Sip & Trip: A Black Winery Experience
The Adventure in Black Family out here living life with the Shenandoah Valley setting the scene.
Virginia's wine country is nationally-recognized as one of the best havens for connoisseurs seeking the next memorable glass and new tasters ready to enjoy their first. The lush, rolling hills of bountiful vineyards that define Loudoun County's picturesque Shenandoah Valley was the backdrop for Adventure in Black’s Sip & Trip: A Black Winery Experience. This utopia of pressed then carefully-harvested grapes set to gracefully age in oak barrels is best reflected in the over 200 wineries throughout the state. Two of these prized estates--Twin Oaks Tavern and Bluemont Vineyard--were prime destinations for our wine-loving, Saturday afternoon excursion out of Washington D.C. and into glass-after-glass of blushing reds and stunning whites.
The Twin Oaks Tavern’s story is one of longevity through ingenuity. Owner Donna Evers personally told our guests how the stone-house that was once a bed and breakfast located in the Blue Ridge Mountains in the early 1900s became the house of award-winning seasonal yields that still fill their bottles to this day. Only feet away from the original home, Evers unlatched the gate to the fenced vineyard and discussed the process of how Twin Oaks’ famed Cabernet Franc grapes are carefully grown and harvested to the delight of both drinkers and critics. Next, she gave our party exclusive access to the wine cellar where gallons by the thousands are stored in oak barrels to age.
In the spacious tasting room at Twin Oaks Tavern, overlooking the rows-and-rows of fresh grapes in the foreground and the Shenandoah Valley in the background, was where the bottles were uncorked and fare sampled. Donna Evers continued to be a gracious host to our party by going around the table to individually pour her winery’s top bouquets while we dined on two large decadent plates of international meats and cheese. Top-sellers such as White Nights (Chardonnay-Riesling), Raven Red Rocks (Bordeaux) and the aromatic Gold Medal-winning 2014 Vidal Blanc were enjoyed by our party of mixed tastes as the good times continued. Adding cool against the summer weather were the iced delights of their Lemon and Spiced Wine Chillers. Both are must-haves during any visit.
Bluemont Vineyard crowns the tall hill it sits high upon. Scaling the inclining road to get there elevates the altitude of drivers. Gazing at their sumptuous wine selection does the same for even the most seasoned of drinkers. We found that out first hand after being ushered to their private, upstairs tasting room where the winery’s beloved ‘Sangria Mixing Kit’--with all the ingredients--was prepared by Bluemont’s friendly staff and at our table upon arrival. No waiting. Just mixing, then drinking. Flavors ranging from Blackberry and Lemon, Strawberry and Basil and Cranberry and Orange refreshed and welcomed the most seasoned and newcomer to the winery’s twist on the Portuguese fruit-based classic.
Exclusive swag bags teeming with signature AIB Wine Glass, Buttons and Mask.
The Classic Margherita Flatbread pizzas for the table, hot from the oven downstairs, paired well with the melodies of notes swirling around in each glass. Water cleaned our palates and readied them for the variety of flavors of the six-glass sampler that brought the world of Bluemont’s series of bottled genius. The 2018 favorite white ‘The Donkey’ (Viognier), 2016 ‘Farm Table Red’ (Merlot) and 2017 Chambourcin were featured in this pleasing lineup. We then moved outside to the large umbrella-covered patio table--with a remarkable view from on high of the Shenandoah--where Bluemont’s Peach Wine Slushies helped us beat the heat of August.
Adventure in Black’s Sip & Trip was more than just making full glasses of wine vanish. This weekend outing of young professionals and budding entrepreneurs was also about strengthening networks. We’re only as good as the company we keep, the people who influence us to strive for more out of our respective arenas of talents and expertise. It was also a time of reflection where we each openly spoke about what we were thankful for in the throes of pandemic and other dour news stories littering our feeds and timelines. The fun ice-breaking games played on the 2020 Mercedes Benz Sprinter when we first left that morning instantly turned would-be strangers into Adventure in Black Family by the time we arrived back in Washington D.C. that evening. Good things happen when great people meet over wonderful food and amazing glasses of wine.
Want more Sip & Trip? Check out the recap.