Toast To Summer At Virginia Wine Festivals

Virginia is a "Commonwealth of Wine" with more than 200 wineries that stretch across every region of the state, from the waters of the Chesapeake Bay to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Virginia is a wine destination unlike any other, with wineries surrounded by lavish scenery, breathtaking views, quaint small towns and monumental historic sites.

Named one of the top 10 wine travel destinations for 2012 by Wine Enthusiast magazine, Virginia is one of the only wine destinations in the country where visitors can kayak to a winery, enjoy bluegrass music while sipping local wines, sample regional wines at a National Park, or enjoy wine at a National Historic Landmark.

The state's annual wine festivals vary just as the wineries do, offering wine lovers the chance to savor the flavors of Virginia's vintages at events big and small. Below is a sampling of some of Virginia's annual wine festivals for summer 2012, with more found on www.Virginia.org/wine.

Summer Celebration Wine Festival Newport News, June 9, 2012
The late spring splendor of Lee Hall Mansion's beautiful grounds provide the setting for people to taste the finest vintages from Virginia's best wineries, combined with live music, exquisite food and unique craft vendors, making this one of the Peninsula's most popular events.

Southwest Virginia Wine Festival, Abingdon, June 16, 2012
This first-time festival at Heartwood pairs wine, mead and cider from the Artisan Trails of Southwest Virginia with music from The Crooked Road. Put on those dancing shoes and come out for music by Mountain Park Old Time Band. The festival features food and wine tastings from local vineyards and restaurants along with 'Round the Mountain artisan demonstrations.

8th Annual Manassas Wine and Jazz - Manassas, June 17, 2012
The 8th Annual Manassas Wine and Jazz is held on Father's Day at the Harris Pavilion located in the heart of historic Old Town Manassas. Featuring headline jazz artists, this event is an intimate and relaxing afternoon of tasting and purchasing wines from award-winning Virginia wine artisans.

4th Annual Kilmarnock Wine Festival Kilmarnock, June 23, 2012
Sample wines from eight vineyards on the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail: Athena Winery, Belle Mount, Good Luck Cellars, The Hague Winery, Ingleside, Oak Crest Winery, Potomac Point and new this year, Saude Creek. Music by Billy Batte from noon to 2 p.m. and Planet Full of Blues from 3 to 5 p.m.

4th Annual VA Summer Solstice Wine Festival Amherst, June 23-24, 2012
Celebrate the beginning of summer at the 2012 Virginia Summer Solstice Wine Festival on the grounds of Lazy Days Winery. The festival features award-winning regional wines, as well as locally grown foods and specialty products. There will be continuous activities throughout the weekend, including live music by area musicians, arts and crafts, antique cars and children's events.

Covington Cork and Pork Festival - Covington, June 29-30, 2012
The Covington Cork and Pork Festival is an outdoor festival featuring a Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned competition complete with a wine festival, music, food, street entertainment and family fun.

Keswick Vineyards Reds, Whites and Bluegrass Festival Keswick, July 4, 2012
This is a cool way to celebrate the Fourth of July near Charlottesville. Bring a picnic basket or enjoy Mr. Chip's Barbeque while sipping wines and listening to live bluegrass music performed by local band The Grass and Eclectic Company.

Anniversary Festival at Gray Ghost Winery - Amissville, July 7-8, 2012
Celebrate Gray Ghost's 18th Anniversary with wine tastings, vineyard and winery tours, live music by the Seth Kibel Jazz Trio, specialty craft vendors, a Civil War camp, silent auction of barrels and m