Virginia Wine TV Now Available on iTunes

We are happy to announce that Virginia Wine TV episodes are now available for subscription through iTunes podcasts. We will be slowly adding past episodes and are looking forward to adding new releases involving the Wine Bloggers Conference and perhaps an interview with Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell. Happy sipping.

A Virtual Tasting of Virginia Viognier

As a kickoff to the 2011 Wine Bloggers Conference (July 22-24 in Charlottesville Virginia) and in anticipation for the campaign to market Viognier as Virginia's Signature Grape, the Virginia Wine Board sponsored "A Virtual Tasting of Virginia Viognier". Wine samples were sent to a select group of wine bloggers and the general public was encouraged to purchase and sample any Viognier produced by the Virginia wine industry - with emphasis on the wineries listed below. While sipping, participants tweeted their thoughts using the Twitter #vawine and #vaviognier hash tags. The video below contains the conversation. The wineries selected were Horton Vineyards, King Family Vineyards, Barboursville Vineyards, Blenheim Vineyards, Cooper Vineyards, and Delaplane Cellars.

Music for the video is provided by Nat Reese and Buddy Pendleton courtesy of the Virginia Folklife Program and by Andrew McKnight. Supporting local music is just as important as supporting local farms and wineries. Please visit these websites. And, do you know any "Juice Headed Woman"?

Live Music at Virginia Wineries - May 27th 2011

Here are three videos of musicians performing at Virginia wineries.

Nathaniel Davis at 8 Chains North Winery



Doug Bell at Casanel Vineyards



Connor Duffy at Dry Mill Vineyards & Winery

The Story of Capitol Vineyards

In April we visited the newly opened Capitol Vineyards for the WineCompass blog. In the historical tasting room we met a film student, Aaron Mullins, who was filming a documentary on the infant winery. We were impressed with his finished product and asked Mr. Mullins if we could share the video with our network and ask a few questions.

1) How did you come up with the idea to film Capitol Vineyards - I'm a film student at Boston University, Georgetown campus. Our very first project assignment was a short doc, subject of our choosing. My grandfather was a farmer, so I've always been fascinated with vineyards...not to mention I enjoy a good red! After reaching out to a hand full of VA wineries, I got in touch with Capitol Vineyards. The story of their property, plus their personal story really peeked my interest.

2) What were the major challenges to creating this video - For this project, weather, time and technology. I had a class deadline and was working around the vineyard owners busy schedule. The days we chose were sunny, but very windy. It's a beautiful property so wanted a lot of exterior shots. Some of the video is beautiful, but with the wind, the audio was a bear to mix. Also ran into a few issues transferring the footage. All in all, for the very first project, I'm happy with it. Learned a lot.

3) Before filming, what was your general experience with wine - I would say I'm a general consumer. I've visited Napa a few times and have been into the VA wine country many times over the years. I'm not a expert by any means, but know enough to be dangerous.

4) What did you learn most about the Virginia wine industry - It's growing! And for good reason. The wine is great, and the people are dedicated.

5) What do you want the audience to get out of watching the video - There's a story behind every bottle. It's not just the beautiful landscape and the tasty wine, but the fascinating history and people involved with every vineyard.

Aaron Mullins is a producer, writer and director. He is currently a film student at the Boston University Center for Digital Imaging Arts working in the digital film program. In addition to various student film projects, Aaron is producing, writing and directing a documentary based on the first Wesleyan Church in the American South, due in July 2011. His early career was in government and politics, working on Capitol Hill and various political campaigns, including web and TV ads.

American Craft Beer Week: May 16th - 22nd

Here's a little support to our brethren on the craft beer side of the house. Farm wineries, craft breweries, and micro distillers may differ in the final product; but this quote applies to all three:

"America's craft brewers are artisans that, rather than working in paint, photography, or some of those mediums, they're working in beer." Tim Myers, Strange Brewing

What's Your Favorite Virginia Wine? - Great Grapes Wine Festival: Reston 2011

Plenty of Virginia wine lovers showed up for the Great Grapes Wine Festival - Reston, held April 30th and May 1st at the Reston Town Center. Twenty two Virginia wineries poured at the event, with white wines flowing prominently on this sunny Saturday: Viognier, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Traminette, and Vidal Blanc. Here is what a few of these wine lovers have to say:

Belle Mount Vineyards	Chateau Morrisette
Cooper Vineyards	Davis Valley Winery and Vineyard
Democracy Vineyards	Fabbioli Cellars
First Colony Winery	Horton Vineyards
James River Cellars	Lake Anna Winery
Loudoun Valley Vineyards	Mattaponi Winery
Montdomaine	Philip Carter Winery of Virginia
Potomac Point Winery	Prince Michel Winery
Rebec Vineyards	Rosemont Vineyards and Winery
Stone Mountain Vineyards	Unicorn Winery
Williamsburg Winery	Willowcroft Farm Vineyards

Sip Your Way Through the Civil War Sesquicentennial

New wine trails are being created all through the Commonwealth, but one you may have missed is situated right here in Northern Virginia. The General's Wine and History Trail combines wonderful wines, Civil War history, and beautiful country - all just outside of Washington D.C. The trail includes a passport which not only describes each winery, but also historical events that occurred in the vicinity. Ever visited the historical towns of Bluemont, Sperryville, Washington, Hume, Berryville, Waterford, Aldie, or Upperville? Ever heard of the Battle of Balls Bluff? The Battle of Cool Spring? The Battle of Front Royal? The Battle of Thoroughfare Gap? Visit the General's Wine and History Trail and you will. Combine this information with the Civil War Traveler and you have all the information you need to relax and tour wineries and history.

Bluemont Vineyard www.bluemontvineyard.com 18755 Foggy Bottom Rd Bluemont, VA 20135 540 554 8439	Sunset Hills Vineyard www.sunsethillsvineyard.com 38295 Fremont Overlook Lane Purcellville, VA 20132 540 882 4560
Gadino Cellars www.gadinocellars.com 92 Schoolhouse Road Washington, Virginia 22747 540 987 9292	Swedenburg Estate Vineyard www.swedenburgwines.com 23595 Winery Lane Middleburg, VA 20117 540 687 5219
Lost Creek Vineyard & Winery www.lostcreekwinery.com 43277 Spinks Ferry Rd Leesburg, VA 20176 703 443 9836	Three Fox Vineyards www.threefoxvineyards.com 10100 Three Fox Lane Delaplane, VA 20144 540 364 6073
Philip Carter Winery www.pcwinery.com 4366 Stillhouse Road Hume, Virginia 22639 540 364 1203	Veramar Vineyard www.veramar.com 905 Quarry Rd Berryville, VA 22611 540 955 5510
Fox Meadow Winery www.foxmeadowwinery.com 3310 Freezeland Road Linden, VA 22642 540 636 6777	Winery at La Grange www.wineryatlagrange.com 4970 Antioch Road Haymarket, VA 20169 703 753 9360