Little Washington Vineyard’s Wine Training Courses permit everybody at each degree to get pleasure from meals and wine whereas studying about wine
I had heard nice issues concerning the weekend wine schooling lessons provided by Carl and Donna Henrickson, house owners of Little Washington Vineyard, and needed to test it out for myself.
We signed up for the Vintners Desk Studying Lunch the place Donna supplied a guided wine and meals pairing exploring tapas-sized meals that took us via entrees, a cheese course, desserts and chocolate delicacies (from their very own chocolate store). Every meals was paired with a distinct wine or port-style wine. We had been greater than full, and shocked by what did—and wouldn’t—pair effectively collectively.
One of the crucial precious take-aways was the Little Washington Vineyard’s Cheat Sheet. It lists the kind of wine, the primary flavors affiliate with it and the right meals pairings. Cling this in your kitchen and also you’ll by no means query which wine goes with what meals once more.
Play Alongside for Reductions!
To encourage repeat visits, you’ll obtain a Passport. Examine off wine schooling lessons you attend—do any 4 and get 1 class free! We additionally performed together with the Vino Trifecta Treasure Hunt. Go to their 3 tasting rooms (Little Washington Vineyard, Little Washington BreWinery, and Wine Loves Chocolate), get hold of a stamp or signature at every, and earn a Treasure Hunt Bag. Ours included a crystal Riedel Wine Glass, one ticket to a Foodie-U Wine Class, a stamp in your Foodie-U Passport (a $100+ worth!) and buy reductions.
Again to the Starting
Carl Henrickson defined how the thought for wine lessons obtained began. “Once we opened our vineyard in 2011, we puzzled why folks weren’t arriving till after 2 PM. We discovered they had been stopping at different wineries on the way in which right here. So we determined to ship out a advertising and marketing piece about our morning Wine Boot Camp. And yikes…1,700 folks signed up,” he exclaimed! “After we waded via these 1,700, folks requested us ‘What’s subsequent?’ So in 2012, Donna created Foodie-U.”
The wine faculty now provides round two dozen lessons that includes two main orientations: wine-centric and food-centric. “We provide severe info, however set the tone for a bit extra informal environment,” Carl continued. “When folks ask me ‘Is wine so severe?’ I reply, ‘No, it’s not severe. It’s only a beverage! Do you prefer it or not?’ That’s the underside line. In the event you do, purchase it and luxuriate in it. This makes the enjoyment of wine accessible to on a regular basis folks.”
Select an in-person class led by both Donna or Carl, their winemaker, sommeliers or visitor audio system, and luxuriate in a morning or afternoon with nice wine and nice folks. Others at our desk had been working their method via ALL the lessons!
Wine Training Courses
There’s a tantalizing array of programs to swimsuit each curiosity, with new ones showing now and again, pushed by buyer demand. However everybody ought to take Wine Boot Camp, the college’s signature course on wines that Carl calls “Wine 301.” It’s full of wine tastings, anecdotes and tidbits about wine that no one else tells you about. (Observe: In wine lessons like Boot Camp, you get to drink quite a lot of wine, so Carl encourages you to deliver alongside meals or buy a few of their pre-packaged objects on the market. (Be at liberty to get pleasure from it on the desk.)
Different lessons embrace Across the World in 80 Minutes, showcasing the best wine areas on this planet; Virginia Versus the World™ pitting Virginia wines towards worldwide rivals in a blind tasting; The World’s Iconic Masterpieces of Wine and their lengthy histories; and lessons that includes particular wine areas all over the world. Check your style buds in a tasting of Bordeaux-style wines in Guess the $100 Bordeaux and see for those who can guess the $100 bottle. In the event you do, you’ll be able to win your subsequent Stay Tasting free!
“One factor we consistently attempt to do is provide you with wine grapes and areas you’ve by no means heard of earlier than, like a Merlot Corvina mix—I’ll wager you’ve by no means heard of the Corvina grape!” Carl challenged.
FoodieU
FoodieU’s tag line, “Straight speak in plain English all about having fun with meals and wine,” about sums it up. The lessons are assured to make wine tasting enjoyable with their upscale meals that enable you be taught whilst you style.
Programs embrace Cheeseology, on find out how to pair six classes of wines and cheeses; Find out how to Pair Dessert & Wine, demonstrating find out how to get an ideal dessert and wine pairing each time; Anatomy of an Epic Nosh Board exploring the favored charcuterie board journey; and Triple Menace—Chocolate, Cheese & Wine among the many choices.
Beer Training Courses
You’re in luck for those who like beer as a result of the Little Washington faculty is providing beer lessons (they’ve a brewery too) together with Beer Boot Camp exploring the type variations and hottest tendencies of craft beer; Beer Cheeseology to find what pairs finest; Choco-Brew Problem; and Beer & Meals Pairing.
Different issues to do on the vineyard can embrace ordering a picnic for 2, taking part in disc golf, wine retreats, Saturday live shows, and attending particular occasions just like the annual Winestock competition in Might.
Signal Up in your Wine Training Courses
“We by no means have sufficient details about wine, however come since you get pleasure from wine,” Carl inspired. Courses are held normally twice a day on the weekends. View the listing of programs at littlewashingtonwinery.com/wineschool and join those that pique your curiosity. Warning: they promote out rapidly. Advance registration is required!
All pictures credit score: Linda Barrett
Little Washington Vineyard
at Skyline Winery
65 Clark Lane, Washington, VA
littlewashingtonwinery.com
Little Washington BreWinery
72 Christmas Tree Lane, Washington, VA
Wine Loves Chocolate
353 Fundamental Road, Washington, VA
