Traditional Vineyard Celebration Honors History of Virginia Wine

The wineries of the Vintage Piedmont will gather at Barrel Oak Winery on January 26th, 2014 to honor the 251st Anniversary of the Royal Lord Governor Francis Fauquier's original certification of wine grape cultivation in the Virginia Colony in 1763. A procession of the wineries through the vineyard led by the Knights of the Vine will be followed by a blessing of the vines and a wine paired roast pig feast.

Delaplane, Virginia (PRWEB) January 17, 2014

2014 marks the 251st anniversary of Royal Lord Governor Francis Fauquier’s certification of the successful cultivation of wine grapes in the Virginia Colony. Inspired by Saint Vincent Tournante, a tradition of Burgundy, the Francis Fauquier Tournante began in 2013, to honor Lord Fauquier's vision, and today's similar fraternal community of wineries known as the Vintage Piedmont in Virginia’s wine-growing northern Piedmont region. The member wineries support each other throughout the year with a variety of cooperative and co-promotional activities, and the Tournante event is a ceremonial recognition this cooperation’s continuation into the coming vintage.

The five flags bearing the coat-of-arms of each Vintage Piedmont winery (Barrel Oak Winery, Desert Rose Winery, Naked Mountain Winery, Philip Carter Winery, and Rappahannock Cellars) process in ceremony through the dormant vineyard, lead by the Knights of the Vine. The ceremonial procession is followed by a blessing of the vines which is administered by a member of clergy, Pastor Kim Ciftci, and rooted deep in the history of winemaking. Sustaining the medieval theme, the procession and ceremony are concluded in a grand roast pig feast paired with celebratory wines from the participating vineyards.

The Francis Fauquier Tournante is one of the key events of winter in Fauquier County. Each year, a different winery plays host to the event, giving deeper meaning and solidarity to the Tournante, and the act of processing through the vines.

The procession is open to the public. Reservations are required for the pig roast, seating is limited. $60.00 per person.

Date: January 26, 2014
Time: 2:30p-5p
Cost: $60pp
Location: Barrel Oak Winery, 3623 Grove Lane, Delaplane, Va 20144

Additional Resources:

Info, Tickets, Reservations: http://conta.cc/1aD31wH

Vintage Piedmont Website: http://bit.ly/KjJp6j

Lord Francis Fauquier: http://bit.ly/1dtqxgB

Barrel Oak Winery: http://www.barreloak.com