THE
53RD WINERY AND VINEYARD
WINE
A note from Winegrower and Owner, Dave Drillock
DOWN WHAT’S DELISH AT LOCAL WINERIES?
Happy August to All! We hope your summer is going well. We have released our 2024 Shannon Hill Red. A blend of 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Petit Verdot. Notes of black raspberry, cherry and fresh violet with a soft mineral finish. It will go well with barbecued beef and red-sauced Italian dishes! Medium bodied with supple tannins. We are working through our vineyards, and most varieties have recovered well from the April freeze which makes us hopeful for this year’s harvest, even though it will be lower than expected. And as always in farming, we look forward to next year! We hope to see you at the winery. Our wines are not from a recipe. But in cooperation with nature, our wines are built on elegance and nuance through our winemaker’s knowledge and intuition. We are a winery that just wants to be a winery. And if that is not enough, you’ll meet our friendly and wine enthusiastic, tasting room staff! What’s happening at FiftyThird Winery and Vineyard in August Saturday, August 1st: Live Music: John Benjamin 1-4 p.m. Virginia country artist that connects with audiences through strong vocals, honest storytelling and a down-to-earth stage presence. Saturday, August 8th: Live Music: Mike Proffitt 1-4 p.m. Classic and original acoustic rock you are sure to enjoy…along with 53rd wine! Saturday, August 15th: Wine Club Appreciation Day Bring a friend(s) $17/person includes
WINERY Guide Map
DUCARD VINEYARDS REVALATION VINEYARDS MADISON
tasting, food coupon and a great experience at the winery! Live Music: Nate Oyler 1-4 p.m. Accomplished singer-songwriter from Richmond with soulful, acoustic country tunes. Food Truck: Willie’s Waffles Saturday, August 22 Live Music Tammi Kamin 1-4 p.m. Acoustic, melodic singer-songwriter blending heartfelt lyricism with organic instrumentation. An easy afternoon with 53rd wine. Saturday August 29 Live Music: Danny Kensy 1-4 p.m. nationally touring country artist and songwriter based in Richmond who is on the rise in the Country music industry. Cheers! 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 2023 TANA Chardonnay This vineyard designated Chardonnay comes from our TANA vineyard and exhibits a lovely bouquet of pineapple and distinct mineral characteristics. It exhibits a vibrant acidity with a hint of oak and a weighty finish. Pairs well with food. Produced in a Mâcon style and aged 5 months in French oak. Gold medal winner at 2026 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition & named VinePair’s 30 Best Chardonnays for 2026. We are open 7 days a week throughout the month of August with live music every weekend. Visit our website and our social media pages for the most up to date listings of our upcoming live music and events!
CULPEPER
PRINCE MICHEL VINEYARD AND WINERY
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EARLY MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS
STANARDSVILLE
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29 ORANGE
HORTON VINEYARDS
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GORDONSVILLE
KESWICK VINEYARDS WAYNESBORO
CROZET
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CHARLOTTESVILLE
MERRIE MILL FARM AND VINEYARD
LOUISA
ZION CROSSROADS
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EASTWOOD FARM AND WINERY
53RD VINEYARD & WINERY
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SCOTTSVILLE
Saturdays & Sundays- Live music every Saturday and Sunday through the month! Come to DuCard for the afternoon with family and friends and enjoy a variety of live music (no cover). Bring a picnic or select some local fare from our lite noshing menu to pair with our awardwinning wine for a fun afternoon in our amazing mountain setting. August 16th – Farm to Table Harvest Dinner It’s our annual Farm to Table Harvest Dinner for 2026, focusing on locally sourced ingredients and benefitting the local 4-H and Madison County Fair. The event will be held on Sunday, August 16, 2026, from 6:30 to 9:00 in the Pavilion at the tasting room with the amazing view of the Blue Ridge as a backdrop for the evening. Food will be prepared by Madison County’s own Kendall Rider of Rider #4 Cooking and Catering and will include ingredients from 5 Riders Farm, William’s Orchard, Papa Weaver’s Pork, Kristin’s Cakes, Kite’s Country Ham, Heritage Homestead A2A2 Cheeses and South Mountain Creamery. A glass of DuCard Vineyards own Cider or Rose will start off the meal and additional wine will be available for purchase by bottle or glass. Soft drinks or water will be available complimentary. The servers for the event will be members of Madison County’s 4-H Stockman’s Club. Members of the club focus on learning about farm animals and about 4-H through hands-on activities. Guests will begin the evening with hors d’oeuvres and a complimentary glass of cider or Rose and continue the evening with the main course and dessert. Additional wine will be available for sale by the bottle or glass. The price for the dinner remains the same as last year, $120 (all inclusive; dinner is $75 plus an $18 service fee for our 4-H servers, and $7 tax). A $20 donation to the 4-H and the Madison County Fair is also included in the ticket price of $120 per person. Additional donations are welcome and can be made during the ticketing process. Maximum capacity is 100 for this event. Contact Beth@ ducardvineyards.com with any questions or special needs. Please note that the DuCard Wine Club discount does not apply for this fundraising event. Go to https://ducardvineyards. com/event/farm-to-table-harvestdinner-3/ to purchase tickets.
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LOVINGSTON
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SPECIAL ADVERTORIAL SECTION
hors d’oeuvres. Each guest will receive a signed copy of his new memoir - Main, Middle & Gay. Friday Dinner Hours & Chef’s Table Fridays | 5:30–8:00 PM Open daily Mon-Thurs. 12-5 pm Fri. 12-9 pm Sat/Sun. 12-6 pm
Enjoy dinner at Early Mountain every Friday! Later evenings invite you to enjoy seasonal dishes on the patio or in the Tasting Room as the sun sets.
40 Gibson Hollow Ln Etlan, VA 22719 (540) 923-4206 www.ducardvineyards.com
The Chef’s Table experience offers an intimate, seven-course menu paired with select wines.
EARLY MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS At Early Mountain, our world class wines are featured in a restaurant grounded in the same sense of place. Reserve your table for indoor or outdoor seating and enjoy our latest releases alongside an à la carte menu or seasonal wine-paired prix fixe. The Meadow is open for the season! We’re offering a casual picnic-style menu, paired with wines by the bottle, glass, or flight. No reservation needed, weather dependent. Tasting Room Hours Thursday–Monday: 11:00 AM–5:30 PM Fridays: 11:00 AM–8:00PM Closed Tuesday and Wednesday Upcoming Events & Experiences Wine & Cheese Pairing Experience August 2, 2026 | 2:00–4:00 PM Join Early Mountain Sommelier Peggy Kearns Dean and Maggie Bradshaw of Truckle Cheesemongers for an interactive afternoon exploring the art of pairing wine and cheese. Taste five Early Mountain wines alongside artisanal cheeses while discovering the flavors and techniques behind exceptional pairings. Perfect for every level of wine lover. Friday Dinner Hours & Chef’s Table Fridays | 5:30–8:00 PM Enjoy dinner hours every Friday! Later evenings invite you to enjoy seasonal dishes on the patio or in the Tasting Room as the sun sets. The Chef’s Table experience offers an intimate, seven-course menu paired with select wines. Sunday, September 13, 2026 | 4:00 PM Enjoy a rare in-depth fireside interview with Chef O’Connell, just days before the official release of his memoir. Following the conversation, guests are invited to the terrace for a reception with Eun Yang and Chef O’Connell, featuring Early Mountain wines and passed
Seats are limited. Scan to plan your visit.
6109 Wolftown-Hood Rd, Madison, VA 22727 (540) 948-9005 www.earlymountain.com
EASTWOOD FARM AND WINERY Blueberry Season Enjoy delicious blueberry specials in the tasting room all summer including our seasonal Blueberry Wheat Ale, Blueberry Cider, Blueberry Lemonade Wine Slushies as well as new menu items highlighting this favorite fruit including our popular Blueberry Flatbread, Baked Brie, & more! Celebrate the season with a glass of award-winning Rosé and oysters every Friday night! Salty Bottom Blue will be here every Friday night serving their delicious raw and grilled oysters, which pair beautifully with a glass of our gold medal Sparkling Blanc de Blancs or 2025 Rosé. Eastwood has a large indoor airconditioned space and all music will be indoors this month unless the weather dictates otherwise. Upcoming at the Winery: Virginia Oyster & Wine Celebration | Every Friday Enjoy our Virginia Oyster & Wine Celebration every Friday night this Spring! 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. Porch Nights | Every Thursday (NEW!) There’s something about a porch at golden hour that makes the world slow down in the best possible way. At Eastwood Farm and Winery, we’re leaning into that feeling all season long with Porch Nights — our weekly Thursday gathering featuring outdoor live music and an easygoing atmosphere. Grab a seat on our covered veranda or at one of our many picnic tables, relax with the sparkly lights overhead, fireflies in the fields, and a glass of
porch-sipping wine in hand - join us for your new favorite Thursday tradition. Bring the family, the dog, a few friends, or just yourself. No reservations, no cover — just good music, good company, and spring evenings done right. Wine Slushies are Back! Cheers to the beautiful weather with a refreshing wine slushie:) Music Bingo | Sunday, August 9th and 30th; September 20th| 2-4PM (open 12-5PM) 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! Paint & Sip | Sunday, August 30th from 12-2PM (open 12-5PM) 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 Event - Reserve Your Spot On Our Website Sangria Sunday and Maker’s Market| Sunday, August 23rd 12-5PM Join us for our house-made Sangria (one day only) with a pop up featuring Erica Cavanaugh from Honeysuckle Creek Farm and her fresh take on Sangria cocktails, as well as a local maker’s market where you are sure to find some creative treasures. Live Music: Paxton Henderson 1-4PM Crab Feast | Saturday, August 29th 12-4PM (open 12-8PM). Nothing says Summer quite like a Crab Feast! Salty Bottom Blue will be serving up Blue Crab and Oysters, both raw and grilled (from 1-4PM) in addition to Eastwood’s regular menu, including the delicious crab dip. Top it off with a glass of Viognier or Blanc de Blancs. Live Music All Day! Heidi Riddell from 12:30-3:30PM and F.O.G. from 5-8PM Rosé and Bubbles Showcase| Sunday, August 30th 12-2:30PM (at the Tent and Terraces) (General Admission $40) Join us for an afternoon celebrating the wines of summer with rosé, sparkling wine, food trucks and beautiful views. This ticketed tasting event showcases wines from six Virginia wineries—all crafting their wines at the Virginia Wine Collective, Eastwood’s new collaborative production facility and tasting room in downtown Charlottesville—for an unforgettable afternoon of sipping and discovery.