|
|
|
|
| Melissa's Message |
Hello and warm wishes from all of us!
by Melissa Stephen |
 Another month has passed and we are eagerly anticipating the upcoming one. March will be the month of our very first Barrel Tasting and we couldn't be more excited. The weekend of March 24 & 25, our dedicated winemakers will be in our Barrel Room to greet you and treat you with sips of the wines that they worked so very hard to make this past harvest, right out of the barrel! We will have plenty of food on hand to complement your tasting and will also be selling futures of the barreled wine at deep discounts. I hope you all can make it to this unique event.
Erin Go Bragh! The Winery at La Grange, in conjunction with our sister winery, Pearmund Cellars, is celebrating Saint Patrick's Day with a two-for-one offer. Enjoy a tasting session at either winery and obtain a shamrock, then drive to the other winery for a complimentary tasting.
February was a busy month at La Grange. We had our second winemaker's dinner, this one themed around Valentine's Day. It was a delicious and romantic evening that started with a sparkling kir royale for everyone along with a visit from the chef's at Chocolaterie Wanders who gave all of our guests a taste of their confections. A La Carte Catering created the menu which was delightful and decadent with oysters, duck and dark chocolate cake. And, of course, the wines were our own and were enjoyed by all.
 For those of you who would like to see photos of the first wedding held at La Grange go to Wedding Photos. The evening affair went beautifully, with the bride walking down the boxwood arbor that shone with white lights and the intimate ceremony for 20 guests was held on our enclosed back porch. After a short reception in the Manor House, the wedding party retired to the Barrel Room for an elegant candlelit dinner.
We also, like all of you, were covered in snow and then ice for at least a week which made getting around the property very interesting. Our grounds crew spent an entire day chipping away at the ice on the walkways so that our guests could get around safely - thanks to all of them, there were no falls! The green space between the back of the Manor House and the front of the Winery became a makeshift ice-skating rink for our staff to get from building to building and provided more than one laugh.
We still have some 2007 Barrels Owner's Club spaces available. If you would like to enhance your enjoyment of La Grange by becoming a member, please contact me at the winery for details. We also have already started booking reservations for our next Winemaker's Dinner which will be Saturday April 14th. We've just finished developing the "First of Spring" Menu to celebrate the new season and it looks incredible! A La Carte will be catering this dinner, as they have done for the last two winemaker's dinners. Their food is impeccable and this menu looks like it's sure to live up to that promise. What I know for certain is that the food, the wine and the company will make for a wonderful and memorable evening! See you all at the winery! |
| Fletcher's Twist |
| by Fletcher Henderson |
While the construction folks at La Grange were setting a record of going from raw land to a functioning winery, our winemaking team was equally productive. The results of their efforts are accumulating. One of the prestigious accolades was announced last week.
There was a blind tasting of submitted Virginia wines to determine which wines qualified to be shipped to London, where they will be blind tasted and reviewed by the British wine press. Each Virginia winery was permitted to submit up to four wines. Of the 65 wines selected to go on to London, only six wineries had all four of their wines accepted. (I presume you know where this is going :-)) Both the Winery at La Grange and Pearmund Cellars had all four of their wines accepted!! Our Guiding Light, not to mention Exec. Winemaker, Chris Pearmund is going to London for the May 2nd tasting. Virginia Wine in London
The barrel tasting on March 24th and 25th from 11:00am to 5:00pm that Melissa talked about above is a rare opportunity for you to taste our 2006 vintage wines before they are bottled. The wines will be taken directly from our barrels, using a tool called a "barrel thief", and from tanks as you watch with your waiting glass in hand. During the barrel tasting we are selling futures, twelve bottle minimum, mix & match, of the 2006 vintage limited production wines: Fletcher's Chardonnay, Viognier, Norton, Merlot, Claret, Tannat, and Snort at a ridiculously discounted pre-bottling price.
2005 La Grange Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is perfectly suited for the climate and 'terroir' of our great state and is sure to become the classic Virginia red wine grape. We've produced a medium bodied wine with classic varietal characteristics of herbaceousness, black pepper and spice.
Here is a recipe for a tasty entrée that compliments our Cabernet Franc.
Chili-Dusted Pork Chops
4 servings
Ingredients;
1 tsp chili powder,
1 tsp ground cumin,
1 tsp sea salt,
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper.
4 ½ lb boneless pork loin chops, cut 1 1/4" thick,
1 tblsp extra-virgin (what is an extra-virgin?) olive oil,
2 garlic cloves very finely chopped,
finely grated zest and juice of 1 lime,
3 tblsps finely chopped cilantro leaves.
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl, mix the chili powder with the cumin, sea salt, and black pepper. Rub the spice mixture all over the chops. In a large oven proof skillet, heat the olive oil until shimmering. Add the chops and cook over high heat, turning once, until browned, about 1 minute per side. Add the garlic, lime zest and juice, and cilantro to the skillet. Transfer the skillet to the center of the oven and roast the chops until rosy throughout, about 10 minutes. Transfer the chops to plates and serve with a smile.
|
|
| Springtime Special - Claret |
La Grange is currently having a Springtime Special! Our 2005 Claret is now being offered at 3 bottles for $45 (normally 3 for $57), and a case for $160 (normally $182), offer good until April 15th.
Enjoy this European-style red with hearty dishes. |
| Last Chance to Reserve Your Virginia Wine License Plate! |
Calling All Virginia Wine Lovers:
Download an application for the new Virginia wineries license plate. This plate not only celebrates Virginia wineries and vineyards but also commemorates our 400-year-old wine-making tradition!
Before the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles can release the plate to the general public, we must receive 350 prepaid applications for the plate by July 1, 2007. Virginia residents can purchase it for $25 plus normal registration fees. Personalized plates cost an additional $10.
All Virginia residents are encouraged to continue to support our industry through this initiative. Please use the application form to order your Virginia wineries license plate today! Make checks payable to the Virginia Wineries Association or pay by credit card, which will be run only once 350 applications have been received. Return your completed form and payment to:
Virginia Wineries Association
515 King Street, Suite 420
Alexandria, VA 22314
Fax: (703) 684-6048 | |
Winery Staff
The Winery at La Grange
703-753-9360
Opened Daily 11am to 6pm
4970 Antioch Road - Haymarket, VA 20169
|
 |
|
|
