News for December 2005

"Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance."

-- Benjamin Franklin

Our Tastings and Wine Dinners


Holiday Open House, $ 2 or 8 (see below)
Weekend, Dec. 10 - 11, 2005 - 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Our Festive Barrel Room
Questions: 540-347-3475 or Email



Holiday Classics Dinner, $85 + tax & tip, menu
Saturday, Dec. 17, 2005 - 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Our Festive Barrel Room
Reservations: 540-347-3475 or Email



American Heritage Tasting, $5
February 17th - 19th, 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Our Barrel Room
Reservations (10+ Guests):  540-347-3475 or Email


Our Products

Happy Holidays From Pearmund Cellars!  During the Blue Ridge WineWay Deck the Halls Celebration, which runs until December 24, wine lovers can get an ornament at each of the 12 winery stops along the 80-mile trail. At Pearmund Cellars, our Tasting and Barrel Rooms reflect the peace and joy of this festive season: the freshness of green boughs and grape lights, the camaraderie of family and friends, the spirit of excitement in finding the perfect gift, and the love of fine wine and gourmet foods. We hope that you can stop by the winery this month to experience this peace and joy plus pick up your ornament. We are featuring many recently released or pre-released wines on the following days:
  • Holiday Open House:  On December 10th and 11th, bring your children to visit with Santa while you taste our newly released wines for a tasting fee of $2. Or, participate in a special Premium Wine and Food Pairing experience featuring our newly released 2004 Vin de Sol and a selection of award-winning wines for a tasting fee of $8.
  • Holiday Classics Dinner:  On December 17th, join us for a winemaker’s dinner featuring holiday classics of regional American fare with a modern twist and several of our newly released wines. 
We are also hosting Private Tastings in our Barrel Room. To arrange holiday treats for your family, friends, or colleagues, please contact our Private Tastings Planner at tastings@pearmundcellars.com or 540-347-3475.

This holiday season, remember to celebrate Virginia. Share Virginia-made products with your friends and family ― choose from local cheeses, chocolates, nuts, custom jewelry, paintings, and more. And, if you are ready to take a break from shopping at crowded malls, why not relax with a glass of wine and finish your holiday shopping at the same time? We suggest trying our 2004 Vin de Sol, made in the tradition of an Old World Spanish Sherry. It’s a non-fortified aperitif with flavors of roasted nuts, apricots, and butterscotch  ― just perfect for cool nights and warm hearts.


Our Process

In the Vineyard:  Most of the leaves have fallen from the vines as they prepare to go dormant for the winter.  Next year, we will prune these vines to prepare them for new growth. Now, we are just waiting for our grass to stop growing so we can put our lawn mower away for the winter.

In the Winery:  Old Man Winter may be on his way, but even he is welcome at Pearmund Cellars. Our Tasting Room will continue to be OPEN DAILY from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., serving as a shining beacon of merriment and warmth during bleaker weather. Note that the winery will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day so that we may celebrate with our families. On other days, our driveway will be plowed, and our staff will be ready to greet you with a variety of fine wines and tasty morsels.


Our People

This time of year always serves as a reminder to us of the many things for which we are thankful.  As 2005 draws to a close, the Pearmund Family celebrates the gift of a bountiful harvest (the best ever!) throughout the Commonwealth.  Our gratitude for the dedication of our volunteers, staff, and vineyard helpers, without whom our success would be impossible, is difficult to express in words. Speaking of success, the support we receive from our patrons on a daily basis is a confirmation of the quality of our product. It is received as heartfelt encouragement to persevere on those “less than perfect” days.  In return for the gifts we have received over the past year, Pearmund Cellars offers you and yours our wish for Good Health, Peace, and Joy in the coming New Year.


Our Partners & Retailers

Partner:  Founded on the belief that "getting there is half the fun," the Touring Company offers an exciting alternative for your tour, event, and general transportation needs. From Virginia wine tours to holiday shopping in New York City - and everywhere in between - they will get you there and back in style. Special subject experts accompany many tours, and 24-passenger, state-of-the-art buses provide comforting amenities like adjustable seating, DVD systems, restrooms, and handicap accessibility. Contact the Touring Company when you want to take your closest friends or colleagues to visit Pearmund Cellars and other Virginia wineries.

Wine Store:  Ye Olde Dominion Wine Shoppe in Historic Occoquan, Virginia, offers customers the rare opportunity to choose local wines from nearly 50 Virginia wineries. The shop carries products from lesser-known Virginia wineries such as White Hall, Rockbridge, Stone Mountain, and Gabriele Rausse, as well as the more widely distributed products from Barboursville, Chateau Morrisette, Breaux, Pearmund Cellars, and Horton. There are usually wines open for sampling daily and gourmet treats are located throughout the shop, including exotic jellies, gourmet crackers, nuts and cheeses.

Restaurant:  The Stonewall Golf Club features casual dining in an elegant setting at their Brass Cannon Restaurant. Accented by an elegant bar and cozy fireplace lounge, the restaurant offers magnificent views of Lake Manassas and their challenging golf course. The Executive Chef creates casual cuisine of exceptional flair and flavor,  both impressing the palate and pleasing the eye. Many of his classic American dishes and daily specials may be complemented by a glass of Pearmund Cellars wine.

Inn:  Just 30 minutes from I-495, the Inn at Vint Hill is a full-service special events facility in a newly-renovated 1860 manor house. Its panoramic view of the Blue Ridge mountains, beautifully landscaped grounds, and multiple entertainment rooms are a perfect location for large celebrations, powerful corporate meetings, and unforgettable food. Ask for Pearmund Cellars wine in the Union Jack Pub or when planning your private party.


Our Industry

The recently-created Center for Wine Origins wants to educate Americans about the importance of vineyard / winery locations and to gain greater protection for important winemaking areas. The Center has launched a three-year "location matters" campaign, including consumer education initiatives, a national advertising campaign, and a series of tastings across the United States. The campaign is financed by the European Union, the Comite Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC), the Instituto dos Vinos do Douro e Porto (IVDP), and Fedejerez (representing Sherry producers).  The Center's website includes tips on choosing, serving, and pairing popular wines, such as Champagne and Port ― two regions who are the Center's founding members. There is also a "Wine Guru" page to answer questions sent by readers.

Of course, Virginians know that many fine wines are produced and sold locally. The Cultivated Life: Thomas Jefferson and Wine was nationally distributed by PBS earlier this year. The documentary explores Thomas Jefferson’s lifelong passion for fine wine. It focuses on his trials and tribulations in introducing European vines and wine culture to the United States. A portion of the film discusses Virginia’s burgeoning wine industry and how Jefferson’s dream has come true in his native state. For more information, please visit the film's website or contact Sam Santarelli at 703-548-0685.



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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