Sunday, October 30, 2011

#113-120

To sum up this wonderful "Hallo-wine" weekend.
#113 Pippin Hill: A major highlight, great wines, great food, great view, exceptional venue
#114 Albermarle CiderWorks: an acquired taste
#115 Sugarleaf: many wonderful wines
#116 Ox-Eye: a fantastic surprise in historic downtown Staunton
#117 Bluestone: Worth the drive
#118 Barren Ridge: Lived up to expectations
#119 Fincastle: Enough said (read previous posts)
#120 Rockbridge: Especially loved the Pinot Noir Blanc (a rose) and the Tuscarora red.

Fincastle Halloween Event

We arrived at Fincastle about 5:00 yesterday afternoon.  After getting settled, we dressed in our costumes.  The guys wore fins on their heads and backs.  The girls wore hats, cleverly made from paper bags, designed to look like castles (fin + castle, get it?).  We began with a full tasting, still sampling as the other guests began to arrive.  We mingled with the couple dressed as an upper GI and a lower GI, Edgar Allan Poe and Lenore, and a convict and his policewoman guard, among others.  After a short reading by Mr. Poe, the 7 course food and wine pairings began.  Between the appealing decorations, spooky music, great food and wine, and hospitality of David, Katelynn, and the rest of the staff, the night was a roaring success.  Kudos to Fincastle.

Speaking only for myself (Eric), my favorite pairing was the Chardonnay and shrimp with spinach dip.  My favorite wine was the Cab Sauv.

We awoke to a large farmhouse style breakfast.  By the time we left, our bellies were full and we were filled will wonderful memories.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Fincastle

Just arrived at Fincastle winery & B&B. No Comfort Inn for us tonight. We're looking forward to their Halloween party, something we didn't expect when we made our reservations months ago. This will be winery #119. Diane and I have been here before on unofficial business so we know we like thei wines. It's good to be us.

Bluestone

The server, Diane, was wonderful, despite the fact that she's a Red Sox fan. A nice variety of wines. Although Eric and Mike are not real sweet wine drinkers, we liked their Beau and Crooked and Weedy. It was a fun visit.

Ox Eye Lemberger

Mike and Eric really enjoyed this varietal, unusual in VA. Dark color and peppery. Nice.

Pippin Hill

Last night we started our Hallo-wine tour at Pippin Hill. What a wonderful experience! Great service, large portions, delicious food, top flight wines. Oh, and beautiful view. Our highest recommendation.

Blowing glass

After a delightful tasting at Ox Eye in downtown Staunton, the four of us are blowing glass across the street. And all this in the snow.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Town Point Park Fest 10-16

Went to Town Point Park Wine Fest today (Sun.) Will NEVER go on a Sat. again. Sundays are not a drunk fest - nicer and smaller crowd, most of whom actually care about wine. Enjoyed talking to Bonnie from Veritas. Loved AmRhein's hats, as always. Was served by a man wearing a VT hat. Can't beat that. Was served by a girl wearing a UVA shirt. No, I didn't hurt her. Great music. Beautiful weather. I HATE HATE HATE that they sell cigars at some of these fests. The smell of the cigars keesp you from being able to smell the wine! Luckily there weren't many smokers. I finally got a Peace Frog in a glass shirt from Rockbridge. Wanted one for over a year and they were always out.