Wine festival returns this weekend

The 2009 Montpelier Wine Festival will be bigger and better than ever for wine lovers and their families.
This weekend, on the grounds of historic James Madison’s Montpelier the 2009 Montpelier Wine Festival will feature exceptional wines from more than two dozen Virginia wineries, cooking demonstrations, the distinctive works of artisans and crafters along with activities for children. On Saturday, May 2, the festival is 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday May 3.
Selections from area wine producers, including Afton Mountain Vineyards, Keswick Vineyards, Autumn Hill Vineyards, Blue Ridge Winery, Kluge Estate Winery, Barboursville Vineyards, Lake Anna Winery, Burnley Vineyards, Daniel Cellars, Mattaponi Winery, Chateau Morrisette, New Kent Winery, Cooper Vineyard, Peaks of Otter Winery, Del Fosse Vineyards, Prince Michel, Gabriele Rausse Winery, Rockbridge Vineyard, Gadino Cellars, Stone Mountain Vineyards, Horton Cellars Winery, Sweely Estate Winery, Ingleside Winery, Veramar Vineyard, Jefferson Vineyards Villa, and Appalachia Winery will be showcased at the Montpelier Wine Festival.
Festival visitors can pack a picnic, or enjoy vendors’ variety of breads, cheeses, grilled chicken and shrimp, salads, pasta, and specialty coffees.
Both days of the festival will feature free cooking demonstrations at 1 p.m., and again at 3:30 p.m. hosted by Kitchen Magazine’s Rowena Morrell. The demonstrations will spotlight techniques for cooking with wine by New England Culinary Institute graduates chef Erica Hall of From Scratch Baking Company, and Palladio Restaurant at Barboursville Vineyards Executive Chef Melissa Close.
Live musical entertainment will provide multi-genre musical backdrops with jazz, bluegrass and folk performances.
Youngsters can have a free ride on the barrel train, enjoy face painting, learn how to make a kite and then compete for honors in the kite-flying contest. Stunt flying and aerial demonstrations will be performed by Wings Over Washington Kite Club.
Tickets for adult admission are $25 at the gate, tickets for children and young adults ages 12 to 20 are $5, and children under 12 are admitted free. Ticket prices include general admission, a commemorative wine glass, tastings from each winery, and a chance to win a door prize.
Wine glasses and tastings are included with full adult admission only, and adults will be asked to show proof of age. By phone, tickets are available at (540) 672-5216, or (800) 594-8499; Visa, MasterCard and American Express accepted. Tickets can purchased online at http://www.orangevachamber.com/winefest.html.
Reserved tables and private tents are available. An eight-ticket package, for $295 per table ($245 for special Sunday rate), includes admissions tickets for eight adults, commemorative wine glasses, a hospitality basket including a complimentary bottle of Virginia wine, and a reserved table under a tent.
A private 15’ x 15’ tent with two tables for six includes general admission for twelve adults, two hospitality baskets including two complimentary bottles of Virginia wine, six VIP parking passes, and 12 commemorative wine glasses.
$795 Saturday and $700 Sunday.
The deluxe hospitality package is the perfect way to entertain guests in style in a private 20’ x 20’ tent with three tables of eight. The rate of $1,395 for Saturday and $1,100 for Sunday, includes general admission tickets for 24 adults, 24 commemorative wine glasses, 24 house tour tickets, 12 VIP parking passes, three hospitality baskets including three complimentary bottles of Virginia wine, and a festive entrance sign.
The festival will be held rain or shine. Pets and outside alcohol are not permitted. A $2 suggested donation for parking will benefit the ACCA Temple Mini Patrol.
The Montpelier Wine Festival is organized by the Orange County Chamber of Commerce and James Madison’s Montpelier.