By: Jennifer McNinch
Capital Cooking Contributor
The enormous success of the inaugural Oyster Festival at Early Mountain Vineyards in beautiful Madison,
VA, should alert everyone within a 100-mile radius to plan ahead to attend next
year. However, that should not prevent
you from planning a visit (or several) between now and next Spring because the
vineyard, staff and offerings are top notch!
The tasting room is more like a
lounge with several comfy couches, some set in front of a massive double-sided
fireplace, seating areas with tables and chairs, and window-seat benches to
enjoy the view of the lovely grounds.
Inside the private event hall, VIP guests were invited to participate
in the studio audience recording of FOODIE and the Beast,
the Greater DC Area’s only food and wine variety show. The show airs live on 1500AM every Sunday and
is hosted by David and Nycci Nellis. After
the show, tables were set up so that the feasting could begin.
Just outside the event hall, Eastern
Shore oysters and clams were being roasted, steamed, or shucked fresh. If you went with the roasted, you got to
shuck them yourself, which wasn’t as hard as it sounds since they were already
cooked and easily opened.
To round out the meal, chowder, collard greens, coleslaw, grits and
cornbread were in ample supply.
In line with Early Mountain’s goal to champion and celebrate the best
Virginia has to offer (a virtual Virginia wine tour under one roof), the
festival teamed up with one of their “Best of Virginia” partners, Chatham Vineyards. We were treated to two complimentary glasses
of 2010 Church Creek Steel Chardonnay which paired perfectly with the meal.
With the guests elbow deep in shucking and slurping all the oysters and
clams one could want, it was time for the band to start playing since, what’s a
festival without music?!? Virginia-local
band, Chamomile and Whiskey
filled the event hall with the perfect mix of folk, funk and rock. They did a great cover of “Folsom Prison
Blues” by Johnny Cash.
With our bellies full but our thirst not quite quenched, we headed back
to the Tasting Room to enjoy a flight tasting and to take in the other
amenities. The choice of tasting flights
gave us the chance to taste the wines from Early Mountain as well as some other
vineyards. I selected the “Red Berry
Pickings” from Early Mountain Vineyards, Barboursville Vineyards, Breaux Vineyards,
and Granite Heights Winery which was delivered to my table by one of the very
helpful staff with an ingenious wrought-iron wine glass carrier. Be sure to come hungry because the food
available for purchase includes the standard cheese and charcuterie, but also
offers panini, “sammiches,” small plates and sweets.
No matter what the weather Early Mountain Vineyard is a great place to
visit. They offer several fire pits and
outdoor fireplaces to relax and hang out with friends and the Tasting Room has
enough flat screen TVs to ensure that your favorite sporting events won’t be
missed. In fact, the setting is perfect
for any occasion; according to my fabulous hosts, Dave Kostelnik, General
Manager, and Jade Floyd, Senior Communications Manager, they have over 40
weddings planned for 2013 alone!
So, bring your friends
and bring your dogs
and support Virginia wines!
For more information on visiting Early Mountain Vineyards visit www.earlymountain.com. They are open 11-5pm every day except Tuesday when they are closed, and Fridays when they stay open until 8pm.
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