Virginia Wine Expo - Richmond VA  |  February 17-21, 2016

 


Vol XI, Issue No. 2
February 2, 2016

 

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 Wine Lover Friends, PublisherLetter

Virginia is for Lovers. And, February is for Virginia Wine Lovers. The month is "choc full" of romantic events and excursions, including Valentine weekends, wine and chocolate pairings, winemaker dinners, wine and dine escapes . . . even a chance to win a diamond for your sweetheart.
 
Wine lovers and foodies will gather in Richmond on February 17-22 for the Virginia Wine Expo, the hottest winter wine and food event in the mid-Atlantic region. It's a week long celebration of Virginia wines and the region's culinary, historic and cultural excellence. This year's Expo also features the wines of Italy.
  
We are pleased to recommend The LaFayette Inn in Stanardsville for a weekend getaway. The Chef Tasting Dinner is an extraordinary experience that your Valentine will love. Owner Alan Pyles has shared his Peanut Soup for our Recipe of the Month. Yum!
  
Happy Valentine's Day . . . and Cheers to Virginia Wine Lovers!  
 
Frank C. Britt
Publisher 
Official Virginia Wine Lover  
 
 
 
 
 
 
THE INN AT VINEYARDS CROSSINGWinner
Winner of the January Sweepstakes

Congratulations to Barbara Kincaid of Fredericksburg who had the winning entry for the Getaway at The Inn at Vineyards Crossing.  The package includes a complimentary one night stay in a luxury room at the Inn, plus winery tour and picnic at Philip Carter Winery.
 
Inn at Vineyards Crossing is a quaint, romantic bed and breakfast retreat, nestled in the town of Hume in Fauquier County.  It is rich with history and surrounded by spectacular landscapes.
 
The Inn at Vineyards Crossing
5024 Leeds Manor Road
Hume, Virginia 22639
(540) 365-2466
www.vineyardscrossing.com
 
 
 
  
 
IN THIS ISSUE

 

 

Event of the Month
Virginia Wine Expo

 

Getaway of the Month
The Lafayette Inn

 

 

Vino News
 
 


 

 


SPONSORS
FEBRUARY 17-21, 2016
RICHMOND, VA
JUNE 11, 2015
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Riverfront Park
Downtown Lynchburg
15% DISCOUNT
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WINE FESTIVAL CONSULTING
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A DREAM DESTINATION FOR WINE LOVERS AND FOODIESVirginiaWineExpo
Virginia Wine Expo | February 17-21, 2016
 
 
 
The Virginia Wine Expo is the hottest winter wine and culinary event in the Commonwealth and the Mid-Atlantic region.  It's a great opportunity to learn about, taste and purchase Virginia wine, to meet the winemakers and mingle with friends.  This year, the wines of Italy, representing the 2016 Guest Region, will be featured as well. 
 
You'll meet the chefs behind Richmond's emergence as a foodie destination and enjoy dozens of events, including the Burger Blast, the legendary Walk-Around Grand Tasting, along with a host of amazing dinners, brunches, lunches, comparative tastings and tours.
 
 

A ROMANTIC VALENTINE GETAWAYLafayetteInn
The Lafayette Inn in Stanardsville, Virginia
 
 
 
We often spend a "discovery weekend" visiting wineries and nearby attractions in an area where we have not ventured before.  On a Sunday afternoon at the end of a mid-November excursion, we arrived at the historic Lafayette Inn in Stanardsville just in time for the Chef Tasting Dinner.
 
Dining Room at the Inn                                  Alan Pyles
An extraordinary culinary experience from the first appetizer through dessert, dinner features a total of ten courses (yes, ten!).  Each is paired with Virginia wine from the Inn's extensive selections.  Dinner is personally prepared by Alan Pyles, owner, innkeeper and chef extraordinaire.  He is assisted by an experienced professional and very personable staff.  Throughout the evening, Alan offers an entertaining commentary about each course and each wine.
 
 
 

 

VIRGINIA PEANUT SOUP Recipe
Recipe courtesy of Chef Alan Pyles, Owner / Innkeeper
The Lafayette Inn in Stanardsville, Virginia
"Being a small restaurant, we focus on small or quick batch options. This provides us the opportunity to deliver a full flavored experience without creating a large amount of unwanted leftovers. Our peanut soup is no exception. This can be created literally within minutes! The ingredients are listed as a guide, but your imagination is invited. (The soup accepts alterations!)."
Alan Pyles, Owner / Innkeeper
 



  
2016 VIRGINIA WINERY GUIDE AVAILABLEVino
 
Produced by the Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office, the 2016 Guide has been updated to feature the state's 250+ wineries, cideries and meaderies.  It includes a driving map with winery locations, hours, directions and contact information.  To receive a free copy of the Guide, visit the website to submit your mailing address or to download the regional maps at www.virginiawine.org/guide.
 
 


 Events
February 5: Carnival Celebration
Glass House Winery (Free Union)
Release party for Beleza Quintet CD "Just for Fun". Live music for dancing and merriment. Suggested $20 donation includes CD and free face painting.
 
February 5: Bacchus Wine and Food Festival
Virginia Living Museum (Newport News)
Delicious samplings of fine wine, craft beer, restaurant fare and an eclectic mix of live music and entertainment. Funds support the museum. Reservations required.
 
February 6: Sangria Saturday
Lazy Days Winery (Amherst)
Beginning a series of Sangria Saturdays with live music. Bring sangria growlers for refills, or buy a filled growler. Bring a picnic and relax and listen to the music.
www.lazydayswinery.com

February 6:  The Art of Wine
Philip Carter Winery of Virginia (Hume)
First in the Winter Fireside Education series held every Saturday in February.  Wine Appreciation & Tastings will discuss the wonders of wine through site, smell, taste and feel.
 
February 6: Wine Loves Chocolate
Little Washington Winery (Washington VA)
Discover the differences in your favorite Bordeaux and learn about the most famous wine region in the world. Guess the $100 bottle.
 
February 6: Samedi Gras Party
Breaux Vineyards (Purcellville)
Fat Saturday fun with dancing, beads, masks, king cake, wine and music. Laissez les bon temps roulez! Reservations recommended.
 
 
 
 
 
February 6: Taste of Wine & Chocolate
Ingleside Vineyards (Oak Grove)
An elegant chocolate and wine experience featuring the finest Ingleside wines. Reservations required.
 
February 6: Saturday Soup & Sounds
Doukenie Winery (Purcellville)
After your wine tasting, enjoy some warm soup and some music to make a cold winter day perfect.
 
February 7: Sip & Splash Painting Class
North Gate Vineyard (Purcellville)
Paint an original work of art with an elephant theme guided by professional instructors.   Free includes supplies and glass of wine.
 
February 7: An Afternoon of Wine Tasting
Hamlet Vineyards (Bassett)
The perfect afternoon activity at a Virginia Winery by Virginia natives, on old Virginia house and a farmhand named Virginia. Also offering baked breads and gourmet spreads.
 
February 7: Wine Glass Painting
North Gate Vineyards (Purcellville)
Spend a Sunday afternoon creating one of a kind wine glass. You'll receive personal instructions. Includes supplies, glass of wine and lite hors d' oeuvres.


 
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.
 
Future
CHECK FUTURE FESTIVALS EACH MONTH
FOR ADDITIONAL 2016 FESTIVALS AND THE OPPORTUNITY
TO PURCHASE TICKETS AT EARLY BIRD SAVINGS.
 
To Select Festival and Follow Link to Purchase Tickets

 

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