We get emails all the time asking us to share information about upcoming wine events in Virginia. There are several coming up in the month of April. We decided we would share some of them with our readers. We won’t be able to attend them all but maybe some of you will have a chance to get to some of these events. They all take place on April 21st. Have fun!

April 21 and 22 – 7th Annual Discover Virginia Food and Wine Festival-Ruckersville-The Discover Virginia Food and Wine Festival is Greene County’s spring party and kick off of the Virginia Wine Festival Season. The 7th annual festival will offer it’s unique atmosphere of family friendly festival entertainment, food vendors and wine tastings. The festival will spotlight Virginia Wineries as well as many local restaurants and artisans. Burnly Vineyards, Ducard Vineyards, Mountain Cove Vineyards, and Saude Creek Vineyards are just a few of the exciting vineyards that have signed up. Whether you are there to taste wine, enjoy the bounty of fresh food, or purchase unique local merchandise – the Virginia Food and Wine Festival is a fun family environment – even for the family dog! Check out the website for more information and tickets.

April 21-Taste of Monticello Wine Trail wine festival-nTelos Wireless Pavilion is excited to announce the first annual Taste of Monticello Wine Trail wine festival – presented by Brown Mercedes Benz, Saturday, April 21st from 1pm to 6pm. Taste of Monticello Wine Trail brings together the best vineyards the Commonwealth of Virginia has to offer under the pavilion for an unforgettable afternoon of wine sampling. Sample over 90 wines from vineyards including:

• Afton Mountain Vineyards
• Blenheim Vineyards
• Cardinal Point Vineyard & Winery
• DelFosse Vineyards & Winery
• First Colony Winery
• Flying Fox Vineyard
• Glass House Winery
• Horton Vineyards
• Jefferson Vineyards
• Keswick Vineyards
• Kilaurwen Winery
• King Family Vineyards
• Lovingston Winery
• Mountfair Vineyards
• Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards
• Prince Michel Vineyards & Winery
• Stinson Vineyards
• Trump Winery
• Veritas Vineyard & Winery
• White Hall Vineyards
• Virginia WIneworks/Michael Shaps Wine

Special VIP packages include parking, early access to the festival VIP area, exclusive catered lunch provided by C&O Restaurant, opportunity to sample select wines not available to general public and a chance to mingle with wine-makers.

In addition to many participating vineyards, Taste of Monticello Wine Trail will feature an array of non-wine vendors offering products ranging from jewelry to produce, fine cheeses, and baked goods. Food vendors include Whole Foods Market, Pantheon Popsicles, and more. Blankets and lawn chairs are encouraged, as there will be designated areas for picnicking.

Please visit our website for more information, event updates and to purchase tickets.

April 21 – Blue Ridge Oyster Festival – The Blue Ridge Oyster Festival is very proud that all the food, wine and beer all comes from Virginia and one of the many ways we celebrate this is to debut two wines from 2 vineyards, from 2 counties. This year, Blenheim Vineyards will debut their House Red at the Oyster Festival and Cardinal Point Vineyards will debut their Chardonnay. Check out the website for more details.

From Cardinal Point – Nelson County

2011 Chardonnay: Featured Release – clean, round, nice vanilla and cream, but not heavy. Our chardonnay escaped any ill affects of the 2011 harvest rains. Aged in 100% American oak, mostly from Pennsylvania.

2011 Rockfish Red: 100% Cab Franc, aged for four months in French oak. The steady rains during the 2011 harvest account for its lighter-than-usual color, but the great ripening weather before the rains account for the great flavors. This wine has great berry fruit aromas and flavors, which have a nice dry and crisp finish. A perfect warm-weather red wine!

From Blenheim Vineyards – Albemarle County

2011 Red Table Wine – Featured release – The latest version of red table wine is fruit forward and packed full of juicy berry flavors.
Butterscotch and caramel notes that come from some barrel aging support the ripe plum and red cherry. 50% aged in French and American oak for 5 months. 352 cases produced. 46% Cabernet Franc, 36% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon

2011 White Table Wine – A crisp and refreshing warm weather white perfect for pairing with oysters and picnic fare. 100% stainless steel fermented and aged, 33% Viognier, 66% Chardonnay. 331 cases produced.

2011 Rosé – A delightfully fruity but dry rosé made from Mourvedre, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Extended skin contact helped create a vibrant and flavorful wine that pairs well with a variety of seafood dishes as well as grilled chicken and vegetable dishes. 280 cases produced.

April 21 – A Vintage Affair – A Vintage Affair will take place on April 21, 2012 at 7:30pm at the Italian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Experience exquisite wines paired with inspired cuisine. This exciting epicurean adventure gathers wine lovers, foodies and Washingtonians for an evening to remember. A Vintage Affair also features live and silent auctions with unique and remarkable offerings including rare wines, exotic trips, and one-of-a-kind dining experiences.

Proceeds from A Vintage Affair support Children’s National Medical Center to help doctors, nurses and staff develop and sustain cutting-edge research, innovations, treatments and programs at the hospital. Over the past several years, A Vintage Affair has helped to raise more than $3 million to support children and families being treated at Children’s National.

Check out the website for more information.