Virginia Wine Festival Season Now Open

Dear Virginia Wine Lover,

It's springtime in Virginia, and that means wine time for Wine Lovers. The vines are beginning to bud, last year's harvest will soon be in the bottle, and tasting rooms are ready for visitors.

April brings popular annual festivals and many favorite events from barrel tastings to winemaker dinners. Our featured festivals this month include:

* Clarksville Lake Country Wine Festival - April 11
* Chesapeake Spring Wine Fest - April 17
* Great Grapes Tysons - April 25-26

Be sure to check the April Events calendar for a full listing of festivals and happenings at the wineries.

Cheers and Happy Spring!

Sincerely,

Frank C. Britt
Publisher

P.S. Coming in May. The James River Wine & Music Festival, May 30 in Lynchburg.

9th ANNUAL
CLARKSVILLE LAKE COUNTRY WINE FESTIVAL
APRIL 11, 2015

Historic Downtown Clarksville on the Lake
Tickets & Information: www.clarksvilleva.com

Relax on the historic lawns of downtown and taste over 100+ varieties of fine Virginia wines. The Festival features 15 Virginia wineries and music by Jeff Bailey and Brian Parks. There will be craft beers, artisan vendors, wine accessories and great pairings of cigars, chocolates, gourmet Virginia peanuts and food by the popular Cooper's Landing Inn/Traveler's Tavern & Lamplighter Restaurant. Don't miss the Seaplane Splash-in...fun for all ages and the 5K Fun Run.

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CHESAPEAKE SPRING WINE FESTIVAL
APRIL 17, 2015
5:00-11:00 PM

Chesapeake Conference Center (900 Greenbrier Circle)
Tickets & Information: www.cheswinespring.com

Great Wines. Great Causes. Great Fun. This is an exciting evening event!

The Third Annual Chesapeake Spring Wine Festival will be held INDOORS on Saturday, April 17 at the Chesapeake Conference Center. Presented by Old Point National Bank, it is sponsored by the Chesapeake Rotary Club, with all proceeds benefiting charities of the club.

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A SICILIAN SECONDI

By Brian Cohen

Mention "Italian food," and chances are your immediate company will conjure images of pasta, tomatoes, garlic, bread, and-bless their hearts-Olive Garden. Perhaps some of the more worldly will think of Tuscany, Rome or Venice. Maybe Sicily.

As with most Mediterranean cuisines, Sicily's is the result of fusion. The Greeks introduced olives, grapes, figs, walnuts, hazelnuts, wheat and pomegranates. Later, the Romans introduced hard durham wheat, leading to superior pastas. They imported cherries, plums and citrons and eventually, the Arabs brought lemons, bitter orange, bananas, date palms, pistachios, mulberries, watermelon, apricots and tangerines.

Costolette di Maiale al'Arancia (Pork Chops with Orange)

Click Here for the Recipe

Publishers Letter

Festival of the Week - Clarksville (April 11)

Festival of the Week - Chesapeake (April 17)

Recipe of the Month

Feature on South African Wines

Vino News

April Events

Future Festivals

We Were There

April 25, 2015
Forest, VA
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MAY 30
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CHESAPEAKE WINE FESTIVAL
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TASTE OF SPRING FESTIVAL

APRIL 8-12
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THE BERKELEY HOTEL
RICHMOND, VA
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Promo Code: Frank 15
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WINE FESTIVAL CONSULTING

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South Africa's Influence on Virginia's Wine Industry

Stephen Barnard in front of Table Mountain in South Africa

Virginia has enjoyed a cultural exchange with South Africa for nearly 20 years, and the influence of South African winemakers is starting to take hold. This year's recent Virginia Wine Expo put the spotlight on the wines of South Africa as the event's Guest Wine Region, pouring their wines and devoting an entire evening to the bridge between Virginia & South Africa.

At least six Virginia vineyards are now growing Pinotage - a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault varieties developed in the 1920's and considered South Africa's national grape. While the climates of the South Africa and Virginia wine regions are dynamically different, both are increasingly receiving international accolades and awards for the quality and character of wines being produced.

Three South African winemakers in Virginia are bringing their unique perspectives and experience to the state. They include Deon Abrams of Grayhaven, Stephen Barnard of Keswick Vineyards and Riaan Rossouw of Lovingston Winery.

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PEARMUND CELLARS' PETIT MANSENG

Pearmund Cellars in Broad Run, Virginia, is the largest producer of the varietal Petit Manseng not just in Virginia, but in the Americas! Chris Pearmund is the Executive Winemaker and the "go to" guy if you want to understand the wine industry from berry to bottle. Pearmund Cellars is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm. www.pearmundcellars.com

NEWS OF NOTE FROM BARBOURSVILLE VINEYARDS

Luca Paschina, Barboursville winemaker, was honored on February 16 with the Order of Merit from the Italian Republic. The ceremony in Washington was presided over by the Ambassador of Italy, Claudio Bisogniero.

On March 18, Governor McAuliffe presented the Prince of Wales with a bottle of Barboursville Octagon 2010 at Mount Vernon.

Tasting "the best of the best," the 2014 Governor's 12 Gold Medalists, James Suckling, former editor of Wine Spectator, gave highest ratings to Barboursville's 2010 Octagon, Malvaxia Passat 2008 and Nebbiolo Reserve 2010.
www.bbvwine.com

NEW KENT WINERY UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

Joe and Jo Anna Dombroski bought the New Kent County winery last fall. The new owners dabble in winemaking and will have a hand in making the company's products, but head winemaker Tom Payette continues to lead the operation. Just 25 miles east of Richmond, New Kent opened in 2008 and produces about 7,500 cases of wine a year. It is a unique setting for special occasions and reserved events, and the Tasting Room is a favorite of Virginia Wine Lovers. Open daily from 10 am to 6 pm.

www.newkentwinery.com

SERMONS FROM THE VINE

Beginning its 8th consecutive season with the advent of the 2015 bud break, itinerant pastor Kim Ciftci provides Sunday sermons at Northern Virginia wineries throughout the growing season. The messages draw their truth for living from the many Biblical references to wine, grapes, the vineyard, or the processes involved in winemaking. Services begin at 11 am, rain or shine. In April, Sermons from the Wine will be at Barrel Oak Winery (April 12), Pearmund Cellars (April 19) and Cana Vineyards (April 26).

Email: pastorkim@sermonsfromthevine.com

April 3: Bistro Night
Doukenie Winery (Purcellville)
Join in the first bistro night of the season with food vendors and live music paired with your favorite wine. Sit back and enjoy the sites, sounds and smells!
www.doukeniewinery.com

April 4: Three Fox Easter Egg Roll
Three Fox Vineyards (Delaplane)
Easter Egg Roll in the vineyards is a new spin on an old tradition. Rolls at 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm with prizes for the winners. Register at info@threefoxvineyards.com.
www.threefoxvineyards.com

April 4: Easter Egg Hunt

DuCard Vineyards (Etlan)
Treats left from the Easter bunny inside and outside the vineyard. Live music by Tim and Felicia Morris.
www.ducardvineyards.com

April 4: Taste of Science
Doukenie Winery (Purcelville)
Extensive wine and vineyard tour. Learn scientific and technical details of wine making and vineyard management. Wine tasting follows. Reservations.
www.doukeniewinery.com

April 4: Open for Tastings
Granite Heights Winery (Warrenton)
Winery Tasting Room reopens for the season. Come for a visit and sample the wines.
www.graniteheightswinery.com

April 5: Open for Easter
868 Estate Vineyards (Purcellville)
Lunch at the Grandale Restaurant followed by seven-wine tasting in the Tasting Room, plus housemade chocolates.

www.868estatevineyards.com

April 5: Mimosa & Pastry Bar

Paradise Springs Winery (Clifton)
On Easter Sunday, serving up wine and pastries from Kristina of Cupcaked: Sweet & Savory Scones (including Maple Bacon!) Croissants, Macaroons and Cupcakes.

www.paradisespringswinery.com

April 5: Winemaker's Brunch
Veritas Winery (Afton)
Wine paired brunch in Saddleback Hall. Reservations Required.
www.veritaswines.com

April 5: Easter Celebration

Narmada Winery (Amissville)
Search for eggs filled with wonderful prizes beginning at two. Light refreshments.
www.narmadawinery.com

April 6: Trump Wine Dinner
Commonwealth Skybar (Charlottesville)
Five course meal specially paired with four award winning wines.

Reservations at 434-202-7728
www.trumpwinery.com

April 9-11: Taste of Monticello Wine Trail Festival
Jefferson Theatre & nTelos Wireless Pavilion (Charlottesville)
Celebrating the best of Central Virginia Wines. Kicks off with Monticello Cup Awards at the Jefferson Theatre. Tastings by more than 25 wineries on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets online.

www.monticellowinetrailfestival.com

April 8-12: Taste of Spring Weekend
Tides Inn (Irvington)
Celebrating spring at the Tides Inn with Virginia wineries, ciders, microbreweries, local restaurant and artisan food vendors. Power and sailboards on show, garden accessories and equipment, plus live music.

www.tidesinn.com

April 10-12: Spring Wine Preview Weekend
Trump Winery (Charlottesville)
Preview the 2014 wines, available exclusively at the Tasting Room. Special menu will pair perfectly with the new vintages. Live music each day 1-4pm.

www.trumpwinery.com

April 11: Clarksville Lake Country Wine Festival
Clarksville on the Lake (Clarksville)
Relax on historic lawns in downtown for a great day at the lake. Virginia wines, craft beer, live music, great food and craft vendors. Order tickets online

www.clarksvilleva.com

April 11: Fly the Philip Carter Skies
Philip Carter Winery (Hume)
Kite Club demonstrations and exhibition flights, kite history and kite contest. Bring a kite for discount on wines.

www.pcwinery.com

April 11: Blossom to Bottle 5K
Peaks of Otter Winery (Bedford)
Experience the renewal of spring as you run, jog, walk or crawl over the hills and through the blossoms, in the valley and across the streams. Advance registration.

www.BlossomToBottle.com

April 11: Signature Dinner Series
Airlie (Warrenton)
Celebrate spring at Airlie with Early Mountain Vineyards. Wine reception and 5-course locally sourced dinner. Reservations Required.

www.airlie.com

April 11: Cherry Blossom Celebration & Rose' Release

Breaux Vineyards (Purcellville)
Celebrate release of the 2014 Rose', live music vendors, wine tastings and hopefully cherry blossoms in bloom.
www.breauxvineyards.com

April 11: Cuvee 719 Release Party
DuCard Vineyards (Etlan)
This dry style Traminette is light and refreshing and just right for spring. Bring a picnic, have some wine and enjoy the music.

www.ducardvineyards.com

April 11: Grapes & Grains
Virginia Museum of Natural History (Martinsville)
Fundraising gala to support the Museum. Delicious food, variety of wines, specialty beers and silent auction. Tickets available online.

www.vmnh.net

Ingleside Vineyards (Oak Grove)

Be among the first to experience the future of Ingleside straight from the barrel. Tour, tasting, wine glass, live music and light fare.

www.inglesidevineyards.com

April 11: Beaverdam Wine Festival

John Lewis Thompson Learning Center (Beaverdam)

Local wineries and restaurants, crafters and local businesses vend their wares on the fairgrounds. Antique car "cruise in" and carriage rides.

www.beaverdamwinefestival.org

April 11: Winemaker Dinner

Narmada Winery (Amissville)

Older vintages from the wine library paired with exotic cuisine by Rangoli of South Riding. By reservation only.

www.narmadawinery.com

April 11: Paint Nite!

Hidden Brook Winery (Leesburg)

An afternoon by a peaceful forest listening to music and unleashing the artist within. Great wine and light food fare. Register at website.

www.hiddenbrookwinery.com

April 11: A Celebration of the Vine Wine Festival

The Millworks (Midlothian)

Perfect spot to enjoy a day of wine tastings, music, food and crafts which taking in the historical industrial architecture. Free shuttle service

www.celebrationofthevine.com

April 11: Essence of Spring Food & Wine Pairing

Lost Creek Winery (Leesburg)

Four-course pairing of cuisine by Market Table Bistro paired with Lost Creek wines. Only 40 seats available. Reservations.

www.lostcreekwinery.com

April 11-12: Masters Chip-Off

Paradise Springs Winery (Clifton)

Annual masters chip off, closest to the pin contest on the par-3 golf hole at the winery. Prizes for the winners.

www.paradisespringswinery.com

April 11-12: Virginia Fly Fishing & Wine Festival

Constitution Park (Waynesboro)

On the banks of the South River, with fly anglers gathering from all over. Wine tasting, craft brews and live music.

www.vaflyfishingfestival.org

April 11-12: Spring Vertical Tasting

Barboursville Vineyards (Barboursville)

A rare opportunity, focusing on valuable older vintages, along with traditional sampling of 2014 Octagon from barrel. Artisenal cheeses and fresh breads from Palladio Restaurant.
www.bbvwine.com

April 12: Library Tasting

Gray Ghost Vineyards (Amissville)

Taste three or four sold out vintages of red wines in the wine library as well as current releases along with light hors d'oeuvres. Reservations recommended.

www.grayghostvineyards.com

April 12: Cheeseology

Little Washington Winery (Washington VA)

Seminar on the basics of cheese with tastings and pairings of wines and cheeses. Learn which cheeses pair best with which varietals.

www.littlewashingtonwinery.com

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Buy early bird tickets and save!

Festivals. Festivals. Festivals! Virginia Wine Lovers love festivals. Buy tickets for your favorite festivals at "Early Bird" savings. It's easy. CLICK HERE to select the festival(s) and follow link to purchase tickets.

February 17-22, 2015

Richmond, VA

Official Virginia Wine Lover ™ is not affiliated with or published by Virginia Wine Lover Magazine

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