Wine Column 2025

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THE WINE DOWN

WHAT’S DELISH AT LOCAL WINERIES?

53RD WINERY AND VINEYARD

A note from Winegrower and Owner, Dave Drillock

Our newest wine release is our Vidal Blanc, named Venust! It is 100% Vidal Blanc with a hint of residual sugar and lively acidity. Great on its own and a very food friendly wine with light fare, poultry and pork dishes. A perfect refreshing summer wine you will want to enjoy. A Staff favorite too!

We invite you to visit our serene, meadow-like location in rural Louisa County. We pride ourselves on being genuine and approachable, eager to share our passion for wine without any scripted lines or memorized facts, just a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

We are a Winery that just wants to be a Winery!

For more details, please check our website at www.53rdwinery.com or call us at 540-894-1536. We look forward to welcoming you to the winery, and we truly appreciate your business and support.

Upcoming events:

June 28th: There is a very special cabernet franc wine and food pairing event to be held on the crush pad. Inside the tank room if inclement weather. Some great food pairings will be prepared by Sauce Catering and we’ll be tasting 2019 through 2023 Cab Francs. Our Winemaker Chelsey Blevins and yours truly will be discussing the wines and why we enjoy Cabernet Franc so much. This is a ticketed event. Tickets and details can be purchased by going to our website www.53rdwinery.com. Hope to see you there. Live music noon to 4.

Open 7 days a week, 11 am – 5 pm • Sat/Sun. 12-6 pm 13372 Shannon Hill Rd Louisa, VA 23093 (540) 894-5474 • 53rdwinery.com

DUCARD VINEYARDS

2022 Norton

Aged in stainless steel, Virginia’s native grape exhibits notes of dried fruit and spice. Serve with a light chill and your favorite barbecue or dark chocolate. It is available in our tasting room and online.

Every Friday night through the summer we feature half price wine flights, live music, food for sale, and grills available for use until 8:00pm.

Weekends- Live music all weekend long! Check out our lineup on our website!

Open daily Mon-Thurs. 12-5 pm Fri. 12-9 pm Sat/Sun. 12-6 pm

40 Gibson Hollow Ln Etlan, VA 22719 (540) 923-4206

www.ducardvineyards.com

EASTWOOD FARM AND WINERY

Summer at the Winery

In addition to our normal menus, enjoy our 2024 Petit Manseng, 2024 Viognier or the delicious 2024 Petit Rosé paired with blueberry specials in the air-conditioned tasting room all summer including our popular Blueberry Flatbread, Baked Brie, & our re-imagined Eastwood Salad featuring blueberries, toasted pecans, blue cheese tossed with fresh baby spring mix and our scratch-made pear vinaigrette! We will also be featuring our seasonal Blueberry Wheat Ale, Blueberry Cider, and Blueberry Lemonade Wine Slushies and we have teamed up with SugarBear Ice Cream to bring back the fan favorite, Blueberry Sunshine, lemon ice cream swirled with blueberry coulis! It’s a sweet treat you won’t want to miss!

Upcoming at the Winery:

Virginia Oyster & Wine Celebration Every Friday June-July-August

Our Virginia Oyster & Wine Celebration is back every Friday night! The oysters are prepared by Salty Bottom Blue. Enjoy them in a relaxed, fun atmosphere with live music from 5-8pm on the stage in our tasting room.

July 4th Weekend | Thursday, June 3 - Sunday, July 6

Friday, July 4: Virginia Oyster & Wine Celebration 5-8PM, Live Music by Matthew O’Donnell 5-8PM

Saturday, July 5: Lobsterpalooza with Salty Bottom Blue 12-4 and Live Music All Day! Meisha Herron from 12:30-3:30PM and Kat & The Travelers from 5-8PM

Sunday, July 6: Live Music by Brian Franke 1-4PM

Paint & Sip | Wednesday, July 9 and Sunday, July 27  Grab a glass of wine (or your favorite drink!) and let your creativity flow in our relaxed and fun Paint & Sip classes. Whether you’re an experienced artist or a first-time painter, the talented instructors of Blue Ridge Brushes will walk you through the painting process as you create your own masterpiece. Ticketed Events - Reserve Your Spot On Our Website

Music Bingo | Sunday, July 13 and July 27

Join us for a hands-on workshop where you get to be the winemaker! You’ll sit down to a table with beakers and flasks, and our winemaking team will walk you through the steps of making a great blend. Plus, there is some friendly competition involved and one of the team’s blends will be deemed the winner! Ticketed Event - Reserve Your Spot On Our Website

Summer Maker’s Market & Blueberry Food and Beverage Celebration, July 20

local and regional musicians every Thursday and Friday night. See the Winery Calendar on our website for details.

Every Thursday: Live Music 5-8PM or Music Bingo 6-8PM

Thursday “Thank You” Community Day at Eastwood—$5 Taps (Beer & Cider)

Every Friday: Live Music 5-8PM Low-Country Shrimp Boil 5-8PM

Every Saturday: Live Music 12:30-3:30PM + Eastwood After Dark with Live Music 5-8PM

Every Sunday: Music Bingo, Paint & Sip, Maker’s Market or Live Music (See the Winery Calendar on our website for details.)

What about the kids?

Kids can share in the experience with their own juice tasting flights and cheese boards!

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!

Winery Hours: Sunday-Wednesday (12-5 PM); Thursday-Saturday (128 PM)

We look forward to welcoming you to our cozy tasting room, seven days a week. Join us for awardwinning wines, beer, and cider, as well as a delicious seasonal menu by Chef Andrew Partridge that is perfect for lunch or dinner. Delight in lounging on our enclosed & heated veranda with a glass of our gold medal 2022 Meritage Reserve. Or, stay inside and enjoy live music with a seasonal toasty flatbread or our scrumptious Cast Iron Baked Brie. Escape to Virginia Wine Country, only five miles from

Downtown Charlottesville. Open year-round, seven days a week.

Pet friendly and large groups are welcome. Ample indoor and outdoor seating.

Rt 20 near the intersection with Avon

Extended (5 mi from Downtown Mall) Charlottesville, VA 22902 (434) 264-6727

www.eastwoodfarmandwinery.com

HARDWARE HILLS VINEYARD

Harvest Rose’ Beautifully crafted from Chambourcin grapes. Radiates the rich color of pink hibiscus and vineyard sunsets. Bursting with airy fresh flavors of strawberry, nectarine and citrus. Balanced, brisk and acidic with a tender hint of cranberry on the finish. This wine pairs beautifully with a summer salad, cheese board, or just sipping porchside with friends and family!

We are pushing out lots of social media videos... have you seen them?

www.hardwarehills.com

NEW HOURS!

Thursday - Saturday  12 - 8 Sunday 12 - 5

June 27th- Music Bingo with Sara, win prizes and sing along! 6:30-8:30 pm

Fridays- Live music! Check our website for our rotating artists 5199 W River Rd, Scottsville, VA  434.286.4710 • www.hardwarehills.com

We are open 7 days a week throughout the month of January, with live music every weekend! Make sure to keep an eye on our website and social media pages for the most up to date listings of our upcoming artists.

Fridays- Friday Night Out!

Celebrate Independence Day weekend with great food, wine, beer & cider, good friends and live music all weekend long! On Saturday we have a special treat in store with Lobsterpalooza featuring Salty Bottom Blue from 12-4 and Live Music All Day and Night!

Thursday, July 3: Live Music by Jim Richardson 5-8PM &

Everyone loves singing along with their favorite songs and who doesn’t love a competitive game of Bingo? Music Bingo brings together the best of both worlds for a high energy game that is fun for everyone. Simply listen to the music, match the songs to the titles on your music bingo cards, and win great prizes! Free to play

Meritage Blending Workshop, July 16

Summer is Blueberry Season at Eastwood! Join us Sunday, July 2o for free tastings, including of our blueberry wheat beer and blueberry cider as well as a local maker’s market. In addition to the popular blueberry lemonade wine slushies for adults, we will also be featuring a special nonalcoholic blueberry slushee for the kids (for one day only)! Eastwood’s full menu will also be available, including many delectable blueberry-inspired specials.  Open 12-5 PM, with live music 1-4 PM.

MUSIC AT EASTWOOD THIS MONTH!

Join us for the popular Eastwood After Dark featuring upbeat, danceable music on Saturday nights from 5-8pm (in addition to our more mellow Saturday afternoon music program). Eastwood also hosts a range of live performances by talented

KESWICK VINEYARDS

Celebrate Summer at Keswick Vineyards!

This Father’s Day, treat Dad to something special at Keswick Vineyards! Join us in our Cigar Garden on Sunday, June 15th, for a relaxing afternoon filled with fine cigars, great wine, and unforgettable views. It’s the perfect way to celebrate all the amazing dads out there—laidback, luxurious, and full of fun!

Wine lovers, don’t miss your chance to taste our 2023 Viognier Governor’s Cup Edition! This award-winning vintage is crisp, aromatic, and truly a must-sip experience for the season. Come discover why it’s turning heads across rural Virginia.

Looking for midweek magic? Join us for Wine Down Wednesday every week from 5:30–8:30 PM. Enjoy live music, a beautiful sunset, and Happy Hour from 5–6 PM on select wines— because who says the weekend has to start on Friday?

Enjoy your Saturdays with live music every week from 12–4 PM, creating the perfect

backdrop for a relaxing afternoon. Challenge your friends and family to a round on our fun and scenic 9-hole mini golf course, great for all ages. Don’t forget your furry companions — we’re proudly canine friendly, so your four-legged friends are always welcome to join the fun!

Keswick Vineyards – Where every pour tells a story.

Wednesdays - Wine Down Wednesdays 5:30-8:30pm

Weekends - Live Music from 12-4 pm (check out our website for the schedule!)

Hours:

Monday- Sunday from 10 am – 5 pm

1575 Keswick Winery Drive Keswick, Virginia 22947

Tasting Room: (434) 244-3341 ext 105 tastingroom@keswickvineyards.com www.keswickvineyards.com

PRINCE MICHEL VINEYARDS

Très Bien | Prince Michel Vineyard & Winery

2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup Gold Medal Winner

This June, we’re proud to spotlight a true standout from

our cellar—Très Bien, a wine that lives up to its name in every way. A recent Gold Medal winner at the 2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup, Très Bien is an elegant expression of craftsmanship and terroir, showcasing Prince Michel’s continued excellence in winemaking.

Tasting Notes:

Très Bien opens with a vibrant bouquet of ripe berries, subtle floral notes, and just a whisper of spice. On the palate, it delivers a balanced structure with smooth tannins and a lingering finish, making it both approachable and complex. Its versatility shines whether you’re enjoying a quiet evening or hosting a celebratory gathering.

Perfect Pairings:

• Grilled Meats: Enhances the savory depth of steak, lamb, or barbecue.

• Pasta Dishes: Ideal alongside tomato-based sauces or creamy, cheese-rich recipes.

• Cheese Platters: Pairs beautifully with aged cheeses and charcuterie.

Special June Pricing:

• $35.99 per 750ml bottle

• 20% off for Club Members

• 15% off for Non-Members Discounts valid June 1–30

Whether you’re exploring new flavors or revisiting a favorite, Très Bien is a wine that promises to impress. Visit our tasting room or shop online to experience the best of Virginia wine this summer.

Experience More at Prince Michel Vineyard & Winery!

Nestled in the heart of Virginia Wine Country, Prince Michel is one of the oldest and largest wineries in the Commonwealth. Open daily from 11 a.m., we offer wine tastings, shopping, tours, scenic picnic areas, and so much more.

Be sure to explore our wide range of wines—from bold reds and crisp whites to our fanfavorite Decadence Chocolate wine and refreshing wine slushies. Plus, enjoy craft brews and elevated pub fare at Tap 29 Brew Pub, open seven days a week.

Weekly Events:

Live Music every Friday–Sunday (music lineup at princemichel. com)

Monday Night Trivia | 6–7:30 p.m. Tuesday Beer & Wings Specials |

3–5 p.m.

Thursday Happy Hour | 3–5 p.m.

154 Winery Lane, Leon, VA  22725 (540) 547-3707

www.princemichel.com

A Woman-Owned Business

REVALATION VINEYARDS

2021 Zeus

Our traditional méthode champenoise sparkling wine was produced with 100% estategrown Vidal Blanc grapes. Its small delicate bubbles and its fresh acidic finish make this wine fun and easy to drink. Aromas of citrus, peach, hazelnut, and fennel. Absolutely delicious as a kir with hibiscus syrup.

June Hours: Friday 12pm to Sunset; Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Thursday 12pm to 6pm.

Until June 30 - Exhibition of artwork by Gayle Isabelle Ford.

June 27 - Book Club @ The Vineyard starting at 6pm: The Years by Annie Ernaux.

June 29 - Sip & Learn at 4pm: Medicare Made Simple by Tiffany Zambrana.July 4 - Bocce Ball – an afternoon of lawn games, luxurious wine and summer fun.

July 11 - Book World Meets Wine World at 5:30pm: Jeffrey Dale will read from his book Red Clay Suzie.

July 12 - Arts & Vines from 12:00pm until 6:00pm. Artisan market with Rachana Ink Art (watercolors), Jason Goldman (wood), and Yuval Zack (native plants).

2710 Hebron Valley Road, Madison, VA 22727 • 540-407-1236 www.revalationvineyards.com

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