DECEMBER  2016 ISSUE                                                                             November 29, 2016 

 

            

Taste by the Bay Festival at Tides Inn in Irvington, Virginia.

Wine Lover Friends, 
 
You Voted! And, the results are in for your 2016 Favorite Winery Tasting Rooms.   Congratulations to the Top Ten selected by readers of the October newsletter.  See the winners below.

Our emphasis this month is on Events, with Virginia's wineries filled with the spirit of the season and ready to welcome visitors.  An exciting new event ... the Winter Wine Celebration takes place this weekend in Virginia Beach.  It's sponsored by the Virginia Wineries Association.  

Congratulations to Winners of the November Sweepstakes.  Cindy Gierber of Stafford 
will spend a weekend at the Founders Inn & Spa in Virginia Beach.   Sunshine Riggins of 
Troy will be treated with friends to a VIP Tour & Tasting at Three Fox Vineyards in Delaplane.  Thanks to all who entered.

We are grateful for your continuing interest in the Official Virginia Wine Lover this year 
and the one soon to come.  With this final newsletter of 2016, we wish you the happiest of holidays and peace in the New Year.  Cheers to 2017!


  
 
Frank C. Britt
Publisher 
Official Virginia Wine Lover   

SPONSORS sponsoredby
 


December 3, 2016





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FAVORITE WINERY TASTING ROOMS



YOU VOTED AND HERE THEY ARE!favwinery
THE TOP 10 FAVORITE
VIRGINIA WINERY TASTING ROOMS IN 2016

CASANEL VINEYARDS (Leesburg/Loudoun County)
CHATEAU MORRISETTE (Floyd/Floyd County)
CHATEAU OBRIEN AT NORTHPOINT  (Markham/Fauquier County)
COOPER VINEYARDS (Louisa/Louisa County)
DOUKENIE VINEYARDS (Purcellville/Loudoun County)
JAMES RIVER CELLARS WINERY (Glen Allen/Henrico County)
KESWICK VINEYARDS (Keswick/Albemarle County)
POTOMAC POINT WINERY (Stafford/Stafford County)
STONE TOWER WINERY (Leesburg/Loudoun County)
WINERY AT BULL RUN (Centreville/Fairfax County)
    (Listed in Alphabetical Order)
 
50,000 Official Virginia Wine Lover newsletter subscribers had the opportunity to vote for their Favorite Virginia 
Winery  Tasting Room.  They were asked to rate the tasting rooms based on: 
(1) Wine Knowledge of Staff (2) Friendliness of staff and (3) Attractiveness of Location.


 




DECEMBER 3, 2016fetsivalofmonth
Virginia Beach Convention Center
 
Sponsored by the Virginia Wineries Association, the Winter Wine Celebration will be held this Saturday, December 3 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center from noon to 5 pm. The Center will be transformed into 
a Winter Wonderland just in time for Holiday shopping, with perfect gifts for wine lovers, including a great selection of Virginia wines, wine accessories and unique gift items.
 
GIFT IDEA FOR WINE LOVERS
   
POSH CELEBRATIONS POSH  
A Unique Gift for Wine and Dog Lovers

Posh was the reigning "Best Virginia Wine Dog" in 2011 and 2012, and is the official "Vino Dog" at 
Three  Fox Vineyards in Delaplane. Chapter 6 in Posh Celebrations "Vines, Wines, Fun Times!" includes 
clever suggestions for vineyard parties with furry friends. Six additional chapters cover party planning from setting the scene to planning the menu with party recipes and cocktails.  Posh includes his thoughts 
on fun and friendship in each chapter with "Posh Talk" and a "Posh Proverb." 



Posh and Maggie the (Official Virginia Wine Lover Dog) met at Three Fox Vineyards a few years ago, and became fast friends.  Maggie was thrilled to receive a signed copy of Posh's book.  To order your own autographed copy of Posh Celebrations, visit www.properlyposhpets.com.

 

decevents  
'Tis the season to celebrate the holidays with a visit to Virginia's wineries. During December, many wineries host open houses, complete with candles in the windows, decorations throughout, glowing fireplaces to warm you from the cold and shelves stocked with wine specials and great gifts for family and friends. You'll enjoy wine tastings, special refreshments and discounts on wine and gifts. For Open Houses in addition to the ones listed here, visit www.virginiawine.org and www.virginia.org.
 
_________________________________________________________________________


December 2: Christmas Tree Lighting
James Charles Winery & Vineyard (Winchester)
Join in sipping mulled wine and hot chocolate and listening to live music while gathering around the tree and watching the lights go up.
Website


December 2: Gloucester Village Wine Walk
Gloucester Main Street
Downtown merchants open their shops as "tasting rooms" where you can sip and savor great wines. Restaurants offer dinner specials. Tickets are $25 and limited.



December 3: Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Veramar Vineyards (Berryville)
Tree lighting at 6 pm. Enjoy beautiful Christmas music along with complimentary glass of mulled wine and a cookie. Gift discount.


December 3: Weihnachtsmarkt (German Market)
Bluestone Vineyard (Bridgewater)
Festive outdoor market with local vendors and artisans. Wine and food available for purchase. Bring your Christmas gift list, bundle up, drink warm mulled wine and shop.


December 3: Winter Wine Celebration

Virginia Beach Convention Center
Sponsored by Virginia Wineries Assn, the Center is magi
cally transformed into a Winter Wonderland for shopping with a great selection of Virginia wines, wine accessories and unique gift items. VIP tickets Include souvenir glass and sampling privileges.
                                         Website 

December 3-4; 10-11: Holiday Open House

Ingleside Vineyards (Colonial Beach)
Sample award-winning wines and enjoy holiday refreshments while shopping for the perfect gift for your favorite wine enthusiast! Holiday discounts on wine and gifts.
Website                                                                                                                          
 


December 3: Holiday Painte Party @ The Pointe
The Winery at Kindred Pointe (Mount Jackson)
Save the date to paint custom-created winter scene featuring their very own resident horse. Includes all supplies sugar cookies, snacks and glass of wine.


December 3: Kringle & Jingle Holiday Open House
Saude Creek Vineyards (Lanexa)
Come and see Santa and enjoy the release of the 2014 Estate Reserve Petit Verdot. Music by RV*Ava and BBQ by the Scottish Pig. Compete for the Ugly Sweater.
Website 
 


Saturday, December 3: Traditional Customer Appreciation Day and Sale
DuCard Vineyards (Etlan)
To say "Thank You" to our customers. Music by Jason Burke inspired by American and British rock, folk, and California country. Merchandise on sale throughout December with special gifts for everyone. No cover.



December 3 & 4: Cork & Cheese Celebration
Gray Ghost Vineyards (Amissville)
The world's largest cork Christmas display (over 100,000 corks)! Artisan cheeses and wine.  Live music and winery tours. $20 per person includes wine tasting, limited edition collectible Christmas glass, glass of wine of your choice and plate of artisan cheeses.
Website 
December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18: Holiday Open House & Gift Sale
Three Fox Vineyards (Purcellville)
Special discounts on holiday merchandise and mulled wine available for purchase.
Relax with a glass of wine and enjoy live music on Saturdays in the Thirsty Fox Lounge.  See schedule on website.
Website 
 
December 3, 4, 10, 11: The Black Dog Christmas Weekends
Chateau Morrisette (Floyd)
Celebrate the season in the Winery's decked halls with complimentary tastings, hors
d'oeuvres while you shop. Holiday Wine Sale with up to 30% off all wines and discounts throughout the gift shop. Something for every wine lover on your list!

December 3, 10, 17: Corks to Crafts
Narmada Winery and Vineyard (Amissville)
Learn how to create distinctive and memorable seasonal decorations made of corks. Hands-on-instruction and materials provided or bring your own corks. Free workshop.


December 3, 10, 17: Holiday Open House
Hickory Hill Vineyards & Winery (Moneta)
Wine tastings, seasonal snacks and a gift shop full of gifts for the wine lovers on your gift list.
Website 
 

December 4: Barrel Room Wine and Food Program
DuCard Vineyards (Etlan)
Elegant gourmet wine and food program for couples and small groups in the winery or private events room overlooking mountains. Maximum 10-20; $39 per person.
Website 

December 4, 11 & 18: Vineyard Wonderland Carriage Rides 
Trump Winery (Charlottesville)  A horse-drawn carriage will take you on a scenic journey through Trump's picturesque 1300 acres, making stops for scenic photo opportunities.  Price includes a wine tasting.
Website
 


December 5:  Holiday Open Houses

Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail 
Enjoy wine and gift specials, plus delicious holiday refreshments at the nine wine trail members located in the Northern Neck.  Contact individual wineries for hours.
Website 

December 5: Holiday Party
Gadino Cellars (Washington VA)
A small vertical experience with tastings of 2010, 2011, and 2012 vintages of Cabernet Franc. Tasty bites to pair with the wine and chance to win a bottle of the epic 2007 Vintage. Also tastings of Di Giovanna Sicilian olive oil. 
Vintage. Also tastings of Di Giovanna Sicilian olive oil.
Website 
 
 


December 5: Tree Lighting Ceremony
Veramar Vineyard (Berryville)
Tree lighting ceremony at 6 pm, Christmas music by Wildflower, free glass of mulled wine and a cookie. Special Christmas gif discounts.
READ  MORE FOR FULL LIST OF DECEMBER 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.

TASTE BY THE BAY WINE FESTIVALwewerethere
November 19, 2016

On a perfectly beautiful, warm November afternoon, we joined festival goers for wine, food, arts & ale at the Taste by the Bay festival at the beautiful Tides Inn in Irvington. Presented by Lancaster by the Bay Chamber of Commerce, festivities included tastings of wine and craft beers, music and holiday shopping opportunities. Vintage oyster boats were docked at the Tides marina, with their captains relaying stories of the Chesapeake's oyster industry. A great day!


Follow Frank to the Festival.


Wow! 


The Tides decks out for the holidays. 


Marianne Mize pretty as a picture.










 

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