-March celebrates local wines at restaurants statewide-
RICHMOND, Va., 2013-02-21 — /travelprnews.com/ — Virginia is taking dining to a new level this March with LOVE by The Glass: Virginia Wine & Dine Month. For epicurean travelers, March is an ideal time to visit Virginia, as restaurants and wine shops statewide put local Virginia wines front and center on menus. With more than 230 wineries throughout the state, Virginia ranks fifth in the nation for wine production, earning recognition from visitors, locals and critics alike as the East Coast wine destination.
Nearly 300 restaurants and wine shops are participating in the 2013 LOVE By The Glass: Virginia Wine & Dine Month. Additionally, select hotels, resorts and inns have created special, wine-focused travel packages for visitors. Beyond the following sampling, additional Love by the Glass restaurants and travel packages can be found on www.virginia.org/wine and www.virginiawine.org.
Restaurants
All of the below restaurants will highlight and promote Virginia wines by the glass throughout the month of March. A full list of participating restaurants can be found at www.virginiawine.org.
Bistro 1888 – South Boston
Visitors enjoy local Virginia wines by the glass at this award-winning casual, upscale restaurant and bar offering New American cuisine in a cosmopolitan atmosphere. With accolades such as Wine Spectator‘s Award of Excellence, Wine Enthusiast‘s Award of Distinction and Best Restaurant in Virginia voted upon by VA Main Street Diners, visitors experience a true taste of local Virginia wine and cuisine.
Boar’s Head Inn – Charlottesville
The Four Diamond historic restaurant at the Boar’s Head Inn, the Old Mill Room, offers visitors the opportunity to experience farm-to-table Virginia cuisine from Executive Chef Bill Justus and sip regional Virginia wines by the glass during Wine & Dine month this March
Depot Grill – Lynchburg
Located on Lynchburg’s Historic Riverfront and featuring railroad antiques and a Model Train, this restaurant transports visitors back in time, allowing them to sample local Virginia wine while taking in the historical décor and listening to the regular passing of trains outside the doors.
Heartwood: Southwest Virginia Artisan Center – Abingdon
Enjoy LOVE by the glass this March at Heartwood, the gateway to Southwest Virginia craft, music, food, and local culture. Visitors sample products from many of the regional wineries at Heartwood’s restaurant and wine bar.
Kilmarnock Inn – Kilmarnock
The locally owned and operated Kilmarnock Inn honors Virginia’s rich presidential history with each of its eight guest cottages named for a Virginia born president. Guests can sip local wines by the glass from their own private deck or balcony or at the Inn’s restaurant.
La Bella Italia – Virginia Beach
Those looking for a taste of Italy during Virginia Wine & Dine Month will enjoy drinking local wines while sampling delicious Italian cuisine. A Virginia favorite on the wine list is the Pinot Grigio from Barbousville Vineyard, regularly served only by the bottle.
Mimslyn Inn – Luray
This charming, historical inn invites visitors to experience Virginia wine by the glass at the property’s upscale Southern restaurant, Circa ’31. Specials include Weekend Wine Dinners every Friday and Saturday night, featuring an elegant five-course menu complemented with a variety of Virginia wines.
The Roosevelt – Richmond
Featuring an exclusive all-Virginia wine list and a variety of regional beers, The Roosevelt is an ideal restaurant to enjoy delicious local beer and wines by the glass. Alongside Southern cuisine with an untraditional twist under James Beard Nominee and Chef, Lee Gregory, diners will taste local favorites such as Barboursville Vermentino, King Family Meritage and Blue Mountain Beer.
Tides Inn – Irvington
The East Room and the Chesapeake Club, the Tides Inn’s top restaurants, offer authentic, regional American cuisine in an intimate setting. Diners enjoy scenic views of the Tides Marina and Carters Creek while savoring delicious regional wines off the restaurants’ wine lists, both of which have been awarded Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence.
Trummer’s on Main – Clifton
Trummer’s on Main is an upscale neighborhood restaurant serving creative American cuisine with Executive Chef Clayton Miller at the helm. Voted number one American restaurant by Washingtonian Magazine, diners will indulge in inventive culinary dishes paired with glasses of Virginia wine, available on the restaurant’s extensive list.
Tuscarora Mill – Leesburg
Tuscarora Mill is an independent, locally owned restaurant, café, bar, and bakery boasting the products of several dozen local growers, cheese makers, wineries, farmers and livestock producers. During Wine & Dine Month, visitors take advantage of regional wines by the glass, most of which are typically offered only by the bottle.
Virginia Originals & Chesapeake Grill- Eastern Shore (Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel)
Virginia Originals & Chesapeake Grill, a casual full-service restaurant, features a menu focused on local seafood entrees and other American dishes, incorporating locally grown and harvested ingredients whenever possible. Both the indoor and outdoor dining areas offer views of the Chesapeake Bay and are the perfect place to relax while dining on delicious Virginia-inspired cuisine and sipping on regional wines by the glass.
Wine Travel Packages
Winter Wine and Romance Package
Mountain Rose Inn – Woolwine – Valid through March 31, 2013
Escape to the Blue Ridge Mountains for a wine weekend getaway. Couples who book this package receive two nights’ accommodations, daily breakfast, bouquet of roses in room upon arrival, wine tour and tasting, an epicurean meal at local award-winning winery Chateau Morrisette and a bottle of sparkling wine as well as gourmet chocolates to enjoy in room. Rates start at $449 per couple. For reservations, visit www.mountainrose-inn.com.
Wine, Dine, and Get Pampered with the Girls Package
Stonewall Jackson Bed & Breakfast – Harrisonburg
Nothing says “girlfriends getaway” quite like wine combined with pampering. Those looking for a quick trip with the girls will enjoy this package which includes two nights’ accommodations, daily breakfast, one Swedish massage per guest, a specially crafted dessert at a participating local restaurant, surprise gift and a complimentary wine tasting at local wine shops and vineyards. Rates start at $199 per person. For reservations, visit www.stonewalljacksoninn.com.
Shared Wines & Treasured Times
Lansdowne Resort’s – Leesburg – Valid through Dec. 31, 2013
Epicurean travelers enjoy this wine and culinary adventure in the heart of DC’s Wine Country. Package includes overnight accommodations, breakfast, valet parking, $150 dining credit and a private car for a six-hour winery tour to wineries including Breaux Vineyards, Corcoran Vineyards, Doukenie Winery and Sunset Hills Vineyard. Rates start at $535, based on double occupancy. For reservations, visit www.lansdowneresort.com.
Virginia is for Lovers Package
Oceanfront Inn – Virginia Beach – Valid through Dec. 31, 2013
Celebrate Wine & Dine Month in Virginia with this exclusive oceanfront package honoring the Virginia is for Lovers award-winning slogan. Package includes two nights’ accommodations and a gourmet basket filled with local Chardonnay, Oceanfront Inn wine glasses and wine bottle opener and local chocolates by Schokalad Factory. For reservations, visit www.oceanfrontinn.com.
Montpelier Wine Weekend Package
Holladay House Bed and Breakfast – Orange – Valid through Dec. 31, 2013
Wine enthusiasts experience the best of Virginia wines with this package featuring a special tour of seven wineries within a short drive of James Madison’s Montpelier. This oenophile package features two nights accommodations, welcome tray of fruit, cheese, crackers and wine, two locally-made breakfasts, two days of touring at the newly restored Montpelier, seven winery passes, a gift bag to take home, and two dining gift certificates to the award-winning Palladio Restaurant at Barboursville Vineyards and choice of acclaimed restaurants Inn at Meander Plantations or Vintage Restaurant. Rates start at $825 per couple. For reservations, visit www.holladayhousebandb.com.
Love is at the heart of every Virginia vacation. Visit www.Virginia.org for more trip ideas or call 1-800-VISITVA for a free Virginia is for Lovers travel guide. Stay connected at www.facebook.com/VirginiaisforLovers or follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VisitVirginia.
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