May 1-2: Montpelier Wine Festival
Grounds at Montpelier (Montpelier Station)An annual event at the lifelong home of President James Madison, "Father of the Constitution." Exceptional Virginia wines, distinctive arts and crafts, specialty food vendors, live music. Event for the whole family.
800-594-8499
May 1: Winemaker's Dinner
Blenheim Vineyards (Charlottesville)
Join Chef Mike Perry for a delicious evening of spectacular food and wine.
434-293-5366
www.blenheimvineyards.com
May 1: Ranger Reserve Blending Class
Gray Ghost Vineyards (Amissville)
Join winemaker Al Kellert as he leads a class on the fine nuances of blended wines. Take each component in the Ranger Reserve blend.
540-937-4869
www.grayghostvineyards.com
May 1: Master Class in Wine Blending-Meritage
Jefferson Vineyards (Charlottesville)
Winemaker Andy Reagan gives insight into the art and science of blending red varietals into your own Meritage. Wines drawn from barrel. Includes buffet lunch.
434-977-3042
www.jeffersonvineyards.com
May 1: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo
Ingleside Vineyards (Oak Grove)
Put on your sombrero and serape and join in the fiesta filled with music, food and fun.
804-224-8687
www.inglesidevineyards.com
May 1: Blacksburg Fork and Cork
First & Main Shopping District South Main Street (Blacksburg)
Food, wine and art festival featuring regional wineries, culinary delights from local restaurants, cooking demonstrational, art and live entertainment.
540-443-2008
www.blacksburgforkandcork.com
May 2: Wine & Food Pairing
DelFosse Vineyards and Winery (Faber)
Elegantly prepared wine and food pairing prepared by Chef Genevieve and paired with generous samplings of award-winning wines.
434-263-6100
www.delfossewine.com
MAY 8: LURAY FESTIVAL OF SPRING
Join Luray in celebrating the seasons with the Festival of Spring! Stroll Historic Downtown's Main Street lined with fine crafters, delicious food and live entertainment. Enjoy Virginia wineries and local brewery showcasing their vintages in a relaxed atmosphere. See a duck race along Hawksbill Creek where winners are rewarded a cash prizes ! Several activities for the children are located just a short walk to Inn Lawn Park. Visit the Train Depot and see a wonderful model train demonstration.
Festival of Spring is a community and fundraising event coordinated by Luray Downtown Initiative.
Purchase tickets at Wine Garden: $10 entry fee for tasting, $10 for a commemorative wine glass. ID Required.
Wineries Participating:
- Kluge Estate Vineyard & Winery
- Fox Meadow Winery
- Wisteria Farm and Vineyard
- Mattaponi Winery, Cooper Vineyards
- Horton Vineyards
- Bright Meadows Farm
- Peaks of Otter Winery
- Spring Creek Wine Cellar
- Fincastle Winery
Duck Race: Sales Tent on West Main Street at the Bridge.
$5 per Duck - $12 for a Family of 3 - $24 for a Flock of 6
Race to begin promptly at 5:00 p.m. - Ducks will be launched on the South side of the Main Street Bridge and the finish will be located just before the Main Street Bridge.
www.luraydowntown.com/festivals
May 8: Blending with Bill
Ingleside Vineyards (Oak Grove)
One in a series of hands-on workshops designed for the winemaker in you. Learn the art of blending with winemaker Bill Swain. Develop your own trial blends and learn how different combinations affect the intensity, structure, complexity and longevity of a fine red wine.
804-224-8687
www.inglesidevineyards.com
May 8: Cinco de Mayo
Veramar Vineyard (Berryville)
Celebrate the holiday with something more sophisticated than margarita and tequila shots...like Wine-a-Ritas. Enjoy wines that pair with a diversity of flavors for spicy south of the border flair.
540-955-5510
www.veramar.com
May 8: Breaking Ground Party
Paradise Springs Winery (Clifton)
Shovels, hardhats and great wine will be the order of the day at the groundbreaking for the first and only modern winery in Fairfax County.
703-830-9463
www.ParadiseSpringsWinery.com
May 8: Town Point Wine Festival
Town Point Park (Norfolk)
Featuring music, gourmet foods, specialty wares and samplings of newly released vintages and past favorites from Virginia's premier winemakers.
757-441-2345
www.festeventsva.org/mini-site/spring-town-point-virginia-wine-festival
May 8: Spring Wine and Music Festival
Wolf Gap Vineyard (Edinburg)
Annual bluegrass festival with pulled pork BBQ and award winning wines. "Five of a Kind" is the featured band.
540-984-3306
www.wolfgapvineyard.com
May 8: Master Class in Wine Blending-Meritage
Jefferson Vineyards (Charlottesville)
Winemaker Andy Reagan gives insight into the art and science of blending red varietals into your own Meritage. Wines drawn from barrel. Includes buffet lunch.
434-977-3042
www.jeffersonvineyards.com
May 8: Festival of Spring
Old Town Luray
Fine crafters, delicious foods and live entertainment in downtown Luray. Wine Garden with 10 Virginia wineries.
540-743-7398
www.luraydowntown.com
May 14-16: Mount Vernon Spring Wine Festival & Sunset Tour
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy (Mount Vernon)
An enchanting evening of wine and entertainment with live jazz music and stunning Potomac River views. Candlelit Mansion tours include rarely-seen Mansion cellar and appearances by George Washington.
703-780-2000
www.mountvernon.org
May 15: Virginia Wine and Craft Festival
Historic Downtown Front Royal
Enjoy Virginia wines, as well as fine handmade jewelry, hand painted glasses, hand crafted musical instruments, pottery and ceramics, and much more, including Corvettes. Festival food and children's activities.
540-635-3185
www.frontroyalchamber.com
May 15: The Vinton Wine & Food Festival
Front Lawn of Vinton War Memorial (Vinton)
Tasty sensations from local chefs and the sounds of regional musicians as you enjoy wine tastings.
540-343-1364
www.vintonwinefestival.com
May 15: Annual Taste of Greece Festival
Doukenie Winery (Purcellville)
Authentic Greek food, music, dance and family tradition. Outdoor wine tastings and vineyard tours.
540-668-6464
www.doukeniewinery.com
May 15: Annual Croquet Classic
Gray Ghost Vineyards (Amissville)
Back by popular demand. Play two games of croquet with the six high scorers advancing to the Championship Round. Enjoy award-winning wines.
540-937-4869
www.grayghostvineyards.com
May 21-23: Wine Camp at Veramar
Veramar Vineyard (Berryville)
If you love good wine, wonderful food and learning about wines, don miss this 3-day/2-night escape in the beautiful Virginia wine country. Includes lodging, meals, tastings and an exclusive winery experience.
540-955-5510
www.veramar.com
May 22: A Taste of New Kent Wine Festival
New Kent Winery (New Kent)
Enjoy a day full of fun in a spectacular setting. Fourteen wineries, live music, free carriage rides, food and craft vendors.
804-966-8581
www.ATasteofNewKent.com
May 21: The Central Virginia Wine Classic
Academy of Fine Arts (Lynchburg)
Wine buffs and foodies will recognize this event as the premier wine event only comes along every few years. Tasting of wines from around the world with Barboursville Winery as the featured Virginia producer. Great food with great wines, silent and live auctions featuring travel packages and dining selections like a grand cru wine dinner. www.academyfinearts.org
May 22: Barrels, Band & Barbeque
Cave Ridge Vineyard (Mt. Jackson)
An afternoon of great wine, good food and a Battle of the Bands to benefit the Shenandoah Valley Music Festival. Live performances by a number of regional groups.
540-477-2585
www.caveridge.com
MAY 22-23: FIRST ANNUAL WILLIAMSBURG WINE AND FOOD FESTIVAL
Colonial Heritage, 6500 Arthur Hills Drive
The event will showcase some of the finest wineries and restaurants in Virginia and feature five-time Grammy Award winning recording artist, Christopher Cross in concert on May 22. Windows On The World Wine School founder, Kevin Zraly, will conduct a wine appreciation seminar, and food and wine demonstrations will be presented throughout the two-day epicurean extravaganza. Attendees will have a chance to view and purchase fine art and boutique items from clothing to custom jewelry. Also available will be the Festival poster designed by world-renowned artist Romero Britto.
For information or to purchase tickets:
www.williamsburgwineandfoodfestival.com or 757-645-4100.
May 22-23: Ash Lawn-Highland's 16th Annual WineFest
Ash Lawn-Highland (Charlottesville)
At the home of President James Monroe, wines from some of Virginia's notable wineries, live music, artisans and food vendors. Rain or shine.
434-293-8000
www.ashlawnhighland.org
May 22-23: Spring Wine Festival at the Plains
Great Meadow (The Plains)
Virginia's farm wineries are celebrating spring with a grand tasting of Virginia's hard-to-find artisan wines at Great Meadow. Fancy food, fine art, regional music and opening night Twilight Polo.
703-823-1868
www.winefestivalattheplains.com
May 22-23: 8th Annual Hottest Cool Jazz Festival
Chrysalis Vineyards (Middleburg)
Not just a festival, an experience! Be cool cats on the lawn, slide your jibe, down some wine, some bread and cheese. Incredible jazz from area's hottest bands, BBQ, cheese and chocolates, fine art and more.
540-687-8222
www.chrysaliswine.com
May 23: Paddle & Wine Tasting Tour
Tarara Vineyard (Leesburg)
Private paddle and wine tour along 7-miles of the scenic Potomac River. Finish back at Tarara for wine tastings.
703-771-7100
www.tarara.com
May 27-31: Grand Opening of Virginia's Newest Winery
Ducard Vineyards (Etlan in Madison County)
Opening to the public with gorgeous new tasting room at the edge of Shenandoah National Park. Wines previously available only through festivals. Mountain view and streamside patios and featuring local foods.
540-923-4206
www.ducardvineyards.com
May 29: Sip and Shag
Eagle Rock, VA
Bring a blanket or chair and listen to beach music by the Key West Bank. Food available or bring a picnic.
540-798-7642
www.blueridgevineyard.com
May 29: Anniversary of American Wine Festival
Philip Carter Winery (Hume)
Join Thomas Jefferson and Charles Carter as they speak of their personal connection to wine in young America. Learn why the Carter family is recognized as the first family of American wine. Release of PC's flagship wine "Cleve".
540-364-1203
www.pcwinery.com
May 29: Shenandoah Valley Beer & Wine Festival
Massanutten Resort (McGaheysville)
Sampling from Virginia wineries and a variety of craft, micro, domestic and imported beers. Live music, quality crafters and specialty vendors.
540-434-3862
www.hrchamber.org
May 29: Clifton Wine Festival
Childrens Park (Clifton)
Wine, food, music, arts and crafts among the shady oaks and quaint building of Clifton. A unique event that brings Virginia wineries to this historic town.
703-455-5670
www.cliftonwinefestival.com
May 29-30: Lucy's Weekend
Cooper Vineyards (Louisa)
Annual benefit for the Richmond SPCA in honor of Lucy, the famous Cooper mascot. Live music, guest winery James River Cellars, and adoptable pets. Leashed 4-legged friends and picnics welcome
540-894-5253
May 30: Wintergreen Festival of Wines
Evans Center (Wintergreen)
An enjoyable afternoon of wine, jazz, light fare and cool mountain air. Benefits Wintergreen Performing Arts.
434-325-8292
www.wintergreenperformingarts.org
Breaux Vineyards is one of the most decorated wineries in
the history of Virginia wine; if you're not a fan yet, than you probably haven't tried their wines. Breaux Vineyards was named Virginia's favorite winery the past 2 years in a row, and they're hoping to bring home the title again for a 3rd consecutive year.
Charlie Adler's book I Drink on the Job: A Refreshing Perspective on Wine is part story, part education and full of anecdotes from his twelve years teaching over 16,000 people the basics of wine. I Drink on the Job is based on Charlie's highly rated wine class Wine Basics 101...Rather than write a book that covers every detail of wine, he focuses on the real questions from people attending TasteDC's class who are hoping for easy answers. 
Christopher Mize has just been trademarked as "Virginia's Wine Artist"! 
