Virginia Celebrates October Wine Harvest with Festivals & Travel Packages

As October Virginia Wine Month: Discover Your Local Crush approaches, now is the best time for wine lovers to start planning a trip to celebrate all things wine. Distinctive to Virginia, this dedicated wine month coincides with grape harvesting and allows visitors a special experience where local wine tastings, kayak wine trails and vineyard festivals are coupled with the brilliant backdrop of historically significant sites and fall foliage at its prime.

October Virginia Wine Month is a month-long celebration of local wine with special events, tastings, festivals and more at Virginia's 200+ wineries statewide. Since the first October Virginia Wine Month in 1988, the Virginia wine industry has grown tremendously, now ranking fifth in the nation for wine production, and including more than 200 wineries and dozens of wine trails. Just this year, Wine Enthusiast magazine named Virginia one of the 10 best wine travel destinations for 2012, noting the state's picturesque pastoral landscapes and affable winemakers set Virginia apart as an excellent wine destination on the East Coast.

From biking between wineries along the Chesapeake Bay to sipping wine at a National Historic Landmark, each wine region provides travelers with one-of-a-kind wine experiences. Visit www.Virginia.org/wine for information on events and packages taking place throughout the state in October. The following is a sampling of special events and packages offered during October Virginia Wine Month.

Packages

The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner Paradise Springs Wine Package – McLean, Clifton – Through Dec. 31, 2012

Wine lovers looking for a romantic trip will take delight in this special partnership between The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner and nearby Paradise Springs Winery. On-site, the package includes overnight deluxe accommodations, a special Virginia Wine Lovers welcome amenity, breakfast for two and valet parking. An excursion for two to Paradise Springs Winery is also included featuring a wine tasting, local Virginia cheese and cracker plate and a complimentary bottle of guest's choice. Rates start at $294 per night based upon double occupancy and do not include taxes, gratuities or other charges. Advanced reservations at Paradise Springs Winery are advised as wine tasting times are limited. Offer valid through Dec. 31, 2012. For reservations, call 800-241-3333 or visit www.ritzcarlton.com.

The Appleblossom Inn Bed & Breakfast Wine Lovers Weekend Package – New Market – Through Nov. 25, 2012

Wine enthusiasts looking for an intimate weekend getaway during October Virginia Wine Month will enjoy this romantic package featuring two private nights' accommodations as the only guests in an eight-room historical home, daily breakfast, one bottle of local Virginia wine, two tickets to the New Market Walking Tours and two tickets to the Virginia Museum of Civil War. Guests will also be treated to wine tastings at Valley Wine Cellar, Cave Ridge, Shenandoah, Wolf Gap and North Mountain Vineyards as well as a map for a self-guided tour to five local vineyards. Rates start at $325 per couple, exclusive of tax. Offer valid through Nov. 25, 2012. For reservations, call 540-740-3746 or visit www.appleblossominn.net.

Festivals

The 12th Annual Norton Wine and Bluegrass Festival

Chrysalis Vineyards – Middleburg – Oct. 6-7, 2012

This year's Norton Wine & Bluegrass Festival invites wine travelers to Chrysalis Vineyards, home to the world's largest grower of Norton, The Real American Grape!®, to experience one of Northern Virginia's top wineries during the harvest season. The area's best bluegrass music, food from the local “BBQ King,” hayrides and vineyard tours and a special nine-wine tasting, are among the weekend's highlights. Admission is $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For more information, call 540-687-8222 or visit www.chrysaliswine.com.

Fredericksburg Area Wine Festival – Fredericksburg – Oct. 6-7, 2012

The 22^nd annual Fredericksburg Area Wine Festival features award-winning wines from eight Virginia wineries as well as local cuisine and beer from Blue and Gray Micro Brewery set against the scenic beauty of Rappahannock River. The family-friendly festival offers rides on Aubrey Treakle's Barrel Train and balloon art and face painting. Admission fee is $15 in advance at $20 at the gates. For more information, call 540-972-2749 or visit www.fredericksburgwine.com.

Blackdog Wine & Classic Rock Festival – Chateau Môrrisette – Floyd – Oct. 13, 2012

Each October, the Chateau Morrisette Winery, located just off the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, brings in wine and music lovers from all over the country for the Black Dog Wine & Music festival. The rock event features new bands, the winery's famous sangria and local cuisine and crafts. Admission is $25 and includes music, winery tour, tastings and a souvenir wine glass. For more information, call 540-593-2865 or visit www.thedogs.com.

Virginia Wine and Garlic Festival – Rebec Vineyards, Amherst – Oct. 13-14, 2012

The Virginia Wine and Garlic Festival embraces food, wine, live entertainment, arts, crafts and most importantly, garlic. The festival offers five stages filled with music and live entertainment, garlic contests, wine tastings from six different wineries, and a kid's zone with a petting zoo. Wine tasting tickets are $18 in advance and $25 at the gates. General admission is $14 in advance and $25 at the gates; children under 12 are free. For more information, call 434-946-5168 or visit www.rebecwinery.com.

Powhatan's Festival of the Grape – Powhatan – Oct. 27, 2012

Travelers will indulge the best of 25 Virginia wineries at the annual Festival of the Grape at Powhatan's Historic Courthouse Square, just a short drive from the cities of Richmond, Lynchburg, Charlottesville and Williamsburg. The family-friendly festival features tastings of Virginia's finest wines, delicious food, live music and entertainment and arts and crafts. Admission fee is $20 and includes a souvenir wine glass. For more information, call 804-598-2636 or visit www.powhatanwinefestival.com.

Louisa County Wine Festival – Mineral – Oct. 13, 2012
The second annual Louisa County Wine Festival, from White Walnut Vineyards, is the perfect way to spend a fall afternoon sampling vintages from new and long-established wineries, local food and enjoying live music and all-around fun! Taking place in downtown Mineral, home to Lake Anna, the second largest lake located entirely in the in the state of Virginia, the Louisa County Wine Festival allows guests to take a sample glass as they visit each winery and taste various vintages. There will also be a variety of crafters and artisans, as well as a dedicated children's activity area. General admission fee is $15 in advance and $20 at gate. For more information, call 540-967-9044 www.louisawinefestival.com

Wine Happenings

The Farm at Blenheim Vineyards – Charlottesville – Oct. 1-31, 2012

Visitors will experience an exclusive look at the Dave Matthews-owned Farm at Blenheim Vineyards. The property comprises acres of lush lawn overlooking the vineyards, a newly restored circa. 1864 house, historic chapel and more. Guests will be treated to a private tasting on the lawn or in the free-standing library built in the mid-1800s, a tour of the historic property and a glass of wine and gourmet boxed lunch or dinner. Good throughout the month of October, rates start at $40 per person with a minimum group size of four. Advance reservations are required and available by calling 434-962-4241 or emailing kathy@blenheimvineyards.com. For more information, visit www.blenheimvineyards.com.

Wine Dinners at The Mimslyn Inn – Shenandoah Valley – Through Dec. 31, 2012; jazz trio Oct. 5, 2012

Known throughout the Shenandoah Valley for its “Vintage Southern Hospitality,” The Mimslyn Inn offers a Virginia wine tasting experience unlike any other. Offering a comfortable and inviting atmosphere, guests are encouraged to bring their own wine straight from the tasting room. Virginia wine pairings are offered with each course for $15, and each week the menu and wine shifts to accommodate only fresh and local ingredients. On Friday, Oct. 5, a special jazz trio will play on the front porch allowing guests the ease of enjoying a wine dinner set to a delightful tune of jazz and million dollar views. Reservations are suggested and available by calling 800-296-5105 or visiting www.mimslyninn.com.

Love is at the heart of every Virginia vacation. Visit www.Virginia.org for more trip ideas or call 1-800-VISITVA for a free Virginia is for Lovers travel guide. Stay connected at www.facebook.com/VirginiaisforLovers or follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VisitVirginia.

Where to stay: Virginia Luxury Hotels & Resorts