The Apples of Foggy Ridge Cider, Dugspur, Virginia
Vol. XII, Issue No. 11                                                                                           October 31, 2017   
   
            

letter
   
This month, autumn color frames the byways and highways leading to numerous wine festivals and activities, along with cider celebrations during Virginia Cider Week on November 10-19.  If you love Virginia wine and cider, no doubt you also love Virginia oysters, and this month there are special wine and oyster events.  November is also a great time to visit Virginia's homegrown breweries and distilleries.
 
Foggy Ridge Cider is our "Festival of the Month".  In the true cidermaking tradition, Foggy Ridge harvests ripe cider apples from three orchards and crafts small batches of carefully selected cider blends.  November is the perfect month to visit and taste.

Featured Festivals include the Caledon Art & Wine Festival on November 4 in beautiful Caledon State Park; Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival on November 18 at Poplar Forest in Forest; and Taste by the Bay at the Tides Inn in Irvington.  Be sure to take in the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail Fall Oyster Crawl on November 11-12.

As we pause to give thanks for our many blessings, we thank you for sharing our passion about Virginia wine, the people, places, events and trends that are part of this great industry.  We wish you a happy Thanksgiving and all the best this holiday season.  

 
 
June Britt
Editor
 
 
   
 

IN THIS ISSUE 
 
Sponsors   
 
Vote for Your Favorite Winery Tasting Room

Festival of the Week:
November 4-5
Caledon Art & Wine Festival

Festival of the Week: November 10-19
Cider Week in Virginia  
 
Festival of the Week:
November 18 Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival
 
Winery of the Month
 
Recipe of the Month

ETCetera  

  Future Festivals     


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TIME TO VOTE FOR YOUR vote2
FAVORITE VIRGINIA WINERY TASTING ROOM!

Cast your vote by November 30 for your Favorite Tasting Room.
The Top 10 winners will be featured in the January 2018 issue of the
Official Virginia Wine Lover™.

FOGGY RIDGE CIDER
Reviving a Tradition
 
Throughout the 19th century, growing apples and crafting cider was an integral part of every community. Foggy Ridge Cider is reviving that tradition by growing cider apples and crafting fine cider.
 
Foggy Ridge Cider was founded in 1997 by planting a cider apple orchard in the Blue Ridge Mountains, full of over 30 authentic cider varieties, many never before seen in the south. From its first 2005 vintage, Foggy Ridge Cider has grown from a small cidery making a few hundred cases to an admired producer on the national beverage stage, with distribution in over 15 states, three James Beard nominations (including Finalist in 2017) and widespread recognition as a high quality cidermaker.

Made from cider apples like Ashmead's Kernel, Tremlett's Bitter, Dabinett and Tremlett's Bitter, Foggy Ridge Cider's blends aim to reflect its 3000-foot elevation orchards, rather than added flavorings or manipulation in the cellar.
 


    
 
 Foggy Ridge Shrimp & Gritsrecipenew
  Serve with Foggy Ridge Serious Cider
  
 CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE        

 
CALEDON ART & WINE FESTIVAL caledon 
NOVEMBER 4, 2017 - 10am-5pm 
NOVEMBER 5, 2017 - 11am-4pm 
Caledon State Park
11617 Caledon Road, King George VA 22485
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/caledon-state-park-art-and-wine-festival-nov-4th-5th-tickets-35377346596

Tantalize your senses with the tastes from local wineries and restaurants, the vision of beautiful art from local artists and the sounds of great music, all in the relaxing and beautiful surroundings of Caledon State Park.  It's a great day of beer sippin', bourbon tastin', music listenin' and barbeque eatin'. 

 
 

 
NOVEMBER 10-19, 2017 
Multiple locations throughout Virginia
www.ciderweekva.com/

A week-long celebration featuring special tastings, pairings, dinners, events and workshops with 11 cideries participating.

Cider is fermented apple juice just as wine is fermented grape juice. The best cider, just like the best wine, is carefully crafted from fruit chosen for cider making.   
 
 
    
READ MORE


THOMAS JEFFERSON WINE FESTIVAL jefferson 
NOVEMBER 18, 2017 - 11AM-5pm 
Poplar Forest, Forest, Virginia

Thomas Jefferson considered wine to be "...a necessary of life." On Saturday, November 18, thousands of like-minded oenophiles will gather at his secluded Bedford County retreat for the ninth annual Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival to celebrate his dream of establishing flourishing vineyards in Virginia.

   
    
READ MORE


etcnovember
 
 
OCTAGON NAMED CRITICS CHOICE 
Wine Spectator's annual New York Wine Experience showcases their critics' choice of 275 wines from major regions of the winegrowing world. At this year's gathering Barboursville Vineyard's Octagon 2012 was presented as a "Critics Choice".  Also Vermentino Reserve 2015 was presented  in a gastronomic pairing structured by Andy Myers, Sommelier for Chef José Andrés, for a creative Cajun wagyu dish, created by Chef Emeril Legasse. The Vermentino was also the audience's first choice in a cordial contest of alternative wines.
 
 
LEARN TO MAKE YOUR OWN WINE 
Vint Hill Winery in Warrenton is offering home winemaking classes.  Select your varietal juice, learn about fermentation, rack & return, tannin additions and bottling.  Leave final class with your own wine.  Four classes over course of three months beginning February 17.  If interested, call 540-351-0000. 
   
DISTILLED SPIRITS SALES OVER THE TOP 
According to Virginia ABC, September 2017 sales at distilleries increased by 70.2% and in-store sales were up 53.5% . The partnership among the Governor's Office, Virginia Tourism, Virginia ABC and the Virginia Distillers Association, which proclaimed September as Virginia Spirits Month succeeded beyond expectations, lifting sales of Virginia distilled spirits by 70 percent over the same period last year.
 
WHITEBARREL WINERY OPENS WINE & TAPAS BAR 
The Whitebarrel Wine and Tapas bar opened on October 21 in downtown Blacksburg.  The 1600 square-foot space features Whitebarrrel's award-winning wines alongside other wines, ciders and meads from across Virginia.  A tapas bar will highlight Virginia produce and cheeses, with a rotating menu designed to introduce fresh, local flavors that complement the unique range of wines being poured. 
 
JULY GETAWAY SWEEPSTAKES WINNER 
Connie Maslock who won the Sweepstakes wrote to say how much she enjoyed the Getaway.  "Thank you for the wonderful weekend at the Natural Bridge Historic Hotel.  The hotel was wonderful and the staff so nice.  The view of the Natural Bridge takes your breath away. The river seems to be alive. We visited so many wineries and new pubs...also went to the Natural Bridge Zoo.  People should take time to enjoy this beautiful part of Virginia."

 


CHECK FUTURE FESTIVALS  
FOR DATES AND OPPORTUNITIES
TO PURCHASE TICKETS AT EARLY BIRD SAVINGS.
futurefestnov
To Select Festival and Follow Link to Purchase Tickets.


NOVEMBER 10-19, 2017
NOVemberevents
November 2:  Fire, Flour & Fork
Various Locations in Richmond
A gathering for the food curious is a 4-day culinary event featuring dining events, demonstrations, tours, food producers, visiting chefs and spirit makers.
Website

 
November 3-5:  Urbanna Oyster Festival
Town of Urbanna
Sixtieth anniversary.  Walking pay-as-you-go festival with oysters prepared in very possible way, Virginia wineries and micro-breweries.  Unique arts and crafts..
Website

N ovember 3-5 & 10-12:  Peak Foliage Weekends
Peaks of Otter Winery (Bedford)
Bring a picnic and enjoy breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge.  Sample apples, fresh cider and Fruit of the Farm wines.
Website

November 4:  Bluegrass, Barbecue, and Brew Festival
Patrick Henry's Red Hill (Brookneal)
A festival that embraces the flavors and sounds of Southern Virginia with history, culture, food, beer and music.  Tour of Henry's home and law office included.
Website
 
 
November 4:  10th Annual Post Harvest Roast and Toast
Three Fox Vineyards (Delaplane)
Toast the end of harvest by roasting marshmallows and listening to music by Big Steve
& Pete.  Veterans with military ID get 15% discount in appreciation of their service.  
Website

November 4:  Apple Harvest Festival
Albemarle CiderWorks (North Garden)
Apples, apples and more apples in every form.  Food and craft vendors, cider tasting, live music, farmers' market vendors.  Apple pie contest with prize to winner.
Website

November 4:  Trailblazer 5K
Beliveau Estate Winery (Blacksburg)
This elevation challenging trail race goes through beautiful mountainous Montgomery Co. with post-race live music and award winning wines.
Website

 
November 4:  Harvest Wine Dinner
DelFosse Vineyards & Winery (Faber)
Celebrate the fall harvest at an elegantly prepared five course dinner paired with five generous samplings of award winning wines.  Reservations 434-263-6100.
Website

November 4:  Harvest on the Half Shell
Philip Carter Winery (Hume)
Oysters on the half shell, fried oysters and oyster po' boys available for purchase.  Tickets include wine, cider and beer tastings.    
Website

November 4:  Annual Howl at the Moon Party
DuCard Vineyards (Etlan)
Enjoy moon tunes and great wine while waiting for rising of the harvest moon after sunset.  Eat, drink and howl at the full moon.  Bring pot luck dish to share.  No cover.
Website
 

November 4:  Democracy after Hours
Democracy Vineyards (Lovingston)
Owner Jim Turpin takes guests on a tour of their collection of election memorabilia that reflects contrarian elections of yesteryear in anticipation of November 7.
 
November 4-5:  Fredericksburg Area Wine Festival
Village Towne Center (Spotsylvania)
Taste the wines, dance, eat and shop.  Featuring wide selection of Virginia wines, unique artisans and crafters, food concessionaires and live entertainment.
Website
 
November 4-5:  Annual Fudgeapalooza
Fox Meadow Winery (Linden)
Get your wine and sugar fix all in one place with six award winning wines perfectly paired with six unique fudges.  Advance tickets available.
 
November 4-5:  Caledon Art and Wine Festival
Caledon Natural Area (King George)
A weekend at the park with tastings by local wineries, great food, music and area artisans.  Admission for wine tastings $10; free for non-tasters.  $5 vehicle parking.
Website
November 5:  French Crepe Day
DelFosse Vineyards & Winery (Faber)
Take in the view while enjoying a selection of freshly made chef-prepared sweet or savory crepes pairs with salad and your favorite wine.
Website

November 5:  Central Virginia Blues Society Jam
Glass House Winery (Free Union)
Blues Society hosts an acoustic Jam live at the winery.  No cover but donations to the Society appreciated.  Regular tasting fees.
Website
FOR COMPLETE LIST OF NOVEMBER EVENTS

     SUBMIT AN EVENT:
S end details (what, where and when, and contact information) to  info@vawinelover.com  by 15th of the month prior to the month of the event. Our information  comes from many sources so verify event dates and times.   We are not responsible for incorrect  or inaccurate information.  

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