Category: Events

Holiday Cheer and Cheese at Gray Ghost Vineyards

/ Warren / 1 Comment

We always look forward to the holiday party at Gray Ghost Vineyards; in particular, we look forward to counting the corks on winemaker Al Kellert’s latest holiday creation. This year’s cork creation was candy canes, and the party attendee who correctly guessed the number of corks used to create the piece will win an assortment of Gray Ghost wines. I’ve been attending these for the last twelve years or so, and I’ve never won. However, I feel good about my chances this year after I simply copied Paul’s number and added a few more corks to the count. Paul had just won $14 in the lottery, so I felt confident Paul was on a winning streak that could only be broken by one person—me!

Anyway, a twist to this year’s holiday party at Gray Ghost was the pairing of Gray Ghost wines with locally produced cheeses and meats. In the past, co-winemaker Cheryl Kellert prepared hors d’oerves and sweet treats for the event; this year, though, the Kellerts opted to promote local food products as complements to their wines. The participating dairies included Culpeper Cheese, Everona Dairy, and Marshall Farms. Crofton Market provided the meats. Dessert items included brownies and mini-cheese cakes. Guests were able to enjoy the foods with the full menu of Gray Ghost wines including the newly released 2011 Reserve Chardonnay, and these were sampled in logo glasses with a holiday design created just for the holiday event. Listed below were the cheeses offered for tasting at the event:

Everona Dairy
Stony man
Piedmont
Herbs de Provence

Marshall Farms
Farmstead cheddar
Monterey Jack
Cracked Peppercorn Cheddar

Culpepper Cheese
Amish Butter Cheese

Croftburn Market
Black peppercorn and red wine salami

So what were our favorite wine and cheese pairings? I found the cheeses to be amazing versatile with any of the Gray Ghost wines that were poured. I’m a big fan of the Reserve Chardonnay, and the 2011 vintage paired well with the harder Farmstead Cheddar from Marshall Farms. Paul preferred the 2011 Chardonnay with the Amish Butter Cheese from Culpeper Cheese. My favorite cheese was the cracked peppercorn cheddar from Marshall Farms, and this paired well with the slightly sweet Victorian White (or the sweeter Vidal Blanc) and the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon. Paul’s favorite cheese was the Stoney Man, a manchego-style cheese, from Everona Dairy partnered with the 2010 Ranger Reserve. And what about wines and sweets? The brownies were delicious and played well with both the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Ranger Reserve; however, we did enjoy these with the rose-style Victorian Red. And the mini-cheese cakes? Of course, these can only be savored with the 2011 Adieu.



The Gray Ghost holiday party helped us to kick off the holiday season, and we left fully confident that a basket of Gray Ghost wines will be won by one of us. To be on the safe side, though, we left with bottles of our favorite Gray Ghost wines. We applaud Al and Cheryl Kellert’s efforts to promote the eat (and drink) local concept, too. Plan a visit to Gray Ghost Vineyards soon, and be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

Events Space at Breaux

/ Paul / Leave a comment

A few weeks ago we attended the Cellar Club pick up party at Breaux Vineyards. I was behind picking up my shipments so it was time to collect my bottles of club wines. Warren’s parents were in town so we brought them with us to taste the wines and see the new events space that was previewed that weekend. Our wine friend Susan McHenry was there as well! It’s always fun to enjoy wine events with friends and family.

At the pick up party we were able to taste the 2009 Barrel Select Nebbiolo. We noted violets, tobacco, and a spicy ending. We also tasted the Lineage Version 1. This is Breaux’s first port style wine. I am not a big fan of ports but Warren tasted it and thinks it will be a excellent dessert wine for a future dinner party. During the pick up party we were also able to taste the 2011 Rose, the 2009 Meritage D-Block East, and the 2009 Merlot. I am a big fan of the 2009 Merlot and it was tasting even better this time. It has benefitted from time in the bottle. I’m sure it will only get better with time.


After our pick up party tasting, we were able to take a tour of the new events space. Besides a new production space, the building includes a private tasting cellar that is an English Pub-style area. This area will eventually be used to club events and private tastings. The flagship space is The Acadia. It’s a huge room with a large fireplace, crystal chandeliers, and large windows with views of the vineyards. Everyone will be happy to hear there are PLENTY of new bathrooms! We are hoping to attend the first event in the new space in January, the Cabernet Vertical. Breaux is expanding and the expansion is beautiful. Here are some pictures from our tour.






After our tour we did a regular tasting. We tasted several of the new 2011s. After our tasting we enjoyed the gumbo weekend with bowls of gumbo, cheese and a nice warm baguette. We had a wonderful day at Breaux tasting wines, seeing the new building, and spending time with friends and family. If you haven’t been to Breaux lately, you need to plan a trip to taste all the new wines and see the new building. You will be impressed! And tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Fundraising with Virginia Wines

/ Paul / Leave a comment

A few weeks ago we attend a fundraiser hosted by Kurt and Carol from Wine About Virginia. It was an event to raise money for their church’s FUUSE program. All of the wines at the event were Virginia wines donated by Kurt and Carol and several other members of the Virginia wine community.

It was a fun evening tasting Virginia wines, selecting our favorites and chatting with other guests at the event. The wines were presented in different categories from varietals to blends. Some of the “winners” (those receiving the most votes) included:

2010 Sauvignon Blanc from Veritas
2010 Chardonnay from Rappahannock
2010 Viognier from Keswick
Veritas White Star
2009 Reserve Cabernet Franc and the 2009 Glen Manor Cabernet Franc tied
Bluestone Crooked and Weedy and the 2010 Red from Desert Rose tied
2010 Durant Red from Pollak
2008 Petit Verdot from Linden
Freezeland Red from Fox Meadow

On Kurt’s blog he reported; “We raised more than our fundraising goal for the evening.”

Here are a few photos from the evening.









Cabernet Release Party

/ Paul / 1 Comment

On Saturday evening we attended the 2009 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon release party at Gray Ghost Vineyards. This is always an elegant night filled with music, food, and wine. Gray Ghost Vineyards only produces a reserve Cabernet in exceptional years, and the result is always an exceptional wine. The 2009 did not disappoint. It delighted our palate with notes of blackberry, cherry, and dark chocolate. It paired beautifully with our prime rib dinner. The food was delicious, the wine was wonderful, and company was enjoyable. We had a wonderful evening. Here are some pictures from the evening.