FARM WINERIES COUNCIL WINE EDUCATION SEMINARS
SATURDAY AT 12:00 Noon
Scott Robertson, Fabbioli Cellars
WINE 101 WITH FABBIOLI CELLARS
Are you mystified by the endless rows of different wines on store shelves and restaurant wine lists? Become a wine snob in Wine 101. Scott Robertson from Fabbioli Cellars will lead a discussion about the different varieties and styles of wine. Bring your tasting glass! You'll get to sample and distinguish the different characteristics of one wine from another. The most important piece to remember is to slow down, listen to what your nose and taste buds tell you, savor and have fun! FREE
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SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AT 1:00
Dirty Todd, Todd's Dirt
IT IS TIME TO GET DIRTY WITH THE DIRT MAN
Learn all about the new exciting Todd's DIRT Seasonings with the creator of the seasoning Todd "The Dirt Man". This is a seasoning made locally in Maryland. This will be a popular and fun time tasting and laughing with the Dirt man, as he shows the many uses of his seasonings. During this seminar Todd will cook some easy and tasty Dirty dishes for you to try. Bring your glass for a before and after sip that demonstrates the complexity food brings to wine. Todd's DIRT is about three things. Cooking should be Easy, Fun and Taste Great. "Remember, It is always a good time to get DIRTY!!" Visit Todd's website at www.toddsdirt.com
FREE
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SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AT 1:30
Bill Millholland, Case Design
What’s Hot in Culinary Design?
Hear it first hand from the experts. Join Case Design's Executive Vice President, Bill Millholland as he shares new trends in remodeling with an emphasis on kitchen, culinary and wine cellar design. Learn the latest trends, design ideas, space functionality, product selection process and how to incorporate green products and ideas into your remodeling project. Visit The Case Design website at www.casedesign.com. FREE
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SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AT 2:00
Mary Schellhammer, Spice Rack Chocolates
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE CHOCOLATE
Spend some delectable time with chocolatier Mary Schellhammer of Spice Rack Chocolates exploring our 2 favorite subjects - chocolate and wine! During this endorphin-spiking seminar, Mary will answer questions like where does chocolate come from? Why do we love chocolate so much? What are the differences between chocolates? You will also learn Mary's "3 Rules for Pairing Wine with Chocolate". Then everyone will apply their newly learned skills to pair three different wines with some of Mary's chocolate creations. This is sure to be an exciting and popular hour so arrive early to get a good seat and bring your wine glass! Visit her website at www.spicerackchocolates.com
FREE
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SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AT 3:00
Erika Tribett and Steve Conquer, Tarara Winery
TARARA WINERY CELEBRATES 20 YEARS WITH A MERITAGE TASTING AND DISCUSSION
Tarara Winery, one of the pioneers in Virginia Wine Country, celebrates their 20th anniversary with an in-depth sampling of their winemaking heritage. Experience Tarara's commitment to quality during an educational glimpse into the Meritage Association and the steps taken to create this premium blend. Taste Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve wines, all of which are in Meritage, as well as Tarara's unreleased Meritage, the current vintage, and a previous vintage. Explore the characteristics of each varietal that constitutes their flagship wine as Erika Tribett and Steve Conquer from Tarara Winery lead you through an exclusive tasting of Tarara's Meritage, past, present and future. Visit the Tarara website at www.tarara.com
FREE
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SATURDAY FEBRUARY 7 AT 4:00
Lauren Bias, Sugarleaf Vineyards
WINE APPRECIATION BASICS
Become a wine-tasting aficionado - This is an excellent course to learn all the basics. Lauren Bias, proprietor of Sugarleaf Vineyards will lead a discussion that focuses on the differences between popular white and red wines, and provide an overview of how to select wines to compliment foods. Get ready to swirl, sniff, sip and spit your way through the Sugarleaf flight of wines as you learn what to look for when you go winery-hopping! FREE
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SUNDAY AT 12:00 Noon
Doug Fabbioli, Fabbioli Cellars
WINING WITH DOUG FABBIOLI
Spend an hour with Doug Fabbioli, the propietor and winemaker of Fabbioli Cellars, and you'll most certainly come away enlightened about wine. Doug has been the winemaker for several Virginia wineries. He is a frequent wine consultant and writer for the media and a sought-after speaker at winemaking events. His humorous and down-to-earth way of sharing of knowledge has helped numerous people in the industry and turned scads of consumers into wine snobs. We asked Doug to spend an hour talking about wine and we have no idea where that will take him - we do guarantee it will be enlightening. Bring your wine glass and have fun! FREE
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SUNDAY FEBRUARY 8 AT 4:00
Andrew Stover, OYA Restaurant and SEI Restaurant
WINE ABCs: Anything But Northern California -
Emerging U.S. Wine Regions and Their Regional Delights
Join celebrated Sommelier and Director of Wine Marketing Andrew Stover of DC's OYA Restaurant & SEI Restaurant for an enlightening tasting tour through America's emerging wine regions. Sample artisan wines from Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Los Angeles County, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Southern Oregon and Virginia.
Stover is the Wine Director and Sommelier for OYA Restaurant & Lounge in Washington DC. He holds a Sommelier Diploma from the International Sommelier Guild and a Certified Specialist of Wine Certification from the Society of Wine Educators. He has received countless media mentions for OYA’s eclectic wine program, including the coveted Wine Spectator Award of Excellence and the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington’s Wine and Beverage Program of the Year nomination for 2008. Check out his blog at www.chiefwino.com
FREE
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THE JUDGING OF
THE VIRGINIA WINE SHOWCASE PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD
Enter to Win one of our coveted door prizes by participating as a judge in the Virginia Wine Showcase People's Choice Awards. Experience the differences in winemaker styles as you judge the wines featured in the Virginia Wine Showcase. This exercise will result in eight Virginia wines receiving the presitigous Virginia Wine Showcase People's Choice Award for "Best in Show" as judged by real people - the guests of the Virginia Wine Showcase. Door Prizes for judging include: Restaurant Gift Certificates, Weekend Getaways, Jewelry, Wine Accessories, a 42" LCD TV and more!