Staunton wine festival a unique winter event

The rows of grapevines hang bare on their arbors in fields turned brown. Parking lots are empty at many wineries who have shuttered for the season. The month of February doesn’t seem like the optimal time for wine tasting, but one event in downtown Staunton is beginning to change that. For the sixth year the Historic Staunton Foundation and the Stonewall Jackson Hotel will hold the Winter Wine Festival. Originally created as both a way to showcase local wineries and downtown Staunton the Festival the event has become a unique winter offering in the region.

“We were trying to create an event to hold during Staunton’s doldrums,” said Frank Strassler, Executive Director of the Historic Staunton Foundation. “In December everybody’s busy and out shopping, but in January and February things slow down.”

On a Saturday afternoon in February tasters come to the Stonewall Jackson to sample wine from a dozen different vineyards along with food from local shops.

“It’s not a typical time for a festival or celebration, but we’ve found that it is the perfect time of year,” Strassler added. “It’s become a hit. It’s developed a strong local following but also draws tasters from across the state and around the region.”

While some years have seen crowds as large as 900 people, Strassler said that the festival has found its “sweet spot” with an attendance of around 600. Last year, in the midst of a storm that dumped over a foot of snow on Staunton, the festival still drew over 400 participants.

According to Damon Strickland, General Manager at the Stonewall Jackson, the hotel offers a lodging package for those attending the festival, which have sold out.

This year’s wine selection includes local wineries Barren Ridge Vineyards, Hunt’s Vineyard and Bluestone Winery, along with others from around the region.

“The winter is a slow time for everyone, especially in retail,” said John Higgs, owner of Barren Ridge Vineyards in Fishersville, which has held tastings at the festival for four of the past five years. “Shenandoah Valley wines are unique and their reputation is growing every year. The festival has become a good way of highlighting Valley wines and to bring people to downtown Staunton.”

Staunton’s Winter Wine Festival is one of about a dozen events that Barren Ridge attends every year, but according to Higgs the event is much different than the others on his calendar which are usually held outside during the warmer months.

“It’s a festival in an urban environment, so we encourage people to go out, have lunch or dinner and shop,” Strassler said. “It’s a unique event in that it doesn’t take people away from downtown, but it draws them in.”

In addition to the food offered by the hotel’s on-site restaurant, local vendors Staunton Olive Oil Company and Cocoa Mill Chocolatier will also be on hand.

The Historic Staunton Foundation uses the event as their annual fundraiser, with the money raised going to support the organization’s preservation programs.

If You Go

What The 2016 Staunton Winter Wine Festival

When 12 p.m. until 6 p.m. Feb. 20

Where Stonewall Jackson Hotel and Conference Center, 24 South Market St., Staunton

Tickets $20 in advance/$25 at door

More information http://historicstaunton.org/hsf-events/winter-wine-festival/