Winemaker Series: Boxwood Winery Pours at En Primeur

This episode features Rachel Martin, Executive V.P. at Boxwood Winery, discussing Boxwood's participation in the Bordeaux "En Primeurs". This event introduces the 2011 Bordeaux vintage to the media and wine brokers using barrel samples - and in Boxwood's case hand bottled and labelled. Boxwood Winery has participated in the event the last few years and received an invitation from their French consultant Stephane Derenoncourt. In fact, Boxwood was the first American winery invited to participate in the event. In the video, Rachel mentions that she will attend En Primeurs with Chris Parker of New Horizon Wines Ltd, who is importing Virginia wines into the United Kingdom. However, we learned later that Mr. Parker had to modify his itinerary and will be in the U.K. that week - evidently to the benefit of Boxwood and other Virginia wineries. Stay tuned for more details. And as usual, the intro music is "How High the Mountain" by Andrew McKnight and all VirginiaWineTV videos are available via iTunes. Cheers.

Winemaker Series: Corcoran Brewing and Vineyards

This episode features Kevin Bills, brew master at Corcoran Brewing Company, and Lori Corcoran, winemaker at Corcoran Vineyards, discussing wine and beer at the Corcoran complex. This is the only joint winery-brewery facility in Virginia and was intended to provide visitors with the greatest incentive to visit the winery. Now the brewery has taken a life of its own, with demand facilitating an early expansion. In addition to using local ingredients when possible, Corcoran Brewing also maintains a small Hop farm. On the other side of the farm lies Corcoran Vineyards, with a new brand of fun fruit wines such as Apple, Cello (Petit Manseng), Raz (Merlot and Raspberries), and USB (Chambourcin aged in used A. Smith Bowman Distillery barrels). As usual, the intro music is "How High the Mountain" by Andrew McKnight and all VirginiaWineTV videos are available via iTunes. Cheers.

Winemaker Series: Castle Hill Cider & Kvevri

On a very windy day (and we apologize for the limited audio) we visited Castle Hill Cider to discus cider and Kvevri with cider maker Stuart Madany. While sipping a glass of Levity, their flagship sparkling Virginia cider made from 100% Albemarle Pippin; we learned how the operation started and about their use of ancient Kvevri terracotta vessels. Kvevri are the original containers in which humanity first created wine some 7,000 years ago in the Caucasus Mountains. And Castle Hill is the sole operation to utilize these vessels in the United States and the only cider maker worldwide. They are helping to preserve history considering that there are only a few artisans still alive who produce Kvevri. As usual, the intro music is "How High the Mountain" by Andrew McKnight and all VirginiaWineTV videos are available via iTunes. And to learn more about Kvevri visit Kvevri.com or DomainGeorgia.com. Cheers.

Governor Robert McDonnell Discusses the Virginia Wine Industry

Before presenting the 2012 Governor's Cup to Jeff White of Glen Manor Vineyards, Governor Robert McDonnell joins Virginia Wine TV to discuss why he's so passionate in promoting the Virginia Wine industry. Yes jobs are an important reason and Virginia is still an agriculture dominated state. That is why he and the First Lady use the Bully Pulpit to "recommend" that restaurants and other venues in the state offer Virginia wine. His administration also actively markets Virginia wine on the world market via trad missions to Hong Kong, India, Israel, and Europe. And he believes that after is one term expires, that the Virginia Legislature will continue the momentum. At the end we toast with the gold winning Tarara Vineyard & Winery 2010 Honah Lee White Vinifera Blend. Cheers and video is also available via iTunes.

March - Love by the Glass: Virginia Wine and Dine Month

Today starts Love by the Glass: Virginia Wine and Dine Month. Check out the wine events available around the state and while visiting local restaurants, ask for Virginia wine. If not available, follow the example set by the First Family and explain the virtues of local wine. Cheers.

2012 Virginia Governor's Cup Presentation Video

Governor Robert McDonnell presents the 2012 Governor's Cup to Jeff White of Glen Manor Vineyards for their 2009 Hodder Hill Meritage - a blend of 63 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 25 percent Merlot and 6 percent each Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. This wine was selected among the 12 Gold winning wines. In his remarks, Governor McDonnell also discusses how important the wine industry is to Virginia's economy. Check back next Monday to watch our interview with the Governor regarding his passion for promoting the Virginia Wine Industry.

Gold Medal Wines

• Bluestone Vineyard 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon
• DelFosse Vineyards & Winery 2007 Meritage Blend
• Glen Manor Vineyards 2009 Hodder Hill Meritage
• Jefferson Vineyards 2010 Cabernet Franc
• Keswick Vineyards 2009 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
• Keswick Vineyards 2010 Merlot
• King Family Vineyards 2008 Meritage Blend
• Potomac Point Winery 2009 Heritage Reserve Meritage Blend
• Tarara Vineyard & Winery 2010 Honah Lee White Vinifera Blend
• Trump Winery 2008 Kluge SP Blanc de Blanc Sparkling
• Veritas Vineyards 2010 Vintner’s Reserve Meritage Blend
• White Hall Vineyards 2010 Gewurztraminer

Winemaker Series: Breaux Vineyards & Vertical Tasting

This week's episode features Jennifer Breaux-Blosser, Breaux Vineyards in Loudoun County, discussing vertical tasting through various Merlot vintages (2002, 2004, 2007). She describes how a vertical tasting shows yearly differences in the same varietal wine, but also how a wine's composition changes over time. The next Merlot Vertical Tasting at Breaux is scheduled for March 24th. This is also an exciting time for Breaux Vineyards. Their 2010 Viognier was just included Oz Clarke 250 Best Wines. That's worldwide - not just here in the states. As usual, the intro music is "How High the Mountain" by Andrew McKnight and all VirginiaWineTV videos are available via iTunes. Cheers.