost
Vineyards
Amissville
Grayhaven
Winery
Gum
Spring
Hartwood
Winery
Fredericksburg
Hickory Hill
Vineyard & Winery
Moneta
Hiddencroft Vineyards
Lovettsville
Holly Grove
Vineyards
Franktown
Horton Cellars
Winery
Gordonsville
Hummel
Vineyards
Montross
Ingleside Vineyards
Gift Shop
Oak Grove
James River
Cellars
Glen
Allen
Jefferson
Vineyards
Charlottesville
Keswick
Vineyards
Keswick
King Family
Vineyards
Crozet
Kluge Estate
Winery
Charlottesville
Lake Anna
Winery
Spotsylvania
Leogrande
Vineyards & Winery
Goode
Lexington Valley
Vineyard Rockbridge
Baths
Mattaponi
Winery
Spotsylvania
Miracle Valley Vineyard
Delaplane
MountainRose
Vineyards, Inc.
Wise
Naked Mountain Vineyard
& Winery
Markham
Narmada
Winery
Amissville
Neala
Estate Vineyards
Madison
North Gate
Vineyard
Purcellville
North Mountain
Vineyard & Winery
Maurertown
Oak Crest Vineyard & Winery
King George
Paradise Springs Winery
Clifton
Peaks of Otter Winery
Bedford
Pearmund
Cellars
Broad
Run
Philip Carter
Winery
Hume
Potomac Point Vineyard
& Winery
Stafford
Prince Michel
Vineyard
Leon
Rappahannock
Cellars
Huntly
Rebec
Vineyards
Amherst
Rockbridge Vineyard
Inc.
Raphine
Rogers Ford
Farm Winery Sumerduck
Rural Retreat Winery &
Vineyards
Rural
Retreat
Sans Sousy Vineyard &
Winery
Brookneal
Sharp Rock
Vineyards
Sperryville
Shenandoah
Vineyards
Edinburg
Spring Creek Wine
Cellar
Pamplin
Sugarleaf
Vineyards
North Garden
Thibaut-Janisson Winery
Charlottesville
Three
Fox Vineyards
Delaplane
Tomahawk Mill
Winery
Chatham
Twin Oaks Tavern
Winery
Chevy Chase
Unicorn
Winery
Amissville
Valhalla
Vineyards
Roanoke
Vault Fields Vineyards
Kinsale
Veramar
Vineyard
Berryville
Veritas Vineyards
& Winery
Afton
White Fences Vineyard
& Winery
Irvington
White Hall
Vineyards
Crozet
White Rock Vineyards
& Winery
Goodview
Williamsburg
Winery
Williamsburg
Wintergreen
Winery
Nellysford
Wolf Gap
Winery
Edinburg
Woodland
Vineyard
Midlothian
WINE SHOPS & OTHER RETAILERS
Ashburn Wine
Shop
Ashburn
Basket
Case
Lynchburg
Bistro L'Hermitage
Woodbridge
Bon Vivant
Market
Smithfield
Bostetter's Wine
& Gourmet Alexandria
Carafe Wine Makers
Alexandria
Classic
Wines
Great Falls
Corks and Kegs
Richmond
Countryside
Classics
Salem
D'Vine
Wines
Winchester
Daily Planet Wine
& Gourmet Alexandria
Diamond Hill General
Store
Moneta
Feast
Charlottesville
Galloping
Grape
Warrenton
Gators Gift
Shop
Richmond
Gourmet Center &
Deli
Alexandria
Grapes &
Cheese
Richmond
Grapes of Taste Wine
Shop
Ruther
Glen
Grapevine
Warrenton
J Emerson
Inc.
Richmond
La Bodega
Hampton
Locke Modern Country
Store Millwood
Lukhard's
Virginia Pantry
Powhatan
Magnolia Foods
Lynchburg
Market Street Wine
Shop Charlottesville
Market
Street Wine Shop Uptown
Charlottesville
Murphy Beverage Company
Winchester
Norm's Beer
& Wine
Vienna
Olde Virginia Gourmet
& Gifts Stafford
Once
Upon A Vine
Richmond
Pottery Wine &
Cheese Shop Williamsburg
Premier Limousine
Service Lynchburg
Private
Stock Cigar & Wine
Glen
Allen
Rick's Wine & Gourmet
Alexandria
Rio Hill
Wine & Gourmet Charlottesville
River City Cellars,
Inc.
Richmond
Rockfish Gap Country
Store
Afton
Salute! Wine
Market
Winchester
Shenandoah
Style
Strasburg
Taste Unlimited
Oceanfront-Virginia Beach
Bayville-Virginia Beach
Hilltop-Virginia Beach
Greenbrier-Chesapeake
Ghent-Norfolk
Oyster Point-Newport News
The Cheese Shop of Virginia Williamsburg
The Curious Grape
Arlington
The Farm Basket
Lynchburg
The
Virginia Shop
Alexandria
The Wine Cabinet
Reston
The Wine
Cellar
Midlothian
The Wine
Cellar
Staunton
The Winehouse in
Ghent
Norfolk
Town Duck
Warrenton
Uncorked
Buena
Vista
Very
Virginia
Leesburg
Vintage Cellar
Blacksburg
Virginia Grape
Escapes
Richmond
Virginia
Store
Hampton
Virginia Wine
Experience Fredericksburg
Virginia Wine
Experience Fredericksburg
Washington St.
Purveyors Lexington
Wine
Cheese & More
Chincoteague
Wine
Gourmet
Roanoke
Wine
Seller
Herndon
Wine Smith
Ashburn
Wine
Specialist
Washington
WineStyles
Chantilly
WineStyles
Montclair
WineStyles
Penn Laird
Wine Works
& Tobacco
Richmond
Windsor
Gifts
Roanoke
Ye Olde Dominion Wine Shoppe
Occuquan
TOTAL WINE &
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Total Wine &
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Total Wine &
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Shopping Center Newport News
Total
Wine & More
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Total Wine &
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Robious Hall
Shopping Center
Richmond
Total Wine &
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West Richmond
Westland Plaza Shopping Center
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Total Wine &
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Crossways
Center
Chesapeake
Total Wine &
More Marketplace at Hilltop
Virginia Beach
KROGER STORES
Kroger
#239,
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Kroger #520, Chester
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Kroger #525, Richmond
Kroger #532, Virginia Beach
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Convention &
Visitor Bureaus
Charlottesville/Albemarle Convention &
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Loudoun
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Fauquier County
Dept. of Economic Development
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Bur.
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Lexington and
the Rockbridge Area Tourism Development
Bedford Tourism
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Select Virginia ABC Stores
(45 cities throughout
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Store #119, ALEXANDRIA
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|
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Vol. IV, Issue No. 5
May
2009
|
Dear
Friend of Virginia Wine:
This month we're travelling from one end of the
Commonwealth to the other. Winery festivals and
special events all over the state are moving into full
swing in May, so many in fact that we couldn't begin to
list them all. (For a comprehensive events listing
and to download your free winery map, visit the Virginia
Wine Marketing Office's website at www.virginiawines.org.)
Our
travels begin in Central Virginia at Cooper Vineyards
where you'll experience a vertical tasting of Cooper
Norton. From Taste Unlimited in Hampton Roads, we
bring you a mouth watering recipe for Baked Eastern
Shore Oysters, and moving north to Williamsburg, we
offer Virginia's Finest Chocolates for the love of
Mother. Our Winery of the Month is Stone Mountain
in Dyke near the Skyline Drive in central Virginia, and
Winchester's Long Hill in the Shenandoah Valley is our
featured Bed and Breakfast.
The summer issue of Virginia Wine Lover magazine
will be in your mailbox and available around the state
in the next week or so. Certain to be your Travel
Virginia Guide, it includes wonderful features on the
wineries and wine events, where to go, where to stay,
where to eat, and how to best enjoy this great
Commonwealth.
 Cheers from Virginia
Wine Lover!
Frank C.
Britt
Publisher
P.S. Enter our Weekend Get Away
for you and another Virginia Wine Lover at the historic
Boar's Head in Charlottesville, VA. Just click the
banner below to register, then come back and read the
May eNewsletter. Remember, you can send this
Virginia Wine Lover eNewsletter to a
friend.
Also, download free regional maps of
Virginia wineries...see sponsors link to the
left.
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A VERTICAL TASTING EXPERIENCE WITH COOPER'S
NORTON
By Jeff Cooper, Cooper
Vineyards
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In my experience, one of the most fun adventures in
wine tasting is to do a vertical tasting of a single
winery's selection across a number of years. It is
like visiting an old friend and seeing the growth over
the years, getting an opportunity to recall old
favorites, and to see how the expression of weather
affects the final product in the bottle.
We may speak of great wine producing houses, and of
great vintages, but the adage "there are no great wines,
only great bottles" is never more true than when one
takes old bottles out of the cellar for a vertical
sampling. Tasting different vintages of the same
wine allows us to gauge how the wines will change and
mature with time, when we can expect them to reach their
peaks, and how age worthy they will be for
cellaring.
 Recently, we
held a vertical tasting of Cooper Vineyards Nortons from
our first release (2001) to a barrel sample of our
latest vintage (2008). The Cooper Vineyard Nortons
have all been medal winners, and have exhibited a smooth
drinkability with intense fruit flavors. The
wine tasting was paired with a special dinner
prepared by Chef Jill Garloff which was designed to
harmonize with and accentuate the flavors of the Norton
grape.
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Recipe of the Month:
A TRADITION OF GOOD TASTE
FOR OVER 35 YEARS!
By Amy Jordan, Taste
Unlimited
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(Featured above: Baked Eastern Shore
Oysters with Lemon and Fresh Herbs. Click the
link below for the recipe.)
When the first Taste Unlimited® opened its doors as
a wine and cheese shop in Virginia Beach in 1973, few
people in eastern Virginia had heard of brie or
patê. Founder Peter Coe changed all that and
started a food revolution in the community by always
offering products and services not available elsewhere
in our area. Now in business for over 35 years,
the family-owned tradition of Taste Unlimited® continues
with six locations in Hampton Roads and online at www.tasteunlimited.com Today new generations know Taste® as much for the
famous sandwiches on freshly baked breads with the
legendary house dressing as they do for having the
area's most distinctive selections of wines, cheeses,
specialty foods (including Virginia peanuts), and unique
gift baskets. They have one of the area's largest
selections of Virginia wines. In fact, Taste
Unlimited started carrying Meredyth Marechal Foch in
1978 and has carried Virginia wines ever since. At
any given time, Taste® carries 25 to 35 Virginia wines
that represent the Virginia industry, as well as over
100 Virginia specialty food products. If you stop
into the Taste® locations at the Virginia Beach
Oceanfront or at City Center in Newport News for lunch,
you can even enjoy a bottle of Virginia wine with your
menu selections!
Besides the famous sandwiches, Taste is also known
for healthy salads, savory soups and decidedly delicious
desserts. Weekly specials are outlined at www.TasteUnlimited.com, or stop in at
any of the six Hampton Roads locations: Hilltop, 638 Hilltop West,
Virginia Beach (757) 425-1858
Ghent, 619 Colley Avenue,
Norfolk (757)
623-7770
Oceanfront, 3603 Pacific
Avenue, Virginia Beach (757)
422-3399
Greenbrier, 1581 Crossways
Blvd., Chesapeake (757)
424-4583
Bayville, 4097 Shore Drive,
Virginia Beach (757) 464-1566
Oyster
Point/City Center, 702 Mariner's Row, Newport
News (757) 596-8651
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Winery of the Month:
STONE MOUNTAIN
VINEYARDS
By Neil
Williamson
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(Photos courtesy of
Stone Mountain Vineyards, www.stonemountainvineyards.com)
Located halfway up Wyatt
Mountain in Greene County, award winning Stone Mountain
Vineyards is much more than just a nice spot to enjoy a
glass of wine; it is a Virginia wine
destination.
Walking into the enormous tasting room, with its
knotty pine wood floors and the expansive heartwood pine
tasting bar, one might think the space was designed from
inception for large events. In reality, the size
of the tasting room was dictated by the needs of the
winery below. Observation windows surround the
room providing a clear view of the vineyards and valley
below.
While comfortable furniture beckons the visitor to
sit and enjoy the view from inside, one would be remiss
not to explore the observation deck regardless of the
weather. From an elevation of 1,700 feet, the deck
offers views extending to four counties.
Since its first harvest ten years ago,
Stone Mountain has focused on high quality, low quantity
vineyard production. Working with Gabriele Rausse,
one of the fathers of the rebirth of Virginia wine, each
vineyard was oriented to maximize the intensity of the
fruit. In addition, the steep slope of the mountain
prevents the heavy spring frost from settling in and
damaging the vines.
Stone Mountain Vineyards is located in Dyke,
Virginia in Greene County. The tasting room is
open from 11 am - 5 pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday and
Federal Holiday Mondays through December.
Stone Mountain Vineyards
Dyke, Virginia
For directions call 434-990-WINE
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THE LOVE OF MOTHERS, WINE AND CHOCOLATE
By Mary Griffith, Virginia's
Finest
Chocolates
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Every year I struggle to come up with the
perfect gift for my mother on Mother's Day. After
all, she is one of the most important people in my life
and one that I am truly indebted to for making me who I
am. But mothers don't want or need any more
"stuff" in their lives. Usually by the time their
children are grown, they have accumulated enough stuff
to satisfy them materially, and moms with growing
children just want to know they are loved and
appreciated.
Moms really enjoy the "heart
stuff"-love, appreciation and good health-especially
heart health. What better way to say you love your
mom and want to take good care of her than to share some
heart healthy wine and chocolate with her on her special
day!
I'm always leery about preaching the
healthy word on chocolate and wine. It has been
believed for so long that these tasty treats could not
possibly be good for you. Many also say the only reason
we chocolate lovers preach at all is to justify our
consumption. I'm guessing wine lovers would say
the same. However, studies over the years continue to
prove that these substances ARE good for you and your
heart consumed, of course, in moderation.
I am a
little more versed in the chocolate world, than I am in
the wine world, but I know there is a lot of correlation
between the two related to our health. I will give
you some facts about chocolate and throw in some wine
facts too!
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BED &
BREAKFAST OF THE MONTH:
LONG HILL BED &
BREAKFAST
By Dan Ingraham, Owner of Afton Mountain
B&B and Board Member of B&B Association of
Virginia
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Looking for a special wine tasting
experience within an easy drive of Washington?
Then look no further than the Long Hill Bed &
Breakfast near Winchester. Long Hill offers their
guests a package featuring a luxurious chauffeured
limousine winery tour of selected wineries along the Blue Ridge
WineWay and the Loudoun Wine
Trail. Tours last approximately four
hours and can be custom-designed to include your
favorite wineries, or you can let Famous Limo plan the
tour for you.
In addition to the tour, the package includes a
relaxing, refreshing, one-night stay at Long Hill with
all the amenities, and Rhoda's award winning four-course
gourmet breakfast which is sure to give you a wonderful
start for your new day. And George's special blend
of coffees and assorted teas are available as early as
you wish.
 Situated on 20
acres on historic Apple Pie Ridge, the spacious and
flowing eco-friendly stone house at Long Hill has
antique architectural materials, including log beams,
floorboards, bricks, stone, stained glass, doors and
original hardware that were gathered from
hundred-year-old buildings and incorporated into a
modern, flowing floor plan. It's also a Certified
Backyard Wildlife Habitat.
 Long Hill has
three spacious guest rooms, each with queen size bed and
private bath. Amenities include a well-stocked
library, versatile recreation room, and two-person
whirlpool tub. Many indoor and outdoor sitting
areas provide privacy for a romantic and relaxing bed
and breakfast experience. Long Hill is ideally
located as a home base for day trips to visit area
attractions. History, antiquing, fine dining, shopping,
live theatre, golf -- you'll find it all in Winchester
and the surrounding area. Return to Long Hill for peace
and solitude after a day tasting fantastic
wines. Long Hill Bed &
Breakfast547 Apple Pie Ridge
Road Winchester, VA 22603 For reservations call
866-450-0341 E-mail: rkriz@visuallink.com www.longhillbb.com
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MONTPELIER
WINE FESTIVAL THIS
WEEKEND!
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BLACKSBURG
FORK AND CORK THIS
SATURDAY
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This Saturday, May 2nd, Blacksburg Fork & Cork
makes its debut as the first food, wine and art festival
in the New River Valley. Fourteen regional
wineries, six restaurants and some of the best artists
in the region will come together at the new First &
Main shopping center for a day of sipping wine,
listening to great music, and reveling in the beautiful
backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. On this
spring Saturday, Blacksburg will be the place to
be.
The daylong event will feature musical performances
by Cheryl Lunsford and the Star City Hot Club, Lenny
Marcus and the Waterdrops Band, and Blacksburg's very
own, The Porch Loungers. Acclaimed Executive Chef
Josef Schlech from the Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton
Conference Center will be one of numerous culinary
geniuses offering cooking demonstrations throughout the
day. Chef Josef is a graduate of the prestigious
Bad Gleichenberg Cooking School in Austria and brings
more than 32 years experience to the New River
Valley. Each delicacy will be paired with a
variety of wines from the attending Virginia wineries.
 Just outside of the wine garden will be
Artists Alley, Restaurant Row, and a Classic Car Show,
all free and open to the public. Tickets to the
wine garden are $15 in advance or $18 at the door.
This is a rain or shine event. For more information and
ticket sales visit
Blacksburg Fork & Cork is presented by
Rackspace, formerly Mailtrust, with platinum media
sponsor sponsor WSLS 10. Proceeds of the event
will benefit The Blacksburg Partnership, a 501c3
economic development organization serving the Town of
Blacksburg.
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MAY
VIRGINIA WINE
EVENTS
|
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Events at Virginia wineries are in full swing with
Barrel Tastings, Open Houses, Mother's Day Parties,
Memorial Day Celebrations and other activities too
numerous to include here. You'll find these at www.virginiawines.org. For the
following events, be sure to check individual winery
websites for times, costs and up-to-the minute
details.
May 1: 2nd Annual Sunset Wine
Tasting
West Manor, Forest, VA
Benefits
the National Kidney Foundation of the Virginias! This
fun evening at the beautiful West Manor will include
wine tasting, hors d'oeuvres, live music, dancing, and
auctions! Enjoy wines from Hickory Hill, Rebec, Blue
Ridge, and Sans Soucy!
(540) 562-0992
May 2: Blacksburg Fork and
Cork
First & Main - Blacksburg
Blacksburg
Fork and Cork makes its debut as the first food, wine
and art festival in the New River Valley. Thirteen
regional wineries, six restaurants and some of the best
artists in the region will come together at the new
First & Main shopping center for a day of sipping
wine, listening to great music, and reveling in the
beautiful backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
May 2-3: Montpelier
Wine Festival
President James Madison's
Montpelier - Orange County Showcases 24 Virginia
wineries. Kite show, live music, arts, crafts and
food vendors. Also children's activities.
www.montpelierwinefestival.com
May 2-3: Asparagus
FEASTival
Tarara Winery -
Leesburg Celebrate the first Tarara harvest and
demystify one of the most challenging wine
pairings. Pick your own fresh asparagus as you
taste fine Tarara wines. 703-771-7100 www.tarara.com
May 2 & 9: Master Class in Wine
Blending
Jefferson Vineyards -
Charlottesville Seminar with winemaker Andy Reagan
providing insight into the art and science of blending
your own Meritage. Wines drawn from
barrel. 800-272-3042 www.jeffersonvineyards.com
May 9: Mother's Day
JazzLake Anna Winery - Spotsylvania What
a way to entertain your Mom . . . live jazz from Aaron
Noe and his 14-piece orchestra and a buffet of gourmet
cuisine. 540-895-5085 www.lakeannawinery.com
May 9: Walk in the
VineyardGadino Cellars - Washington
(VA) Tour several vineyard blocks with the vineyard
manager who will lead discussion and answer questions
about growing grapes. 540-987-9292 www.gadinocellars.com
May 9: Annual Festival of
SpringDowntown Luray Fifth annual event
includes wine garden, fine crafters, delicious foods and
live entertainment. Activities for the whole
family. www.luraydowntown.com
May 9: Spring Town Point Virginia
Wine Festival
Norfolk Waterfront Shake
off the winter chill and experience life and wine
anew. Wine tastings, music and wine accessories.
757-441-2345 www.festevents.org
May 9: Country & Western Dance
Fund RaiserPhilip Carter Winery -
Hume Treat Mom to fine wine along with the color, the
joy, the spirit and the beauty of dance. Performances by
the Virginia Civic Ballet. Western style buffet
and live music. 549-364-1203 www.pcwinery.com
May 9: Banjos on the Back
Porch
First Colony Winery -
Charlottesville Premier folk musicians from the
Charlottesville area, Tennessee and West Virginia
playing Bluegrass and Old-Time tunes. Free; rain
or shine. 434-979-7105 www.firstcolonywinery.com
May 9-10: Chocolate and Wine
ParingSugarleaf Vineyards - North Garden
Fun and informative wine and chocolate
pairing. Sit outside, overlook the vineyard and
enjoy the day with those you love. 343-984-4272 www.sugarleafvineyards.com
May 15, 16, 17: Spring Wine Festival
and Sunset TourGeorge Washington's Mount
Vernon An enchanting evening of wine and
entertainment. Bring a blanket and stretch out on
the lawn. Listen to live jazz music and enjoy
stunning Potomac River views. Candlelight Mansion
tours. Adult event. www.mountvernon.org
May 16: A Taste of New
Kent
New Kent Winery - New Kent
Spend the day tasting wine from 14 Virginia
wineries. Door prizes, live music, local arts and
crafts vendors, carriage rides and a variety of
food!
May 16: Dog Days
Breaux
Vineyards - Purcellville Bring your favorite canine
and join vineyard dog Skipper for games, both for the
dogs and for their owners. Live music and wine
tastings. Supports local Greyhound
Rescue. 800-492-9961 www.breauxvineyards.com
May 16: 23rd Annual Virginia Wine
& Craft Festival
Historic Downtown Front
Royal Wine tastings from 16+ Virginia wineries and
art by crafters from all over the east
coast. Children's area, live entertainment
and food. 540-635-3185 www.frontroyalchamber.com
May 16: Taste of Greece
Festival
Doukenie Winery -
Purcellville Come celebrate Greek heritage with
authentic Greek food, live music, vineyard tours and
wine tastings. 540-668-6464 www.doukeniewinery.com
May 16-17: Ash Lawn-Highland Virginia
WineFest
Ash Lawn - Charlottesville 15th
Annual festival on the grounds of President James
Monroe's home. Top 10 Virginia wineries, live
music by Rock River Gypsies. BBQ, crafters, house
tours. 434-293-8000 www.al-h.us
May 16-17: The Virginia Renaissance
FaireLake Anna Winery -
Spotsylvania Join in the revelry as the little 16th
country town of Staffordshire celebrates the arrival of
Elizabeth, Queen of England and her
court. 540-895-5085 www.lakeannawinery.com
May 16-17: The Hottest Cool Jazz
Festival
Chrysalis Vineyards - Middleburg
Be cool cats on the lawn, slide your jibe, down some
wine, some bread and cheese. That's in the
groove! Incredible jazz from D.C.'s, The Joker's
Wild, and home-grown favorite Leesburg Jazz. Great
food, cheese and chocolates, fine arts and
crafts. 540-687-8222 www.chrysaliswine.com
May 16-17: All Things
Olive
Villa Appalachia Winery - Floyd
Tastings of cold pressed virgin olive oils and
olives from estates around the Mediterranean.
Olive pasta and olive bread to enjoy with a glass of
wine. 540-593-3100 www.villaappalachia.com
May 23: Dogtown
Pizza
Foggy Ridge Cider - Dugspur A yummy
event featuring fennel sausage with caramelized onion,
apple and blue cheese, and three cheese brick oven
pizzas made from cold fermented dough with a complex
flavor, finished with homemade mozzarella and freshly
prepared sauces. From Dogtown Pizza.
Complimentary cider tastings. 276-398-4041 www.foggyridgecider.com
May 23: 247th Anniversary Celebration
of American WinePhilip Carter Winery
- Hosted by Thomas Jefferson and Charles
Carter, the annual ceremony recognizes the 1762 medal
awarded to the Carter Family for producing America's
first fine wines. Enjoy live music, equestrian
demos, fencing competition. 540-364-1203 www.pcwinery.com
May 23: Murder Mystery
DinnerChateau O'Brien at Northpoint Winery
- Markham There's a murder at the winery and guests
become detectives to solve the crime. Prizes for the
most creative detective work. 571-238-0033 www.chateauobrien.com
May 23: Shenandoah Valley
Fest
Massanutten Resort 9th Annual Beer
& Wine Festival with a variety of Virginia wines,
along with craft, micro, domestic and import
beers. Live music, quality crafters and specialty
vendors. 540-434-3862 www.hrchamber.org
May 23-24: Lucy's
Weekend
Cooper Vineyards - Guest winery,
James River Cellars, join in annual benefit for Richmond
SPCA, honoring Cooper's found hound and mascot,
Lucy. Leashed 4-legged friends and picnics
welcome. Fun, food, music, wine and adoptable
pets. Blessing of the animals, Sunday at
one. 540-894-5253 www.coopervineyards.com
May 30: Just say
"Viognier!"Tarara Winery -
Leesburg Calling all wine-country connoisseurs and
foodie fanatics for a celebration as sensual and sassy
as a glass of "Virginia Gold." Food and wine
pairing of Viogniers with DC chefs. Wineries:
Tarara, Veritas, Cooper, Keswick and
Casanel. 703-771-7100 www.tarara.com
May 30-31: Vintage Virginia Wine
& Music Festival
Bull Run Regional Park
Special Events Center - Manassas Virginia's oldest
(28th annual) wine festival. Fifty wineries with
350 of the finest selections. Some of the nation's
most talented performers, 100 artists and vendors with
unique crafts and original art work, children's
activities, great food and gourmet
selections. 540-745-FEST www.atwproductions.com
If you have an event to list, please email it
to us at info@vawinelover.com.
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.
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| WE WERE
THERE! |
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CHESTERFIELD CELEBRATES THE VINE
By Todd Starkweather
April 18, 2009
Chesterfield, VA
On a gorgeous, warm spring day, 4,000 people
traveled to Chesterfield to drink in the sun and wine at
the 3rd Annual "A Celebration of the Vine"
presented by the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce on
April 18. Fifteen different wineries provided the
roughly 100 different wines available for tasting.
And not long after the gates opened at 11am, the grounds
at Government Center Parkway rapidly reached near
capacity. Robin Hogge, the Events Coordinator
estimated that 4,000 people came through the gates, an
increase of 2,500 from the previous year. Hogge
surmised that this year's new location and date helped
spur the dramatic increase in attendance. Crafter
and vendor attendance also had a dramatic uptick,
increasing from 15 the previous year to 50.
After patiently waiting for a tasting of wine,
many of event's wine enthusiasts purchased a glass or
bottle, unfolded a chair, parked themselves in a
convenient location, and enjoyed their vino as they
basked in the sun and listened to the soulful sounds of
Casper, a local Richmond-area band whose Motown sounds
delighted the crowd and frequently prodded people to
dance.
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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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