Magnificent view from Stone Tower Winery-Leesburg, Virginia
Vol. XII, Issue No. 1                                                                                                                                             January 3, 2017
     
            
Wine Lover Friends,   
 
Happy New Year!  Our resolution for 2017 is to continue to bring you news about Virginia wines in the Official Virginia Wine Lover.  And, beginning with this issue, we will also include news about Virginia's craft beers and spirits. publisher

January is a great time for get-away weekends and visits to your favorite tasting rooms.  Be sure to make a stop at Stone Tower Winery in Leesburg, our Winery of the Month, where you'll find magnificent views, premium wines and genuine hospitality.  For information about tasting rooms, barrel tastings and other special activities, check out January Events.

The Great Virginia Wine Lover Chili Contest is on again!  Join in the competition and email your favorite recipe to info@winelover.com.  Include your name, phone and email address.

We wish you a peaceful and prosperous New Year . . . and, Cheers to 2017!    
    
 
Frank C. Britt
Publisher  

P.S. We want to know what you like or dislike about the newsletter and your suggestions for upcoming issues. Please take a minute and complete the Subscriber SurveyCLICK HERE

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STONE TOWER WINERYwineryofmonth
Magnificent Views, Premium Wines, Impeccable Hospitality
Stone Tower Winery is more than just a passion project for proprietors, Mike & Kristi Huber; it's the culmination of their entrepreneurship, love of wine with family dinners and this beautiful piece of Virginia land.

Just south of Leesburg, Hogback Mountain has been home to the Huber family since 1975. From the ideal location combined with the Huber's passion for both wine and business, Stone Tower Winery was born. With the first vines planted in 2009, the winery opened to the public in the fall of 2013 in the Harvest Barn, and has continued to grow every day, opening the Tower View Tasting Room just last year. 

The goal of Stone Tower Winery is to produce truly world-class estate wines. Guests visiting the winery will find magnificent views and premium wines equally matched by impeccable hospitality.


 
LAMB MEATBALLS WITH MINT, PINENUTS & TAHINI recipe
Courtesy of Stone Towers Winery
                                                     
The combination of mint and lamb in this Mediterranean inspired dish pairs perfectly with the bright red fruit notes of Stone Towers 2015 Wild Boar Pinot, while the tahini sauce brings out a delicious earthy quality in the wine.

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chilinew
The Great Wine Lover Chili Contest is on once again! Send us your favorite recipe to enter the competition with entries to be selected by a "noted chef" and printed in the March newsletter.
 
Email your recipe to info@vawinelover.com no later than January 31, 2017.  Put "Chili Contest" on the subject line, and include your full name, telephone number and email address above the recipe.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DR. NORTONvinonew
A new monument to Dr. Daniel Norton who originated the grape that bears his name, will be dedicated on January 23, the 175th anniversary of his birth.  Funds for the marker were raised by Friends of Shockoe Hill Cemetery in Richmond where Dr. Norton is buried.



MOST ADMIRED AWARD TO BARBOURSVILLE

Vineyard and Winery Management magazine has named Barboursville Vineyards one   of the 20 most admired Wine Tasting Rooms and Experiences.  Selected by industry professionals nationwide, the winners were selected for varied reasons, including ambiance to food pairings.




WINE BARRELS FOR SALE

Boxwood Winery in Middleburg has 36 used French Bordeaux barrels for sale, 3 and 4 fills. Prices range $125 to $200; FOB Middleburg. If interested, email rem@boxwoodwinery.com






NARMADA TAKES THE GOLD
Pandit and Sudha Patil (center), owners of Narmada Winery in Amissville accept a Gold Medal certificate for Narmada Melange 2014 in the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition.  The winning wine is a meritage-style blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot.
EARLY MOUNTAIN RELEASES PET-NATS
The winemaking team at Early Mountain Vineyards has an exciting new offering of experimental wines, including two pet-nat wines and a nouveau style wine. In addition, a 2013 Brut Sparkling was made in conjunction with Claude Thibaut of Thibaut-Janisson Winery and has just been released for sale.

   
There is no shortage of events and activities at Virginia's 260+ Wineries and Cideries, 100+ Craft Breweries and 16 Distilleries.  You'll find many listed here and additional listings at www.virginia.org.  Be sure to check before you plan a visit, as many tasting rooms are closed or have limited hours during the winter months.  janevents





January 7:  Beale Treasure Murder Mystery

Peaks of Otter Winery (Bedford)
Find out who committed the crime, how and why for chance to win the "Money Bags Award". 
Includes hors d'oeuvres and choice of cider or wine.  Reservations; $45/person.
Website 







January 8, 15, 22 & 29:  SOMMinar: Bordeaux Reds

Stone Tower Winery (Leesburg)
Explore the fabulous reds of Bordeaux, France.  A fun and informative tasting featuring nine wines and select food pairings.  Reservations required; $70.
Website









January 12-15:  Winter Blues Jazz Festival

Merchant's Square (Williamsburg)
Primarily in downtown, this is a weekend of jazz programs to suit all tastes and budgets. Fees vary per events; see website for tickets.  Opening event at Williamsburg Winery.
Website









January 14-15:  Winery Barrel Tasting

Narmada Winery (Amissville)
Get a sneak taste at upcoming vintages just beginning their journey to maturity and learn about the aging process.  Includes wine tasting and light hors d'oeuvres; $35 per person.  
Website











January 15:  Come Paint with Us

Breaux Vineyards (Purcellville)
Pair up with local paint company for fun day of painting, wine and cozy atmosphere. 
Wine and light fare available for purchase.  $35 per person.
Website









January 15:  January Wedding Sneak Peak

Potomac Point Vineyard & Winery (Stafford)
Get a sneak peek at the wedding facilities and learn about wedding and catering options with tour of the facility.  Come early or stay after for wine tasting.
Website









January 15:  Wine & Chocolate Pairing

Bluestone Vineyard (Bridgewater)
Delicious chocolate from Warfels to pair with Bluestone wine.  Tickets include gift certificate for wine and chocolate tasting in February.  Tickets $25 on line.
Website




January 7:  Tribute to Elvis Party

Adventure Brewing (Fredericksburg)
Dress in your best Elvis outfit to compete in the Elvis Look Alike Contest and Karaoke competition.  Have a pint of wheat beer made with peanut butter, banana, marshmallow.
Website
The following Virginia Distilleries have open tasting rooms.
Be sure to call before visiting for hours of operation.
 
13490 Cedar Run Rd, Culpeper, VA 22701
540-825-3207
 
120 West Main Street, Purcellville, VA, 20132
540-751-8404
 
437 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
(757) 498-4210
 
9 River Lane, Sperryville, VA 22740, Phone: (540) 987-8554, AND
901 Capitol Landing Rd. Williamsburg, VA 23185, Phone: (757) 903-2076
 
2700 Hardy Street, Richmond, VA 23220
(804) 716-5172
 
10381 Central Park Drive, Suite 105, Manassas, VA 20110
(571) 292-1115
 
299 Eades Lane, Lovingston, VA 22949
(434) 285-2900
 
715 Henry Ave, Charlottesville, VA 22903
(434) 270-0317

WILLIAMSBURG DISTILLERY
7218 Merrimac Trail, Williamsburg, VA 23185
(757) 378-2456 
READ MORE FOR FULL LIST OF JANUARY EVENTS
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 info@vawinelover.com no later than the 10th of the month prior to the event.
 

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