News for April 2005

"It is, of course, entirely possible to cook without using wine.
It is also possible to wear suits and dresses made out of gunny sacks, but who wants to?"

-- Morrison Wood (1949) "With a Jug of Wine"

Our Tastings and Wine Dinners

2004 Barrel Tasting & Futures Sale, $20 April 16-17, 2005 - 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Our Barrel Room Questions: (540) 347-3475		Winemaker's Dinner, $60 + tax & tip, Menu April 18, 2005 - 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Founder's Restaurant, Alexandria, VA Reservations: (703) 684-5397 or Email Tastings Planner

Wine Tasting, FREE April 30, 2005 - 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Whole Foods, Vienna, VA Questions: (703) 319-2000		Wine Purchase on Amtrak Auto Train, $18 per bottle Month of May Lorton, VA, to Orlando, FL, Tracks Questions: (800) USA-RAIL or Reserve on Website

Warrenton Spring Festival & Blue Ridge WineWay Festival May 21, 2005 - 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 100-600 Main Street, Old Town Warrenton, VA Questions: (540) 347-4414 or Email Tastings Planner		2004 Barrel Tasting & Futures Sale, $20 May 21-22, 2005 - 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Our Barrel Room Questions: (540) 347-3475

Our Products

We are sad to announce that our 2003 Pearmund Cellars Riesling is sold out. Riesling continues to be one of our top sellers so look for the 2004 Riesling in late May. In the meantime, try the 2003 Late Harvest Vidal now available in our Tasting Room.

During the month of May, Amtrak Auto Trains traveling between Lorton, VA, and Orlando, FL, will feature our Chardonnay, Viognier, Cabernet Franc, and Ameritage wines. These distinctive wines will be sold by the glass or bottle. Learn more from the Unofficial Online Guide to Disney World or contact Amtrak via (800) USA-RAIL or their website. Remember to thank them for serving Virginia wines!

Very soon, we will be selling hand-crafted Wino Crossing key rings. Stop by the winery at the end of the month to purchase yours. We have many unique and Virginia-made products that make great gifts for your family and friends.

Our Process

In the Vineyard: If you have been able to stop by the winery recently, you have been enjoying some spectacular weather and views. This month, we are tightening our trellis wires, fertilizing with aged horse manure, getting the bugs out of our mowers, and planting 500 new vines to replace those damaged by last year's tornado. Stop by the winery to see bud break and watch how quickly the vines grow with our organic methods.

In the Winery: Join us on April 16-17 and May 21-22, 2005 for our Futures Sale and Barrel Tasting. In this annual winery tradition, we once again look forward to sharing the fruits of our labor. Each year wineries across America open their wine cellars so visitors can taste pre-released wines that will be bottled later in the year. Sample our Chardonnay, Viognier, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon then pre-order our 2004 varietals at a discounted price. The cost to attend this tasting is $20 and will include salmon, shrimp, cheeses, and filet mignon. Reservations are not needed. However, please contact the winery at 540-347-3475 for more information.

Our People

During the upcoming months, we will be welcoming several new members to our staff. This month, we'd like to introduce you to two people who will be soon be key to our operations. Like most of our staff members, Rick Tagg, is a “Master of Many Trades”. He has an impressive knowledge of horticulture as well as 20 years experience in the culinary/restaurant industry. His main responsibilities will include vineyard and grounds management.

Leta Brown brings a well-rounded background in event planning, culinary arts, and wine sales. She will oversee private tastings and wine dinners plus support wholesale accounts outside Northern Virginia. Please contact Leta to orchestrate your elegant, unusual, and romantic private tastings and wine dinners. We know you will appreciate her creative talents, gourmet cooking skills, and knowledge of fine wines.

Our Partners & Retailers

Partner: Quietly kinetic and infused with light, the objects in an Emily Zasada painting seem ready to participate in scenes just outside the canvas: wine glasses shimmer with anticipation and shadows seem almost ready to shift again with the passing of the sun.. Emily's original paintings, prints, note cards, coasters, and other items are available for purchase through Pearmund Cellars, other Virginia wineries, and her website. Emily will be stopping by Pearmund Cellars on April 30th if you would like her to sign one of your purchases.

Wine Store: Pearmund Cellars would like to thank the Town Duck in Warrenton, Virginia, for introducing Governor Warner to Pearmund Cellars fine wines. The Town Duck is a lovely gift, gourmet food, and wine shop operated by Annette Johnson. Virginia's Governor and National Trust for Historic Preservation's President Richard Moe stopped there on a tour of Main Street. They were in Old Town to honor the revitalization efforts of 18 Virginia towns, including Warrenton. The towns received Virginia Main Street Milestone Awards from the state Department of Housing and Community Development.

Restaurant: Also in Warrenton, Virginia, Molly's Irish Pub features traditional Irish and American food, a convivial atmosphere, friendly staff, and toe-tapping music. They are open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday starting at 11:30 a.m. and Monday through Thursday starting at 4:00 p.m. We heartily recommend Pearmund Cellars wines with Irish food and music! Slainte!

Inn: Less than a mile from Luray Caverns and ten minutes from Skyline Drive, the Goshen House is nestled on 2½ acres of 100 year old chestnut, maple and poplar trees. Established in 1805 as a tavern and way-station, this historic bed and breakfast is owned by Cheryl Benedict and Justin Hunsaker. Their hospitality extends to banquet customers, and their outdoor weddings couldn't be more beautiful. Don't forget to ask for Pearmund Cellars wines when you are planning your reception at this gracious bed and breakfast.

Our Industry

"For the first time since the 1970s, California red wines outsold white wines at supermarkets nationwide last year, a sign that American palates are becoming more sophisticated - or that publicity via health reports and Oscar-winning movies is paying off." For interesting statistics on wine consumption, see Erin Allday's April 6, 2005 article in The Press Democrat.

We appreciate your business and your feedback. What topics would you like to see covered in future newsletters?
Please send your comments to info@pearmundcellars.com, and please forward this newsletter to other wine aficionados.

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