Halfway Through Virginia Wine Month

Virginia Wine Month kicked off in grand style at the beginning of the month when the Virginia Tourism Corporation sponsored Vintage Tweets in Arlington. Six of the state's wineries showed off their goods at the event, and opened Caitlin and my eyes to some thick, meaty reds, along with the Viogniers that we have come to know and love from the state. Some of the wineries, like Chateau Morrisette, White Hall Vineyards and Veritas Vineyards came from further afield than the Northern Virginia area I am familiar with. It was great meeting the people from the wineries I have not been able to get to in person, and of course, sample their wines while enjoying the great food spread that was available to those of us in attendance.

Other wineries, such as Chrysalis and Williamsburg Winery I have been to, or at least have tried their wine in the past. The latter, specifically, was marketing itself at the event at Virginia’s largest winery, and I have certainly had my fair share of it. Still for both the wineries that I have tried before, as well as the ones that were brand new to me, the event was a great reminder of how far the Virginia wine industry has come in even just the last couple of years, and how much more it will continue to grow as more and more people realize that quality American wines aren’t the exclusive right of the West Coast. Even though the Food and Wine Wine Guide and other such guides to wine do not yet include any Virginia (or New York, for that matter) wines, as a wine producing state, both the volume and quality of the wine Virginia is producing continues to impress.

Vintage Tweets launched Virginia Wine Month - October - and since we are now halfway through the month, I wanted to check in with the Virginia Tourism Corporation, the Virginia Wine Association, and most importantly, some of my favorite Virginia wineries to see how they are doing during this month that is devoted to them.

Tarara is giving its visitors a “sneak peek” at some of its most anticipated wines, which aren’t going to be released until the spring. Included in their sneak peek offerings are a 08 Viognier and 07 Meritage. Tarara also has live music every Sunday throughout the month.

Dry Mill Winery is allowing guest to join in with their harvest during the month, as well as hosting live entertainment, classic cars and even several “yoga and wine tasting” events. According to Nancy Vanhuss, one of the owners, even during October’s bad weather, “we have been stampeded” during the weekend.

I am still waiting to hear back from other wineries in the area, and when I do, I will post their special events and updates here as well. Until then, get out there and enjoy the fall weather and activities with a glass or two of Virginia wine.