The 34th Annual Virginia Wine Festival – Cheers!!!

The Virginia Wine Fest is the longest running wine festival on the East Coast (34 years), and probably one of the largest in the Washington, DC area.

This year, they have moved to a new venue, Bull Run Park in suburban Centerville, Virginia, where they will be hosting over 50 Virginia wineries.

Besides sampling hundreds of wines and having the opportunity to chat with wine makers, winery representatives and owners, check out these free hourly wine-related seminars at the Seminar Tent, including:

• Becoming Wine Savvy in 45 Minutes
• Local Chef Plus Local Wine Equals World Flavors
• Holding a Successful Home Wine Tasting Party
• Why Wine and Good Health
• A Walk through 400 Years of U.S. Wine History
• Discovering the Aromas and Tastes in Wine – Experiments You Can Do at Home
• Wine Judging Made Simple

This year, the featured musical entertainer is Lisa Simone, the daughter of musical icon Nina Simone.  Simone has recorded an updated interpretation of some of her iconic mother’s gospel, big band and soul ballads in her debut CD Simone on Simone. Lisa, known simply as Simone, uses her own interpretation combined with a smart vocal power to effectively entertain her audiences.  

Additional musical artists include the Cherry Blossom String Quartet, the contemporary jazz sounds of Robert Jospe Sextet, and the Latin and flamenco music of Beleza Brasil. 

With your ticket, you also receive a commemorative wine glass and wine tastings throughout the afternoon.

In addition to wine tastings, more than 100 art, retail and food vendors offer an outdoor shopping  and dining experience.

And if you want to bring the kids, the Family Area offers magic and puppet shows, musical entertainment, along with other activities just for kids.

Virginia Wine Fest
Bull Run Regional Park
7700 Bull Run Drive
Centreville, Virginia  20121  (map it)

Dates & Times – Saturday & Sunday, September 19–20, 2009 – 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Tickets – Advance tickets - Adults $25.00 and includes souvenir glass. ($30.00 at the gate). Designated drivers – $16.00 ($22.00 at the gate), kids 6-12 – $5.00 ($8.00 at the gate)

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Vienna/Fairfax – GMU – Orange line, then take the shuttle.

Festival Shuttle: Use the ‘No Worries Shuttle’ from the Vienna metro station. $23.00 per person.

Parking – Free.

Images – Flickr – Virginia wine grapes, Barboursville Vineyards in Virginia, barrel tasting,