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Melissa's Message |
What's Happening at the Winery
by Melissa Stephan |
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Fa, la, la, la, la....It's hard not to get into the holiday spirit around here these days!! Our trees are up and glistening, the barrel room has been decorated like never before, it seems that someone on staff is always jingling with little bell earrings or something cheery and the sound of wine flowing into a glass has never sounded sweeter. We love the holidays around here. It's so much fun to have a setting that we can take from creepy and ghoulish at Halloween to elegant and serene at Christmas time. As your friends and family stream into town this season, don't forget to bring them by the winery for a tasting and perhaps some time spent sitting around one of our fireplaces catching up on all that has happened in the year gone by.
Another great reason to come for a visit this month is our holiday wine specials. We want to be sure that you have great wine to take to the parties you've been invited to, to serve at your own affair or just to snuggle up with in your pj's at home on a cold night! You won't believe these prices!!
A White Christmas
One bottle each of our Chardonnay, Viognier and Cuvee Blanc
$50
Rudolph's Red Nose
One bottle each of our Norton, Merlot and Meritage
$55
The Candy Cane
One bottle of each of the 6
$100
See what I mean?? You cannot beat those prices and these are all of our very favorite wines, sure to be a hit at any gathering!!
The good news doesn't stop there. We are officially opening the 2010 Barrel Owner's Club for membership. Yes, you heard me....you wait and you wait and then finally, it happens, your wait is over! We've gotten so much interest in the club that we've decided to go ahead and get the 2010 program started. If you happen not to be familiar with the club, here are the basics. You purchase a barrel. They're beautiful - our barrels are all 100% oak and hand coopered in France, they are true works of art!! You then loan your barrel to the winery for our winemaking purposes for 4 years. At the end of the 4 years, we bottle the last of the wine from your barrel and the barrel is then yours to take home. Here's the really cool part - while we have your barrel we want to thank you for the generous loan so we give you stuff! You get one case of wine each year of your membership and you also get one double-magnum of reserve Meritage the first year. Then there are free tastings for 4 years, free attendance to a barrel tasting each year, invites to some special socials and so on and so on. It really is the perfect balance between supporting your favorite winery in a very unique way and becoming part of our wine-loving family with some pretty amazing perks! Please email me if you're interested and I'll send you more detailed information about costs and benefits. The club fills up quickly once we get the word out so, don't hesitate! A barrel makes an incredible holiday gift too.....I'm just saying....
We've got a fun weekend coming up right before Christmas. December 19th we're celebrating Feliz Navidad with a handmade pinata display. Sorry, there will be no blindfolds or sticks but it is fun to be reminded of the way other cultures celebrate. We have a dear friend that misses his childhood home this time of year. He's spent the last several weeks crafting these colorful paper stars that bring back special holiday memories. We thought they were so spectacular that we've decided to display them for a day for all to see!
Then on Sunday December 20th we've got a charming lot of young pianists coming to entertain you in our barrel room. These young musicians will set up their keyboards for a recital that you're all invited to. What better way to spend the last weekend day before Christmas than sipping some stellar wine while listening to traditional Christmas music! Please join us in supporting these students, they'll be performing from noon until 3pm.
Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and most of all, our wish to you for a truly joyous holiday season!! See you at the winery!! |
| Upcoming Events at La Grange |
We have many things happening at La Grange over the next month from wine dinners to celebrations. Check us out!
- Chili & Wine Night - December 18th, Friday night at La Grange enjoy glass of wine & chili for $15
- Feliz Navidad - December 19th, celebrating with handmade pinata display
- Musical Entertainment - December 20th, young pianist in the barrel room
- Closed Christmas Day - December 25th, closed for the day
- Closed New Years Day - January 1st, closed for the day
- Chili & Wine Night - January 8th, Join us Friday night for wine and chili
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| Winemaker Message |
| What's Happening at the Winery
By Jef L. Stebben |
Greetings Wine Fans!
Winter is here in spirit as can be evidenced by the first snow to fall. The leaves have fallen, and though the season officially begins on December 21, at 6:47 am, I expect that we will all feel its touch well before the date is here.
Though the weather outside is cooling down, I am keeping the winery warm. Temperature is a major factor for controlling malolactic fermentation. I am doing my best to regulate the conversion for a target time of three weeks to a month. This will allow a settling of the wine while building more fruit focused flavor. Though the heating of the winery can be justified with legitimate reasons for the wine, I, as a California native, have to admit that I will enjoy every last bit of warmth I can find!
As the holiday is upon us, I would like to wish everyone a happy and joyous holiday with thoughts of peace and prosperity for the new year to come. Please feel free to come by and visit. I am always happy to share what is happening with the wine and maybe a glass or two. Jef L. Stebben
Winemaker |
| Monthly Event Information |
Winery Events
by Adale Henderson |
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Happy December, everyone! What a busy month for all of us: the shopping, the cooking, the parties...
The Winery is no different, of course. We are anticipating Debra Fabian's jewelry show on Saturday, December 12th from 11:00 - 6:00 pm. As you know Debra has lovely pieces and I highly recommend that you guys visit her to finish (um...start?) your Christmas shopping! Of course I also expect to see the ladies that day as we all need a little something new to add sparkle to last year's party dress. Check out Deborah's website in order to start your list: dfabian.design@verizon.net.
On Friday, December 18th we will have our famous Chili & Wine Night. For $15 you will receive a glass of one of our Classic Wines and a tummy full of chili with all the fixin's. This is the only one we are having in December, so be sure to reserve your spot early! We will light the fireplaces, get the chili piping hot and pour the wine...all we are missing is you! Just give our helpful staff a ring at 703-753-9360 in order to save your place and we'll see you on the 18th at 6:30 pm!
Looking ahead to 2010...wow, where did 2009 go? Every Friday evening in January with the exception of New Year's Day is going to be Chili & Wine Night. The Winery is the perfect place to begin your weekend and we have plenty of games to play with friends and family. Choose your date and let us know when to expect you! I even have a feeling that our famous Sangria may make a surprise visit during one of these nights...we never need a reminder of July more than in January, do we? (Remember, these are 21 and over events only.)
That's what WE have planned here at the winery. Remember, La Grange is the perfect spot to host your private and corporate events. Just give me a call or drop me an email (adale@wineryatlagrange.com) and I will be happy to discuss how to best celebrate your event; should it wedding ceremony/reception, rehearsal dinner, anniversary celebration, corporate retreat or company picnic.
Come by and say hi!
Adale Henderson
Special Events Manager
For our December recipe, I've chosen to go with a healthy alternative to all the eggnog and cookies that are lurking in the corners trying to jump onto our thighs! This vegetarian dish is one that both sides of the debate will enjoy. It is hearty enough that meat-lovers won't miss the meat and that non-meat eaters can eat with a clear conscience!
Enjoy, and Happy Holidays to all,
Adale |
| Recipe from La Grange |
Recipe with La Grange Reserved Cabernet Sauvignon or Rose of Merlot
by Adale Henderson |
Wilted Kale and Roasted-Potato Winter Salad
yield: Makes 4 (main course) or 6 (side dish) servings
- 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves (3 thinly sliced and 1 minced)
- 1/3 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
- 1/4 cup well-stirred tahini
- 2 tablespoons water
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 pounds kale, stems and center ribs discarded and leaves very thinly sliced crosswise
- Accompaniment: lemon wedges
Preparation
Preheat oven to 450°F with rack in upper third.
Toss potatoes with oil and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper in a large 4-sided sheet pan, then spread evenly. Roast, stirring once, 10 minutes. Stir in sliced garlic and roast 10 minutes more. Sprinkle with cheese and roast until cheese is melted and golden in spots, about 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, purée tahini, water, lemon juice, minced garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a blender until smooth, about 1 minute. (Add a bit of water if sauce is too thick.)
Toss kale with hot potatoes and any garlic and oil remaining in pan, then toss with tahini sauce and salt and pepper to taste. |
| 2010 Wine Cruise |
| 7-night Cruise of Burgundy & Provence |
 Join us for an extraordinary cruise of Burgundy & Provence! Our cruise along the Rhone River sailing June 27-July 4, 2010, will be aboard the intimate 134-guest River Royale of award-winning Uniworld River Cruises. En route, we'll have wine tastings, a cocktail reception, interesting wine-themed discussions, and unique wine-themed excursions. Rates begin at $2,799 per person, double occupancy. Book before November 30th and receive a $300 per stateroom reduction. Deposit is just $200 per person. For additional information about our 2010 cruise, or to book, please contact Cruise Holidays of Alexandria toll free at (866) 368-7327, or visit their website. | |
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Winery Staff
The Winery at La Grange
703-753-9360
Opened Daily 11am to 6pm
4970 Antioch Road - Haymarket, VA 20169
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