BLENHEIM VINEYARDS IN THE SNOW

         Hannah Chen Photography                         

Vol X, Issue No. 12
December 1, 2015

 

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 Wine Lover Friends, 

All through December, Virginia's wineries welcome visitors to tasting rooms that are filled with the spirit of the season. There are candles in the windows, decorations throughout, glowing fireplaces to warm you from the cold, and shelves stocked with wine specials and great gifts for family and friends.
  
Our Winery of the Month is the picturesque Naked Mountain Winery & Vineyards in Markham, a small community in Fauquier County. Enter the Sweepstakes below to wine a Winery Tour & Tasting for Two. And, be sure to "Drink Naked."
  
In October, we asked our 50,000 subscribers to vote for their 2015 Favorite Winery Tasting Room. The results are in, and your Top Ten Tasting Rooms are listed below. Thanks to all who voted and to all who support Virginia's wineries.
  
We appreciate your continuing interest in the Official Virginia Wine Lover in this year and the one to come. With our final newsletter of 2015, we wish you the happiest of holidays and peace in the New Year. Cheers to 2016!

Cheers! 
 
Frank C. Britt
Publisher  
 
 
 
P.S.  Congratulations to Tonya Jackson of Staunton, winner of the November Getaway Weekend Sweepstakes.  Tonya and friend will be guests of the fabulous Founder's Inn and Spa in Virginia Beach for two nights in a deluxe guestroom with breakfast each morning.

TastingRooms 
YOU VOTED AND HERE THEY ARE!  YOUR TOP 10 FAVORITE VIRGINIA WINERY TASTING ROOMS FOR 2015
   

Barboursville Vineyards - Barboursville/Orange County
Casanel Vineyards  - Leesburg/Loudoun County
Chateau Morrisette - Floyd/Floyd County
Cooper Vineyards - Louisa/Louisa County
Doukenie Vineyards - Purcellville/Loudoun County
First Colony Winery - Charlottesville/Albemarle County
Narmada Winery - Amissville/Rappahhannock County
Rosemont Vineyards - La Crosse/Mecklenburg County
Saude Creek - Lenexa/New Kent County
Winery at Bull Run - Centreville/Fairfax County
(Listed in Alphabetical Order)
 
Our 50,000 Official Virginia Wine Lover newsletter subscribers had the opportunity to vote on their Favorite Virginia Winery Tasting room.  They were asked to rate the tasting rooms based on (1) Wine Knowledge of Staff (2) Friendliness of Staff and (3) Attractiveness of Location. 
 

IN THIS ISSUE

 

Results are In!
Favorite Tasting Rooms
 
 
Recipes of the Month
Pumpkin Soup
Sticky Toffee Pudding
 

 

We Were There
Taste of the Bay



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DRINK NAKED....WINE, THAT IS!Winery
Naked Mountain Winery, Markham, Virginia


For over forty years, Naked Mountain Winery and Vineyards has been serving some of the finest wines Virginia has to offer.  Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Fauquier County, the winery is just under an hour west of Washington, DC.  It is the perfect destination for award-winning wines and bucolic views of the countryside.  Surrounded by peach and apple orchards, Naked Mountain is not only a destination for wine lovers, but for families looking to make a day trip into the country as well.
 


 

NEWS FROM BARBOURSVILLE VINEYARDSVino
Luca Paschina, Barboursville's General Manager and Winemaker, was recently awarded the Monteith Trophy of the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association for longtime achievement in winemaking.  The presentation was held at the Governor's Mansion in Richmond in October.  Luca is celebrating his 25th Vintage at Barboursville.
 
Viticulturist Fernando Franco has been cited by Vineyard & Winery Management magazine among the 20 most admired viticulturists in the United States.  This was his 18th harvest with Barboursville.


PUMPKIN SOUP WITH CRISPY SAGERecipe
A Recipe from Naked Mountain Winery  |  Pair with Naked Mountain Barrel Fermented Chardonnay

 

STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING WITH FROSTY DOG CARAMEL SAUCEHoliday
A Holiday Recipe from Chateau Morrisette |  Pair with The Black Dog Red Wine
 
Events
OPEN HOUSE AT VIRGINIA WINERIES                                            
Get into the spirit of the holidays at Virginia's wineries, many of which host open house during December. Enjoy wine tastings, special refreshments, discounts on wine and gifts. It's great time to stock up on your favorite wines and shop for friends and family.
December 4: Christmas in Middleburg
Downtown Washington Street               
Middleburg Hunt with 100 horses, riders and hounds at 11, followed by Parade at 2, all amid shopping and dining. Wine Crawl follows with samplings from area vineyards.
 
December 5: Christmas Cabaret
868 Estate Vineyards (Purcellville)
Festive evening of music and comedy from the Stage Coach Theater. Laugh and sing along with carols. Dinner from Grandale in the Tasting Room. Order tickets.
 
December 5: Jingle Bell Wine Trail
Heart of Virginia Wine Trail
Get your passport for the Heart of Virginia Wine Trail with the six member wineries featuring special holiday cookies and tastings in complimentary stemless glasses.
 
 
December 5: Italian Christmas Party
Gadino Cellars (Washington VA)
'Tis the season to open up the cellar for an additional flight, kicked off with Italian sparkling wine, followed by 2010 and 2012 Nebbiolo, finishing with 2010 Petit Verdot.
 
December 5: Weihnachtsmarkt
Bluestone Vineyard (Bridgewater)
Festive outdoor market with local vendors, artisans, wine and Mama's Caboose Food Truck, so bring your Christmas list. Bundle up, drink warm mulled wine and shop.
 
December 5: Girls Day Out
Bogati Bodega (Round Hill)
Feeling a bit crafty? Then come paint your own wine glass. Fee includes glass, supplies and a glass of wine. A perfect afternoon with the girls. Reservations.
 
December 5: Customer Appreciation Day
DuCard Vineyards (Etlan)
Join in raising a toast to our customers. Live music by Mattie Fuller, glass artist Patty Sevre, sale merchandise and special gifts for everyone.
 
December 5: Christmas Winter Fest Event
Veramar Vineyard (Berryville)
Tree lighting ceremony, Christmas music, free glass of mulled wine and a cookie. Special Christmas gift discounts.
 
December 5: Holiday Open Houses
Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail
Enjoy wine and gift specials, plus delicious holiday refreshments at the nine wine trail members located in the Northern Neck. Contact individual wineries for hours.
 
December 5-6: Winery Experience Production Tour & Tasting
Paradise Springs Winery (Clifton)
First hand look at how wine is made. Tour the historic log cabin, vineyard, barrel room and end with tasting of entire flight of wines. Reservations.
 
December 5-6:  Black Dog Christmas Weekend
Chateau Morrisette (Floyd)
Wine tastings are complimentary and hors d'oeuvres are served.  Holiday music fills the air and wine sale is going on, offering up to 30% savings.
 
December 5-6: Christmas Cork & Cheese Celebration
Gray Ghost Vineyards (Amissville)
View world's largest cork Christmas display crafted of 90,000 corks. Listen to music, enjoy the wine and regional artisan cheeses tastings, desserts and winery tours.
 
December 6: French Crepe Day
DelFosse Vineyards and Winery (Faber)
Select from menu of five to eight savory and sweet crepes. Wine by the glass or bottle available. Reservations suggested.

About Events: As our information comes from many sources, we recommend you verify dates and times, as well as costs and reservations that may be required. (We are not responsible for incorrect or inaccurate information.)
 
If you would like to submit an event, send details (what, where and when, as well as contact information) to [email protected] no later than the 10th of the month prior to the event.

TASTE BY THE BAY WINE FESTIVALwewethere
November 21, 2015
 
On a perfectly beautiful November afternoon, we joined festival goers for wine, food, arts & ale at the Taste by the Bay festival at the beautiful Tides Inn in Irvington. Presented by Lancaster by the Bay Chamber of Commerce, festivities included tastings of wine and craft beers, music and holiday shopping opportunities. Vintage oyster boats were docked at the Tides marina, with their captains relaying stories of the Chesapeake's oyster industry. A great day!
(L: Gloria Williams, Director of Gloucester Chamber of Commerce with Festival Organizer (R) Anne Paparella, Director of Lancaster by the Bay Chamber.
 
    
 

 

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