Category Archives: united states

Jul 24 NO comments
Ankida Ridge Vineyards, Blue Ridge Mountains, charlottesville virginia, Flying Fox Winery, Gabriele Rausse, Glass House Winery, Monticello, Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards, Stinson Vineyards, Thomas Jefferson, united states, virginia, Virginia wine, Virginia wineries, wine, Wine Bloggers Conference 2011

Wine Blogging at Monticello!

After spending a day at the Omni Hotel on the Charlottesville downtown pedestrian mall ( I write this description for non-locals) we climbed on busses heading up curvy route 53 to Monticello for a dinner reception featuring Virginia wines. Extremely muggy hot weather was not the best conditions to show off our fair city and Blue Ridge Mountains. I still think despite the New Orleans Bayou-thick air, out of state visitors were impressed with the history and beauty of Monticello.  Efforts were made to keep the guests comfortable, hand-held fans printed with “Virginia Is For Lovers” were distributed and outdoor air conditioning was provided at strategic locations, fans with water reservoirs diffusing cool mist on the more aggressive heat relief seekers (Me!).  TJ look-alike mingled with the guests  along with celebrities like the Zonins, owners of Barboursville, just in from Italia! 

The wine makers were sheltered under a vast tent, keeping their bottles in coolers before opening them  for the bloggers. I couldn’t be more proud of our winery owners, wine makers and hosts-cheerfully pouring (more requested) whites  and reds and extolling the quality of their wines. Meanwhile, I shed my heels at Ankida Ridge’s table and walked barefoot in the grass,  meeting other wine bloggers and tasting wine.  As I wandered around, I couldn’t help but wonder what Thomas Jefferson would think about these techy wine lovers traipsing around his home and sharing thoughts regarding an industry that he started centuries ago  in Virginia!  

I was a little despondent about the demise of the 200+ years old White Oak and Poplar trees flanking the west side of Monticello. Noticeably missing, the large tree stumps look void and sad, so I toasted Thomas Jefferson quietly to myself.  The value of some of the wines attributed to his collection have reached record prices at auction!

Ankida Ridge, Glass House, Stinson, Gabrielle Rausse,  Flying Fox and Pippin Hill Farm Vineyard were stops for me, unfortunately I missed several others due to waning energy. The food was excellent!  Shrimp and cheese grits, mini crab cakes, tiny stuffed red potatoes were all tasty pairings for the wines offered. Water bottles were the most coveted item on the menu, Keswick Hall did a fabulous job!

All in all, a lovely event and I overheard many guests discussing return travel plans to Virginia!

Great job, Charlottesville and Virginia Tourism!


Feb 27 NO comments
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Charlottesville 365; Charlottesville’s Oscar Night America

As someone who doesn’t really often watch the Oscar’s, one of the great parties of the year last year in Charlottesville was Oscar Night America at the Paramount. Tonight the event takes place again, and tickets are still on sale for $45.

To benefit the VA film festival and the Paramount Theatre, Oscar Night is officially sanctioned by the Academy Awards and last your was brought to just 51 cities, raising over $3 Million in dollars that all stay within their local communities. Guests receive the actual program that is handed out at the Oscar Party, walk the red carpet, and sample delicious food and spirits from a large list of the most successul restaurants in Charlottesville.

This brings a little bit of Hollywood glitz and glam to Charlottesville, all while being a great local event to support local restaurants, business, and the economy.

From the VA Film Festival website;

The excitement and glamour of Hollywood are coming to Charlottesville on Oscar Night. Movie fans are invited to wear Hollywood-inspired attire and experience the thrills and surprises of the 83rd Academy Awards® on Sunday, February 27, 2011 at Charlottesville’s own Oscar Night America party.

Benefiting the Virginia Film Festival and The Paramount Theater, the Oscar Night celebration will be held at the Paramount beginning at 6:30pm. The Charlottesville event is one of 50 parties officially sanctioned by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences that will be held across the country on Oscar Night.

General admission tickets are $45.00 and are on sale at 10am today. Tickets include admission to the live HD broadcast; food and wine; the official Oscars program; coffee, popcorn and soda.

“We are honored and thrilled to have the Virginia Film Festival and The Paramount Theater chosen as one of only 50 venues nationwide officially sanctioned to broadcast Hollywood’s biggest night! Oscar Night generates excitement all over the world, and with the Academy’s help, our guests will feel like they are on the A-list,” says Jody Kielbasa, Virginia Film Festival Director.

Charlottesville guests will walk the red carpet into the theater and sample tastes from over ten of Charlottesville’s top restaurants. There will also be a raffle that evening, and prizes will include exclusive tickets to local arts events, Hollywood inspired gift baskets, gift certificates from Charlottesville’s favorite business and much more.

The mission of The Paramount Theater of Charlottesville, Inc., is to operate the historic Paramount Theater as a nonprofit performing arts center for the artistic, educational, and charitable benefit of its community, including the city of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, and the entire Central Virginia region.

The Virginia Film Festival is a four-day celebration of the magic of the movies featuring first-run features and timeless classics, high-profile industry insiders and up-and-coming stars, and filmmakers from throughout Virginia and beyond. The Virginia Film Festival is presented by the University of Virginia’s College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. For more information visit www.virginiafilmfestival.org.

Charlottesville’s Oscar Night America party is presented by Virginia National Bank with additional support provided by Charlottesville Newsplex WVAW ABC16, C-ville Weekly, 1070 WINA Newsradio, 106.1 The Corner and Lite Rock Z95.1.

Oct 03 NO comments
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Charlottesville365; Virginia Sales Tax Holiday October 8-11

Every year, Virginia enjoys a four day sales tax holiday on different items and supplies. It always falls on the Friday (through the weekend) of the second Monday in October. This year, it will fall on Friday October 8 – Monday October 11, 2010. This is a great time to make some EnergyStar purchases if you’ve been considering updating the systems or appliances in your home! Note that it covers several appliances, plus HVAC systems, as well as much smaller items- fans, florescent light bulbs, faucets, toilets, etc.

From the Virginia Department of Taxation, Virginia.gov site;

October Sales Tax Holiday: Energy Star and WaterSense Qualified Products

When: This four-day holiday begins on the Friday before the second Monday of October each year. The 2010 holiday will take place Friday, October 8, 2010, through Monday, October 11, 2010.

What’s Exempt: During this period, purchases of certain Energy Star and WaterSense qualified products purchased for non-commercial use and costing $2,500 or less will be exempt from sales tax. The exempt Energy Star items include dishwashers, clothes washers, refrigerators, air conditioners, ceiling fans, compact fluorescent light bulbs, and programmable thermostats that carry the Energy Star designation. The exempt WaterSense items include bathroom sink faucets, faucet accessories, and toilets. Retailers may also choose to absorb the tax on other items during the holiday period, but they are responsible for paying the tax on those items to the Department of Taxation.

via Virginia Department of Taxation.