On Sunday, day 2 of our Virginia wine weekend, my wife and I headed over to Bull Run Park in Manassas for the 34th annual Virginia Wine Festival. Just over 50 wineries were pouring at the festival.
Much like Saturday, the weather was ideal – 70 degrees and sunny. We also met fellow wine blogger, Dezel of Vine Spot, right as the gates were opening at 11am. As the day got going, we caught up with fellow wine bloggers John and Megan Witherspoon. John works in the wine industry and writes the Anything Wine blog.
Although I enjoy the chance to taste so many wines in one place, I am typically not a big fan of wine “festivals” due to the crowd factor. I am adverse to herding around from tasting tent to tasting tent, going elbow to elbow with a bunch of strangers for a 1/10th ounce wine pour. Thankfully, the organizers selected Bull Run Park for the venue of the Virginia Wine Festival that provided more than ample space for the wine tents, food vendors, VIP areas, stage and picnic area without the claustrophobic affect one normally experiences at a wine festival.
The real highlight of wine festivals is the chance to hangout with great company, and of course the chance to discover and sample wines from new wineries. The Virginia Wine Festival delivered – Mountfair Vineyards!
For me, Mountfair’s wines were the definite standout of the festival. Mountfair, located about 20 miles northwest of Charlottesville, VA, specializes in producing small-batch Bordeaux style blends. I will be in the Charlottesville area in a few weeks and plan to stop by Mountfair for a visit to taste through all of their wines.
Mountfair 2007 Composition ($25) – A blend of 60% Cab Sauv, 35% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. Medium bodied. Mucho cherries, plum, cranberry, earth, with some lingering vanilla crème. Only 106 cases produced.
Brad’s Stickdog Reisling ($15) – Being poured at the Mountfair table – made by well-known Virginia winemaker, Brad McCarthy. Surprising this came from grapes right here in Virginia. Steely, fresh, zesty. Lemon/lime, peaches with hints of white flowers. An excellent value at just 15 bucks.
Unfortunately, I did not take photos of the Mountfair table during our stop.
Interestingly, Dezel, John and I each purchased the same bottles to go – one Stickdog Reisling and one Montfair Composition. I’m looking forward to opening these.
For those Virginia Wine Lovers, both Dezel and John wrote up excellent, detailed recaps of the event.
Dezel Quillen, John and Megan Witherspoon, me, Acada
__________________________
I wish we had festivals like this down by me!
I always love it when good wine and bloggers can get together in one place!
Cheers!
Sorry I missed everyone. I can’t believe I just missed you at Dulles and the Doukenie Taste of Italy! We need to have a wine blogger gathering at the Wine Room next time you’re in Orlando (including Randy). I’ll have to check out the Stickdog Reisling and the Montfair Composition! Cheers!
I’m not a big fan of wine festivals either but the Taste of Sonoma here a few weeks ago was pretty amazing. I got to try the Anaba you told me about (at least I think it was you) and lots of great food. Ok, I know it’s SONOMA, so it’s hard not to be great…but still I know what you mean about the crowds. Anyway glad to see you have some ‘native’ wine action going on in Virginia.