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Wine Column 2026

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THE WINE DOWN

WHAT’S DELISH AT LOCAL WINERIES?

53RD WINERY AND VINEYARD

A note from Winegrower and Owner, Dave Drillock I’m back….but in a hurry.  The vineyards are about to start blooming; ready, set go!   Our 2023 Two Springs was awarded a gold medal and chosen as one of the winning wines for the Governors case at the Virginia Governors Cup competition.  Congratulations to our winemaker Chelsey Blevins! It also received a gold medal from the San Francisco Wine Competition and 91 pts by JamesSuckling.com.  This is a cabernet franc dominate blend characterized as dark fruited and spicy with a lovely floral and herbal undertone on the nose. Being young, the palate is tightly wound with fine boned tannins and bright acidity. Focused and energetic, its carries notes of dark cherry and plum.  Simply put, this is a wellmade wine crafted with real heart and soul.  It can be enjoyed now and will keep rewarding those with patience to let it age gracefully.  Just like me, LOL.

We invite you to visit our serene, meadow-like location in rural Louisa County. We pride ourselves on being genuine and approachable, eager to share our passion for wine without any scripted lines or memorized facts, just a warm and welcome atmosphere. We are a Winery that just wants to be a Winery!

May events

Saturday, May 9th: Grazing with Style, A Rose and Mother’s Day Celebration!

DUCARD VINEYARDS

2023 Triskele

A welcoming bouquet and wellstructured palate highlight this premium red wine blend with notes of sweet spices, herbal scents, dark fruit, with lingering tannins on the finish. This exquisite wine is made only in the best growing seasons. We recommend decanting Triskele for 30-60 minutes before serving in order to fully reveal its outstanding character and complexity.

We are open 7 days a week throughout the month of April with live music every weekend. Visit our website and our social media pages for the most up to date listings of our upcoming live music and events!

Saturdays & Sundays - Live music every Saturday and Sunday in March from 2-5 pm. Come to DuCard for the afternoon with family and friends and enjoy a variety of live music (no cover). Bring a picnic or select some local fare from our lite noshing menu to pair with our awardwinning wine for a fun afternoon in our amazing mountain setting.

Gather everyone in one place and start the weekend together with a relaxed food and wine experience. Join us on Saturday, May 9th at 11:30 AM for a graze table perfectly paired with our rosés. Your $39 ticket (plus tax) includes: A wine flight featuring our 2025 Gentle Press Rosé, 2025 Quintessential Rosé and 2025 Barrel Aged Rosé. Advance Ticket Purchase Required

Food Truck: Food for Functions Catering

Live Music: Vintage Silk 1-4pm Saturday, May 16th: Wine Club Appreciation Day

Food Truck: Salty Bottom Blue Oysters

Live Music: David Kulund 1-4pm

For more details, please check our website at www.53rdwinery.com or call us at 540-894-1536. Cheers!

Open 7 days a week, 11 am – 5 pm 13372 Shannon Hill Rd Louisa, VA 23093 (540) 894-5474 • 53rdwinery.com

Open daily Mon-Thurs. 12-5 pm Fri. 12-9 pm Sat/Sun. 12-6 pm

40 Gibson Hollow Ln Etlan, VA 22719 (540) 923-4206 www.ducardvineyards.com

EARLY MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS

The best of Virginia wine calls for food that reflects the same quality and sense of place. Quality drives everything we do - from our worldclass wines to our restaurant, led by Executive Chef Tim Moore, formerly of The Inn at Little Washington.

Chef Tim’s artful, ingredientdriven approach shines through our prix fixe and à la carte menus, expertly paired with exceptional wines. From elevated tastings to seasonal offerings, every visit offers something new. This spring, we invite you to stay a little longer with extended hours every Friday.

Tasting Room Hours

Thursday - Monday: 11:00 am - 5:30 pm Fridays: 11:00 am - 8:30 pm

Closed Tuesday and Wednesday

Spring Events & Experiences

Friday Evening Extended Hours

Beginning April 10

Ease into the weekend with seasonal dishes or a bottle of wine on the patio as the sun sets.

Mother’s Day at Early Mountain

May 7–11, 2026

Treat Mom to quality time and exceptional wine. Our special Mother’s Day Prix Fixe menu is available all weekend with extended Sunday hours. Hyper-seasonal dishes, beautiful wines, and spring views from our blooming vineyard patio.

Reservations recommended.

Winemaker Dinner: Early Mountain × Crimson Lane

May 9 | 6:30 PM

Join winemakers Maya Hood - White and Dominick Fioresi as they share the vineyards, vintages, and decisions behind each bottle. Chef Tim Moore presents a five-course menu thoughtfully paired with the wines. Expect seasonal dishes, carefully curated pours, and an intimate setting.

Aromas of Wine & Perfume Experience

Sunday, May 17th | 1:00pm4:00pm

Begin with an introduction to perfume composition from our partner, the distinguished custom fragrance house B Parfums. Craft a personalized 20mL signature scent using the world’s most exceptional aromatic materials. Then, explore five wines with Sommelier Peggy Kearns Dean, each paired with seasonal culinary bites. Discover the connection between wine and perfume through this immersive sensory experience.

For reservations and upcoming events, visit earlymountain.com.

6109 Wolftown-Hood Rd, Madison, VA 22727 (540) 948-9005 www.earlymountain.com

EASTWOOD FARM AND WINERY

SPARKLING BLANC DE BLANCS & VIRGINIA OYSTERS

Celebrate the spring season with a glass of our sparkling brut Blanc de Blancs and oysters on Friday nights! Salty Bottom Blue will be here every Friday night this spring serving their delicious raw and grilled oysters, which pair beautifully with a glass of our gold medal Sparkling Blanc de Blancs. Delicious to enjoy on its own, with Salty Bottom Blue oysters, a toasty seasonal flatbread or warm crab dip, or with one of your other favorite menu items. Let us pop the cork on a bottle for you!

Upcoming at the Winery:

Virginia Oyster & Wine Celebration | Every Friday

Starting April 1

Enjoy our Virginia Oyster & Wine Celebration every Friday night this Spring! The oysters are prepared by Salty Bottom Blue. Enjoy them in a relaxed, fun atmosphere with live music from 5-8pm on the stage in our tasting room.

Wine Slushies are Back!

Cheers to the beautiful weather with a refreshing wine slushie:)

Music Bingo May 31st 2-4PM (open 12-5PM)

Everyone loves singing along with their favorite songs and who doesn’t love a competitive game of Bingo? Music Bingo brings together the best of both worlds for a high energy game that is fun for everyone. Simply listen to the music, match the songs to the titles on your music bingo cards, and win great prizes!

Mother’s Day Market Sunday, May 10th (open 12-5PM)

Celebrate Mother’s Day at Eastwood on Sunday, May 10th. We’re hosting our annual Mother’s Day Market from 12-5PM along with Live Music by Vicky Lee from 1-4PM and a Make-Your-Own Flower Bouquet Popup from 123PM. Delicious wine and food will be available all day with options for the whole family.  In addition to our lunch and dinner menus, we are also bringing in several food trucks to add to the fun.  We hope you can join us!

Graduation Weekend | May 15th, 16th and 17th (now taking reservations)

Reserve space with your family and friends on the Veranda or at the Tent to celebrate! Enjoy our dinner and lunch menu all day, pre order items for your group to share from our Catering Menu, or bring your own picnic to the Tent. Choose from our selection of award winning wines, beers, ciders and non alcoholic beverages throughout your reservation. We are open from 12-8pm Friday and Saturday, and 12-5pm on Sunday.

Memorial Day Weekend | Thursday, May 21 - Monday, May 25

Memorial Day is a time of reflection, gratitude, and gathering. Join us all weekend for Live Music & Special Events. And, ask at the bar about our Pay It Forward beverage program to honor our veterans.

MUSIC AT EASTWOOD!

Join us for the popular Eastwood After Dark featuring upbeat, danceable music on Saturday nights from 5-8pm (in addition to our

more mellow Saturday afternoon music program). Eastwood also hosts a range of live performances by talented local and regional musicians every Friday night (and Sundays!). See the Winery Calendar on our website for details.

Every Friday (open 12-8 PM): Live Music 5-8PM

Shrimp Boil 4:30-7:30 through March

Virginia Oyster & Wine Celebration, every Friday beginning April 1st 5-8PM

Every Saturday (open 12-8 PM): Live Music 12:30-3:30PM + Eastwood After Dark with Live Music 5-8PM

Every Sunday (open 12-5 PM): Live Music or Music Bingo (See the Winery Calendar on our website for details.)

Also Open Monday through Wednesday 12-5 PM and Thursday 12-8PM

What about the kids?

Kids can share in the experience with their own juice tasting flights and cheese boards!

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!

Winery Hours: Sunday-Wednesday (12-5 PM); Thursday-Saturday (12-8 PM)

We look forward to welcoming you to our tasting room, seven days a week. Join us for award-winning wines, beer, and cider, as well as a delicious lunch/dinner menu. Escape to Virginia Wine Country, only five miles from Downtown Charlottesville. Open year-round, seven days a week.

Pet friendly and large groups are welcome. Ample indoor and outdoor seating.

Rt 20 near the intersection with Avon Extended (5 mi from Downtown Mall) Charlottesville, VA 22902 (434) 264-6727

www.eastwoodfarmandwinery.com

HARDWARE HILLS VINEYARD

Traminette

Back on the shelf! We are excited to bring back this single varietal by demand. A beautiful estate grown favorite! Remarkably floral aromatics with suggestions of roses and lavender. Aged in stainless with well-balanced offering tones of apricot, ripe stone fruit and sweet herbs. Very limited release, so get yours today.

Our social media is worth taking a look! Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube... fun wine humor here.

EVENTS:

May 2nd – 1 - 5pm, Open Mic Day: Calling musicians and music fans! Open mic day is your chance to shine and sing along!

May 7th - 6:30 – 8:30 pm, Country Music Line Dancing: Pull your boots on and come kick up your heels with us at the Hills! Line dancing lessons from 6:30 - 7:30 and open dance floor 7 - 8:30.

May 10th – 11 am – 2 pm, Mother’s Day Buffet Brunch: Treat mom to a relaxing and beautiful vineyard-side brunch!

Fridays - LIVE MUSIC, check out our site for each week’s lineup!

Hours - We will be open during our regular winter hours

5199 W River Rd, Scottsville, VA  434.286.4710 • www.hardwarehills.com

Wine Club Where every pour feels personal and every visit feels like home. Ask us how to fall in love with Keswick wine all year long!

1575 Keswick Winery Drive Keswick, Virginia 22947

Tasting Room: (434) 244-3341 ext 105 tastingroom@keswickvineyards.com www.keswickvineyards.com

PRINCE MICHEL VINEYARDS

Nestled in the heart of Virginia Wine Country and proudly womanowned, Prince Michel blends tradition with a modern, welcoming atmosphere that invites you to slow down, sip deeply, and enjoy the season of love.

This month, we’re featuring our Rapidan River Chocolate Red, a smooth, velvety blend crafted

KESWICK VINEYARDS

April at Keswick Vineyards!  Spring has arrived, and there’s no better place to enjoy the season than at Keswick Vineyards! April brings fresh vineyard views, longer days, and even more opportunities to sip, savor, and relax with friends and family.

Now Open 7 Days a Week (Starting April 1st)

We’re excited to welcome you all week long as we return to our full schedule for the season! Please note we will be closed on Easter Sunday.

Live Music Every Saturday: 12 4 PM

Let the music set the mood while you sip and soak in the moment. Join Virginia’s Most Rewarding

schedule a tour or guided tasting. She may be reached at gabrielle@ eastwoodfarmandwinery.com

Large Party Reservations

Interested in making a large party reservation for your group? Reach out to mary@eastwoodfarmandwinery. com to book.

VIRGINIA WINE COLLECTIVE

Expanded Hours, Wine, Beer and Pizza

for cozy nights and romantic celebrations. Made from 43% Chambourcin, 18% Merlot, and 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, this irresistibly satisfying wine layers dark berry fruit with rich cocoa warmth for a truly decadent experience. Enjoy it slightly chilled, over ice, or as a luxurious afterdinner treat—it’s the perfect companion for chocolate desserts, fireside evenings, or special celebrations.

Beyond the bottle, Prince Michel offers more than just great wine. From tastings and scenic views to delicious bites and craft beer at Tap 29 Brew Pub, every visit is designed to feel special!

Fall in love with Rapidan River Chocolate Red all February long— and make this month one worth savoring.

Live Music every Friday–Sunday (lineup on our website)

Join us at Eastwood Farm and Winery’s new production facility and downtown bar and lounge featuring a pizza shop menu, beer on tap, and winemaker wine flights.

The  Collective is now open every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 5-10PM with revamped loft and shuffleboard.

Upcoming at the Collective: Winemaker Karaoke | Wednesdays, April 29th from 7-9PM (bar and dining room still open to the public)

Join us up in the loft at the Collective every other Wednesday evening.  No cover required.

Production Tours and Guided Tastings

We look forward to welcoming guests to the Virginia Wine Collective for tours and guided tastings. Please email our Wine Collective Coordinator, Gabrielle Thomas, if you would like to

About the Collective Eastwood designed the Virginia Wine Collective to include nine winemaker suites and an incubator alongside the main production area. The suites provide a space where independent winemakers can anchor a license and make their wines. The Collective has been designed to reduce the costs associated with independent winemaking, and thereby support further innovation and talent in the Monticello AVA.

Over 21 Policy

You must be over 21 to visit the bar, lounge and dining room at the Collective.

Current Winery Hours  Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays 5-10PM

1585 Avon Street Extended Charlottesville, VA 22902 (434) 264-6727

https://eastwoodfarmandwinery.com/ virginia-wine-collective/

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