Blue Ridge Wineway Wine Festival at Great Meadow Grand Prix

August 19, 2002
Contact: Leslie VanSant
(540) 253-5001
lvs@greatmeadow.org

THE PLAINS, VA — The Blue Ridge WineWay wineries will bring the best of their cellars to toast the competition at the Great Meadow Grand Prix Classic. A wine festival will be held during the $100,000 Moore Cadillac Hummer Classic horse show jumping competition on September 8, 2002.

Eight member wineries of the Blue Ridge WineWay Association, will participate in the wine festival including Bleu Rock Vineyard, Farfelu Vineyards, Gray Ghost Vineyards, Oasis Winery, Pearmund Cellars, Piedmont Vineyards & Winery, Rappahannock Cellars and Unicorn Winery. Guests to the wine festival pavilion tent will be able to taste & purchase the latest vintages while enjoying the show jumping action. (Wine pavilion sponsored by oasislimo.com)

“We’re pleased to be a part of the Great Meadow Grand Prix,” stated Blue Ridge WineWay Association Founder & President Tareq Salahi. “Virginia is known for its wines & horses, the Festival and Grand Prix allow people to enjoy the beauty of both at Great Meadow.” In cooperation with Cadillac/Hummer, Oasis Wine Country Tours will display its new Hummer stretch Limousine at the wine pavilion tent!

Competition show jumping challenges horses and riders to jump a course of 15 to 20 specially designed fences. Competitors accrue "faults" (i.e. penalty points) if the horse refuses, brings down a fence or time allowed is exceeded. The ultimate goal is a "clean" or no fault round.

Gates open at 10:00 am for pre-event entertainment, including a $10,000 Junior Amateur Jumper Stake. The $100,000 Moore Cadillac Hummer Grand Prix begins at 2:00 pm. Tickets to the wine festival are $10 in advance in addition to the Grand Prix admission. General admission car passes are $30 in advance, $40 at the gate. Members Hill Car passes are $60 in advance. Car passes admit up to 6 people; children under five free. Tents, boxes and Wine & Cheese tables are also available. Call 540-253-5001 for more information on passes, tents, boxes and tables or visit www.GreatMeadow.org.

Nestled in the heart of Virginia’s Piedmont countryside, Great Meadow is a 250-acre field events center, steeplechase course and equine sports facility dedicated to the preservation of open space for community access. Home of the renowned Virginia Gold Cup Steeplechase Races, wine festivals, and a Fourth of July Celebration, nearly a quarter million people enjoy the grounds annually. Event proceeds benefit the preservation of open space. A short 45-minute drive from downtown to I-66 Exit 31, Great Meadow in The Plains is conveniently located near the greater Washington metropolitan area. For further information, phone 540-253-5000; www.GreatMeadow.org; www.BlueRidgeWineWay.com