Vines of Virginia

10/10/2025

Reposted from IG • Today, I dropped by winery, not far from my home, a place I've visited many times during my time blogging for . Since creating foodandwinechronicles.com, I've returned on a few occasions. Each visit has been consistently enjoyable, with the winery's atmosphere, wines, and vibe always as expected. Although the patio was a bit chilly, many guests continued to enjoy the views.

I don't have many opportunities to enjoy Vermentino, but I thought this 2023 bottle from New Kent Winery was tasty, especially when paired with the charcuterie they offer. The one disappointment, if I can complain about anything, is that they don't offer their Rosé for sale or tasting unless you are a club member.

If you're ever in the area, be sure to stop by and check them out.

07/31/2025

Who doesn't love a skewer? He is a nice, quick read and a unique veggie combination.

My summer skewers are always a popular choice for outdoor gatherings, picnics, or a relaxing evening dinner with family.

04/24/2025

Reposted from 🍷✨ A taste of Tuscany in Virginia? Yes, please.

Nestled between Monticello and Montpelier, Barboursville Vineyards offers more than award-winning wines — it delivers a full-on epicurean escape. At Palladio Restaurant, Executive Chef Michael Clough crafts Italian-inspired dishes like beef carpaccio with Ligurian black truffles or squid ink chitarra with lobster — all perfectly paired by legendary winemaker Luca Paschina.

Planning your visit? Don’t skip Library 1821 for lunch — where wine flights meet trattoria-style fare like housemade vegetarian lasagna with root veggies or local beef sliders dripping with caramelized onions. 🍝🍷

This isn’t just a winery — it’s a destination for food and wine lovers alike.

Read about more wineries with exceptional cuisine in our feature Beyond the Bottle (link in bio).

📷

04/02/2025

https://favchef.com/2025/pamela-4

02/28/2025

Hey, friends 🧡

Have you ever visited ? If the answer is no, well, me neither, until now. Stay tuned for the down-low 👍 👎

12/28/2024

Seriously, no words are needed! 🥂 🎶 sound on
Reposted from

05/08/2024

Another trip to Richmond, VA, looking for our new home.

This salad - just added to the menu - is super delicious 😋. Each time we stay, we visit this restaurant (inside the hotel), and the service and food are impeccable. I can't always say the same for the hotel, but we like to give hotels more than one opportunity to clean up their act. We really love the Marriott chain, but we will try a different hotel for the next stay. Sometimes, the misses are a bit much.

03/29/2024

Another fantastic recipe for those who love to cook — Shrimp and Grits! Seriously, who doesn't love creamy, cheesy grits covered in rich brown gravy and succulent shrimp? This is the type of comfort meal I can eat any time of the day. The old fashioned white grits I use are absolutely delicious.

These aren't just any grits; they are a product from the Hamilton Corner Store, as in Anthony Hamilton. If you are unfamiliar with him, Anthony Hamilton is an R&B singer, songwriter, and record producer who grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina. One of Hamilton's favorite foods is grits, and it is said that "he can throw down in the kitchen."

I obtained this signed bag of grits while attending a wine and food festival. It was an honor to meet Hamilton and chat with him for a bit. At first, I was a bit starstruck, but he turned out to be very friendly and down-to-earth. The grits can be obtained, along with other pantry items, online; for more information, visit

Here is my personal recipe. Tag me when you post your plated pics!

Grits-
1 cup Hamilton Grits
1 cup Heavy Cream
2 cups Water
2 tablespoons Butter
3/4 cup Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Add ingredients (except cheese) to a large pot over medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent lumps, until grits are creamy; remove from heat and stir in cheese to combine.
Gravy-
1/2 Red Bell Pepper (diced)
3 Slices Thick Cut Bacon (diced and fried to crisp, reserving fat)
1 Garlic Clove (minced)
1/3 Yellow Onion (diced)
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 Scallions (chopped)
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 cup stock (any type is acceptable)
1 teaspoon Hot Sauce (optional)
Using half the fat, heat the pan over medium heat, add onion and pepper, and cook to soften. Add garlic and the white part of the scallions and cook until fragrant. Add the remaining ingredients and cook to reduce by half.
Shrimp-
1 1/2 pounds Large Shrimp
Salt, Pepper, and Cajun Seasoning to taste
1/2 Medium Lemon.
Season shrimp, sear in pan using remaining bacon fat until pink, and squeeze on the lemon juice.

Plate the components using Cilantro or Parsley and Scallion to garnish.

03/20/2024

Hey Friends,

NOW HIRING | Rosemont Vineyard & Farms is looking to hire an Assistant Vineyard Manager that would assist our current Vineyard Manager in the field, as well as, support our Winemaker in winemaking duties as needed. They would be expected to grow and excel in their job with the goal of replacing our Vineyard Manager in 2-3 years. Compensation is competitive and is based on level of knowledge and experience. No previous vineyard experience is required, but a minimum of two years of experience with farming/farm management is.

If you are interested, please contact Aubrey Rose at 434-636-9463 or at [email protected].

Please click the link in bio to learn more about this position.

11/16/2023

Have you tried the Repour Wine Saver?

Wine oxidation is a chemical process that occurs when wine is exposed to too much air, altering its taste and causing unpleasant flavors. This often results in undrunk bottles of wine being discarded or used for cooking. To prevent this from happening, various products, such as sprays and vacuum pumps, have been developed over the years. One such product is the Repour Wine Saver. According to Repour, their product removes all oxygen from a bottle, preserving its freshness.

If you're a wine lover, you know the importance of preserving your wine once opened. I recently tested the Repour Wine Saver to see if it could live up to its claims. Before I dive into my review of the product, let me share some important information provided by Repour about their innovative wine preservation solution.

Repour is designed for a standard 750 ml bottle of wine under the assumption of 5 pours and around its ability to absorb the oxygen from
1500 ml of air:

1 glass gone = 150 ml
2 glass gone = 300 ml
3 glass gone = 450 ml
4 glass gone = 600 ml
5 glass gone = empty
-----------------------------------
Total = 1500 ml of air

There's a special packet inside the stopper, and material in the packet reacts with oxygen until there is NO oxygen left.

*One Repour keeps a 750 ml bottle fresh for up to 2 months.
*You can use the same Repour multiple times on the same bottle and enjoy your wine until the bottle is empty.
*Replace the original closure (cork or screw cap) with a Repour and keep it with the bottle until it's empty.

I tried the product on two wines (red and white) and found it reasonably effective. The stoppers are super convenient and easy to use, and multiple stoppers come in the pack.

Repour Wine Savers is a perfect gift for any wine enthusiast. These savers are practical and thoughtful and make excellent stocking stuffers. That any would wine-lover could appreciate.

10/06/2023

I love learning about wine regions!

Vineyards are some of the most picturesque places for achieving amazing photos 📸. And when there are plump grapes 🍇 on the vines, it doesn't get any better than that. But there's so much more to growing quality wine grapes than what many realize.

Temecula wines are crafted by skilled and passionate winemakers who are serious about their craft.

Make no mistakes, Temecula Valley is producing some delicious juice, and it just might be the California region to keep your eye on. The wines are approachable with compelling prices, and the region offers a variety of unparalleled experiences.

If you haven't ever visited this region, I recommend you check it out; if you have, you already know about one of the best-kept secrets in California.
Photo was taken in the vineyards of .Posted •