Phase 3 Re-opening Winery Visits

by Richard Leahy | Jul 4, 2020 | Tastings/Evaluations, Virginia Wine, Winery Review

According to Governor Northam, Virginia has moved into Phase Three of re-opening, which means wineries can welcome visitors again, although social distancing and masking is still required. Not all wineries are following the same model. Some require reservations to...

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...

DuCard To Host 3 Wine Virtual Tasting, Food Pairings Online Mon. 5/11

by Richard Leahy | May 4, 2020 | News/Announcements, Tastings/Evaluations, Virginia Wine, Winery Visits

Looking for a way to boost your home cooking and wine knowledge? Join DuCard Vineyards for a Virtual Tasting & Food Pairing/Demonstration Event – Monday May 11th, 7pm!     Three wines will be featured at the DuCard Virtual Tasting and Food Pairing /...

Pollak Cabernet Sauvingnon ’17 Wins 2020 Monticello Cup, other Medalists Announced

by Richard Leahy | Apr 16, 2020 | Competitions, News/Announcements, Virginia Wine

The Monticello Wine Trail (MWT) held its first virtual Monticello Cup Wine Awards ceremony this evening to celebrate the top wines from the 30th Annual Monticello Cup Wine Competition. The competition took place at the beginning of March this year and winners were...

Wine of the Week: Veritas Petit Verdot 2010, Paul Shaffer 4th Ed.

by Richard Leahy | Apr 13, 2020 | Tastings/Evaluations, Varietals, Virginia Wine

Emily Pelton, winemaker at Veritas Vineyards, has earned a reputation for top Petit Verdot. Regular readers may recall that Veritas won the Monticello Cup almost 2 years ago for their 2015 Petit Verdot. I had tasted the Veritas Vineyards Petit Verdot 2010 Paul Shaffer...

Lemons into Lemonade: Inspiration from Wineries and Licensees Coping with Covid-19

by Richard Leahy | Mar 25, 2020 | Uncategorized, Virginia Wine

Wine may be more important for us now than ever, not just for its physical pleasures, but for being able to celebrate something that has always transformed our humdrum ordinary lives, whether it’s making a humble weekday dinner so much better, or connecting with...