1 A look back. Matt Fitzsimmons' round-up, The 2022 Virginia Wine Year in Review, looks at winery openings/closings and trends that are impacting the industry.
2 Tickets now on sale for the 2023 Virginia Wine Governor's Cup Gala at Main Street Station in Richmond on February 23. This is only the second time it's been open to the public. It's a great night - maybe we'll see you there? Tickets here.
3 Lasagnapalooza. Naked Mountain Winery's lasagna lunches are back! And it doesn't stop there: lasagna dinners are now on the menu, too. Lunches by reservation Sat/Sun/Holiday Mondays. Dinners Saturday only. Through March. Northern Virginia.
4 Dry January-ing? Try Revalation Vineyards' Nina Mocktail, made with their non-alcoholic verjus. In the tasting room. Limited time. Verjus is also available by the bottle. Madison County, Central VA.
5 The Rivers Casino in Portsmouth opens January 15 with a 400,000 square foot casino featuring seven restaurants, a 4-Star Hotel, a 3,000-seat event venue, and movie theater. When you've won your fortune at blackjack, head out for a wine/cider day trip across the incredible 17-mile Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Check out Chatham Vineyards, then circle back to Cape Charles (cutest town in the Eastern hemisphere) for Buskey Hard Cider. (This tiny enclave also has a brewery with some tasty vittles and an upscale distillery tasting room.)
6 The Omni Homestead Resort’s iconic Warm Springs Pools in Bath County have reopened following a 14-month, $4 million rehabilitation. Fed by four natural warm springs, rich in mineral content, the 19th century bathhouses have been the soaking spot for travelers for centuries. The stone basin of the Gentlemen’s Bathhouse was constructed in 1761, making it the oldest spa structure in the country. Nearby, Troddenvale Cider hosts drop-in tastings every Saturday, 1-5, in winter months.
See all the Stuff We Love here.