Thursday, May 21, 2009

Upcoming Events, Memorial Day Weekend

What's up Virginia winos!  I've been pretty busy this month, so posting has been woefully light around here.  Giorgio, what's your excuse?

Thought I'd tell you all about some upcoming events in Virginia Wine.

First:


ValleyFest 2009 Wine and Beer festival at Massanutten Ski Resort

This is one of the best festivals west of the blue ridge, with live music, a selection of domestic craft beers and microbrews, and a handful of Virginia wineries. The event is from 11-7, discounted tickets available in advance for $15.

Situated by the ski lodge, the festival spreads out over the lush green hillside at the base of the bunny slopes. Resort staff will probably crank up the ski lifts for a scenic ride to the top, where views extend beyond the city and out into the foothills of the blue ridge and nearby national park.

Sample Virginia wineries! Not sure who will be there, but last year I worked with Horton at the festival and there was a solid showing including First Colony, Prince Michel, Rockbridge, and others. In addition to the wineries, there's plenty of beer, festival food, dancing, arts and crafts, and entertainment for the whole family.

Our advice is to stay at the resort and make a weekend out of it. Fairways restaurant offers a very nice dining option either for dinner or brunch the next day. And nothing helps cure that post-festival hangover better than a round of golf or a trip to the sauna at the resort's first-class accommodations.

And the very next weekend:

Vintage Virginia Wine Festival at Bull Run Regional Park, Centreville

This is one of the biggest festivals in the northern/central VA region, produced by Across-the-Way Productions (who really know what they are doing when it comes to producing festivals). Here's the website with extensive details http://atwproductions.com/index.php?pr=vvhome.

Some of the wineries attending: Horton, Veritas, Cooper, Fox Meadow, Stone Mountain, Sweely, Barboursville, Prince Michel, and at least a dozen others.  All the typical festival fun included; games for the kids, food, crafts, etc....  Check it out - this is THE festival to attend for the spring.

See you on the wine trail, bitches!

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