Dear Friend, 

Throughout December, open houses and special events are waiting to welcome visitors to Virginia winery tasting rooms.  They are filled with the spirit of the season with candles in the windows, decorations throughout and glowing fireplaces to warm you from the cold as you sip a glass of wine. 

We are pleased to announce your Favorite Winery Rooms of 2013.  With over 5,000 readers selecting The Top Five, the winners (in alpha order) are Cooper Vineyards, Doukenie Winery, Keswick Vineyards, Marterella Winery and Pearmund Cellars.  Thanks to all who participated in the October poll.

We appreciate your continuing interest in the Official Virginia Wine Lover in this year and the one to come. With this final newsletter of 2013, we wish you the happiest of holidays and peace in the New Year.  Cheers to 2014!

 

  

OPEN HOUSE AT THE WINERIES

As a rule, we do not include open houses in monthly events.  Because of the number of wineries sending us information about a December Open House, we have included the name, location and website for those wineries here.

WEEKEND OF DECEMBER 7-8

Barboursville Vineyards (Barboursville) www.barboursvillewine.com

Breaux Winery (Purcellville) www.breauxwinery.com

Burnley Vineyards (Barboursville) www.burnleywines.com

Foggy Ridge Cider (Dugspur) www.foggyridgecider.com

Hickory Hill Vineyards & Winery (Moneta) www.smlwine.com

Ingleside Vineyards (Oak Grove) www.inglesidevineyards.com

Little Washington Winery (Washington, VA) www.littlewashingtonwinery.com

Rockbridge Vineyards (Raphine) www.rockbridgevineyard.com

Virginia Mountain Vineyards (Fincastle) www.vmvines.com

WEEKEND OF DECEMBER 14-15

Blacksnake Meadery (Dugspur) www.blacksnakemead.com

Cooper Vineyards (Louisa) www.coopervineyards.com

Hickory Hill Vineyards & Winery (Moneta) www.smlwine.com

Hill Top Berry Farm & Winery (Dugspur) www.hilltopberrywine.com

Ingleside Vineyards (Oak Grove) www.inglesidevineyards.com

Woodland Vineyard (Midlothian) www.woodlandvineyard.com

WEEKEND OF DECEMBER 21-22

Hickory Hill Vineyards & Winery (Moneta) www.smlwine.com

Hill Top Berry Farm & Winery (Dugspur) www.hilltopberrywine.com

December 6:  Illumination

CrossKeys Vineyards (Mt. Crawford)

Celebrate the beginning of the season with carolers, mulled wine, holiday treats, special wine gifts and the illumination of the winery.  A free event.

www.crosskeysvineyards.com

December 6-7:  Winter Fest

Veramar Vineyard (Berryville)

Christmas Winter Fest Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 pm.  Christmas music, mulled wine and cookie.  Special gift discounts.

December 6-8:  Christmas Cork and Cheese Celebration 

Gray Ghost Vineyards (Amissville)

Festival holiday atmosphere with the world's largest cork Christmas display.  Includes wine and cheese tasting, desserts, live music, tours and collectible glass.

December 7:  Cooking with Wine Class

Wicked Oak Farms & Vineyard (Star Tannery)

Two hour class with instructor Melinda Bremmer preparing Cranberry Orange Wine Relish and Chambourcin Wine Jelly.  Includes wine tasting and light snack.

December 7:  Annual Weihnachtsmarkt 

Bluestone Vineyard (Bridgewater)

A festive holiday market with local vendors, artisans, food and wine.  Bring non-perishable items for local food drive.

December 7:  Holiday Market

Cave Ridge Vineyard (Mt. Jackson)

Sip hot mulled wine while you browse the unique wares of local artists and vendors.  An

Alternative to the big box stores.

December 7:  A Taste of Science

Doukenie Winery (Purcellville)

Extensive winery and vineyard tour to include scientific and technical details of winemaking and vineyard management.  Reservations suggested.

www.doukeniewinery.com

December 7:  Reserve Wine Bottle Signing

868 Estate Vineyards (Purcellville)

Three pack of Reserve Chardonnay, Riesling and Cabernet Franc signed in the tasting room by the label artist and winemaker.  Limited edition packaged in handsome gift box. 

www.868estatevineyards.com

December 7:  Sparkling Speakeasy

Stone Tower Winery (Leesburg)

Putting on the Ritz to celebrate repeal of prohibition, so dress to dazzle and boogie the night away.  An evening of dancing, bubbly and live music.

December 7:  Wine & Wreath

Rassawek Vineyard (Goochland)

Create a fresh wreath for your home from greens, cones, decorations and ribbons for bows.  Warm cider and delicious food included.

December 7-8:  Jingle Bell Wine Trail

Heart of Virginia Wine Trail Wineries

A weekend of wine tasting, munchie grazing, prizes and souvenir glass.  Passport ticket includes Cooper, Weston Farm, Grayhaven, James River Cellars, Mattaponi and Lake Anna wineries.

www.HOVAwinetrail.com

December 7-8:  Holly Days

AmRhein's Wine Cellars (Bent Mountain)

New release wine tastings, mulled wine, light snacks, festive music and tours.  Special holiday prices on wine list.

www.amrheins.com/winecellars/events

December 7-8, 14-15:  Holiday Yule Log

Little Washington Winery (Washington, VA)

Make a beautiful centerpiece for the winter season.  A self-guided session with staff to guide you.  Includes materials.

www.littlewashingtonwinery.com

December 8:  Holiday Celebration

Williamsburg Winery (Williamsburg)

Great food and wine all in one place.  Farm to table celebration showcases local farmers with food stations prepared using their local products.  Shuttle to Colonial Williamsburg for Grand Illumination.

December 8, 14 & 15:  Wine Bootcamp

Little Washington Wintery (Washington VA)

Two hour seminar in non-snob environment covers all the basics of making and tasting and choosing wine.  Delves into specifics like how to pair food with wine.  Reservations.

www.littlewashingtonwinery.com

December 14:  Winemaker's Dinner

Keswick Vineyards (Keswick)

An unforgettable evening of exquisite wine, delicious food and delightful company.  Four-course dinner prepared by Harvest Moon of Charlottesville paired with Keswick wines.  Reservations by December 8.

December 14:  Christmas Winemaker's Dinner

Bluestone Vineyard (Bridgewater)

Fabulous dinner at the Manor on Top of the Hill.  Four-course dinner paired with Bluestone wines and culminating with Dry Dock port style wine.  Reservations.

December 14-15, 21-22:  Holiday Cookie and Wine Pairing

868 Estate Vineyards (Purcellville)

With a focus on the holidays, Chef Author of Grandale Restaurant has created an outstanding cookie and wine pairing.

www.868estatevineyards.com

December 19:  Women's Wine Event

868 Estate Vineyards (Purcellville)

A night of luxurious food and sparkling wine.  Includes wine and food pairing, wine education seminar and an evening of networking with other women.  Reservations.

www.868estatevineyards.com

December 31:  Celebrate New Year's Eve

Blue Ridge Vineyard (Eagle Rock)

Ring in the New Year at 7:00 (London time) with hot soup, French breads, favors and music by The Stone Canyon Band.  See the celebrations on the big TV.  Reservations.

December 31:  New Year's Eve Gala

CrossKeys Vineyards (Mt. Crawford)

Theme is the Roaring Twenties and d�cor is amazing.  A magical night with special wine dinner and live entertainment.  Reservations.

December 31:  New Year's Eve Dinner and Celebration

Barboursville Vineyards (Barboursville)

Five course feast paired with Barboursville wines at Palladio Restaurant and prepared by chef Melissa Close Hart.  Black tie optional.  Reservations.

www.barboursvillewine.com

December 31:  Masked Ball

Veritas Vineyards and Winery (Afton)

Wine and hors d'oeuvres followed by five-course winemaker's dinner.  Dancing til midnight when masks come off and champagne flows.  Breakfast follows.  Reservations.

About Events: 

If you would like to submit an event, send details (what, where and when, as well as contact information) to info@vawinelover.com no later than the 10th of the month prior to the event.

VIRGINIA WINE SUMMIT

Jefferson Hotel, Richmond

The second annual Virginia Wine Summit was a real crowd pleaser with over 150 in attendance, including wine experts and industry leaders.  Virginia wines were compared to vintages from California and France, and discussions centered on how to continue to move Virginia wines forward.  British wine authority Oz Clarke was the entertaining keynote speaker, who also led a comparative tasting of Cabernet Francs.  The Summit was presented by the Virginia Wine Board and Virginia Tourism Corporation and hosted by the Governor and First Lady of Virginia.

November 1-2, 2013

URBANNA OYSTER FESTIVAL

Town of Urbanna

Virginia's "Official Oyster Festival" has been a tradition since 1958 and every year attracts over 80,000 people from near and far, by sea and by land.  This year was no exception and even a light rain did nothing to dampen the spirits of visitors who came to experience a bit of small town hospitality, to wander among the shops and exhibits and to sample the endless array of oyster dishes.  Of course, we were attracted to the popular wine garden that was right in the middle of the activity.  Six popular Virginia wineries were pouring tastings along with "boutique" oyster selections from Rappahannock River Oysters.

November 2, 2013

THE VIRGINIA WINE & OYSTER CLASSIC

The Dog and Oyster Vineyard, Irvington

Fifteen of Virginia's best winemakers paired with the best oysters in the world prepared by 10 of Virginia's best chefs for this classy wine festival and one-of-a-kind culinary event.  On a sunny day on the Eastern Shore, attendees enjoyed wine and oysters, seasonal foods and beverages, specialty retail products and music throughout the day.  A great event!

November 16, 2013

THOMAS JEFFERSON WINE FESTIVAL

Poplar Forest, Forest

Despite overcast skies, wine lovers flocked to Poplar Forest, Jefferson's special retreat in Bedford County, for an afternoon of tastings by 16 of Virginia's finest wineries.  Once again, the father of Virginia wine, Gabrielle Rausse, and Thomas Jefferson (aka Bill Barker) engaged in interesting conversation about food and wine.  There was music throughout the day, as well as unique craft and food vendors.