Wine Bloggers Conference 2011 – Charlottesville UnCorked

Flying Fox Vineyard

Published on September 6, 2011September 6, 2011 by Tricia Traugott1 Comment

Finally getting a chance to sit down and reflect on the winery trips offered at the 2011 Wine Bloggers Conference.

One of the most anticipated events planned by Zephyr Adventures in conjunction with The Virginia Wine Board, the Virginia Tourism Corporation and the Charlottesville Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau was the side trips to our local wineries. Adding to the fun and suspense was not knowing our destination until everyone was seated on the bus and the doors had closed!

The exuberant presence of Maureen Kelley, Director of Economic Development & Tourism for Nelson County was a huge tip off for me! Kneeling on the bus seat facing the rear with a mischeivous twinkle, she reminded me of the kid you wanted to sit with on the way home from school! Proud of her county and it’s “fruits”, Maureen brought a crate overflowing with white and yellow peaches from Saunders Brothers Orchard in Nelson County. Secretly, I had been hoping to get on the bus to Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards because I knew the food was going to be over the top, but after meeting Maureen and tour co-host, Danielle Emerson, Public Relations Specialist for Virginia Tourism Corporation, I knew it was going to be a blast! We stopped at Flying Fox, moved on to Cardinal Point and finished with lunch at Afton Mountain Vineyards.

Flying Fox

First stop after driving out 250 and down 151 towards Wintergreen was the quaint tasting room for Flying Fox! My husband and I had previously visited Flying Fox Winery on a stormy summer evening where a local artist was having a wine & cheese party showcasing her work! I was distracted by pleasant company, wine tasting and art and unfortunately never sat down and wrote about the experience.

Lynn Davis and husband Rich Evans named their winery after the running fox weather vane perched on top of the main building at their vineyard. After a hard day working on the vines and a glass of wine, he looks like he is flying above the vineyard! Lynn and Rich are personable and devoted to making your visit a memorable one. Hospitality abounds and you won’t be sorry you popped in on your travels through Nelson County. I really enjoyed their 2009 Viognier which won a Gold medal at the 2010 Virginia State fair. The 2010 Rose is excellent chilled on humid Summer day in Virginia and the 2008 Trio was well received by fellow wine bloggers.It is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. I picked up a bottle of the Rose for my daughter in law to enjoy at a later date….and if Bed and Breakfasts are your cup of tea, an overnight at Le Bleu Ridge B & B next door is perfect. Stroll over to the tasting room for a glass of wine by the fireplace.

Lessons Learned at a Wine Bloggers Conference

Published on July 29, 2011 by Tricia TraugottLeave a comment

Sip often!

Spit just as often!

Listen, listen, listen!

Sit next to knowledgeable people and listen more!

Remember where you leave your shoes! Yes, I lost a pair of my favorite heels when I switched to my black Reefs!

Wear comfortable shoes, no one can see your shoes below the tablecloth! Works for a formal dinner where everyone has been drinking all day!

Walking barefoot on the West Lawn at Monticello made me wonder if Thomas Jefferson had done the same on a hot summer evening! Definitely cooler barefoot in the grass!

When it’s super hot, a glass of icy cold water is preferable to any Gold medal winning wine! MAYBE a very nicely chilled Virginia Viognier…

Don’t stand behind someone at the tasting bar when sampling a Cab Franc or Petit Verdot!

Wine Away works well except when used with a cute colorful napkin from Greenwood Grocery! My camisole went from a deep burgundy stain to an olive green smudge (was white!).

I’m very proud of Charlottesville, our local wineries, the downtown mall, and Virginia Wine! Job well done!

Wine Blogging at Monticello!

Published on July 24, 2011July 24, 2011 by Tricia Traugott3 Comments

After spending a day at the Omni Hotel on the Charlottesville downtown pedestrian mall ( I write this description for non-locals) we climbed on busses heading up curvy route 53 to Monticello for a dinner reception featuring Virginia wines. Extremely muggy hot weather was not the best conditions to show off our fair city and Blue Ridge Mountains. I still think despite the New Orleans Bayou-thick air, out of state visitors were impressed with the history and beauty of Monticello. Efforts were made to keep the guests comfortable, hand-held fans printed with “Virginia Is For Lovers” were distributed and outdoor air conditioning was provided at strategic locations, fans with water reservoirs diffusing cool mist on the more aggressive heat relief seekers (Me!). TJ look-alike mingled with the guests along with celebrities like the Zonins, owners of Barboursville, just in from Italia!

The wine makers were sheltered under a vast tent, keeping their bottles in coolers before opening them for the bloggers. I couldn’t be more proud of our winery owners, wine makers and hosts-cheerfully pouring (more requested) whites and reds and extolling the quality of their wines. Meanwhile, I shed my heels at Ankida Ridge’s table and walked barefoot in the grass, meeting other wine bloggers and tasting wine. As I wandered around, I couldn’t help but wonder what Thomas Jefferson would think about these techy wine lovers traipsing around his home and sharing thoughts regarding an industry that he started centuries ago in Virginia!

I was a little despondent about the demise of the 200+ years old White Oak and Poplar trees flanking the west side of Monticello. Noticeably missing, the large tree stumps look void and sad, so I toasted Thomas Jefferson quietly to myself. The value of some of the wines attributed to his collection have reached record prices at auction!

Ankida Ridge, Glass House, Stinson, Gabrielle Rausse, Flying Fox and Pippin Hill Farm Vineyard were stops for me, unfortunately I missed several others due to waning energy. The food was excellent! Shrimp and cheese grits, mini crab cakes, tiny stuffed red potatoes were all tasty pairings for the wines offered. Water bottles were the most coveted item on the menu, Keswick Hall did a fabulous job!

All in all, a lovely event and I overheard many guests discussing return travel plans to Virginia!

Great job, Charlottesville and Virginia Tourism!

Live Wine Blogging!!

Published on July 23, 2011July 24, 2011 by Tricia Traugott2 Comments

These were the wines we tasted, I was able to taste the majority but had to jet out to pick up the bus to Monticello for dinner. Notice MY laptop with the house from Kennebunkport desktop!!! Richard Leahy is on my right!

Tabarrini from Italy 100% Trebbiano Spoletono retails for $17-22/btl. golden color, moderate acidity, crisp and fresh, creamy w/lemon/citrus -liked it!

Michael Shaps Viognier 2008 aged in stainless, Nice texture, winner of the Drink Local awards, bright acidity $32/btl. delicious!

Richard Leahy has a book coming out soon, to be named Jefferson’s Vines, about Virginia’s wines. A pleasure sitting next to him!

Sivas-Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc from California originally the Sebastiani family 2010 vintage Russian River Valley 38% 62% Sonoma Valley lemony w, believe it or not asparagus! Smooth and mellow, kind of grassy and very rounded. Complex!

2008 Maycas Del Limari Chardonnay no malolactic fermentation, french oak this is not a Housewives of Orange County wine! $20/bottle Excellent!!

Keswick Vineyards 2010 Verdejo refreshing, crisp and dry w/green apple, a great summer wine especially for days like today!

Aerobics for the winemakers, they are running their legs off and talking fast!

Tarara Winery 2009 Nevaeh White Smoooth! Buttery, totally opposite the last selection! Not as complex!

Williamsburg Winery 2009 Chardonnay Decanter Wine Magazine has had this wine on their top 400 list for the last 5 years!! Matthew Meyer, the winemaker, calls this is the “Can’t we all get along” wine.

Cornerstone Cellars from Napa Valley Stepping Stone Corralina 2010 another excellent choice for a Summer wine, beautifully bright and complex! Salmon pink in color, lovely!

Emma Pearl Chardonnay 2009 10% Viognier and 90% Chardonnay, Nova Cadamatre is the winemaker and this was my favorite Chardonnay so far at a great price 0f $17+ 🙂

Try CalNaturale for tetra pak organic Chardonnay, 100% organic

Offf to Monticello!!!

Charlottesville Hosts Wine Bloggers Conference 2011

Published on July 22, 2011June 26, 2021 by Tricia Traugott2 Comments

Jancis Robinson, keynote celeb-speaker, is the most sought after photography subject so far at the conference!

Just attended an incredible class on the Aromas of Wine, and now I’m in the Drink Local session, sitting next to Richard Leahy. It is fun to know your winemaker, the vineyard manager and winery owners and feel like you’re supporting your community while enjoying the “fruits” of your local vineyards.

Detailed posts coming later!

NEXT UP! Live Wine Blogging, Uh, Oh!