Tasting Notes on Ankida Ridge’s New Releases

by Richard Leahy | Jun 12, 2020 | Events, Tastings/Evaluations, Winery Review, Winery Visits

Ankida Ridge Vineyards, the “jewel of Amherst County” (my phrasing) has just released their new 2017 vintage Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and 2016 Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine. The 2017 vintage was a fine one in Virginia, for both reds and whites. The...

Winemaker Michael Shaps & Chef Vincent Derquenne of Bizou Create Pop-Up Restaurant

by Richard Leahy | Jun 11, 2020 | Events, News/Announcements

Winemaker Michael Shaps of Michael Shaps Wineworks (www.michaelshapswines.com) has partnered with longtime friend and chef Vincent Derquenne of Bizou Restaurant (www.bizoudowntown.com) to create a Pop Up on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the summer at Wineworks...

3rd Edition of Beyond Jefferson’s Vines Published

by Richard Leahy | Jun 7, 2020 | Events, News/Announcements, Virginia Wine

Beyond Jefferson’s Vines, the definitive guide to Virginia wine from 1619 to the present, has just been re-released in a revised and updated third edition, with a foreword from renowned British wine critic Steven Spurrier. Since the second edition was published...

Sat. March 28 is Open A Bottle of Virginia Wine Night

by Richard Leahy | Mar 22, 2020 | Events, Virginia Wine

Wine blogger Frank Morgan, (https://drinkwhatyoulike.wordpress.com/)who also organized this year’s Monticello Cup wine competition, has taken inspiration from Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher, who wrote the highly acclaimed ‘Tastings’ column in The Wall Street...

Monticello Wine Trail Holding Monticello Cup Wine Competition & 2020 Monticello AVA Wine Week 

by Richard Leahy | Feb 28, 2020 | Competitions, Events, News/Announcements, Regions & Terroir, Virginia Wine

The Monticello Wine Trail (MWT) will hold its 30th Annual Monticello Cup Wine Competition on Monday, March 2 at Barboursville Vineyards. The competition is closed to the public, but results for the top scoring wines will be announced live during the public Monticello...

Shenandoah Cup Wine Gala and Showcase Nov. 15-16

by Richard Leahy | Nov 11, 2019 | Competitions, Events, Regions & Terroir, Virginia Wine

The Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail, comprised of wineries in the Shenandoah Valley American Viticultural Area, will present the first Shenandoah Cup trophy to the top-rated wine submitted in its inaugural competition at a Gala on November 15. The celebration will be...