News for April 2009

"By making this wine vine known to the public, I have rendered my country as great a service
as if I had enabled it to pay back the national debt."

-- Thomas Jefferson

Our Tastings and Wine Dinners [more]

Local Artists Showcase, Free April 11th, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Our Vineyard Questions: 540-347-3475		Classic Car Shows, FREE April 11th & May 2nd, Noon - 4:00 p.m. Winery at La Grange, Haymarket, VA Questions: 703-753-9360

Closed Easter Sunday, April 12th Please order your wine in advance. Try Kristin's lamb stew with our Cabernet Franc or Mary Anne's veal and mushrooms with our Malbec.		Habitat for Humanity's Taste of Virginia Wine, $20 April 18th, Noon. - 5:00 p.m. Fauquier Fairgrounds, Warrenton, VA Tickets:

Orient Express Wine Dinner, $89 + tax & tip, menu April 18th, 6:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Our Barrel Room Reservations: 540-347-3475		Barrel Tastings & Futures Sales, $25 April 18th, 19th, 25th & 26th, 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Our Tasting Room Questions: 540-347-3475

Classic Movie with Picnic, $35 or $60 April 24th & May 8th, 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Winery at La Grange, Haymarket, VA Reservations: 703-753-9360		Cigar and Wine Tasting, $75, menu April 25th, 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Winery at La Grange, Haymarket, VA Reservations: 703-753-9360

Slow Food Vast Wine Pairing and Auction, $75 April 25th, 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Winery at La Grange, Haymarket, VA Tickets: 540-636-8035, or Online		Warrenton Wine and Arts Festival, $20 in Advance April 25th & 26th, Noon - 5:00 p.m. Saint John the Evangelist School, Warrenton, VA Tickets: 540-347-2922, or Online

Old Town Warrenton's 250th Anniversary May 1st, 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Main Street, Old Town Warrenton, VA Questions: 540-341-0988		Relay for Life's Team Jen Shopping Day, Donations May 2nd, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Our Vineyard Questions:

Our Products

Thomas Jefferson Wine Dinner at Pearmund Cellars Vineyard Winery

As Thomas Jefferson suggests, our service to our country is growing the best grapes, making the finest wines, and offering the most enjoyable winery experience that Virginia has to offer. With the number of new testimonials we received last month, it appears we are succeeding. We always appreciate your feedback, and we ask your help to promote Virginia wine by taking a bottle along on your vacation and sharing it with family, friends, and colleagues. To make this easier, we now have bubble-wrap wine sealers to protect your wine as you travel. We are also offering our Spring Fling Trio, comprised of a bottle each of 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, 2006 Chardonnay, and 2006 Merlot, for $50.

We invite you, our most important critics, to rate your winery experience as you enjoy our early spring activities:

Local Artists Showcase: On April 11th, local artists Donna Clawson, Diana Cercy, Cecily Corcoran, Linda Hendrickson, Glenn Howell (see Our Partners below), Meg MacKenzie, and Mary Moon will be working around the winery and within the vines. Local artisans Valley Green Naturals will also be showing their products. Now is your chance to ask about their craft, tell them how much you appreciate their creativity, and purchase their beautiful work.
Classic Car Shows: Purchase a glass of fine wine to drink while enjoying the April 11th Old Dominion Corvette Club car show and the May 2nd VA/MD Viper Club of America car show at our sister winery. Last year, there were over 70 cars on display so you may need two glasses of wine.
Habitat for Humanity's Taste of Virginia Wine: Fauquier Habitat for Humanity works with community churches, businesses, volunteers and families to eliminate the blight of poverty housing. Join Habitat volunteers at the Fauquier Fairgrounds for a Taste of Virginia Wine to benefit those who need a hand up, not a hand out. Crafters and food vendors will also be participating so bring your family and friends to enjoy a beautiful afternoon on April 18th.
Orient Express Wine Dinner: Train lovers and those who love the romance of travel will appreciate the continental cuisine we sample and the leisurely discussions we share on April 18th. To receive dinner information in advance of our newsletter, join our mailing list and check the VIP Club button.
Barrel Tastings & Futures Sales: On April 18th, 19th, 25th, and 26th, enjoy pre-release samplings of our 2008 vintage wines paired with hors d’oeuvres and gourmet cheeses, discussions with the winemakers responsible for our fine vintages, and the opportunity to purchase cases of these future wines at discounted pricing. For more savings, visit the Winery at La Grange for their barrel tastings on April 4th and 5th.
Classic Movie with Picnic: On April 24th and May 8th, reserve a picnic basket at our sister winery and enjoy with a classic movie with your best friend. Priced with two glasses and one bottle of their classic wine, their $35 basket includes cheese and crackers and their $60 basket includes an array of gourmet food. Call 703-753-9360 for movie reviews and reservations for this adults-only picnic. The movie for April 24th will be Bottleshock.
Cigar and Wine Tasting: At our sister winery's first annual cigar and wine tasting on April 25th, guests will enjoy live music, a comprehensive wine tasting, a cigar-friendly menu, and five complimentary cigars. The Davidoff, Camacho, Torano, CAO, and Altadis cigar representatives will offer special pricing on their products, and La Grange will offer a 20% discount on all their wines!
Slow Food Vast Wine Pairing and Auction: Stamp your “passport” as you travel to Virginia, California, France, and Mediterranean-themed rooms and sample exceptional wines paired with local, sustainable, artisanal food at our sister winery. Bid on an array of exemplary wines, exhilarating getaways, and exquisite gifts at silent and live auctions for the benefit of the Montessori Children’s Center. Reserve your April 25th tickets, see the auction items, or make a donation via the event website.
Warrenton Wine and Arts Festival: Spend April 25th and 26th at Saint John the Evangelist enjoying Virginia's best wineries, artists, authors, musicians, and antique vendors. Shop for that special treasure and listen to local musicians at the Warrenton Wine and Arts Festival. Pearmund Cellars and Winery at La Grange will be sharing a booth. Since our wines will be offered and organ music will be playing, you may feel like you are in heaven!
Old Town Warrenton's 250th Anniversary: Everyone loves a parade, but Old Town Warrenton's celebration of its 250 years also has shopping, music, artists, wine, and dinner specials! May 1st is your chance to share local history with your family and friends. Watch for our float in the morning's parade and join our wine tasting in the evening.
Relay for Life's Team Jen Shopping Day: Jen McCage lost her battle with cancer on March 12th. On May 2nd, help us honor her memory and keep others from losing their fight. When you purchase their products at the winery, Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, and other local businesses will donate a portion of their sale profits towards Team Jen in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. The relay represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day cancer will be eliminated.

Our Process

In the Vineyard: As we await bud break, we have been enjoying the birds and bees flying around the vineyard. There are eight houses on our bluebird trail, and many lookers trying to select their new homes. We left meal worm feeder to tempt them into staying. Home #4 has been claimed by Tara and Toni Tree Swallow. We also have a bald eagle flying around the vineyard, but he lives in our barn.

We just learned that one of our luxurious bee villas has two laying queens! This mother-daughter setup is an anomaly of nature so eventually the colony will kill the older or less productive queen. Like the Highlander, there can (normally) be only one. However, it is clear that bees thrive in our vineyard. We have the just right amount of sunshine, nectar, and pollen flow. Maybe that's why our vines are so healthy too!

Seasonal Specials at Pearmund Cellars

In the Winery: By the end of April, our 2007 Viognier will be gone. If you have not saved any and would like to purchase one more bottle to compare with our 2008 Viognier, stop by the winery soon. Of course, we now have our 2008 Riesling available so you may want a bottle of that varietal too. D.J. is also working on an interesting new wine: his 2007 Sweet Verdot will be ready for summer sipping. Stop by during the week and ask him for a taste.

Our People

Pearmund Cellars General Manager: Shelly Nasworthy

The next time you are at the winery, ask to meet Shelly Nasworthy, our new General Manager. She previously managed a chain of athletic clubs so she really understands how to enhance our top priority: customer satisfaction. In addition, she will be tracking revenues, expenses, and quality levels; coordinating special projects like facility repairs, equipment ordering, and staff development; and forging strategic relationships with regional partners in the food and wine industry. In her spare time, Shelly will be a hostess for group wine tastings, wine dinners, and winery management discussions. Of course, she always has time to hear your concerns and suggestions on how we can improve your winery experience.

Celebrate Warrenton's 250th Anniversary with Pearmund Cellars

As you can see from the smile on Shelly's picture, she enjoys people and likes to have fun. She knows that everyone loves a parade so she wants to invite you to help Pearmund Cellars plan and build a float for Old Town Warrenton's celebration of its 250 years. This is your chance to let your creativity go wild as you celebrate local history! Call 540-347-3475 if you are interested. Of course, that means you will want to put the May 1st celebration on your calendar too.

Our Partners & Retailers

VA Vineyard Partner: G. O. Howell Fine Art

Click Photo to View Detail

Partner: Glenn Howell creates art to communicate his sense of wonder. His photography embodies light and time, capturing fleeting images of the beauty in God's creation. Glenn's work has been exhibited in the Billy Graham Center Museum, Vanderbilt University Art Library, Three Rivers Arts Festival, Butler Institute of American Art, and, locally, at the Caulfield Gallery and Pearmund Cellars. He is available to create artistic portraits, photograph special events, teach the art of photography, lecture to community groups, exhibit artwork, judge shows, lead field trips, mentor art students, or just be a friend. His Diminishing Niche III, show at left, won Best in Show at the Meadowlark Nature Photography Expo.

Wine Store: Clifton Wine Cellars focuses on providing the best wine buys without sacrificing quality. In addition, they take special orders for wines they don’t carry, often providing the wines within 48 business hours. The store also carries a great selection of homemade pastas, sausages, artisanal cheeses, chocolates, peanuts, and other gourmet goodies. With weekly special and wine tastings, Clifton Cellars is a great place to purchase Virginia, national, and international wines.

Restaurant: Located in Madison, Virginia, on Route 29, the Bavarian Chef is renowned for its authentic German food, hearty portions, and warm hospitality. Classically trained both in Bavaria and under his 5-star chef father who started the restaurant in 1974, Chef Jerome Thalwitz uses classic family recipes to tempt your palate. Enjoy fine wine with your dinner, and remember to save room for dessert with our Late Harvest Vidal!

Inn: History and spectacular landscapes come together at Charlottesville, where Thomas Jefferson country meets Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. This is the setting for Keswick Hall, an impressive mansion with its own Arnold Palmer Signature 18-hole golf course and a luxurious spa. The estate is the perfect retreat to combine relaxation and pampering with fresh country air. The inn offers many special packages and a wide range of customized services including baby butlers, kids only programs, vinotherapy, couples massage, high tea, and five-course gourmet dining. This Orient Express Hotel is the perfect place to relax with a bottle of our Ameritage.

Our Industry

Pearmund Cellars would like to announce the impending birth of our brother winery! Soon to be cradled in the barn where World War II Enigma codes were being broken, the Vint Hill Craft Winery will be Virginia's first urban winery where you are the winemaker. A limited number of individuals, small groups, restaurants, or wine shops will be able to work alongside our expert winemaking team to craft a barrel of their own wine at this specially-designed, eco-friendly, small-lot winery. Customers will receive hands-on instruction in every aspect of the process, crafting their own personalized wine through small classes, forums, and personal instruction. To learn more about this process or purchase your first barrel, see the Vintner's Work Order.

We appreciate your business and your feedback. What topics would you like to see covered in future newsletters?
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