The Omni Homestead Resort, long recognized for its culinary traditions, is celebrating the best Virginia wines in its inaugural Epicurean Classic, presented by Wine & Country Life. Ten of the Commonwealth’s finest wineries will be highlighted during the November 11-12 weekend through a series of ticketed dining events and master’s classes.

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FRIDAY

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The weekend begins with an exclusive tasting of the 2022 Virginia Governor’s Cup Case, along with Virginia cheeses and charcuterie.

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Friday evening, Executive Chef Todd Owen of The Homestead, Executive Chef Tim Moore of Early Mountain Vineyards, Executive Chef Ian Rynecki of Pippin Hill Farm and Vineyards and Executive Chef Andy Shipman of Veritas Vineyards and Winery prepare a course for a one-of-a-kind Virginia Chef’s Dinner.

 

Ten wineries will host tables and pour their own wines during the meal, including Afton Mountain Vineyards, Blenheim Vineyards, DuCard Vineyards, Early Mountain, Horton Vineyards, Michael Shaps Wineworks, Pippin Hill, Rockbridge Winery, Veritas, and Williamsburg Winery.

 

Throughout the evening, guests will have the opportunity to bid on an array of wine and travel packages in a silent auction to benefit Bath County’s Christmas Mother program.

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SATURDAY

Four master’s classes begin the second day of this oenophile’s dream weekend.

 

Session One: Renowned wine experts Bruce Zoecklein and Todd Kliman, author of The Wild Vine: A Forgotten Grape and the Untold Story of American Wine, present the history of the Norton grape—also known as Virginia’s grape—and lead a tasting of the four finalists of first-ever Homestead Norton Cup Challenge.

 

Session Two: Patrick Duffeler, Sr., founder of Williamsburg Winery, offers an insider’s look at the art and science of 40 years of Virginia winemaking.

 

Additional sessions will feature Chef Owen sharing his tips, tricks, and favorite recipes for creating memorable holiday menus, and the resort’s pastry team demonstrating how to make decadent holiday desserts.

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The weekend concludes with a grand Taste of Virginia on Saturday afternoon as some of Virginia’s top culinarians prepare tapas-style cuisine to accompany wine tastings from 10 of the state’s vineyards. The acoustic duo Scuffletown, regulars on the Virginia winery music scene, perform.

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Fred Reno, host of the Fine Wine Confidential podcast, says “The caliber of participants, from the winemakers and chefs to the speakers and Norton Cup Challenge judges, is first class, and a rare opportunity for Virginia wine aficionados to experience so much in one weekend, and The Homestead is the perfect setting.”

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For more information, or to purchase tickets, click here. 

Read more about the Omni Homestead Resort's monthly Virginia Wine Experience.