Vintage VA Wine

2007 Vintage Virginia Wine Festival

Wine Connoisseur's weekend delight

June 2nd and 3rd marks the 26th annual Vintage Virginia Wine Festival, and was held this year at Virginia Regional Park Authority's Bull Run Park, in Centreville, VA. The Virginia Wineries Association in association with Across-the-Way-Productions brought 56 local Virginian wineries to the area, in addition to artisans, businesses, and food vendors, from up and down the eastern seaboard as well as musicians from across the nation.

Linda DeVito, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Across-the-Way-Productions estimated between 20,000 and 23,000 attendees will participate in the planned activities and workshops, and partake of the many flavors of local artisans, crafts persons and entertainment. The Virginia Wineries Association invited non-profit organizations such as Make-A-Wish Foundation and Friends of the Orphans allowing for charitable giving opportunities.

Make-A-Wish Foundationwas founded in 1980 and supports children, who have life-threatening medical conditions, and gives them a chance to fulfill their dreams by granting a particular wish. The wishes bring happiness to the children and give comfort to their families.

Friends of the Orphans is dedicated to improving the lives of impoverished, orphaned, abandoned and disadvantaged children living in Latin America and the Caribbean. In Spanish, Friends of the Orphans translates to Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos (NPH)and is currently home to 3,000 children and provides outreach to 30,000 children and adults each year.

BristowEnews.com had the opportunity to speak to Luca Paschina, wine-maker for Barboursville Vineyards which is named after the city of Barbour, Italy. When the Queen of England visited the Commonwealth she was served their award winning wine. Luca described how the weather conditions of Virginia are similar to those of Italy and are conducive to the production of fine wines.

Mary Petro and Sherry McFadden of Marshall Farms Natural Cheese of Unionville, Virginia were among the countless vendors complimenting the wine industry. Their table included many varieties of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses which delighted many customers.The Family Area Tent included entertainment from the Electric Junkyard Gamelan, which compiles their instruments from recyclable materials such as garbage can lids, old wooden bed frames and various odds and ends from local recycling centers. Terry Dame, Music Director, says their inspiration is based upon Gamelan Balanese music, widely known in Indonesia for using xylophones, gongs, drums and bamboo flutes.

Overall the Vintage Virginia Wine Festival was well coordinated and managed by the staff and was full of colorful tastes, sights, and sounds. The participants savored the festival activities, quenched their palettes, and enjoyed the relaxing day spent with family and friends.

 

 

 

 

Date Published: 2007-06-06 06:00:00

Section: Community Events, Photos: Vintage VA, Vintage VA Wine Festival,