|
|
|
|
|
Melissa's Message |
What's Happening at the Winery
by Melissa Stephan |
|
Before we get to the activities of the winery, I want to bid one of our own a fond farewell. Winemaker Rob Cox has been a beloved and valuable member of our winery family since well before we opened our doors. He has not only worked as our on-site winemaker for the last 2+ years but he worked tirelessly during the months prior to our opening doing everything from painting and plumbing and installing doors to overseeing the grass seeding of the entire property. Since we've opened, Rob has shared his passion for wine with all of you and with our entire staff and all the while he has remained our trusty go-to guy for all things broken or working improperly which, in a 200 year old house like ours, can be an almost daily occurance. He always figures out a way to get us back on track and always delivers with a smile. Then it's back to the wine!
Here's what I'm talking about...There's Rob cutting down a tree, there he is troubleshooting some kind of horrible plumbing problem and then there he is teaching a class about winemaking. All in a day's work!
Rob has moved on to continue to cultivate his knowledge of and passion for winemaking. He is sure to be a fixure on the Virginia Wine scene for years to come and we'll always be able to say we knew him when he was just getting started. We will miss you Rob!
We had our first Barrel Tasting of the season 2 weekends ago and the next one is this weekend, March 21 & 22. If you didn't come to the first one, you definitely don't want to miss this one! You'll get to taste 7 wines, both whites and reds, that are on the brink of being bottled but are, for now, still in their barrel. Executive Winemaker Chris Pearmund will be here to lead you through the tasting. It's a unique opportunity to learn directly from the winemaker what it takes to get the wine from the grape to the barrel to the bottle and in your glass. Well, you probably have the bottle to glass part down, but he's here to help with your understanding of the rest. You'll also have the chance to purchase the wines you've tasted as futures which means you'll get them at deeply discounted prices. There is also an array of food included for you to enjoy during the tasting. Don't miss it, it's the very best way to taste what's happening and it's only $25!
Speaking of what's happening, just last week we bottled the first of our 2008 wines. The Pinot Gris and Cuvee Blanc are now snug in their bottles waiting to be released for your drinking pleasure! The Pinot Gris was bottled with the Stelvin twistoff screwtop closure which is the latest and greatest trend with bottling. I know, I know - what about the romance of the cork? Don't worry, the wine is still amazing - some say even better protected with the Stelvin closure. Plus, this makes you part of what's new, what's trendy - it's the dawn of the new era of wine bottling. Our next bottling will be the 2008 Rose - It has this amazing strawberry aroma on the nose. I can not wait!!
There exciting news about our vineyard. Some may say "what vineyard?" but trust me, it's all happening now! Our current vineyard is 5 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon. Many of you know that, ever since its planting, our vineyard has been ravaged by deer and groundhog which has left us with fat and happy animals and vines that just can't grow. Well, we finally have the last of our deer fencing in place and the little vines are starting to grow. The good news is that they have nice root systems so, as far as their underground health goes, they're good! So, we've decided to go a step further and extend that vineyard to cultivate more Cabernet Sauvignon vines and we're also planting a brand new vineyard behind the winery. Its cooler northside makes it perfect for the 1000 Vidal Blanc vines that we plan to put there. Vidal Blanc is the primary grape in everyone's favorite, Cuvee Blanc, so we're really excited that we'll soon be harvesting our own estate grapes for that wine.
We're getting really jazzed about spring and summer with lots of Friday evening activities coming up such as picnics on our lawn and wine related movies shown at dusk. We've got a huge Corvette Show here on April 11, a really great Cigar and Wine event planned on April 25 and a very special Mother's Day dinner on May 9th. One of our favorite local artists, jeweler Debra Fabian, will be here Mother's Day weekend, she has the perfect gift for your mom or for you, you know you deserve it! Check our webpage often for the latest in winery activities.
We are as done with winter as you are! If you've been hibernating all winter, it's time to get out, soak up our beautiful surroundings and drink some wine! We've got lots of new food items on our snack list, a few new faces behind the tasting bar alongside the ones you already love and plenty of space to get comfy! Come see us soon!!
|
| Upcoming Events at La Grange |
We have many things happening at La Grange over the next months from wine dinners to celebrations. Check us out!
- Barrel Tasting Weekend - March 21-21nd, Open to all and barrel owner's
- Winemaker's Dinner - March 21st, Pearmund Cellars
- Date Night - March 27th, enjoy date with someone special Friday evening
- Winemaker's Dinner - April 1st, Goodstone Inn & Estate
- Barrel Tasting Weekend - April 4-5th, All are welcomed, Barrel Owner's taste for free
- Movie Night - April 10th, Join us Friday Evening after hours for a movie, food basket, wine and free popcorn
- Corvette Car Show - April 11th, Over 75 Corvette cars were on display from vintage to new
- Easter Sunday - April 12th, winery will be closed all day
- Winemaker's Dinner - April 18th, Pearmund Cellars - Orient Express
- Cigar & Wine Tasting - April 25th, enjoy food, wine and a great cigar
- Slow Food Vast Wine Fundraiser - April 25th, benefit of the Montessori Children's Center
- Viper Car Show - May 2nd - come see your dream car
| |
| Recipe from La Grange |
Recipe with 2007 La Grange Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
by Adale Henderson |
|
Spring seems to be forever teasing us with its appearance, so we might as well enjoy some fabulous winter comfort food for the time being. The Mushroom & Sausage Penne Gratin recipe below pairs fabulously with the 2007 La Grange Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Some crusty bread and a nice tossed salad are all you need to complete this delicious meal....oh, a fireplace and your sweetie wouldn't hurt!
Mushroom & Sausage Penne Gratin (serves 4)
1 pound dried penne
1 pound bulk sweet Italian sausage
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 pound packaged sliced mushrooms (baby bellas are great for this)
1 garlic clove, forced through a garlic press
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
8 ounces shredded whole-milk mozzarella, divided
Preparation:
Cook penne in a pasta pot of boiling salted water (2 tablespoons salt for 6 quarts water) until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta-cooking water, then drain pasta and transfer to a flameproof 3-quart baking dish.
Preheat broiler
Meanwhile, cook sausage in 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over high heat, stirring occasionally and breaking up any large pieces, until no longer pink. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a bowl, leaving fat in skillet.
Add remaining tablespoon oil to skillet along with mushrooms and garlic, then cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are golden, about 3 minutes.
Return sausage to skillet along with cream, reserved 1/2 cup cooking water, a rounded 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and boil over high heat, stirring once or twice, until thickened, about 4 minutes. Pour over pasta, then stir in Parmigiano-Reggiano, 1/2 cup mozzarella, and salt to taste. Spread evenly in baking dish and top with remaining mozzarella.
Broil 3 to 4 inches from heat until golden brown in spots, about 5 minutes. Serve immediately.
|
| Winery at La Grange Joins Facebook |
Facebook Group
by Bob Moe |
 The Winery at La Grange has setup a Group Facebook account for friends and wine lovers of the winery to join.
Thanks to the effort of Adale, Michael, Scott, and others.
|
| 2010 Wine Cruise |
| Summer 2010
by Bob Miller - Cruise Holidays of Alexandria |
|
Mark your calendars and reserve your space now on our extraordinary 2010 wine cruise to the heart of French Wine country! We'll sail the Rhone River aboard the River Royale, a luxury river boat that caters to just 132 guests total. Along the way, we'll visit the historic and scenic wineries that dot this beautiful French countryside. Our 7-night cruise sails between Arles (France) and Chalon (France), June 27-July 4, 2010, with numerous ports of call along the way. Onboard, you will enjoy complimentary wine tastings, private cocktail receptions, and wine-themed lectures. Shoreside, choose between the included shore excursions in each port of call and the optional wine-themed excursions we'll be leading to quaint French vineyards and wineries. Rates for a river view stateroom begin at just $2,799 per person (double occupancy). Reserve your stateroom today with a deposit of just $200 per person by calling Cruise Holidays of Alexandria: 703-706-0011, or toll free 866-368-7327.
| |
|
|
Winery Staff
The Winery at La Grange
703-753-9360
Opened Daily 11am to 6pm
4970 Antioch Road - Haymarket, VA 20169
|
 |
|
|
