Warm up with second annual Winter Wine Festival in Downtown Staunton

More and more people are choosing Virginia wines. Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell recently announced that Virginia ranks as the country’s fifth-largest producer of wine grapes. It also ranks fifth in the number of wineries.

If you’d like to spend the weekend trying out some of the region’s wines – all in one convenient location – get your tickets now for the second annual Winter Wine Festival.

What: Second Annual Winter Wine Festival
co-presented by Stonewall Jackson Hotel
and Historic Staunton Foundation

When: Saturday, February 18th, 2012 from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Where: Stonewall Jackson Hotel and Conference Center in Staunton

Participating vineyards in this year’s Winter Wine Festival include the following vineyards:

Bluestone, Cross Keys, Democracy, DeVault, DuCard, First Colony, Flying Fox, Jefferson, Lexington Valley, Lovingston, Mountfair, Ox-Eye, Rebec, Rockbridge, Stone Mountain, Windsong Winery, Veritas, and Wisteria Farm.

Additional vendors, from chocolate artisans to cider makers, will also be on hand to sample their wares. Live music (jazz and blues) has been arranged by Shenandoah Concerts.

The festival brings visitors to downtown Staunton during a relatively slow time of year.  Last year, customers came from all over Virginia to spend the day in Staunton, taste wine, and dine in local restaurants.

“We hope people will bring a group, and spend the day having fun with friends,” says Franks Strassler, executive director of Historic Staunton Foundation.  “Last year, many local folks brought their friends and made a great day of lunch, wine tasting and shopping.  Downtown was hopping with activity,” recalls Strassler.

The ticket price includes a souvenir wine glass and tastings.  Admission is $12 in advance or $15 at the door.  Advanced tickets are available at the HSF office and the Smith Center Museum Store located at R.R. Smith Center for History and Art (20 S. New Street) and from several other downtown Staunton locations:

– Shenandoah Hops
– The Emporium
– Bookworks
– Blue Mountain Coffees
– The Wine Cellar

The Stonewall Jackson Hotel has already booked more than 40 wine tasting event packages for the evening.

Proceeds from the event will support the ongoing programs of Historic Staunton Foundation.