Ellen Crosby – Charlottesville UnCorked

Recently a small group of friends have started a book club and our selections are leaning towards a wine mystery genre. Reading Ellen Crosby’s series has been fun, especially because the setting is right here in Virginia. The series begins with The Merlot Murders and has historical facts about Virginia interjected into the story line. References to Charlottesville and the scenic landscape of Loudoun County tempt you toward weekend excursions in both locales. For oenophiles, the detailed process of growing grapes and winemaking add to the romance and authenticity of the novels. It also can de-romanticize the process explaining the critical timing of each step to yield an excellent wine. This would be a fun event for Ellen Crosby and DuCard fans combining the elements of wine, scenery and intrigue. Saturday, July 7, 6:30: Murder in the Vineyards! It’s a Murder Mystery Dinner and Show at DuCard Vineyards! Can you solve the who-done-it mystery in the vineyard? Come enjoy dinner and the show by the Mystery Dinner Playhouse and see if you can sleuth your way to the answer better than Sherlock or your dinnermates. $69 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Limited seating, advance reservations required. This will be a truly unique experience that should not be missed! Call or email now (540-923-4206 540-923-4206 marty@ducardvineyardscom) to make your reservations today!

Two other events worth attending are the annual art show presented by the Firnew Farm Artists Circle on Sunday, June 10, 12-6: Also, the Tucker Hill Art Scholarship Award will be presented to a budding young local artist. Live music and nibbles will be on hand so come and enjoy the beauty of the mountains, local artisans, and DuCard wines.

Saturday and Sunday, June 16-17, 11-6: Father’s Day Weekend – cigar pairings and wine specials. This Father’s Day Weekend come enjoy cigar and wine pairings by Panacea Cigars on Saturday and live music on Sunday. Wine specials offered all weekend. Show Dad how to really enjoy the weekend!

ellencrosby and Tricia Traugoott — Ellen signed The Viognier Vendetta for me!

What fun! Leave it to Keswick Vineyards to make everyone feel at home in what could be an otherwise stuffy environment. Ellen Crosby, was approachable and friendly, signing her new book, THE VIOGNIER VENDETTA as Keswick released with anticipation their 2009 Viognier Estate Reserve! Ellen combines history, wine making and our locale to create a suspenseful romantic tale for oenophiles and mystery lovers alike. We purchased a bottle and her book, but, in retrospect should have bought more of her books and more of the Viognier! Her previous novel, The Riesling Retribution was selected as one of 5 finalists for the 7th Annual People’s Choice Awards sponsored by the Library of Virginia. Afterthoughts…we did take home their 2009 Norton and enjoyed it with an appetizer watching our favorite non- home grown team, The Dallas Cowboys. If we hadn’t taped the game, we might have stayed long enough to adopt one of the adorable schnauzer-beagle mix puppies featured at Yappy Hours!