Pouring over the state’s finest wines

By The Daily Progress Staff

Published: May 27, 2008

Vintage Virginia, the state’s oldest outdoor wine tasting, will hold it’s 27th annual festival at Bull Run Regional Park in Centerville on Saturday and Sunday.

Fifty wineries — including more than a dozen local vineyards — will be pouring a total of 350 varieties, showcasing Virginia’s growing prominence as a wine-producing state. Organizers say they expect close to 20,000 people are expected to attend this year’s event.

While Vintage Virginia offers people the opportunity to sample new wines, visitors also may purchase their favorites by the glass, bottle or case.

The festival, however, is about more than sipping wine. There will be live music set up on separate stages throughout both days, a series of family activites, two seminar tents, food prepared by regional restaurants and about 100

artisans showing their unique jewelry, hats, clothes, pottery, paintings and photography, sculpture, wine accoutrements and specialty foods.

One of the most happening acts on the music scene today, Ivan Neville’s Dumstaphunk, headlines this year’s event along with New Orleans’ prodigal son Trombone Shorty. Other acts include Last Train Home, Scythian, Crawdaddies, James Mclean and Blue Mule. The also will be a family stage with performances geared to children, including jugglers, fire eaters, stilt walkers and Jerry Brown, the Monkey Man. The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center also will be bringing a portable and air conditioned aquarium.

Participating wineries include Acorn Hill Winery, Afton Mountain Vineyards, AmRhein Wine Cellars, Barboursville Vineyards, Belle Mount Vineyards, Breaux Vineyards, Bright Meadows Farm, Burnley Vineyards, Cardinal Point Vineyard and Winery, Cave Ridge Vineyard, Chateau Morrisette, Chatham Vineyards, Chrysalis Vineyards, Cooper Vineyards, Davis Valley Winery and Vineyard, DelFosse Vineyards and Winery, Fabbioli Cellars, First Colony Winery, Fox Meadow Winery, Gadino Cellars, Hickory Hill, Vineyards and Winery, Hidden Brook Winery, Hiddencroft Vineyards, Hill Top Berry Farm and Winery, Hillsborough Vineyards, Holly Grove Vineyards, Horton Vineyards, James River Cellars, Keswick Vineyards, Kluge Estate Winery and Vineyard, Lake Anna Winery, Lost Creek Vineyard and Winery, Loudoun Valley Vineyards, North Mountain Vineyards, Oak Crest Vineyard and Winery, Peaks of Otter Winery, Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery, Rappahannock Cellars, Rebec Vineyards Inc., Rockbridge Vineyard, Shenandoah Vineyards, Stone Mountain Vineyards, Sunset Hills Vineyard, Tarara Vineyard and Winery, Tomahawk Mill Winery, Valhalla Vineyards, Vault Field Vineyards, Veramar Vineyard, Veritas Vineyards and Winery, Villa Appalaccia Winery, Village Winery, Vino Curioso, West Wind Farm Vineyard and Winery, White Fences Vineyard, Williamsburg Winery and Willowcroft Farm Vineyards.

Tickets are $30 at the gate, $25 in advance. Discounts are available for designated drivers and children. Admission to Vintage Virginia includes a commemorative tasting glass.

To find out more details, check out www. vintagevirginia.com.