There's Something to Celebrate in Virginia Wines This October in the Shenandoah Valley and Southwest 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. The 2002 grape-growing season was outstanding, giving Virginia much to celebrate this October. 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.

Southwest Virginia and Shenandoah Valley Wine Events
Virginia wines are available at retail stores and restaurants throughout Southwest Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. In celebration of Virginia Wine Month, many of the area’s wine retailers are offering special tasting events and discounted prices on selected Virginia wines. Chain stores, independent stores and specialty shops, many of which have received Virginia wine retail awards, carry a wide selection of Virginia wines.

Many of the fall Virginia Wine events in the western part of the state involve the whole family, like Peaks of Otter Winery’s Peak Foliage Open House, where you can enjoy crisp apples and apple cider, along with a taste of fruit and farm wines. Rockbridge Winery also holds an annual Harvest Festival that features live music, wine sampling and good old-fashioned grape stomping.

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 the Southwest and Shenandoah Valley regions offer 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.

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
Southwest Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley

Fridays in October
Spice Up Your Weekend at North Mountain
Get your weekend off to a spicy start. Enjoy the beautiful Shenandoah Valley from our decks with a glass of your favorite spiced wine. Light refreshments served. 5-7pm. Info: 540-436-9463.

Oct. 5
Annual Harvest Festival at Rockbridge
Country beauty in the fall. Relax to live local music while sampling our award-winning wines. Bring the kids for grape stomping and kite flying. Delicious food available or bring your own picnic and lawn chair. $5/includes souvenir glass. 12-5pm. Info: 888-511-WINE.
Website: wwww.rockbridgewine.com.

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. 12
Black Dog Jazz Concert Series at Chateau Morrisette
Enjoy live jazz, tastings, tours and a souvenir wine glass. Food available 12-5PM.
Info: 540-593-2865.
Website: www.thedogs.com.

Oct. 12
Comparative Tasting of Italian and Villa Appalaccia wines
Taste our red wines in a blind comparison with several popular Italian red wines. Tasting includes Italian breads and cheeses. $8/person. 12-5pm. Info: 540-593-3100.
Website: www.villaappalaccia.com

Oct. 19
AmRhein Wine Cellars presents 2nd Annual Oktoberfest Fall Wine Festival
Enjoy the Blue Ridge Mountains and its fall colors with a German festival to celebrate our harvest. Wine tastings, live jazz entertainment, traditional barrel rolling and children’s activities. A donation will be made to the Alzheimer's Assoc. Noon-5pm. $10/person includes souvenir glass. Children under 12 free. Info: 540-929-4632.

Oct. 19
Octoberfest Dinner at Dye’s Vineyard
Dinner for two and a bottle of wine or a bottle of non-alcoholic grape juice. $30 per couple. 7PM. Reservations required. Info: 276.873.5659
Website: www.dyesvineyards.com

Oct. 26
Fall Celebration at North Mountain
Call for more information. 11am-5pm. Small fee. Info: 540-436-9463.

Oct. 26
Fall Celebration at Shenandoah
Experience the beauty of fall in the Shenandoah Valley with a surprise event here at the winery. Reservations required. Info: 540-984-8699.

Oct. 26
October Wine Tasting at the Grapevine in Warrenton
Taste dozens of Virginia wines and sample fresh breads and gourmet products. FREE. Noon-5PM Info: grapevinewines@aol.com

Oct. 26, 27
All Things Olive at Villa Appalaccia
Enjoy the many pleasures of olives, including a variety of extra virgin oils and marinated olives. Great Italian breads and cheeses. Noon-4pm. $8/person. Info: 540-593-3100.
Website: www.villaappalaccia.com.

Oct. 27
3rd Annual Great Stomp at Valhalla
Join us in our wooden stomping vat. Take your shoes off and have fun squishing grapes beneath your feet just like “I Love Lucy”. This is our last day open in the fall season and traditionally marks the end of harvest. Rain or shine. Opens: 1pm. Stomp: 2:30-4pm. Free with tasting fee. Info: 540-725-WINE.
Website: Valhallawines.com.

Statewide October Events
Media: See Virginia Wine Industry Fact Sheet