National Drink Wine Day is February 18 each year. That designation should only serve to remind everyone to enjoy some wine – every day! There are 22 wineries that are members of the Shenandoah Wine Trail and all of them are within an easy drive of Steeles Tavern Manor B&B and Alpine Hideaway Cottages. Wine trends in 2019 will play well into the offerings available in the Shenandoah Valley.
There was a time when drinking wine was somewhat intimidating. The “right” vintage, varietal, and producer paired with only certain food was the rule of the day. Wine drinking trends for 2019 indicate that Americans will be drinking wine because they just like the taste of it. Wineries in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia produce some great tasting wine and are open year round so you can taste and purchase any time of the year.
There has been a rise in “enotourism” – trips planned just to visit wine regions and tour the wineries. The Shenandoah Valley provides a perfect area for enotourism as this trend continues to rise. Check out all the wineries up and down the valley – all well within an easy drive from Steeles Tavern Manor B&B! February – a most romantic month – is the perfect time to think “Wine Getaway”. The wine will warm you inside; Our cozy rooms complete with fireplaces will warm you from the outside. And the wines are even good for you – lowering risks of heart disease, lowering blood pressure, and evening your cholesterol levels.
Another trend in wine consumption is toward lighter, fresher wines. This means the harvests are a bit earlier and the wine is less “oaky” tasting. The wine becomes more “food friendly” and makes it more of an integral part of a meal. Our wineries offer some wonderful light wines for enjoying with any lunch or dinner.
It will come as no surprise that wine drinkers are looking for a good value! The Shenandoah Valley offers some delicious wines at great prices. In fact, Rockbridge Vineyard, the closest winery to our B&B, offers a special buy-one-get-one tasting for anyone visiting from Steeles Tavern Manor B&B! And if you are attending one of the events at Rockbridge Vineyard, call us get a special deal at our B&B!
To find a great value wine, there are some tactics you can use including know your vintner and broaden your horizons! Because we enjoy wine so much, we have become very familiar with many of the wineries close to us. We already mentioned Rockbridge Vineyard, located just five minutes from our B&B. The Lexington Valley Vineyard is family owned and operated and located only 30 minutes from the B&B. Barren Ridge Vineyards is another local winery where you can really broaden your horizons! Check out the entertainment or show off your talent at Open Mic nights at this tranquil place.
The Staunton Winter Wine festival will be held at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel on Saturday, February 23, from noon to 5pm. When you stay with us that weekend, mention WINE, & receive a bottle of local VA wine. By doing that you will be meeting many of the trends of wine drinking for the year including finding a great value, expanding your horizons, finding some new lighter, fresher wines, and participating in enotourism!
Make your reservation with us now for a great wine getaway to the Shenandoah Valley, VA.
