As the weather takes a turn for the better in some areas of the country, take time to spend some of your leisure hours at a local winery. Look for music and special events  including movies and a photography workshop.

Cheers! Kathy

Friday, May 17

Cava Winery, New Jersey
Event: Wine and Dine
Website Info

Lorimar Vineyards and Winery, CA
Music: Live Music in Wine Country
Website Info

Saturday, May 18

Lorimar Vineyards and Winery, CA
Music: Live Music in Wine Country
Event: Anniversary Celebration
Music: Live Music in Old Town
Website Info

The Home Place, Virginia
Event: Vinton Food and Wine Festival
Website Info

Sunday, May 19

Cava Winery, New Jersey
Music: Retro Casters
Event: Photography Workshop & Photo Contest 
Website Info

DelFosse Vineyards & Winery, Virginia
Event: Food and Wine Pairing
Website Information

Lorimar Vineyards and Winery, CA
Music: Live Music in Wine Country
Website Info

Monday, May 20

Lorimar Vineyards and Winery, CA
Event: Movie in the Vines
Website Info

Wednesday, May 22

Reid’s Orchard & Winery, PA
Event: Game Night at Jennie’s House
Website Info

The 9^th Annual Art, Wine & Wheels Festival is scheduled for June 8. Sponsored by the Mariposa Rotary Club the festival takes place at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds, California. This is about three hours from San Francisco. This annual festival supports wineries, local artists and car buffs.

Wine lovers, art lovers and nostalgic car enthusiasts will also be able to enjoy refreshments and live music by Tim Hager & Friends. A blind tasting is also included.

No admission is charged; however, to taste wines visitors can purchase a Sierra Tel commemorative wine glass with six tasting tickets for $10.

Wineries participating in the event include:

• Butterfly Creek Winery
• Silver Fox Winery
• Ciera Wines
• Casto Oaks Wine

Art Lovers

A special art show, “Small Wonders” is a collection of original pieces donated by artists. The show helps support the Rotary Club’s Community Gifting program. People can buy raffle tickets for the art.  Details are available online. Art images can be submitted until May 24.

Enthusiasts of Restored Cars

Enjoy the display of restored cars from other generations. If you have an old car you would like to display contact the Rotary Club at rbrower@sti.net. The first 20 to register their car will receive a free sandwich at festival.

Enjoy a day in Mariposa while tasting wines, viewing local art, and taking a trip back in memory lane as you view restored cars.

Cheers! Kathy

This weekend the Wine in the Woods festival takes place in Howard County, Maryland.  It is one of Maryland’s best-known wine festivals and held each year in Columbia. This year 36 Maryland wineries will be attending the two-day festival.

Several wine seminars will be conducted as part of the festival. Members of the Tasters Guild International will present seminars. Session topics include:

• Wine Tasting 101
• Maryland White wines
• Maryland Red Wines
• Maryland Dessert Wines

Craft and Art Vendors

An array of craft and artist vendors will be showing their wares. Taste some wine and be sure to browse the tents of the vendors. There will be something for everyone to browse including: photography on canvas, carved wood pieces, jewelry, stained glass, wine glass racks, silk screen prints, hanging chairs, candles, wine bottle art, handbags and totes, log furniture, forged iron ware, birdhouses, wine trivets, and much more.

Festival Music

Live Music entertainment includes: classic, rock, Dave Matthews Tribute Band, funk rock, pop rock with country soul, reggae, 80s, soul rock and Motown, jazz, and Latin reggae.

The Festival Food

What would a festival be without food? Specialty food vendors will be available as well as many restaurants. Specialties to look for include: fudge, olive oils, cheeses, breads and chocolate truffles.

Saturday Tickets (Saturday tickets include lawn seating for “The Band Perry” concert at Merriweather Post Pavilion.)

• Wine Tasting Tickets: $40
• Designated Drivers: $25
• Youth (ages 3 -20) $25

Sunday Tickets

• Wine Tasting Tickets: $35
• Designated Drivers: $20
• Youth (ages 3 -20) $20

More information is available on the Wine in the Woods website.

Spero Winery in Denver, CO

The 3^rd Annual Colorado Wine Week takes place June 2 to June 8.  Events will include winemaker dinners, receptions, wine tastings and cocktail competitions. All week an array of Denver restaurants will provide an appetizer/snack on the menu with a Colorado wine. These will be served at special pricing.

June 2: Farm to Turntable

• Includes farm fresh flavors by EatDenver chefs, an all-Colorado bar, paired with music

June 4: Colorado Wine Cocktail Celebration II

• Four Denver bartenders will make cocktails using Colorado wine and bitters, spirits and other items. Tickets include one complimentary wine cocktail. Other tastings and snacks will be available at a cash bar.

June 7: Governor’s Cup Colorado Wine Competition Awards Reception

• 20 Colorado wineries will have wine samples and hors d’oeuvres

June 8: Colorado Urban Wine Fest

• Many Colorado wineries (more than 30) will participate in the grant tasting of Colorado wines. Attendees will be able to sample the wines with items from local Denver restaurants.
• Special tickets are available that include Uber’s black car service – a great way to leave the driving to someone else

For tickets and more information about Colorado Wine Week visit the CAVE website.

Colorado has numerous delightful wineries to visit. Checkout these articles about Colorado wineries.

Cheers, Kathy

Lots of events are coming up this weekend including Mother’s Day events. Saturday is also Wine Tourism Day. Check these fun activities out. Treat your Mother to a day at a winery. Enjoy.

Cheers!
Kathy

Friday, May 10

Grand River Cellars, Ohio
Event: Wine Country Progressive Dinner
Website Info

The Home Place, Virginia
Event: Flip Flop Friday
Website Info

Lorimar Vineyards and Winery, CA
Music: Live Music in Wine Country
Website Info

Saturday, May 11

Cava Winery, New Jersey
Event: Mother’s Day Wine Trail Weekend
Website Info

Grand River Cellars, Ohio
Event: National Wine Tourism Day
Website Info

Lorimar Vineyards and Winery, CA
Music: Live Music in Wine Country
Music: Live Music in Old Town
Website Info

Three Fox Vineyards, VA
Event: Mother’s Day Weekend
Event: Bocce-Fest
Website Info

Pearmund Cellars, VA
Event: Wine Tourism Day
Website Info

Reid’s Orchard & Winery, PA
Event: “Music for Momma and More”
Event: Wine Tourism Day
Event: Wine Tourism Day at Jennie’s House
Website Info

Sunday, May 12

Cava Winery, New Jersey
Event: Mother’s Day Wine Trail Weekend
Website Info

Chateau Chantal, MI
Event: Mother’s Day Wine Dinner
Website Info

DelFosse Vineyards & Winery, Virginia
Event: Mother’s Day Brunch
Website Info

Grand River Cellars, Ohio
Event: Mother’s Day Celebration
Website Info

Lorimar Vineyards and Winery, CA
Music: Live Music in Wine Country
Website Info

Pearmund Cellars, VA
Event: Sermons in the Vines
Website Info

Serpent Ridge Vineyard, Maryland
Event: Mother’s Day Event (RSVP)
Website Info

Three Fox Vineyards, VA
Event: Mother’s Day Weekend
Event: Book Signing for “A Wine Journey”
Event: Bocce Fest
Website Info

Vint Hill Craft Winery, VA
Event: Mother’s Day Wine Tasting for Moms
Website Info 

Wednesday, May 15

Lorimar Vineyards and Winery, CA
Music: Live Music in Old Town
Website Info

Reid’s Orchard & Winery, PA
Event: Game Night at Jennie’s House
Website Info

Port of Leonardtown Winery

The first Wine Tourism Day takes place Saturday, May 11.  According to the Wine Tourism Day website, “Wine Tourism Day is designed to feature the many wineries offering events through North America, promote the concept of traveling to wine regions on vacation, and highlight the economic impact of wine tourism. Most of all it is about you, a lover of wine and travel, having fun.”

Tourism should not be under estimated. Tourism is an important aspect of any country’s economy. Tourists/visitors can impact restaurants, stores, hotels, bed and breakfasts, gas stations, car rental agencies, airports and more.

In France it was noted that tourism is one of the few industries that cannot be outsourced to another country. (Becker, Elizabeth, Overbooked: The Exploding Business of Travel and Tourism, 2013) Tourism also cannot be created on a movie screen or in a book. However, these are good ways to learn about destinations but not the same as visiting and experiencing the cultures and talking with the residents.

Wine tourism is growing with more people interested in visiting wine regions throughout the world. Here in Maryland the wine industry is growing and now has more than 60 wineries with more planning to open within a year or two.

Check your region and state for wineries celebrating Wine Tourism Day.

Maryland hosted the successful Drink Local Wine Conference in April. Now numerous events are planned for May 11, Wine Tourism Day. Some of these special events include:

• Crow Farm Vineyard will be offering one free wine tasting and sample of Crow Farm products

• Galloping Goose Vineyards will feature a flight of three red wines hors d’oeuvres for $12.00

• Distillery Lane Ciderworks is offering a cider making class covering the basics of home cider making. Head cider maker, Tim Rose, and orchardist, Rob Miller, lead the class.  Topics covered include: the desirability of various apple varieties, how different apples are used , the fermentation process, the importance of sanitation, and blending the final product. The class is $100 per person (preregistration and a $25 non-refundable deposit is due to hold a spot in the class). This fee covers the class, tastings, and the materials needed for participants to ferment a case of their own hard cider at home. To register, please visit their website or call 301-834-8920

• The Piedmont Wine Trail will host a Vidal wine tasting on May 11 and May 12. Each winery will have a different special with the Vidal grape. Participating wineries: Basignani Winery, Boordy Vineyards, DeJon Vineyards, Fiore Winery, Harford Vineyard and Winery, Royal Rabbit Vineyards, and Woodhall Wine Cellars.

• Catoctin Breeze Vineyard offers a featured sample of their wines for a tasting fee of $6, including a complimentary tasting glass. Private tours are  available and include a guided tour of the vineyard and winery, followed by a private tasting of all currently available wines, complete with cheese pairings. The private tour is $25 per person and reservations are required. For reservations call 240-449-0677 or email tours@catoctinbreeze.com.

• Port of Leonardtown: Marvelous Mom’s Celebration & National Wine Tourism Day, Cost: Pairing of chocolate truffles and wine $10. Reservations required please call 301-690-2192.

Enjoy celebrating Wine Tourism Day by visiting a winery.

Cheers, Kathy

Choose one of these wine events for wine enthusiasts coming up over the next few days. Watch for Mother’s Day weekend events coming soon!

Cheers,
Kathy

Friday, May 3

Lorimar Vineyards and Winery, CA
Music: Live Music in Wine Country
Website Info

Serpent Ridge Vineyard, Maryland
Event: First Friday: Live Music
Website Info

The Winery at Perennial Vineyards, Ohio
Music: Jimmy Chesterfield
Website Info

Three Fox Vineyards, VA
Event: Virginia Wine Experience
Website Info

Saturday, May 4

Cava Winery, New Jersey
Event: Spring Fling at the Winery with North Jersey Jeep Club
Website Info

Lorimar Vineyards and Winery, CA
Music: Live Music in Wine Country
Music: Live Music in Old Town
Website Info

Pearmund Cellars, Virginia
Event: Book Signing with Richard Leahy, author of Beyond Jefferson’s Vines
Website Info 

The Home Place, Virginia
Event: American Heritage Wine Festival at Elkhorn Lake, Java
Website Info

The Winery at Perennial Vineyards, Ohio
Music: Ryan Humbert
Website Info

Vint Hill Craft Winery, Virginia
Event: Derby Hat Day
Website Info 

Sunday, May 5

Cava Winery, New Jersey
Event: Live Music
Website Info

Chateau Chantal, MI
Event: Art, Shoe & Wine Pairing Event
Website Info

DelFosse Vineyards & Winery, Virginia
Event: Crepes for Cinco de Mayo
Website Info

Lorimar Vineyards and Winery, CA
Music: Live Music in Wine Country
Event: Cinco de Mayo Cha Cha the Day Away
Website Info

Slack Winery, Maryland
Event: Blessing of the Vines (for Wine Club members RSVP)
Website Info

Vint Hill Craft Winery, Virginia
Event: Cinco de Mayo (Hat Day)
Website Info 

Wednesday, May 8

Reid’s Orchard & Winery, PA
Event: Game Night at Jennie’s House
Website Info

Winery owners, winemakers and managers are a creative group of people. We have seen numerous creative ideas while visiting and writing about more than 900 wineries.

It is always exciting to discover what these creative people are doing in terms of building wineries, planting vineyards and creating wine experiences for visitors. As we’ve traveled we have encountered many ideas and experiences. However, we also learn about special ideas through the Internet and email. Each week I hope to provide a look at some of these ideas. Perhaps you will find something that will inspire you or you might enjoy. This week I’ll start with Coquelicot Estate Vineyard in California.

A Ladybug Release Party at Coquelicot Estate Vineyard

Many wineries and vineyards are using organic or sustainable methods in the vineyards. Numerous wineries use organic and sustainable methods; however, this is the first time we have heard of a ladybug release party.

On May 19 from 12 to 5pm Coquelicot Estate Vineyard is hosting a Ladybug Release Party. This special event is centered around the use of ladybugs rather than using pesticides in the vineyards. The ladybugs control pests in the vineyards. Thousands of ladybugs will be released during the event.

The event includes:

• Release of thousands of ladybugs
• A vineyard tour
• Multi-course BBQ
• Live music
• Wine lectures
• Wine

Tickets:

$79/adult & $25/children

$59/adult & $12/children (Club Members)

For more information, call the Coquelicot Estate Vineyard tasting room at 805-688-1500.

If you plan to attend this unique event, be ready to take plenty of photos.

Cheers, Kathy

Check out the list with links provided of events at wineries for this coming weekend. If you are making plans for Cinco de Mayo and Mother’s Day, visit
http://winetrailtraveler.com/calendar.php.

Cheers, Kathy

Thursday, April 25

Three Fox Vineyards, Virginia
Event: The Flint Hill Public House Wine Pairing Dinner
Website Info

Friday, April 26

Grand River Cellars, Ohio
Music: Horsefeathers
Website

Lorimar Vineyards and Winery, California
Music: Live Music in Wine Country
Website

The Winery at Perennial Vineyards, Ohio
Music: B&C
Website

Saturday, April 27

Chateau Chantal, MI
Event: Wine Boot Camp
Website

Grand River Cellars, Ohio
Music: Four Kings & A Queen
Website

Lorimar Vineyards and Winery, CA
Music: Live Music in Wine Country
Music: Live Music in Old Town
Website

Pearmund Cellars, VA
Event: Bad to the Bone Smokehouse
Website

Slack Winery, Maryland
Event: Daffodils this Spring
Website

Three Fox Vineyards, VA
Event: Bud Break Celebration
Event: 2nd Annual Corn Hole Tournament
Event: Art in the Burg
Event: Fundraiser for Autism Society of Northern Virginia
Website 

The Home Place, Virginia
Event: Danville Wine Festival
Website

Sunday, April 28

Cava Winery, New Jersey
Music: Burgandy Watch – Live
Website

DelFosse Vineyards & Winery, Virginia
Event: Spring Food and Wine Pairing
Website

Lorimar Vineyards and Winery, CA
Music: Live Music in Wine Country
Website

Three Fox Vineyards, VA
Event: Bud Break Celebration
Website Information

Autumn views from Hunters Valley Winery

While many of us are awaiting typical spring temperatures, it’s time to be making plans for May 2013.

If you will be in Pennsylvania during May, be sure to plan a visit to wineries that belong to the Hershey Harrisburg Wine Country. Eleven wineries are participating in Sweet Sensations of May.

Wineries included in the event are:

• Armstrong Valley Vineyard & Winery
• Buddy Boy Vineyard & Winery
• Cullari Vineyards & Winery
• Hummingbird Ridge Winery
• Hunters Valley Winery
• Moon Dancer Winery
• Red Shale Ridge Vineyards
• Tamanend Winery
• The Vineyard at Grandview
• The Vineyard at Hershey
• West Hanover Winery

On the first three weekends of May (May 4 to May 19) participants can enjoy wines paired with chocolate. Each visitor will receive a souvenir glass to carry with them to each winery. Everyone will receive a ten percent discount on purchases.

Since this event includes three weekends it is easy to visit all 11 wineries. Those who do visit all of the participating wineries will be entered into a drawing for a wine refrigerator filled with wine from the wineries that belong to Hershey Harrisburg Wine Country.

Tickets are available at http://sweetsensations2013.eventbrite.com/#

More information is available online. If you are interested in reviews of many of these wineries check out the Wine Trail Traveler articles.

Cheers! Kathy