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.

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.

Two Recommendations (from Eric)

Diane and I traveled to Blacksburg to see our son who plays in the VA Tech marching band.  (Aside: VT beat App. State 66-13!)  On the way, we decided to make an unofficial winery stop.  We learned of a new winery that's not even on the map yet.  It's called Pippin Hill Farm and Vineyard, near Charlottesville.  We did our tastings sitting outside looking at a beautiful view of the mountains.  The tastings are done waiter-style, at a table.  The wine was wonderful.  The food was delicious.  The service was great. 

After the game, we went to Am Rhein Cellars, about 45 minutes from Blacksburg.  This was a second unofficial visit.  (We went there last summer with our boys.)  Am Rhein was doing an event called a midnight stomp.  They did tastings, had food, took pictures of grape stomping (ala Lucy), and had live music.  Am Rhein may be a little out of the way, but it's worth the trip.  We love their wines.  We had a bottle of their Traminette, perfect for a summer evening.  I also really enjoyed their Melange, a light red wine.  Paula Am Rhein was a wonderful hostess.  Considering that a thunderstorm came through for about an hour and a half, delaying the band and keeping all of us under tents, it was a fantastic event.