June is Wine Festival Month Across Virginia
By Frank Britt
JUNE IS WINE FESTIVAL MONTH ACROSS VIRGINIA
Festivals are favorite outings for Virginians, particularly wine festivals. They provide opportunities to learn about Virginia’s wonderful wines and to visit some of the state’s most interesting sites. There are wine festivals in every region of Virginia this month, and we are pleased to feature just a few here.
(NORTHERN VIRGINIA)
JUNE 4-5: VINTAGE VIRGINIA
BULL RUN SPECIAL EVENTS CENTER-CENTREVILLE
Thirty-five years and counting, this ALL VIRGINIA event is presented by the Virginia Wineries Association. Sine 1982, Virginia’s oldest wine festival has been offering wine lovers an opportunity to taste nearly half of the state’s homegrown wineries, from the oldest and the largest to the smallest boutiques and exciting new players.
The festival is a must for everyone from newbies to foodies. Try your favorite wines, find new favorites, buy bottles and cases and take them home to enjoy all summer. Great Local foods to taste from festival favorites to DC’s hottest Food Trucks. Live Music from Great Regional Bands, all in a family friendly setting with kids activities. Tickets: $30 advance / VIP $69
7700 Bull Run Drive-Centreville, VA 20121
http://www.vintagevirginia.com
(CENTRAL VIRGINIA)
JUNE 11: JAMES RIVER WINE & MUSIC FESTIVAL
RIVERFRONT PARK, DOWNTOWN LYNCHBURG
Once a campground for Monacan Indians, Riverfront Park is today a premier venue designed specifically with events in mind. And, the first event at the Park since it closed in January 2014 for major construction is the fourth annual James River Wine and Music Festival on Saturday, June 11. The festival is an opportunity to showcase Lynchburg’s revitalized downtown and Arts and Cultural district to residents and visitors.
On June 11, wine lovers will gather to taste award-winning Virginia wines, listen to “cool” music and enjoy a variety of foods from popular food trucks. An exciting new feature is the participation of noted area artists showcasing and selling their work. Tickets are $20 advance; $25 at the gate / Non-tasting $10
1000 Jefferson Street
Lynchburg, VA 24505
(EASTERN VIRGINIA)
JUNE 11: SUMMER CELERATION WINE FESTIVAL
LEE HALL MANSION, NEWPORT NEWS
11 am – 6 pm
The 15th annual Lee Hall Mansion Summer Celebration Wine Festival takes place on the grounds of Lee Hall Mansion. Nine Virginia wineries will be featured with a variety of craft vendors and food will be available for purchase on site. Entertainment includes the bands Joe’s Day Off and the Rhythm Kings. The historic house will be open for touring. Tickets are $20 advance; $25 at the gate. Non-tasting tickets $10.
Sponsored by the Virginia War Museum Foundation, proceeds from the festival benefit the Foundation’s preservation and education initiatives for Lee Hall Mansion, Endview Plantation, and the Virginia War Museum. Built by prominent Warwick County agriculturalist Richard Lee in 1859, Lee Hall is the only surviving building designed in the Italianate architectural style on Virginia’s Lower Peninsula. The home’s rich history illustrates the strategic importance of its location during the Civil War.
163 Yorktown Rd.-Newport News, VA 23603
(WESTERN VIRGINIA)
JUNE 17-18: BUSHELS & BARRELS LOCAL FOOD, WINE & BEER FESTIVAL
REYNOLDS HOMESTEAD, PATRICK COUNTY
11 am – 7 pm
A pre-festival concert on Friday evening will precede the Saturday Bushels & Barrels festival. This is an event that demonstrates what Patrick and Henry counties have to offer, with local producers and growers on hand to showcase their wares. There will be local artists and artisans, and local food products, as well as local entertainment. Wineries are Hamlet Vineyard, Stanburn Winery, The Homeplace Vineyard and Preston Ridge Winery. Breweries include Licking Hole Creek and the Devil’s Backbone.
Reynolds Homestead was built in 1843 and is listed on the State and National Registers of historic places. It is a major venue for arts and cultural activities in Patrick County. Festival tickets are $15 advance; $20 gate / $40 VIP / $10 Designated Driver / $5 ages 13-20 / 12 and under free.
463 Homestead Lane
Critz, VA 23082
http://www.reynoldshomestead.vt.edu
(SOUTHERN VIRGINIA)
JUNE 18: 8TH ANNUAL WINE & ART FESTIVAL
ROSEMONT VINEYARDS-LA CROSSE
Admission is free, so bring the entire family! Each year there is more art, food and fun than the year before! This year, over 30 artists and exhibitors will attend, including paintings, photography, pottery, jewelry, woodworking and more. Gregory’s Grill and Light It Up Concessions will offer great food options. Three $100 gift certificates will be drawn to redeemed at any artist’s booth!
A $5 commemorative Wine & Art Festival glass with unlimited tastings will be available at the big tasting tent in the middle of the Artist Village.
The 450-acre Rosemont Estate has been in the Rose Family since 1858, with the home place dating back to the mid-1700’s. Over generations, operations have included vegetable farming, a peach orchard, beef cattle, dairy farming and commodity crops such as hay, tobacco, corn and soybeans. The first grapes were planted in 2003 and the winery was built in 2006.
1050 Blackridge Road-LaCrosse, VA 23950
http://www.rosemontofvirginia.com
(SHENANDOAH VIRGINIA)
JUNE 25: SHENANDOAH VALLEY WINE & JAZZ FESTIVAL
FRONTIER CULTURE MUSEUM, STAUNTON
1:00 – 7:00 pm
The Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton is the venue for the 8th Annual Wine & Jazz Festival which features member wineries of the Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail and brews and entertainment from Blue Ridge Beverage and Blue Moon. They will be joined by a variety of food and craft vendors.
The Museum tells the story of the thousands of people who migrated to colonial America, and of the life they created here for themselves and their descendants. These first pioneers came to America during the 1600s and 1700s from communities in the hinterlands of England, Germany, Ireland, and West Africa. Festival admission includes a tour of the Museum which is not to be missed. Tickets are $16 advance; $20 at the door / Non-tasting $10 / Student $9 / Children 6-12 $6 / 5 and under Free.
1290 Richmond Road-Staunton, Virginia 24401
Frank Britt is publisher of the Official Virginia Wine Lover, an online publication that promotes the Virginia wine industry. He was the co-founder of Virginia Wine Lover Magazine and consults with a number of wine festivals. Britt can be reached at frank@brittmarketing.com