Virginia Wines in a Day…or Two
Visit this year’s Virginia Wine Festival at the Morven Park Equestrian Center in Leesburg on September 30 and October 1 to kick off the state’s official Wine Month (October). The event features a grand tasting from many Vinifera Wine Growers Association award-winning wineries, gourmet pairing cuisine, seminars and cooking demonstrations, entertainment and more, all in Loudoun County, Virginia. Advance discount tickets go on sale Saturday, July 15th. To purchase tickets directly, visit www.virginiawinefestival.org or contact the ticket office at (703) 823-1868.
Think Globally, Drink Locally
Award-winning wines featured in country daytrip
Imagine a detailed tour of Virginia’s luscious wineries complete with chauffeured transportation, gourmet bites and a VIP wine tasting. Now open your eyes and live it, with the Omni Shoreham Hotel country daytrip. Whether you’re an expert on viticulture or don’t even know what that means, you will drink and learn with a knowledgeable driver who explains the various vinos made at Virginia’s 100 wineries, including Italian, Greek and Rhone wines.
The first stop on the tour is Pearmund Cellars Broad Run Va., renowned for their beautiful chardonnay.
Rappahannock Cellars, in Huntley Va., is your next stop. Seeing the great potential of Virginia wines, they moved from were California’s Santa Cruz Mountains to make Rhone varietals.
Finally, you’ll visit Oasis Winery, complete with a VIP wine tasting, either overlooking the vineyards and Blue Ridge Mountains or indoors by the fireplace — featuring an elaborate tasting with cheeses, light hors d’oeuvres, and appetizers.
The full Virginia Wine Package (advance reservation required) includes two nights accommodations, full American breakfast for two in Robert’s Restaurant at the Omni Shoreham, a picnic lunch for two on the day of the tour and complimentary self or valet parking for one car. The basic package starts at $500 per person including room and tour taxes, and runs through December 31, 2006. For more information, call (202) 756-5112 or e-mail dgerdes@omnihotel.com.
One more for the Road
Keep your eyes peeled for the new Albemarle Viognier 2005, produced by Kluge Estate Winery and Vineyard, located at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains. These native French grapes have found an accommodating home in Virginia, and produce a wine there that is described by winemaker Charles Gendrot as “a beautiful sphere of complex aromas and flavors — floral and mature exotic fruits that are intoxicating on the nose and palate.” If you can’t make it to the vineyard, you can still enjoy this new wine, which is available online through Kluge’s Farm Shop, at www.klugeestateonline.com.
Make it a Weekend: Northern Virginia Inns
The Inn at Little Washington, Washington
(540) 675-3800; www.theinnatlittlewashington.com
$395-$2400
Belle Meade Bed & Breakfast, Sperryville
(540) 987-9748; www.bellemeade.net
$120-$190
The Cottage at Sharp Rock Vineyards, Sperryville
(540) 987-8020; www.sharprockfineyards.com
$175-$200
Caledonia Farm – 1812, Flint Hill
(540) 675-3693; www.bnb1812.com
$140
Foster Harris House, Washington
(540) 675 3757; www.fosterharris.com
$175-$325
Gay Street Inn, Washington
(540) 675-3288; www.gaystreetinn.com
$145-$215
Heritage House Bed & Breakfast, Washington
(540) 675-3207; www.heritagehousebb.com
$175-$475
Middleton Inn, Washington
(549) 675-2020; www.middletoninn.com
$235-$475
Sunset Hills Farm Bed & Breakfast, Washington
(540) 987-8804; www.sunsethillsfarm.com
$175-$225
