There's Something to Celebrate in Virginia Wines This October in Central and Eastern Virginia

September 23, 2002
Contact: Pamela Jewell
Virginia Wine Marketing Office
Phone: 804-786-0481
pjewell@vdacs.state.va.us

Denise Bird
CommuniQué Marketing
(804) 225-1800, ext. 16

RICHMOND, VA – Every October, Virginians celebrate the quality, abundance and variety of Virginia wines in observance of Virginia Wine Month. This October gives us much to celebrate, indeed. While less rain made some grapes smaller, it also rendered their sugar content – and therefore their quality – higher. With more than 70 wineries completing harvest this fall, Virginians have almost unlimited opportunities to uncork, swirl, sniff, pour and pair Virginia wines with fabulous foods at some of Virginia’s beautiful wineries.

Virginia wines have something for everyone
Today, there’s a Virginia wine guaranteed to appeal to every Virginian, whether novice or connoisseur. The state’s wineries produce more than eight varieties of white wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc; more than five varieties of red wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot; as well as rosé and dessert wines. The abundance of Virginia wines means that consumers have a choice of prices as well as varieties.

Central and Eastern Virginia Wine Events
Virginia wines are available at retail stores and restaurants throughout Central Virginia and the Tidewater area. In celebration of Virginia Wine Month, many of Virginia’s wine retailers are offering special tasting events and discounted prices on selected Virginia wines. Bev Cates, owner of Belle Kuisine, a Richmond gourmet food and wine retailer, says, “We like carrying Virginia Wines because they’re home-grown products that pair very well with food. I’d encourage people to give them a try, and discover their incredible quality and variety.” Peter Coe, owner of Taste Unlimited in Tidewater states that “Most customers are flabbergasted by the taste of our state wines and the Virginia wine tastings that we hold throughout the year definitely create a repeat Virginia wine customer.”

Virginia’s wineries: the perfect way to spend a fall afternoon
One of the best ways to begin cultivating an appreciation for Virginia wines is to visit a winery. There’s no better time to take a day trip than October, with Virginia Wine Month in full swing. Many of the wineries within an easy drive of Central and Tidewater Virginia are offering free wine tastings and guided tours. Enjoy their romance, architecture and ambience, brought to life around the state with tree-lined drives, ivy-covered walls, rolling vineyard hills, mountain vistas and picnic areas. Chat with winemakers and learn how grapes are grown and how wine is aged to yield desirable characteristics.

Many wineries collaborate in the fall on joint special events, tours and tastings. The Heart of Virginia Wine Trail, for example, which includes Cooper Vineyards, Lake Anna Winery, Windy River Winery and Grayhaven Winery, offers special weekends that include tastings at all four wineries, a souvenir glass and a special gift for completing the trail. Light food is available for purchase at the wineries or you can take your own picnic lunch or dinner.

For a complete listing of special events in celebration of Virginia Wine Month, log onto www.virginiawines.org, or call the Virginia Wine Marketing Office at 1.800.828.4637 to receive a free copy of the Virginia Wineries Festival and Tour Guide.

October - Virginia Wine Month Special Events
Central and Eastern Virginia

Oct. 5
Annual "Best of Virginia" Wines & Food Tasting
Belle Kuisine Stony Point Shopping Center. Your opportunity to compare and taste great Virginia wines and made-in-Virginia foods.
5-7PM. Info: 804-272-2811.
Website: www.bellekuisine.com

Oct. 5
5th Annual Wine Festival at Sharp Rock
Enjoy and relax with Bluegrass music, gourmet food, and spectacular Blue Ridge Mountain views. Wine glass, tasting, a glass of wine of your choice and snacks included. $10/person. Noon-5pm. Info: 540-987-9700.
Website: www.sharprock.com

Oct. 5, 6
Monticello Wine and Jazz Festival at the Boar’s Head Inn in Charlottesville
Enjoy the great taste of premier wines from the Monticello Viticultural Area Wineries. Great foods, music, artisan exhibits, beautiful location. 11am-5pm. Fee. Info: 434-296-4188

Oct. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27
Peak Foliage Open House at Peaks of Otter Winery
It is a beautiful drive to our farm anytime but especially this time of year. Enjoy breathtaking views. Sample our crisp apples and enjoy sampling our fresh cider, along with our Fruit of the Farm Wines. Bring the family and enjoy visiting our many farm animals. 8am-5pm. Free. Info: 540-586-3707.
Website: www.peaksofotterwinery.com

Oct. 5, 6
Annual Autumn Explosion and Barrel Tasting at Barboursville Vineyards
Enjoy samples of our 2002 vintage and library wines, hayrides, live music and much more. $5/person. Light fare from Palladio Restaurant will be available for an additional fee. Sat.10am-5pm, Sun.11am-5pm. Info: 540-832-3824.
Website: www.barboursvillewine.com

Oct. 12
Red Beans and Zydeco at Windy River
Join your friends at Windy River Winery for a great Zydeco concert. Wine and gift specials. Picnics welcome or enjoy a Barbecue Platter. Tours, tastings, signature wine glass. $20/barbeque platter (pre-paid reservations), $8/advance, $10/gate. $5/under 21. Info: 804-449-6996.
Website: www.windyriverwinery.com

Oct. 12, 13
12th Annual Garlic Festival at Rebec
Featuring Virginia grown garlic, garlic foods, six Virginia wineries, Garlic King & Queen, Garlic Cook-off and more. Music, arts, crafts, demos and lectures. 10am-5pm. $12/advance, $15/gate. Info: 804-946-5168.
Website: www.rebecwinery.com

Oct. 12, 13
Oakencroft Fall Celebration
Tours and tastings of our premier wines. Warm soup for a cool fall day then walk to the vineyards and enjoy the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. $5 includes glass. 11am-5pm. Info: 804-296-4188 (x21).
Website: www.oakencroft.com.

Oct. 18
Fridays on the Patio at James River Cellars
Weather permitting, local musicians and light food on our patio. 5-8pm. Small fee. Info: 804-550-7516.
Website: www.jamesrivercellars.com.

Oct. 19
Annual "Best of Virginia" Wines & Foods Tasting
Belle Kuisine at Short Pump Shopping Center. Your opportunity to compare and taste great Virginia wines and made-in-Virginia foods. Info: 804-360-1964.
Website: www.bellekuisine.com.

Oct. 19
Winemaker’s Dinner at First Colony
Enjoy an elegant five-course dinner, prepared by the highly acclaimed Metropolitan Restaurant of Charlottesville. Info: 434-979-7105.
Website: www.firstcolonywinery.com.

Oct. 19
Barboursville Vineyards Guest Chef Series
Cesare Lanfrancone of Tosca Restaurant will prepare a 5-course meal featuring a vertical release in Cabernet Franc to celebrate the release of Cabernet Franc 2000. 7pm. $95/person all-inclusive. Reservations required. Info: 540-832-7848.
Website: www.barboursvillewine.com.

Oct. 19, 20
Art In The Vineyard at White Hall
Local artists display & sell their works amid beautiful fall foliage. Tasting, tours, light refreshments. Picnic area. Noon-5pm. $5/includes glass. Info: 804-823-8615.
Website: www.whitehallvineyards.com.

Oct. 25
Great Wine Auction to Benefit the Virginia Discovery Museum in Charlottesville
Light gourmet fare paired with local Virginia wines. Wines for auction will include world class trophy wines. Space is limited. 6-10pm. Info: 434-977-1025.
Website: www.vadm.org.

Oct. 26
Grapes, Ghouls, Jazz and the Blues at Windy River
Costumed and pumpkin carving contest. Join your family and friends for an afternoon of fun and relaxation. Live music. Tours, tastings, signature wine glass. Wine and gift specials. Picnics welcome or boxed lunches available. 12noon-5pm. $20/lunch (pre-paid reservations), $8 advance tickets. Day of: $10/music. $5/under 21. Info: 804-449-6996.
Website: www.windyriverwinery.com.

Oct. 26
The Grape Pumpkin Festival at Stonewall
Halloween Fun - Wear a creative costume and win a prize. Two bands, wine tasting, great foods. Noon-6pm. Fee. Info: 434-993-2185.
Website: www.stonewallwine.com

Nov. 2, 3
2nd Annual Harvest Passport Weekend
Celebrate the end of Virginia Wine Month with the Heart of Virginia Wine Trail Harvest Passport Weekend. Visit participating wineries, Windy River, Lake Anna, Cooper Vineyards and Grayhaven, and receive a special gift. Enjoy tastings at all of the wineries, light fare and local artist displays. Special discounts. Includes tours, tastings, signature wine glass.12noon-5pm. $8/advance. $10/gate. Info: Contact any participating winery.

Statewide October Events
Media: See Virginia Wine Industry Fact Sheet