(Pictured above: Pick of the Piedmont Fall Wine Festival 2008)

 

 

Does Autumn give you the urge to visit your favorite wineries and attend the myriad of festivals? Do you enjoy the luxuries of a luxury resort, the decadence of a five-star hotel or the quaint charm of a B&B? Are you tired of the arbitrary Expedia/Travelocity machines that don't take any subjective consideration of your lifestyle? Are travel agents too expensive or impractical for a weekend excursion?  If so, consider the old cliché what's old is new again.....with a very upscale twist!

 

What do Wyndham, Hilton & Disney have in common?  They are world class hospitality brands that provide a superior experience. They also offer incredible bargains through their network of hotels & resorts if you agree to preview their vacation ownership program. Their logic is simple. The boom times are over. Most people won't be purchasing that second home on "the lake" or splurging on extravagant vacations. They have set a gold standard that all must follow. The winner is the consumer. Enjoy the incentives without commitments. It's that simple.

Following this trend, Rooms101.com has created the perfect hybrid travel marketplace. A 21 year old company specializing in promotional vacations, they have partnered with  leading brands offering these incentives. Their deals are diverse - especially in Williamsburg. They have a 3 day deal at the Kings Creek Plantation Resort with New Kent Winery tickets for $99! Whether your looking for a B&B getaway or a luxury vacation, you'll find incredible deals AND service at Rooms101.com. They have multiple destinations and will help you find the best flight deals, rental cars, tickets & more.

For More Information

Call Your Personal Travel Coordinator

1-800-749-4045

 

 

 

   

Ah, the wild fruit that is the jalapeno. Fiery little thing, with burning heat radiating from its seeds and membrane deep within the green pod. If you've been afraid of jalapenos, know that you can beat the heat; remove those seeds and membranes and what is left is a slightly spicy, richly flavored fruit perfect for embellishment.

1/4 cup coarsely chopped popped corn crumbs
4 slices of bacon, finely chopped
1/4 cup diced onions
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 cup shredded jack cheese
12 to 18 fresh jalapeno peppers

Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with foil or a silicone baking sheet and set aside.
 
Put the popcorn crumbs in a large bowl. In a medium-size skillet, fry the bacon and onions until the bacon is crisp and the onions are translucent. Remove from the heat, drain and pour over popcorn crumbs, stirring to combine.
 
In a medium-sized bowl, stir together the cheeses to combine. Fold the cheeses into the popcorn mixture.
 
Place as many toothpicks as you have jalapenos in a small bowl filled with enough water to cover them; let them soak for about 1 hour. Cut the caps off the jalapenos and reserve. Scrape out and discard the seeds and membranes. Stuff the jalapenos with the popcorn mixture, replace the jalapeno caps, and hold in place with the damp toothpicks. Place the jalapenos on the baking sheet, and bake until the peppers are tender and heated through, 25 to 35 minutes. Yields 6.

 

 

I am often asked what the term "estate" means and how this impacts my wine. First and foremost, it means providing our wine lovers with the best wine we can make. An estate winery grows all its own fruit and does not purchase grapes from other growers. This allows us to manage the growing season to our specifications and adjust to the weather challenges of each year. 

 

It is more important to produce the best fruit than a specific quantity of fruit. Control of the vineyard and its farming practices is the most important aspect in quality wine production. The old adage that wine is made in the vineyard is quite true. We harvest when the fruit is fully ripened with mature seed and skin tannins that will translate into bold wines that are velvet on the palate.

 

Secondly, you can be sure that an estate wine is vinified onsite, aged to perfection and bottled on estate property. It represents the best local wine that can be produced from vine to bottle. On the downside of being an estate vineyard, I cannot always promise to have vintages every year.  Mother Nature doesn't always cooperate and provide the conditions to produce quality fruit, so there are years when certain varietals are not available for production into wine. My promise: Enjoy our wines each release and expect the next release to be even better.

 

 

6500 Mount Chestnut Road

Roanoke, VA  24018

(540) 725-9463

 

 

 

Click here for Recipe 

 

 

 

45 YEARS!  Come celebrate our history!  What better way to celebrate Virginia Wine Month! Herring Hall, circa 1812, was a famous Inn and Restaurant from 1926 - 1970.  It offered distinctively prepared meals and lodging to a steady clientele. Newly reopened as a Bed and Breakfast, third generation innkeeper Anne Herring is excited to offer grand lodging in antebellum elegance once again at Herring Hall Bed & Breakfast.





 
For more information on other Virginia Bed and Breakfasts, visit www.innvirginia.com.