Barrel Oak Winery

 

I have been to Barrel Oak twice now actually and I have had a delightful time on each visit. Barrel Oak Winery is in Delaplane, Virginia. The wine is okay and overpriced but that isn’t really why you go to a place like Barrel Oak. In the busy months, they are open until 9pm on the weekends. They are not trying to provide a premium winery experience. What they are trying to do is create an atmosphere that says “bring your kids, bring your pets, bring your grandma, bring anyone you know, grab a bottle or two or three and stay awhile.” It’s essentially a family and pet friendly bar.

 

Shenandoah Vineyards

 

Shenandoah Vineyards is quaint and rustic. The tasting room is staffed by two adorable (old) ladies, which made the tasting reminiscent of being served wine by my grandma. Shenandoah offers three tasting options, starting at $5 for the beginner tasting and going up to $10 reserve tasting. All the tastings includes a tour of the winery which is offered hourly. The tour of the winery includes viewing where the grapes are grown, harvested, and processed. The tasting also includes a few palate cleansing sips of their award winning well water.

What your bottle opener says about you…

 
With all the buzz feed quizzes going around I thought I would take a shot and share my beliefs. This is my bottle opener fortune telling.

1. Simple Corkscrew

You have arms of steel and you don’t need any help to remove your cork besides pure force of will. You’re a purist and an elitist, no leverage needed.

Hopefully, this isn’t your first time opening a bottle of wine or your screwed. Pun 100% intended. Don’t hurt yourself, kid.

 

 

2. Winged Lever Pull Corkscrew

You probably want your wine, and you want it now, and a lot of it. Using a normal cork screw or a fancy contraption can cause problems and complications that you just don’t have time for. This bottle opener is perfect, place the circle on the lip, and you can’t miss. Even a drunk biddy can use this. Your parents probably gave you this when you turned 21.

If you’re not in college… Owning this bottle opener says your recycling bin is full of wine bottles after “book club” and “girl’s night” or even an average wine Wednesday.

 

3. Advanced Lever Pull 

You are most likely a mature adult. The kind of woman (or man) who can manage to keep a few bottles of wine (unopened) for more than a few days. Maybe you are even so classy you have a wine cellar. You definitely don’t use this bottle opener on barefoot.

 

 

4. Waiter’s Friend/ Wine Key

The few, the proud, the in industry purists or their allies. You don’t need any frills. You’re a pro. You trust the tried and true simple wine key and uncork with impressive lightning speed.  (This is my weapon of choice, in case you were wondering.)

 

 

5.) Twist Style

My mom has this. I have no idea where she got it. I honestly didn’t believe it would work when I saw it for the first time. If you own this then you are wise beyond your years. You are patient for efficiency. You chose a bottle opener that works slow and steady from start to finish. You’re reliable. But since you chose such a fragile and light weight opener, don’t let anyone blame you for things that aren’t your fault (like when the bottle opener breaks).

 

6.) Metal Slide Opener

You’re mysterious. I have no idea how this type of bottle opener could possibly work. You’re rustic and antique. You’re the Phantom of the Opera and MacGyver wrapped into one.

 

7.) Mounted 

Not only did you have some extra cash to burn but you  drink enough wine that you decided to make your opener a permanent fixture in your home. It’s vitally important to you when it’t time to drink you that no time is wasted digging around in your drawer for your opener.

8.) Electric 

You have a smart phone, a tablet, a laptop, hulu plus, netflix, hbo go, an electric can opener, a keurig, a rice cooker, a nut grinder, and a bunch of other electronic gadgets that are only good for one thing. You also probably have a twitter, tumber, blog, Facebook, linked in, and vine. You are 100% on the grid. You should probably consolidate your belongings or you will owe your friends more than beer and a pizza when they help you move.

 

9.) Champagne Sabor

You bought a bottle opener to open a bottle that doesn’t need an opener. You enjoy superfluous gadgets as long as they aid you in putting on a good show. You’re the life of the party and enjoy being in the limelight. Plus, you’re drinking champagne which makes you fancy.

 

10.) Cutesie Version of Anything listed above

You probably drink from painted wine glasses and wear furry glass harnesses at wine festivals. You’re either under 25 or reading glasses are red and bedazzled. You most likely sleep with a stuffed animal or have a super sassy bumper sticker. You like to express your femininity and individuality in your favorite color and animal print. You’re a woo girl and there is nothing wrong with that. You go girl!

 

Green VA Wineries

Agriculture and tourism are two of Virginia’s largest industries. Wineries are a very important part of both of these industries. With over 250 wineries and multiple wine trails, Virginia has established itself as a wine lover’s destination vacation. Luckily for the planet, wineries haven’t been entirely excluded from the green movement.

VA wineries can be certified as Virginia Green Wineries by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality when they prove that they are practicing at least three of the following  “core activities”:

• Recycling and reduction of waste: Must place highly visible and well-marked recycling containers in all visitor areas

• Minimization of the use of disposable foodservice products: Must use products that are made from bio-based or renewable resources and provide for recycling or composting of items

• Minimization of the use of pesticides / herbicides / fungicides and fertilizers: Must have a plan to minimize the use of chemical treatments associated with grape production

• Efficient water use: Must have a plan for water conservation

• Energy efficiency: Must have a plan in place to reduce overall energy consumption

Barren Ridge Vineyard

When you arrive at Barren Ridge Vineyards, you’ll find an operation the Higgs family has poured their heart and soul into.  The farm was named Barren Ridge because it receives less rain than the surrounding valley. The property was originally an apple orchard that has been in the family since 1934. Grapes and apples grow well under similar conditions, so the family decided to transition from orchard to vineyard. In 2007, the Higgs, along with some family friends, planted the first acre of the vine. You can find the whole heartwarming story here.

Rascal, the Jack Russel, sitting by the fire

They only produce about 4,000 cases a year but plan to expand their small scale facility. The grapes are about half estate grown, meaning that the rest are purchased from other growers. Barren Ridge is an upscale mom and pop winery. After the property was turned into a vineyard, the apple shed was converted into the winery and tasting space. The tasting room proudly displays their awards on the mantle over the fireplace.  Both the indoor and outdoor areas are outfitted with patio furniture which keeps the atmosphere casual.  Barren Ridge Vineyards also has a gorgeous rustic event space above their tasting room. If you’re planning a wedding with a country vintage feel, this would be the perfect place.

VA Wine Chat

“Virginia Wine Chat — A monthly virtual gathering to discuss the wines, winemakers, wineries and regions of Virginia. (For reference — original article announcing Virginia Wine Chat.)

The current Virginia Wine Chat schedule:

• NEXT ——> 7:30pm ——> March 20, 2014 — Williamsburg Winery.  Williamsburg Winery Winemaker Matthew Meyer (on Twitter: @WilliamsburgTWW) will be our guest for the March 2014 edition of Virginia Wine Chat!  Join us for a tasting and discussion of the history of the winery, Matthew’s background, winemaking philosophy, and of course we’ll talk about winning the 2014 Virginia Governor’s Cup.    Follow the #VAWineChat hashtag to join the discussion via Twitter and/or see our live interview on the Virginia Wine Chat UStream Channel (http://www.ustream.tv/channel/virginia-wine-chat).

VA Wine and Dine Month

 

 

Thank goodness that March is Virginia Wine and Dine month. It gives us all yet one more reason to imbibe and celebrate great Virginia Wine.

Love by the Glass is a celebration to showcase Virginia wines at restaurants & wine shops across the Commonwealth.Over 250 local wineries uncorking their finest to win your affection. Make sure to get your 2014 VA Wine map if you haven’t already!

In case you cant make it to a winery, there are over 350 wine shops are joining the celebration this March. Special wine and food pairings make March an ideal time for wine lovers to visit Virginia. Special wine events are scheduled throughout the month check their calendar or mine.

I’m using my spring break to visit as many VA wineries as I can. See my growing list here. Let me know below how you’ll be celebrating all month long!

How about wine and Girl Scout Cookies?

Girl Scout cookies always remind me of walking up and down my neighbor’s driveways with a wagon.  There are many things that transfer well from childhood to adulthood. In case this is something you’d like to try, I have compiled some recommendations for pairing wine with girl scout cookies.

Trefoil: Trefoils (Shortbread): Traditional shortbread cookies.

Wine Club Reviews Recommends: Light and refreshing, a Trefoil shortbread should be paired with Pinot Noir or even Sparkling wine if the mood is right.

Wine Spectator Suggests: 2007 Schramsberg Blanc de Noirs Sparkling Wine. The creamy richness of the shortbread is balanced by the fresh lively notes of the Sparkling Wine.

Foodie Blog: Pair with Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc. Beautiful aromas of peach, grapefruit and honeysuckle. In the mouth, a hint of melon with more citrus and a nice smooth honey feeling.

Virginia Version: Trump Winery Blanc de Noir or Sparkling Rose

Pearmund Cellars

Pearmund Cellars is another great example of a stellar winery experience. Wine Lovers Magazine named Pearmund Cellars the #1 winery overall in Virginia for 2013, and I can see why. The staff was friendly and inclusive. In their restroom, they have hung the bust head the pesky jackrabbit that they will jokingly tell you eats their vine.

Jackalope

I went with two girls I grew up with, who are pretty much my sisters, and our moms. We came in right near closing and had just missed a special Valentine’s Weekend tasting, but the staff was kind enough to share their leftover chocolate covered strawberries with us. Pairing the strawberries, one of my favorite desserts, with the Petit Verdot was to die for.

Trump Winery

I might be a little biased, but I love Trump Winery.  The tasting room is gorgeous and spacious. There obviously built it to cater to any sized group.  In warm weather, you can have your tasting inside or out on the patio. From the patio, you can see the vine. Though it isn’t close to you, the view is worthy of a post card. 

 Trump has both sparkling and still wine.The tasting glass you get to take home is the size and shape of a normal wine glass which means it’s actually usable and you’re not taking home an odd shaped glass for your collection. This is a blessing that anyone who visits a lot wineries or attends wine festivals will understand.  I can’t even tell you the number of useless tiny awkward shaped glasses I’ve acquired. My roommate said she was going to disown me if I bought home anymore glassware. (However, this was 3 wine glasses and 6 pint glasses ago.)

Artisanal Cheese Plate to go along with our tasting.

Trump Winery has a full menu including artisan pizzas, crab cakes, and more. The last time I went, I had a pizza. The menu changes but I have never been less than extremely well fed. I had the cheese plate when I went with my mom and again when I went with some friends.