This listing represents only a sampling of the winery events held across the state during October.  There are literally dozens of festivals and special programs, and we recommend that you visit the Virginia Wine Guide at www.virginiawines.org for a more comprehensive list.

October 6:  Annual Wein Fest
North Mountain Vineyard, Mauretown
Sample authentic German food, sing and dance along with the German band.  Learn about German heritage in the Shenandoah Valley. 
www.northmountainvineyard.com

VIRGINIA VINEYARD FOCUS (Third in the Series)

Named in the 19th century for the Chesapeake Bay breezes which roam inland to the head of Craddock Creek, Point Breeze is truly an idyllic place.  Having been in Indiana conducting archaeological investigations for seven months, the smell of salt and vistas of shimmering blue-green water were truly a welcome sight.  I couldn't wait to taste the warm grapes we were soon to harvest, and even though I was on vacation, the anticipation of hard work made me smile.  My family works with relish.

Upon retiring from the Navy, Rock Stephens and his wife Kris had strict criteria for their next job.  Spending more time together, being near the water and a zero commute were high on the list.  Located on Virginia's Eastern Shore, which has its own AVA (American Viticultural Area), The Vineyard at Point Breeze is now their collaborative love.

Specializing in Merlot and Chardonnay, nearly all of the twelve acres under vine are devoted to five clones of those varietals, while a smattering of Syrah, Petite Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon were added for blending and research.  Intense research has yielded sound decisions, and yet, as Kris explains, "It's not always the easy road.  We chose a lyre trellis system because of our fertile soil.  Sometimes it feels like three times as much work as VSP (Vertical Shoot Position, but we've definitely seen improvement in grape quality.  While we are not a licensed winery, winning two international amateur winemaking awards is proof we're on the right track."

Of course the barrel room is another fun part of the business (hurray for the farm winery act!), and a visit home is always filled with learning opportunities.  "Today we're checking on the Chardonnay," Rock tells me.  "It's about half way through its fermentation." We enter the cool confines of an aromatic heaven and companionably toil over this year's product.

At the house the phone rings off the hook with Rock's other duties.  As President of the Virginia Vineyards Association (www.virginiavineyardsassociation.com) and Vice-chair of the Virginia Wine Board, someone's always calling to pick his brain.  Kris is also busy, sitting on the county committee for Accomack-Northampton Farm Service Agency. "I want to better understand my community and stay involved," Kris said.

And like most rural settings, the Shore is a place that takes some getting to know.  It must be hard for my well-traveled parents to be so far away from metropolitan life, but the love of wine and of growing things replaces any superficial sputtering.  When the fruit is gone and the vines become golden torches, fall is here and the peace which only hard work can win is reward enough.

The Vineyard at Point Breeze is located at GPS: N37' 34' W75' 54'.

(Kathryn Martin is an avid writer and Archeological Crew Chief with the Lewis Berger Group, Inc.  She is the daughter of Rock and Kris Stephens.)

For October we have selected two wines from one of our favorite Virginia vintners, Jim Law of Linden Vineyards. Jim has been working his Hardscrabble vineyard since the rebirth of the Virginia wine industry in the mid 80's. He is most noted for his Bordeaux style reds which everyone raves about, so we are recommending two of his white wines which sometimes get overlooked. (Pictured to the left, Jim Law of Linden Vineyards conducts wine seminar.) 

2006 Linden Seyval - $16
2006 was a very good year at Linden for whites with quality that could outshine the 1999 vintage. We love the minerality and zest of the '06 Seyval and consider it one of the best in the state. On the nose you'll find pungent aromas of lemon thyme and fresh straw. This wine is dry, light to medium bodied, with a finish that is fresh & bracing. We often recommend this wine with fish such as trout or chilled oysters.


Salute! Wine Market in the Heart of Old Town Winchester offers a collection of "Wine for the Curious to the Collector.™" With over 1,000 wines from around the world in stock and a selection of over 25 Virginia Wineries, our wine sales associates can always help select just the right bottle to suit every taste or occasion. Shop online or see the tasting events schedule at www.salutewinemarket.com.