News for September 2007

"If you pay attention to it, a good wine will always have something to tell you.
What exactly it says no one can ever completely understand, of course, and that is wine's charm and its mystery."

-- James Norwood Pratt, author of The Wine Bibber's Bible and The Tea Lover's Treasury

Our Tastings and Wine Dinners [more]


1st Anniversary of Our Sister Winery, FREE September 1st and 2nd, 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Winery at La Grange, Haymarket, VA Reservations (10+ Guests): 703-753-9360 or		Harvest Moon Dinner, $89, menu September 15th, 6:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Our Barrel Room Reservations: 540-347-3475 or Email

LFCC and NVCC Fundamentals of Grape Harvesting, $59 September 26th, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 a.m. Our Vineyard Reservations: 540-868-7021 or 703-450-2551		Taste of Virginia on the Blue Ridge WineWay, [details] September 28th-30th, 10:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Our Vineyard, Tasting & Barrel Rooms Reservations (for 10+ Guests): 540-347-3475

Taste of Culpeper, $10 advance, $15 door, $5 driver October 14, 12:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The Depot on Commerce Street, Culpeper, VA Reservations: 540-825-4416 or Email		Haunted Dinner, $89 October 20th, 6:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Winery at La Grange, Haymarket, VA Reservations: 703-753-9360 or

Our Products

Our 2005 Viognier, Petit Verdot, and Ameritage Reserve wines recently won silver medals at the 2007 International wine competition, which included 3,800 wines from 17 countries. This very competitive event, hosted by the Indiana State Fair, is now the largest international wine competition in the United States. To see which wine won the most 2007 medals and taste all our award-wining wines, bring your family and friends to enjoy a relaxing autumn afternoon in our tasting room and vineyard. Remember that children and small pets are always welcome, and our valley's foliage will be spectacular. Bring your picnic, try our gourmet snacks, or call (540) 347-3475 to plan a private, catered tasting tour for 10 or more guests.

Kyle Edgell Caricature of Sue at Pearmund Cellars

Of course, you may also want to taste our wines at our upcoming tastings and wine dinners. Of particular note, is the Taste of Virginia on the Blue Ridge Wine Way on September 28th to 30th. That weekend, we will be launching our new reserve tasting experience. You will be able to enjoy four of our best, limited - production, vintage wines for $8. Periodically, throughout the long weekend, guests may sample freshly pressed juice or newly made wine to celebrate the potential of our 2007 harvest. In addition, Pearmund Cellars will feature several local artists on the weekend, including our favorite label artist, Linda Hendrickson, and caricaturist Kyle Edgell (Saturday only). Click on the graphic to see the favorite wine of our most-friendly staff member. Come enjoy wine, art, and the art of wine!

Our Process

In the Vineyard: Last month, we reported that Pearmund Cellars' hives produced 20 pounds of clover/ wildflower honey. Beekeeper Karla Eisen extracted this honey by placing a fume board, sprayed with a smelly substance that bees do not like, on top of the honey super, the extra box where surplus honey is stored. After the smell chased the bees out, she quickly "robbed” the box from the bees. Karla then removed the white wax capping each honeycomb cell and spun the frames in the extractor shown. She briefly returned the wet and sticky box to the bees to clean with incredible efficiency, then stored the box away for next season. The bees will continue to make honey, as each hive needs up to 60 pounds to get through the winter until Spring’s blooms begin the process all over again. To learn more and meet Regional Bee inspector Bob Wellemeyer, join the Prince William-Stafford Beekeeping Association at their September 11th meeting.

Winemaker Decisions at Pearmund Cellars

Between Vineyard and Winery: It's almost time to start winemaking again. Every day for the next two months, Chris Pearmund and his winegrowers are evaluating the aroma, color, taste, and mouthfeel of grapes. They are also watching for expected temperature and precipitation levels. In addition, they must decide which varietals will be ready in which order so that they can be processed with existing equipment and staff. It's a complex process that requires a great memory, a large spreadsheet, extensive phone calling, and a huge amount of patience, not to mention mountains of time cleaning and testing equipment.

Our People

Some of our customers have mentioned trying Wine Lover Meet. Appealing to wine fanatics from newbies to connoisseurs, this social networking site states that "wine lovers usually tend to be among the most classy and sophisticated individuals within our society." We agree with that sentiment, and invite you to bring your dates to Pearmund Cellars, whether or not you try their networking service. Of course, you may want to utilize their instant message capability, blogs, guestbooks, photo rating, glossary of wine terms, wine forums, information about wine events, wine etiquette, wine facts, quotes from famous people about wine, wine education, articles, wine news, etc. Married couples may also like these services to expand their wine dating knowledge.

Political Spin of Noah S. "Soggy" Sweat, Jr.

Political Spin of Noah S. "Soggy" Sweat, Jr.

Other customers have started paying attention to the expanding political spin and have passed along this commentary on wine:

"If you mean the demon drink that poisons the mind, pollutes the body, desecrates family life, and inflames sinners, then I'm against it. But if you mean the elixir of Christmas cheer, the shield against winter chill, the taxable potion that puts needed funds into public coffers to comfort little crippled children, then I'm for it! This is my position, and I will neither compromise nor flip-flop!"

Of course, the original quote by Noah S. "Soggy" Sweat, Jr. was longer and talked about whiskey, but the doublespeak holds true for wine.

Our Partners & Retailers

Capture Your Celebration at Pearmund Cellars

Partner: Educated in fine art at Syracuse University, Kyle Edgell worked as a free lance artist, art director, and creative director for various design firms and marketing companies. Now, she custom adapts the art of caricature according to her clients needs - whether to boost their image and presence at a tradeshow, provide fun-filled entertainment at a team-building marketing event, or simply to just spread laughter at a celebration or festival. She has booked engagements in over 30 states and now resides in Roanoke Virginia, where she shares a studio with her pastel portrait artist husband, Steven Mickle. Check out Kyle's carticatures of Pearmund Cellars staff members.

Pearmund Cellars Wines Sold at Wine Gourmet

Wine Store: Recenty relocated to Roanoke, Virginia, the Wine Gourmet believe in old-fashioned hospitality, yet offers over 5000 different wines due to their strong connections to wine importers and distributors. They are the only retail wine shop on the East Coast with a team of Certified Specialists of Wine leading wine classes. Of course, they also offer a monthly wine club, microbrewed and foreign beers, domestic and European cheese, gift baskets and certificates, plus a newsletter. Purchase your favorite Virginia wine at their new location.

Restaurant: The Iron Bridge Wine Company of Colmbia, MD, and Warrenton, VA, are places where you can enjoy great wines, wonderful food, and lively conversation in a friendly, cozy atmosphere. Offering great value, friendly attentive service, and a relaxing place to unwind, owners Rob and Steve Wecker hope you will come back time and again with all your friends. Their staff gives 110% every day, promising they will never stop trying to be their best. Ask about the gourmet food they offer to complement your favorite Pearmund Cellars varietal.

Inn: Once owned by George Washington and more recently known as 1763, the Blackthorne Inn is located in Virginia’s famed Hunt Country, at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains and historic Ashby Gap. Shane and Elizabeth O'Connor offer the perfect setting for your wedding, private party, group getaway, or corporate retreat. The surrounding scenic beauty attracts visitors year-round, and its many activities include: fox hunting, trail rides, steeplechase races, polo matches, hiking, fishing, rafting, canoeing, vineyard tours, antique shops, and Civil War battlefields. Choose Pearmund Cellars wines to complement your stay at George's house.

Our Industry

We would like to send a huge thank you to all of you for making Pearmund Cellars the winner of the 2007 People’s Choice Poll! Since the wine festival is on September 15th and 16th, we haven't yet received their "really big plaque" for our tasting room, but we can still brag about the loyalty of our customers! Please bring your friends, colleagues, and relatives to share our hospitality and tell us how we can make your Pearmund Cellars experience even better. More sales? More special programs? More tours? Just let us know.

In Travel and Leisure's July 2007 issue, Bruce Schoenfeld toasted Virginia as one of the top five up-and-coming worldwide destinations for wine-related tourism along with locations in Italy, Spain, Chile, and New Zealand. This international recognition is due to the many efforts of Virginia's vineyards, wineries, tour groups, and tourism centers, but even more to all of you for spreading the word about great Virginia wines!

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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