When Tish got the text from her BFF, I knew she couldn’t resist hanging out with her OLD friend. The Red Wing Roots Music Festival was being held in Mt. Solon, Va. I referred to it as The Burning Bra Festival!
Yes, I was being a smart ass but it sounded like fun! The price of the ticket was a steal and I encouraged her to go and enjoy herself! Good local music, camping under the stars and multiple adult beverages. This also meant I can enjoy something as well…eating as much meat as I can!!!!
If I’m left alone too long, I will loose focus and eat the tasty stuff that I know is bad for me. I usually tell coworkers good-bye when Tish leaves for an extend time. Once I start eating the flesh I do get the meat sweats. This is the only time I fix red meat for myself and if I’m going to eat it – I’m getting a good cut of meat.
As she flew around the house making sure she had all her needs for the weekend, I began to plan my menu for the evening. After Tish pulled away from the house I hopped into my car and drove to Crabill’s Meats and purchased a 1.5″ thick cut Delmonico.
The previous night, I made sun dried tomato risotto and this will pair well with the steak. After returning home from the butcher shop, I began preparing that evenings dinner. Instant espresso powder and ancho chili powder were blended together and then rubbed on the steak. I let the seasonings macerate into the flesh and air dried for several hours. In the meantime, a California Cabernet Sauvignon was opened and I took up real estate on my deck.
The view of Signal Knob from our deck is breathtaking and it was one of the selling points for Tish and I when we purchased the crib. After a glass or two, it was time to prepare dinner. A nice sear before I finished the steak in the oven. As I reheated the risotto, I pulled the steak from the oven and let it rest. It might have taken 15 minutes to prepare my meal but it only took a matter of minutes to devour.
Since my evening was open, I decided to watch a little baseball thanks to the Strasburg Express and the Valley Baseball League. I stopped at The Depot Lounge at The Hotel Strasburg and enjoy a glass of Fox Meadow’s ’10 Cabernet Franc. This is such a nice wine, and it shows how good the growing year was that season. After talking with a few friends it was time to get my baseball fix. A 11-3 beating from the Winchester Royals wasn’t an enjoyable outing. I headed home, sat out on the deck and sipped on a glass before calling it a night.
The felines started early begging for food. Sixx, our little orange tabby, likes to butt his head against my face. Yes…I get it! GET UP!
Coffee was made, fur balls were fed and I enjoyed my cup of Joe while the sun poked through the clouds. I began plotting my trip to Loudoun County to taste wine. I kept kicking around which one to visit first. Zephaniah Farm Vineyard was a must as I’ve been putting off a visit. Crush Cellars I considered but I would wait and
decide when I get to the No. Va.
I didn’t last long on I-66. By the time I reached the Linden exit, I was done with the madness of highway traffic and took Rt. 55 to Rt. 17. The side roads took me past one of my favorite spots to enjoy wine…RdV Vineyards. Maybe next year I will get the chance to revisit Rutger’s vineyards and sample his wines.
After driving through the large farms just east of Upperville, I spilled out onto Rt. 50 just a few miles outside of Middleburg. The tiny town of deep pockets was busy with travelers at pubs and eateries. As I traveled past a few of the other vineyards along the way, I remembered one I’ve been meaning to visit…Leaves of Grass Vineyards.
This place is only open on the weekends and on occasion will do tasting on Friday’s. I had never seen “the sign” out at the end of the driveway. On this cool July Saturday, “the sign” was out and I rolled in. The driveway was washed out from the weeks storms and it was a slow ride up the hill. The tasting room was an old stable and it has a nice modern look to it with the feel of an IKEA showroom. Nina began telling me about their wines and their focus at Leaves of Grass. This was only her third time at pouring wine for the customer…half glass pours were a bit generous. I sampled 4 wines: Cabrenet Sauvignon, Cabrenet Franc, Pinot Grigio & Chardonnay. I’m partial to big bold reds but the two whites were the stars at this stop.
On to the next one…
Now I have a plan, Zephaniah Farm Vineyard is up next. A 10 mile trip takes me to the Victorian stone house of Zephaniah’s tasting room. A large living room has been converted into a sit down tasting area. Since it was Saturday, I had to stand as the room was full of winos. A young man pours the first wine on the list, Chardonnay. It was light, with hints of oak and just enough buttery goodness. The Viognier was next, refreshing yet dry like most Virginia Viogniers. A gentleman greets me and introduces himself as “Bill”, he is the owner/winemaker. As we talked about this years crazy weather and how it has affected the growing season, he invites me to tour the grounds.
Walking through the canopy of vines we visit some of the older vines on the property and just to the west, are newer vines that were planted just over a year ago. After a visit to the vines, we headed to our last stop which is the barrel room. I needed to finish my initial tasting as I still needed to go through the list of reds.
The Cab Franc and Cambourcin Reserve were my favorites.
After two tastings, it was late in the afternoon and I still needed to have lunch. Quattro Goomba’s Winery was to the south about 5 miles and not only could I have a glass of wine but they have amazing pizza too.
A good crowd had gathered at the vineyard, plus a few bachelorette parties were there getting primed for a night out on the town. I got a glass of the Vino D Nonni which is a California red. Q.G. likes to showcase other wines from time to time.
I’m here for the pizza, since the owner developed his own Sicilian style pizza crust, three slices with the ground pepperoni is what I have been craving. A local musician was on the make-shift stage playing covers of Jason Mraz & the Dave Matthews Band. After getting my belly full of food it was time to head back to the Shenandoah Valley.
Route 50 took me back through Aldie, Middleburg, Upperville and across the mountain. I decided to turn off and travel through the White Post area. Along that narrow country road I got to see a first in the wild, a 6-point buck with the velvet still on its antlers. I tried to get a picture but he was a bit camera shy.
On a whim, I got off the interstate at the Middletown exit. I’ve been meaning to stop at Larrick’s Tavern which is part of The Wayside Inn. This quaint little bar is my last stop of the day. Even though they had a Starr Hill on tap, I’ve been on a wine kick and I’m not going to change now. I sat talking the barmaid and other waitstaff while enjoying a Pinot Grigio. I made my way home and quietly sat on the deck with a French Rose´ as the sun fell behind the mountain. This was a good day Tater!
Sunday morning was just like the previous two, felines parading around acting like they were starving. Either Tish’s phone had died or she wasn’t getting my messages. After a trip up to visit Momma & Pappy’s, I finally heard from Tish. A rough night or should I say rough two nights, this day will start just like the rest. Music started at noon and so did the beverages. When she decided to stay and listen to the last artist, I decided to head to one of my favorite spots…Glen Manor Vineyards.
Their Rose´ was on my mind and I snagged a bottle to enjoy. I met some interesting folks from No. Va. and we discussed bars, restaurants and favorite spots. I suggested to them to visit The PX Lounge in Alexandria and TNT Bar in Arlington.
It was closing time at the winery and I needed to head home and wait for Tish’s arrival.
As I reflected on my three days of bachelorhood, I know of one thing…
I sure do have fun!
crazynvirginia 