A Celebration of Virginia Wines
The Trellis Hosts Its Annual Virginia Vintners Barrel Tasting

April 16, 2002
Contact: Amanda Hathaway
Breslow Partners
215-731-2000

Unless you're in the know, Virginia might not be the first state that comes to mind when you think of America's wine regions. But with 75 wineries growing world-class vinifera grapes and producing wines that compete with the finest European vintages, Virginia is rapidly becoming one of the country's top wine producers, and The Trellis restaurant in Williamsburg champions this burgeoning industry with an annual barrel tasting.

When the Trellis opened 20 years ago, Virginia wines was just a cottage industry. Owners Marcel Desaulniers and John Curtis and manager Noreen Graziano would get together to sample the best from the local vineyards, but some of the wine never made it out of the glass - just the aroma was unappealing. Not so today. They now consider Virginia wines as deserving of a special annual event.

On Tuesday, May 7, at the Trellis' annual Virginia Vintners Barrel Tasting, guests will experience the best that Virginia vineyards have to offer, combined with six courses designed by Chef Desaulniers to pair perfectly with each wine. According to Graziano, who oversees the Trellis wine program, Virginia's wineries particularly excel in French Bordeaux styles and German Reislings. The evening's wine selection is representative of the state's best wines:

Oasis Brut
Horton Reserve Viognier 2000
Michael Shap's Viognier 2000, King Family Vineyard
Wintergreen Black Rock Chardonnay 2000
Prince Michel Barrel Select Chardonnay 1999
Valhalla Sangiovese 2000
Tarara Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
Rockbridge Cabernet 1998
Williamsburg Winery Gabriel Archer Reserve 1999
Barboursville Reserve Cabernet Franc 1999
Crow Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
Oakencroft Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
Willowcroft Traminette 2000

Chef Desaulniers designed dishes to accompany the flavors of each wine, such as pan-seared rabbit loin with carrots, grapes and pine nuts to complement to Rockbridge Cabernet, and grilled smoked venison loin with fingerling potatoes and tiny green beans to go with the Crow Mountain and Oakencroft Caberet Sauvignons. Throughout the evening, which begins at 7 p.m. with an aperitif, Peter Coe, owner of Tastes Unlimited, will moderate presentations by representatives from each of the wineries represented.

The dinner and wine tasting costs $75 (tax and gratuity not included). The evening is also a celebration of James Beard's 99th birthday and $10 of the ticket price is a tax-deductible contribution to the James Beard Foundation. The Trellis is located at 403 Duke of Gloucester Street, Williamsburg, VA. For reservations, call 757.229.8610. Visit www.thetrellis.com to learn more about the award-winning restaurant.