About     FAQ     Contact      Advertise With Us      Press   

St. Patrick’s Day and More Winery Events this Weekend

March 15, 2012 – 12:03 am

Many wineries have events this weekend beginning today. Some are focused on St. Patrick’s Day. Whether you are Irish or not take time to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day festivities or one of the other following events. Note that The Winery at LaGrange in Virginia will have Green Sangria while The Winery at Perennial Vineyards in Ohio is offering green tinted wine by the glass. Check with the wineries for details about the events below.

Cheers! Kathy

Thursday, March 15

Barrel Oak Winery, VA
Event: Drawing & Painting
Website Information

Laurello Vineyards, OH
Event: Pasta for the Cure
Ask about Basket for the Cure!
Website Information

The Winery at Perennial Vineyards, OH
Event: Neighbor Night
Special: Glasses of wine will be tinted green!
Website Information

The Winery at Versailles, OH
Event: WINEE WOMEN
Website Information

Friday, March 16

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, OH
Entertainment: Ron Sluga
Website Information

Grand River Cellars, OH
Event: Winter Glow- Progressive Dinner
Event: St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
Music: Forsythe Band (Irish)
Website Information

Serpent Ridge Winery, MD
Event: First Friday
Website Information

The Winery at LaGrange, VA
Event: Wine & Hot Food on Cold Nights? (Irish stew with Green Sangria or a LaGrange wine)
Website Information

The Winery at Perennial Cellars, Ohio
Music: Boomers
Special: Glasses of wine will be tinted green!
Website Information

Saturday, March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day)

Barrel Oak Winery, VA
Middleburg
Event: Middleburg Humane Foundation – Adoptions
Website Information

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, OH
Entertainment: Larry Smith
Event: Ice Wine Festival
Website Information

Grand River Cellars, OH
Event: Annual Ice Wine Festival
Music: Stone River Band (Rock)
Website Information

Laurello Vineyards, OH
Event: Annual Ice Wine Festival
Website Information

Lorimar Winery and Vineyards, CA
Event: Live@Lorimar
Website Information

Slack Wine, MD
Event: Homestyle Cooking, Down on the Farm (demonstration)
Website Information

The Winery at LaGrange, VA
Event: Spring Barrel Tasting
Event: Asian Chef dishing up specialties!
Event: Library wines will be available
Website Information

The Winery at Perennial Cellars, Ohio
Special: Glasses of wine will be tinted green!
Website Information

Unicorn Winery, VA
Event: St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
Website Information

Sunday, March 18

Barrel Oak Winery, VA
Event: Wood Fired Pizza
Website Information

DelFosse Vineyards & Winery, VA
Event: St. Patty’s Day Wine and Food Pairing
Website Information

Grand River Cellars, Ohio
Music: Stan Miller (Jazz)
Website Information

The Winery at LaGrange, VA
Event: Spring Barrel Tasting
Event: Master Asian Chef dishing up specialties!
Event: Library wines available
Website Information

By Kathy | Posted in Winery Events | Tagged , , | Comments (1)

Make Your Own Wine with Chilean Grapes

March 14, 2012 – 12:02 am

Learning to make wine is a great way to learn more about wine. Wine enthusiasts can learn and experience the entire process. This is the year to make your own barrel of wine. This spring Tin Lizzie Wineworks in Howard County, Maryland is bringing in Chilean grapes and juice to produce wine.

This is a not to be missed opportunity for wine lovers to discover the steps to producing wine by making their own wine.  This spring participants can choose between red and white grapes as well as white grape juice from Chile. Grape varietals available this spring include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Muscat, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Carmenere, Malbec, Pinot Noir and Syrah. If you want additional information about Carmenere, Dave suggests you check out the article, “Is Carmenere Chile’s Next Big Thing?”online at The Wine Economist.

Gather together friends and family to help make a barrel of wine. If one barrel is too much, then consider a half barrel or quarter barrel. Dave is great about working with helping people to get what they want.

It is almost harvest time in Chile, so Winemaker Dave Zuchero needs to know soon how much to order.  For additional information email dave@tinlizziewineworks.com or call 301-318-9954.

In 2010 we made a quarter barrel of wine at Tin Lizzie Wineworks and discovered the experience to be rewarding.

Cheers! Kathy

By Kathy | Posted in Wine News/Commentary | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

“Are we wine bloggers or wine writers?”

March 13, 2012 – 6:09 am

I was asked to give my thoughts on this question. Five to ten years ago that answer was much easier. Blogs started as web logs and were first person personal accounts. It was simple to differentiate between a blog entry and a written article. Now they seem to have merged together. Many wine people (owners, wine growers and winemakers) that we met, do not differentiate between writing and blogging; they refer to all writing as a blog.

We refer to our website as a publication that has a blog on it. However, it is possible to design entire websites using free blog software. We have seen blogs on winery websites that are not really blogs. They are factual accounts of something. Why did the writers refer to them as blogs?

We have experienced wine writers writing more of a blog entry for their print publication. On the other hand, there are blog entries that are much more like a print article. When Kathy and I write we do differentiate between a blog entry and article. Our blog entries have a tendency to be written with opinions, whereas our articles are more of the who, what , when , where, how and why. We’ve noticed that person doesn’t matter. Blogs are typically written in first person. Travel writing, though, is also written in the first person. Print publications, especially newspapers, have had an Opinion section for decades. Perhaps these were the first blogs.

There may be a limited perception that a wine writer is “better” than a wine blogger. However I believe this perception is fading but it is still out there. A presenter at the IWINETC this year stated that she doesn’t read blogs because they are rubbish. However she does believe that bloggers should take the WSET in order to be creditable. At the IFWTWA Conference we met an attendee that was apprehensive in allowing bloggers to join the group. She questioned the writing ability of bloggers. The group seems to favor print writers over online writers.

In reality there may be no difference between a writer and a blogger. Each are capable of voicing opinion and writing factual accounts. Both can write for traditional print publications as well as online publications.

What is your opinion? Are we writers or bloggers?

Cheers,
Terry

By Terry | Posted in Wine News/Commentary | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Wineries Unlimited Conference – Still Time to Register!

March 12, 2012 – 11:55 am

The Wineries Unlimited Trade Show & Conference in Richmond, Virginia takes place March 27-29. If you are thinking of attending the conference, there is still time to register for this three-day conference. Full package tickets are available at 15% off. To register go to http://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=997155.
This annual conference focuses on the industry side of the wine and vineyard business.

The 2012 Conference is being held for the second year at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, Virginia after moving from Pennsylvania where it had been established for more than three decades.

The Wineries Unlimited Conference is a great opportunity for winemakers, winery owners, vineyard managers and anyone interested in knowing much more about the wine industry. The Trade Show part of the conference gives attendees the opportunity to see what is new in technology and talk with diverse company representatives about products from wine bottles to harvesting machines.

Tuesday, March 27 focuses on Winery DIY Marketing Workshop with Elizabeth Slater. Wednesday features the Trade Show, enology and marketing. Thursday will also focus on Wednesday’s topics but also include Viticulture. Choose the sessions that fit your needs.

The annual Wineries Unlimited Conference offers attendees the opportunity to learn more about the wine and vineyard industry, discover new technology and to network with others from around the country.

In addition to those already in the wine industry, those who are thinking about starting their own winery and/or vineyard will want to consider attending the conference.

Hope to see you there,

Kathy

By Kathy | Posted in Wine News/Commentary | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Pairing Pot au Crème with Harwood Estate Dessert Wine

March 10, 2012 – 1:06 pm

When traveling to the northeast part of the United States and in Canada, you are likely to come across small roadside stands or stores selling homegrown and homemade items. Stop by and see what they have to offer. Frequently maple syrup products will be available. While Terry enjoys real maple syrup on pancakes or French toast, I am a fan of maple sugar candy. I find the candy to be very difficult to resist.

Late winter or early spring is the time sap from sugar maples is collected. I recall my parents attempting to collect sap and boiling it down to a proper consistency. I’m not sure what the result was but knew it took a very long time and a lot of sap to make maple syrup. Maple syrup in Vermont is renowned. In fact, it is one of the largest producers of maple syrup in the U.S. Thinking about maple syrup at this time of year is timely and below is a recipe from Harwood Estate Vineyards that uses four tablespoons of maple syrup. If you want to know more about maple syrup visit the Vermont Maple Syrup website. During March there are numerous maple syrup events.

Pot au Crème

Ingredients

2 cups (500 ml) whipping cream
4 large egg yolks (preferably organic and free range)
4 tbsp. (60 ml) maple syrup
Pinch of salt

Directions

  1.  Bring ingredients out of the fridge about a half hour in advance to bring slightly to room temperature.
  2.  Whip the egg yolks, maple syrup, and salt until smooth, then set aside.
  3.  Scald the cream, then cool slightly.
  4.  Pour into egg mixture, whisk lightly.
  5.  Pour mixture into 6 small ramekins, about 2/3 full, then immerse ramekins in a water bath (a cake pan works well) filled with water 2/3 of the way up the outsides of the ramekins.
  6.  Bake in the middle of a medium oven (350 degrees) for about 50-55 minutes. Custard is set when it is either firm to the touch, or doesn’t wiggle when the pan is moved.

Yield:  6 servings

Serving and Pairing: Serve these Pots with 2 Harwood Estate house-made Chocolate Shots, and a 2-ounce pour of Harwood Estate’s Just Desserts, served well chilled.

Recipe provided by Harwood Estate Vineyards in Hillier, Ontario Canada
Chef Kerry Wicks

By Kathy | Posted in Wine/Food/Recipes | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Choosing a Winery to Visit

March 9, 2012 – 8:05 am

How often do you visit a winery that requires an appointment?

Prior to visiting a wine region, we spend days working on an itinerary, calling winery owners as well as the logistics of the journey before making travel arrangements. Decisions on which wineries to visit are based on numerous details. Details we consider include: days open to the public, distance from other wineries and contact with winery. In the past we have generally bypassed wineries, if they are only open by appointment. Our reasoning has been that if an appointment needs to be made, then the public and wine lovers will not have much incentive to visit the winery. Although we understand that some wineries are required to have visits by appointments only due to governmental regulations; how much if any business do they lose because wine enthusiasts cannot just drop in?

Today our rational for not visiting wineries, which are open only by appointment, has somewhat changed. We visited a boutique winery that is readying itself to open in the spring of 2013. Vineyards are in and wines are already in barrels. The owners are focused on producing only “serious” wines. They want to give the visitor a special experience of tasting quality wines with a winery tour. By scheduling visitors by appointment, they will be able to achieve a special experience for each visitor.

As a winery visitor would you make an appoint for a wine tasting or just stop at another winery with open hours?

Cheers! Kathy

By Kathy | Posted in Wine News/Commentary | Tagged , , | Comments (2)

Numerous Wine Events: March 8 – March 11

March 8, 2012 – 12:05 am

This weekend celebrate the approach of spring by visiting a winery or attending the Annual Ice Wine Festival in Ohio. While at a winery start your search for a perfect wine for Easter dinner.

Cheers, Kathy

Thursday, March 8

Barrel Oak Winery, Virginia
Event: Drawing & Painting
Website Information

Laurello Vineyards, Ohio
Event: Pasta for the Cure
Website Information 

The Winery at Perennial Vineyards, Ohio
Event: Neighbor Night
Website Information

Friday, March 9

Barrel Oak Winery, Virginia
Event: Fridays Yappy Hour at Barrel Oak Middleburg
Website

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Ohio
Entertainment: Stan Miller
Website Information

Grand River Cellars, Ohio
Event: Winter Glow Progressive Dinner
Music: Next Best Thing (Rock n Roll)
Website Information

Serpent Ridge Winery, Maryland
Event: First Friday
Website Information

The Winery at LaGrange, VA
Event: Wine & Hot Food on Cold Nights
Website Information

Saturday, March 10

Barrel Oak Winery, Virginia
Event: Amy’s Army Fundraiser
Website Information

Chateau Chantal, Michigan
Event: Cooking Class – Cuisine of Alsace, France with Les Hagaman
Website Information

Chateau Chantal, MI
in Sagninaw Bay
Event: Wine & Cheese Tasting
Website Information

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Ohio
Entertainment: Yesterday & Today
Event: Ice Wine Festival
Website Information

Grand River Cellars, Ohio
Event: Annual Ice Wine Festival
Music: Brick House Blues (Rocking Blues)
Website Information

Laurello Vineyards, Ohio
Event: Annual Ice Wine Festival
Website Information 

Lorimar Winery and Vineyards, California
Event: Live@Lorimar
Website Information

Pearmund Cellars, Virginia
Event: Barrel Tasting
Website Information

Three Fox Vineyards, Virginia
Event: Ancient Roman Trivia
Website Information

Sunday, March 11

Pearmund Cellars, Virginia
Event: Barrel Tasting
Website Information

Three Fox Vineyards, Virginia
Event: Ancient Roman Trivia
Website Information

By Kathy | Posted in Winery Events | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

A Riedel Tasting at IFWTWA

March 7, 2012 – 8:03 am

A few years ago we attended a wine tasting demonstration of Riedel stemware. At the time a staff member of Inniskillin in Canada conducted the demonstration. We were anxious to see how a presentation by a Riedel representative would stack up.

Recently at the IFWTWA Conference, Thomas Leman from Riedel USA demonstrated the wine tasting using four Riedel glasses, one “joker” glass, two white and two red wines. Thomas was excellent in his presentation as it was educational and at time humorous. As the presentation continued Thomas easily answered numerous questions. For a detailed description and photos of the event read Riedel Wine Tasting – Clever Marketing or Do the Glasses Make a Difference?

 

In 1958 Riedel entered into the world of creating varietal wine glasses. Today over 90 percent of the wine tasting rooms in Sonoma and Napa Valley use Riedel stemware. The stemware is designed with the idea of the correct placement of wine on the tongue to discover the nuances of the wine. A few years ago Riedel produced an Oregon Pinot Noir wine glass. Others and I believe this particular glass is wonderful for enjoying Pinot Noir.

Overall I believe that if possible wine tastings should take place with quality stemware. No matter what brand you choose, look for stemware with a bowl large enough for swirling, good balance, and a thin lip.

Cheers! Kathy

By Kathy | Posted in Wine News/Commentary | Tagged , | Comments (0)

Mendocino Grapes + Nevada Winemaker = Great Wine

March 6, 2012 – 12:11 am

We arrived early in Las Vegas for the IFWTWA Conference in order to make a return visit to Pahrump Valley Winery. If you are traveling to Las Vegas be sure to plan a trip to Pahrump where you will discover two wineries with ambiance and a delight to visit. (The second recently opened winery is Sanders Family Winery.)

We discovered a wine produced with grapes from a vineyard in Mendocino County’s AVA Mendocino Ridge. Mariah Vineyards is in the first noncontiguous AVA. To reach the vineyards one must travel up a mountain curving around and around until suddenly a home and acres of vineyards are seen. If one is fortunate enough to visit the vineyards, one can see the focus of Mariah Vineyards is on the vineyards although they do produce some of their own wine.

We discovered that Pahrump Valley Winery had sourced Syrah grapes  from Mariah Vineyards. Pahrump Valley Winery’s owner and winemaker, Gretchen Loken, produced the 2008 Loken Syrah Mendocino Ridge with these Mendocino grapes and I thought the wine was awesome. Note: Gretchen noted that this particular wine is one you either love it or not.

The aroma was intense with leather notes and the taste was full bodied with leather notes and leather on the finish. That’s right, leather – if you are not sure about leather notes on a wine, this is one you should try. Other nuances of the wine included perfume, spices, dark berry fruit and tannins. The wine would pair well with grilled beef.

I never thought I would enjoy a wine with significant leather notes in it but I thought this wine was great!

Cheers! Kathy

By Kathy | Posted in Wine Notes | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

7th Annual Tour de Tanks on the Mason-Dixon Wine Trail

March 5, 2012 – 1:01 am

Enjoy visiting Pennsylvania and Maryland wineries on the new Mason-Dixon Wine Trail this spring. The Annual Tour de Tanks event takes place for the four following weekends. Wine lovers can enjoy visiting wineries, tasting wines and light foods at the 14 participating members of the new Mason-Dixon Wine Trail.

Tickets for participating in these events are $25 and $15 for designated drivers. The ticket price includes weekends through April 1.

Winemaker Dinners

Additional dinner tickets are required for the following dinners.

Thursday, March 8, 2012
Fireside Restaurant Presents Hummingbird Ridge Winery

Friday, March 9, 2012
John Wright Restaurant Presents Naylor Wine Cellars

Friday, March 9, 2012
Prudhomme’s Lost Cajun Kitchen Presents The Vineyard at Hershey

Friday, March 16, 2012
Naylor Wine Cellars – Dinner at the Winery

Friday, March 16, 2012
Tamanend Winery – Dinner at the Winery

Saturday, March 24, 2012
Granfalloons Presents Adams County Winery

Friday, March 30, 2012
Alfred’s Victorian Presents The Vineyard at Hershey

For more dinner ticket information, visit the Mason-Dixon Wine Trail website.

Enjoy the new Mason-Dixon Wine Trail.

Cheers! Kathy

 

By Kathy | Posted in Wine News/Commentary, Winery Events | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

info@winetrailtraveler.com            Sitemap                      Privacy Policy

Copyright: Terry and Kathy Sullivan 2006-2013