Taste of Monticello Wine Trail Festival in Charlottesville, Va. April 9-11

Tickets are on sale now and available at monticellowinetrailfestival.com and the Charlottesville's Visitor Center on the downtown mall.

The Monticello Wine Trail Festival is a partnership between the Jeffersonian Wine Grape Growers Society, nTelos Wireless Pavilion and the Jefferson Theater. In addition to our presenting sponsor, Mercedes-Benz of Charlottesville other key sponsors and event partners include Bank of the James and Keller & George jewelers. The Monticello Wine Trail is a not-for-profit organization that exists to promote and encourage cooperation among the various award-winning Central Virginia wineries, which have helped the state's ranking as the 5th largest wine producer in the nation. The festival has grown into a 3-day event with various wine-focused programming.

“The Monticello Wine Trail Festival is a great recognition of Central Virginia wines, and we look forward to another year of celebrating all they have to offer within the local community and the region as a whole,” says Monticello Wine Trail Vice President Jake Busching.

The festival's Monticello Cup Awards keynote speaker will be Washington Post wine columnist Dave McIntyre, named by Meininger's Wine Business International and Worth magazine as one of the most influential U.S. wine writers. He continues to write for Dave McIntyre's WineLine and is co-founder of Drink Local Wine, an organization and website that highlights writing about wines from “The Other 47” states. Among other publications, McIntyre has written for Wine Enthusiast and Sommelier Journal, and has been honored by The Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association with its two highest awards for his contribution to wine appreciation.

The Monticello Wine Trail Festival will feature more than 25 participating regional wineries and vineyards, including: Afton Mountain Vineyards, Barboursville Vineyards, Blenheim Vineyards, Cardinal Point Vineyard & Winery, Chestnut Oak Vineyard, Delfosse Vineyards and Winery, Democracy Vineyards, Early Mountain Vineyards, First Colony Winery, Flying Fox Vineyard, Gabriele Rausse Winery, Glass House Winery, Grace Estate Winery, Jefferson Vineyards, Keswick Vineyards, Kilaurwen Winery, King Family Vineyards, Loving Cup Vineyard and Winery, Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards, Reynard Florence Vineyard, Stinson Vineyards, Stone Mountain Vineyards, Trump Winery, and Veritas Vineyard & Winery.

The 2015 schedule of events is as follows:

Thursday, April 9

Monticello Cup Awards at the Jefferson Theater
A casual event for wine enthusiasts, focused on the competition for the prestigious Monticello Cup awarded to the best wines of the region. Tickets: $65. Time: 6-10 p.m.

Friday, April 10

Individual wineries will host a variety of activities during the day followed by a series of winemaker dinners at some of Charlottesville's best restaurants that evening. Visit monticellowinetrailfestival.com for the latest updated calendar.

Saturday, April 11

Tasting event at nTelos Wireless Pavilion featuring 25 local wineries and live entertainment. An exclusive VIP ticket is available and offers catered food and an opportunity for sampling exclusive wines from each winery.

Time: 1-5 p.m. (VIP ticket holders gain early entry at Noon).
For more information on the Monticello Wine Trail Festival, visit monticellowinetrailfestival.com.