Wine Tasting at the heart of the Monticello Wine Trail

It all started with some cheese and crackers and some wine one friday night. One of our trainers invited us to his home for dinner. With no destination set for the weekend, he took us wine tasting in the area.

 

 

 Not known to the general public, Virginia also produces wine. Thomas Jefferson tried to grow them in the 1800s but failed. He would have been pleased to know that there are now over a hundred vineyards and wineries in Virginia.

 

Our first stop was the family owned King Family Vineyards. The vineyard has a stunning ground and backdrop. It seems to be  a popular choice for people as the place was packed when we visited. There was a Polo game going on while we were there. That made the experience more exciting even though we had to content ourselves by watching it from a distance. We were not sure if the event was exclusive or not. It was a first time for all of us to go on a wine tasting tour. The first wine on the list was Viognier (vee-ohn-yay), a white wine. The taste was subtle and became my favorite.  Even though, I liked their Rosé, I learned that I was not a great fan of red wines.  Good: Great setting. Polo games. Bad: Expensive bottles. Crowded in some days.

 

 

 

 

By the time we arrived at our second winery for the day, we already had this funny look plastered on our flushed faces. Just like the first winery, Pollak Vineyards also has a great landscape. It almost felt like being in Italy. Here, I confirmed to myself that red wines and I are not best buddies.  To temper its strong taste, I nibbled my way to all their crackers. I was not alone in this endeavor, I learned later. Their Durant White - a white wine, however, ranked high at the top of my list. Good: Private.  Cheaper bottles than Kings. Fancy interiors. Great outdoors. Bad: Had to share crackers with my co-trainees after my bowl was emptied fast. lol

 

  

   

 

As if two wineries and a bad hangover were not enough. One of my co-trainees and I headed to another winery the weekend after. This time with some of her relatives visiting from Virginia Beach. Jefferson Vineyards, in comparison with the two other wineries we previously visited, had a bit of a rustic feel. Their crowd drawer, however, was that apart from the wine tasting they provide a tour of their grounds complete with a guide who explains the basic rudiments of wine making. Good: Friendly. The sommelier who served us even allowed us to share the wine from our glasses to our non-paying companions. Free tours. Bad: Wine tasting area is smaller in comparison. Not much picturesque landscape.

 

 

  

 

All wineries have a $5 tasting fee with an average of 10 different kinds of wines on their list. All let their guests take home the wine glasses used during the tasting. Coming from someone who is not a wine drinker and a cheap skate at that, it was dollars well spent. Lesson learned: laughter, fun, and wine all make a great combination. Cheers!

 

 

King Family Vineyards
6550 Roseland Farm
Crozet, Virginia 22932

Pollak Vineyards
330 Newtown Road
Greenwood, VA 22943

Jefferson Vineyards
1353 Thomas Jefferson Parkway
Charlottesville, VA 22902

 

 

Note: I purposely left out any review about the wines for the reason that I have no expert knowledge about them enough to make an objective assessment. :)

 

Photo Wednesday: Firsts

 

 

What do you do when you have less than 24 hours to spare in a city with countless gambling halls?

Due to a series of unfortunate events (read here), I was left with less than 24 hours to spend in Kansas City, MO. Fortunately, I didn't have to spend it just sleeping in our hotel room. 

After my parents and brother picked me up from the airport, we proceeded directly to Ameristar Casino and Hotel to eat dinner. I'm usually not the best companion to bring in buffets (read: I eat like a bird), but after spending almost 12 hours in airports and airplanes, I was famished. Then we tried the slot machines. It was my first time to set foot in a casino. I was surprised the security people didn't ask for my I.D. (read: I have baby face). Anyway, after spending a few dollars, we called it a night (or day). Surprisingly, I wasn't that exhausted that I was able to snap a picture of the Kansas City Skyline before dozing off and as soon as I woke up the morning after. See pictures, here.

Spending time with my parents for the first time out of the country... it was bliss. Even for just 19 hours.

 

(Photo: Ameristar, Kansas City, Missouri, 2009)

As a guest blogger to Onetravel

I received a comment from a representative of onetravel blog last thursday, which goes like this:

Hey,

I work with the onetravel travel blog and we’re interested in having you guest blog for us on our travel blog.
Please contact me if you’re interested.

Thanks,
Aldo

________________________________________________________________________

After a few email exchange, here is my entry to their travel blog. Cheers! =)

A Beachy Day at Virginia Beach

After a full day at Washington D.C. or a thrilling ride at Busch Gardens, head to the beach and stay the night at one of the many oceanfront hotels at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.

 

 

It is a favorite venue for tournaments ranging from surfing to beach volleyball and soccer tournaments. It is always buzzing with activities and people. Great for the beachy individuals and people watchers alike.

 

 

Traditional and fast food restaurants, ice cream parlors, and popcorn stands can be found along the mile long boardwalk. Enjoy the sun, the sand, and the grass while watching free concerts at the Neptune Park. 

  

 

For someone who comes  from a tropical country where beautiful white sand beaches are aplenty, it would be a bit disappointing. A comparison might be hard to resist, but consider its positive side too. There are a ton of activities happening at the oceanfront to keep everyone happy. Just enjoy the tasty popcorn and the cool breeze while gorgeous half naked men and women (not half naked!) pass you by.

 

 

 

Photo Wednesday: Think of him …

 

on Monday, May 10, Election Day.

 

 

While walking the streets of Binondo, we saw a baby sleeping soundlessly inside a shopping basket oblivious to his surroundings, while a man was standing over him withdrawing money from an ATM. It is an ironic and sad scene. Something to think about before Election day comes.

 

 

 

(Photo: Binondo, 2010)