FXBG Field Trip Steve and Nicole’s beach wedding
VA. WINE MONTH find your reason to celebrate fall, all within 60 miles by nancy bauer
By Jeremy Sutton
When we came over to the wellappointed house on the Currituck sound in Duck, NC the day before the wedding for a dry run at the ceremony, emotions were scattered and diverse. Some folks were plainly in low gear: this WAS the beach after all, and this was a much deserved and all-too-rare vacation. Some were working diligently on their appointed tasks, losing themselves in the comfort of focus, there’s a lot to be said for the “head down, hands busy” school of meditation. Envelopes were being labeled and sealed, seafood stock roiled, lawn chairs and tables were at the ready for set up, a beautiful lawn was being transformed into a celebration hall for the next day’s nuptials. Some were caught in the middle, both removed from the fray physically yet deeply invested emotionally. These were their children, and that fact had never been more true nor more in jeopardy as they all prepared to both welcome new members to the group and give a little away from the original crew as well. Emotionally it was all kind of a big mess, really, and therefore just like any other wedding that’s ever been on Earth ever anywhere. But while the preamble to the party might have been completely par, the wedding of Nicole Sullivan and Steve Cameli on September 6th, 2014 was an extra special gathering for not just their friends and family, but downtown Fredericksburg as a community. There was a real feeling of “Fredericksburg field trip” to the whole shebang, with a wonderful smattering of long-time community members like Barbera and Jack Miller, Jack Morrison, Steve Hubble, Emmett and Ellen Snead, Stony Pickett and his family. Those of us who’ve been here long enough to call it home but
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maybe still waiting for that “lifer” button were represented too by Steve’s business partner (and his now fiancé) Paul Stoddard and Emma Chayefsky along with couples galore: Meghan and EZ, Jay and Matt, Jon and Rosie and Jason and Erica, who’ll come back to the these barrier islands in a year for a wedding of their own. It was warm and beautiful and striking to see about 50 years of Fredericksburg’s social tapestry draped on tables under the tent and out on the dance floor that night.
Brought out of its background and put together here on these shores put this community in sharp relief. It allows one to see just what a strong glue this town provides. It is rare and precious today to be able to call such a community ours, and to be able to rely on it so dependably for all that is truly important out there: support, friendship, family and love. We all wish Steve and Nicole the best, and are glad to be able to call them part of Fredericksburg. Jeremy Sutton is glad he wasn't Steve and Nicole's first choice as officiant (Rob Grogan was), as he would have to seriously question their values. But was honored nonetheless to participate, and carry on a special mantle.
Front porch fredericksburg
You’ll be relieved to know that October is Virginia Wine Month. Squeezed in between Piano Month (September) and World Vegan Month (November), Virginia Wine Month sounds genuinely Bacchanalian by comparison. Which is appropriate, considering all the celebrating that happens in October. In the fall, we celebrate harvest, and the safe gathering of life-giving plants and crops, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. And, also, we celebrate winery festivals that allow kids. And
Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte, for diversity. Here, to help you celebrate Virginia Wine Month in your own way, are a few of our favorite things coming up in wine country, all within a 60-mile drive of Fredericksburg. There is much to be thankful for, at this time of year, and we’re thankful for whoever came up with October as Virginia Wine Month. BEST VIEWS ON A FALL AFTERNOON You don’t have to head all the way over to Skyline Drive for dramatic fall vistas; DuCard Vineyards in Etlan and Old House Vineyards in Culpeper boast framed, jewel-box views that rival any in the state. BEST FOR A WARM WELCOME In general, wineries tend to be pretty happy places. There are some, though, where the owners are so welcoming you may find yourself exchanging Christmas cards and baby pictures. Our friendly favorites: Rogers Ford in Remington, the new Chateau MerrillAnne in Orange, and Mattaponi in Spotsylvania. BEST EVENTS FOR WELCOMING THE FALL As the chill slides down the Blue Ridge Mountains, the energy in wine country amps up with harvest festivals, grape stomping, and the last few outdoor concerts before winter’s curtain descends. We love the sound of these: Scoot down to Early Mountain Vineyards in Madison for Sippin’ into Sunset, every Friday, 6-8PM. Live music, local foods, mountain views. Bring the kids and the dogs to Fall Family Fun Day at DuCard Vineyards in Etlan. October 4, 12-6PM. Lawn games, live music, kid-friendly food. Taste the newly fermented 2014’s at Autumn Hill Vineyards’ Fall Barrel Tasting, in Stanardsville. Find out why Autumn Hill’s battle cry is “No Sweet Wines!” October 19, 12-5PM. Vertical tastings of vintage Cabernet Sauvignon, cellar tours, homemade soup. Find a new friend at Keswick Vineyards’ Yappy Hours in Keswick, where local animal shelters bring puppies for adoption. Most Sundays, 12-3PM, including the Yappy Howl-O-Ween costume contest on October 26. BEST NEW WINERY EXPERIENCE Better site selection, vineyard skill, and winemaker education are coming together for more consistently high quality wines in Virginia. And here’s a bonus for this fall: there are still some
2010 reds available, even as the 2012’s— another very good year for many Virginia wineries—begin to find their way into tasting rooms. Granite Heights Winery on the outskirts of Warrenton is small, quiet, and open only on weekends for eight months a year, but owner Luke Kilyk’s a powerhouse among the up-and-coming winemaking talent. His red blend, Humility, a mix of Merlot, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot, and Barbera, has grabbed a lot of attention among the cognoscenti. The new Moss Vineyards in Nortonsville (just a skosh farther than 60 miles from Fredericksburg) has jumped in with both feet and bold reds, some priced upwards of $60. One lonely white, a Viognier, is also on offer in this tasting room, but you know Moss’ heart belongs to Bordeaux. Gorgeous view. The elder statesman of Virginia wineries, Barboursville Vineyards, has opened Library 1821, an elegant space set aside for weekend-only tastings of their special library wines from exemplary vintages, with culinary pairings, from $20. For more tips on Virginia Wine Country travel, see our website at www.VAWineInMyPocket.com, or for a visual taste of fall in Virginia Wine Country, watch the fun “Nine Fall Days in Virginia Wine Country” Flipagram video, on Virginia Wine in My Pocket’s new YouTube channel. Nancy Bauer is the co-founder of Virginia Wine in My Pocket, the iTunes/Google mobile app and website travel guide to Virginia Wine Country. Virginia Wine Country photos by Rick Collier, rickcollierimagery.com
front porch fredericksburg
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