11 minute read
In Memoriam: Remembering
Consummate host
Justin Ross remembered for his personal brand of kindness
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By Tami Keaveny
tami@c-ville.com
The Charlottesville food scene lost a bright and passionate figure when Justin Ross passed away unexpectedly on March 26, at the age of 40. Those who knew the talented restaurateur and wine connoisseur remember him for his beaming smile and commitment to hospitality.
Ross moved to Charlottesville in 2013 to launch modern Mediterranean restaurant Parallel 38 in The Shops at Stonefield, but it was love that brought him here.
Jackie Bright worked with Ross at José Andrés’ Zaytinya in Washington, D.C., where Ross was the beverage director and general manager.
“He was probably one of the most exceptional hospitality leaders I had met,” remembers Bright. “He just had this passion for creating an experience for guests, and also brought so much joy to the team.”
Bright left Zaytinya in 2008 to return to her hometown of Charlottesville. She and Ross kept in touch, and reconnected when Bright returned to visit her former restaurant crew. The pair had dinner and fell in love. While trying to decide where to live, one of the employees on Andrés’ team suggested that Ross lead a new concept in Charlottesville, making the couple’s decision easy.
Born in Maryland in 1980, Ross began working in kitchens as a teenager, and spent his whole career in hospitality. “He loved being with people, serving people wine, food—all of the energy around hospitality,” says Bright. He was adamant that his staff use the word guest instead of customer.
Warm, kind, and food savvy, Ross befriended guests and employees alike. They tell stories about his mischievousness—becoming a Red Sox fan in a Yankees family— and whimsy—leading a dinner party into a soaking summer rainstorm.
Former Parallel 38 manager Jesse Fellows met Ross a little less than a decade ago.
“We became fast friends, and it very quickly felt like he had been in my life forever,” says Fellows. “There are too many stories to pick one, but a common theme among them was Justin’s brilliance, fierce loyalty, and very personal brand of kindness. He always remembered the smallest details and took time out of his busy schedule to make people feel special.”
A wine fanatic who held an Advanced Sommelier certification, Ross frequently delved into his own collection to further a guest’s experience. “When you wanted an excellent bottle of wine and conversation to match, you went to see Justin,” says Tavola’s Michael Keaveny. “And that pork belly dish in the early days of Parallel 38 set the bar for everyone else in town.”
Nothing was more important to Ross than sharing his passions with loved ones. In 2013, he told the Charlottesville 29 food blog: “I’m not sure what’s better about our regular C&O date night, a much-needed break with my lovely lady or the sweetbreads.”
“We had dinner together every single night,” says Bright. “Even when he was working in the restaurant I would wait for him to come home. We always waited for each other.”
He and Bright welcomed a son in 2013, and Ross was thrilled to have a new partner at his side to pursue life’s adventures. An outdoor enthusiast, he took his toddler on hikes at Monticello and Walnut Creek, and kept maps of the trails, marking their progress each time out. When cooking his much-loved Sunday gravy recipe, he’d hold Dash in his arms, teaching him the gifts of his Italian heritage.
“I’ve never seen someone so devoted to a child,” says Bright. “He would refer to Dash as his best friend.”
As Bright reflects on the span of culinary experiences she shared with Ross, sausage and
MARTYN KYLE
Justin Ross elevated the Charlottesville fine-dining scene with his dedication to the guest experience.
peppers is the dish she will always remember, and she’s especially grateful for their trip to explore the Champagne houses of France, where Ross was playing with dogs, drinking Champagne, and the couple revelled in the extraordinary hospitality of their hosts. In that happy moment Ross was a guest.
At the time of his passing, Ross had recently been hired as the general manager for Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s new fine-dining restaurant at Keswick Hall. He was ready to pour his heart and soul into the high-profile project. “He wanted to create something really special for people,” says Bright.
A celebration of Justin Ross’ life will take place at King Family Vineyards on April 23, his 41st birthday. For information on how to contribute to a college fund for Dash Ross, contact Meredith Coe at coemeredith@gmail.com.
THE WINEDOWN
WHAT’S DELISH AT LOCAL WINERIES?
WINERY Guide Map
HARRISONBURG
81 340
AFTON 64
CROZET DUCARD VINEYARD
29
33
STANARDSVILLE
KILAURWEN WINERY
MADISON
15
ORANGE
29
GORDONSVILLE
CHARLOTTESVILLE KESWICK VINEYARDS
EASTWOOD FARM & WINERY
ZION CROSSROADS 33
LOUISA 53RD WINERY & VINEYARD
64
53RD WINERY AND VINEYARD
2019 Viognier With bright acidity, the 2019 Viognier is refreshing for those warm spring afternoons. On the nose you may find hints of white lilies and honeysuckle. White peaches, asian pears, and honeydew melon dominate the palate, with a fine and mineral finish for balance. Our 2019 Viognier is perfect for your springtime salads, goat cheese, roasted chicken, or even pork chops! We are open 7 days a week 11am to 5pm, offering curbside pickup and for those visiting we have bottle sales only Monday through Thursday and Friday through Sunday offer wine by the bottle, glass and tasting flights (four 2 oz pours). The following areas are available for customers: outside tables, deck off tasting room and wellspaced seating inside our Pavilion. Groups greater than 10 not permitted. We ask that customers refrain from moving inside and outside tables. Children and Pets are welcome but pets must remain outside of buildings. Customers are welcome to bring their own picnic baskets, chairs, blankets and glassware. Please note that we cannot pour into glassware brought from home. Please follow entrance and exit signs when coming into the tasting room to purchase wine. Restrooms are available in tasting room and pavilion, one patron at a time. Visit our website, www.53rdwinery.com on our Covid operating procedures. Open 7 days a week, 11 am – 5 pm
13372 Shannon Hill Rd • Louisa, VA 23093 (540) 894-5474 • 53rdwinery.com.
DUCARD VINEYARDS
Cuvée 719 A blend of Chardonnay, Viognier, and Traminette, the Cuvée 719 has a powerful nose with citrus notes of lemon zest and grapefruit. With a vibrant acidity and a refreshing palate, you’ll find flavors of lemon candy, white flowers, and clementine for a refreshing zip! Perfect to pair with oysters, scallops, soft cheeses, and salads with rich creamy dressing. As we head into the warmer months, this is a wine to enjoy outsides with friends and family. Our uncrowded rural Madison County area has mountains, streams and lots of beautiful views along scenic back roads. Get some peace and quiet relaxation in this challenging environment. Sit on our lawns, or pick up a bottle or three of our award-winning wines to take home. Reservations available and recommended (especially for Saturdays). No reservation fee or minimum purchase. Walk-ups accommodated on a space-available basis. To order wine for local delivery or UPS shipping, visit our website! Open daily; Mon-Thurs 12-5 pm; Fridays 12-9 pm; Sat/Sun 12-6 pm NEW: Offering tasting flights daily. Table service, well-spaced, led by DuCard staff host, crystal glassware, red, white or mixed flights. An elegant way to get to know our wines. Fridays- Friday Night out at Ducard (5:30 - 8:30 pm) come out and kick off the weekend with dinner and live music at DuCard. April 24th- Music on the Patio by Davis Bradley Duo (2:30-5:30 pm) May 1st- Music on the Patio by Mike Proffitt (2:30-5:30 pm) May 2nd- Music on the Patio by Mo Safren (2:30-5:30 pm)
40 Gibson Hollow Ln • Etlan, VA 22719 (540) 923-4206 www.ducardvineyards.com
EASTWOOD FARM AND WINERY
2019 LVA Rose 100% Touriga Nacionale. This is a dry Provencal style wine has amplified aromas of freshly cut red berries, citrus fruit and a hint of green apple. The palate is light and vibrant with lovely acidity, good palate weight and length. Flavors of cherry, strawberry and raspberries are dominant before warmth shows a touch more of the citrus tones and slight spiciness on the finish. Perfect on its own during the warmer months or paired with shellfish and oysters on the half shell.
Tasting Room Hours
We welcome guests daily from 10am5pm. No reservations are required for open air, first-come, first served seating at our courtyard tables. Guests may also bring their own blankets and lawn chairs and spread out on the lower hillside. Please remember face masks are required for all guests ages 5+ when not seated. Wine is available by the flight, glass and bottle, and only our outdoor areas can be accessed at this time. A selection of pre-packaged meats, cheeses, crackers, and spreads are available for purchase. April 24th- Laughter and Wine, a comedy night! Doors open at 6 pm for Food and Drinks (Martin’s Grill Food Truck available from 6 to 7:45pm) Show begins at 7:45pm. April 27th- Tasting Tuesdays- 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve (7pm)
2531 Scottsville Rd. (5 mi from Downtown Charlottesville) Charlottesville, VA 22902 (434) 264-6727 www.eastwoodfarmandwinery.com
KESWICK VINEYARDS
2019 LVA Rose 100% Touriga Nacionale. This is a dry Provencal style wine has amplified aromas of freshly cut red berries, citrus fruit and a hint of green apple. The palate is light and vibrant with lovely acidity, good palate weight and length. Flavors of cherry, strawberry and raspberries are dominant before warmth shows a touch more of the citrus tones and slight spiciness on the finish. Perfect on its own during the warmer months or paired with shellfish and oysters on the half shell. 5pm. No reservations are required for open air, first-come, first served seating at our courtyard tables. Guests may also bring their own blankets and lawn chairs and spread out on the lower hillside. Please remember face masks are required for all guests ages 5+ when not seated. Wine is available by the flight, glass and bottle, and only our outdoor areas can be accessed at this time. A selection of pre-packaged meats, cheeses, crackers, and spreads are available for purchase.
April 13th - Tasting Tuesday, 2017 Petit Verdot Estate Reserve (7 pm)
1575 Keswick Winery Drive Keswick, VA 22947 keswickvineyards.com • (434) 244-3341
KILAURWEN WINERY
2014 Rosé An elegant tea-rose color, this wine has notes of wild strawberries and pink grapefruit on the palate. Crisp and bright, with a touch of minerality underlying a distinctive and refreshing finish. Enjoy with your favorite shellfish dishes, roasted turkey, or sharper cheddar and manchego cheeses.
*Bronze Medal winner,
2016 Mid-Atlantic Southeastern Wine Competition*
*Bronze Medal winner,
2015 Mid-Atlantic Southeastern Wine Competition* Our season opening will be the weekend of April 17 & 18. Hours will be from noon - 6 pm. First come, first serve at outdoor umbrella tables in our Boxwood Garden. Enjoy the mountain views while sipping your favorite Kilaurwen wines which are available by the bottle, the glass and DIY tasting flights. You’re welcome to bring your own picnic or snacks to enjoy with our wine! COVID regulations still in effect require 6 foot spacing, mask wearing except when seated at tables, and group size limited to 6 people. Special orders are available any day of the week to those preferring to arrange gateside pick up at a date and time of your choosing. Place order by calling 434-985-2535.
PIPPIN HILL FARM & VINEYARDS
2020 Rosé Our Rosé is both floral and fruity in the aromatics, like a basket of cranberries and watermelon with a few rose petals thrown in for fun. The plush palate of grapefruit gives way to tart raspberry, with a touch of meyer lemon. While this wine is not sweet, the fruit qualities balance out the dry wine, and that makes it perfect for the spring and summer months, chilled and close enough to refill your glass without having to get out of the hammock. Pippin Hill is a culinary vineyard in the heart of Virginia’s wine country. Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made via Resy for indoor and Veranda seating. We do have walkin availability for Grab-and-Go Lawn Seating as well. Please note our staff diligently checks IDs as part of our ABC licensure compliance as well as guest safety. If your party has a guest who is under age 21, we do require you to have a reservation at a table. Walk-ins are welcome based on availability. Reservations via Resy are recommended for indoor and Veranda seating. Hours: Tuesday – Thursday: 11 am – 5 pm; Friday – Sunday: 11am to 4:30pm Sundays- Live music on the hill! Each Sunday from 1-4 PM, Pippin Hill welcomes local musicians to perform on our Veranda. Check our website for varying artists. April 30th- Featured Farmer Friday- the French German! Visit us on select Fridays from 12-4pm to shop each week’s featured farmer. This week, we welcome Erik of The French German with his selection of locally made BBQ, pies, cakes, jams, jerky, & preserves. May 7th- Featured Farmer Friday- the Grubby Girl! Visit us on select Fridays from 12-4pm to shop each week’s featured farmer! This Friday, we welcome Amanda of Grubby Girl, selling her handmade soaps and bath products.
