The second Saturday in November used to just be another day on the calendar, until Stony Point Fashion Park said, “You know what? We’re gonna throw a big dang party, and you’re gonna be able to drink at it.” This year marks the fourth time in four years they have had this idea. They love having this idea. And we love them for having this idea.
That’s right party people, the 2022 Beer, Wine, and Spirits festival at Stony Point Fashion Park, taking place this Saturday, November 12, will be the shopping center’s fourth annual foray into flavor and fun. With offerings from 17 local and regional purveyors of fire waters and fermentations, this cornucopia of the commonwealth is guaranteed to generate quite the buzz.
Imagine yourself in an airy brick courtyard, a fountain bubbling in the background as the early November breeze whispers into your ear. You’ve just bought a ticket to try as many samples of local distilleries, wineries, and breweries as good sense and bartenders allow. You feel the warmth of the noon sun and smile as you plot on the plate of fried rice you’re going to demolish at P.F. Chang’s later. It’s Saturday, and you’re going to nurse your innate curiosity and incoming buzz like they had to miss school.
That could be you this weekend. It kind of reads like it should be. Each brewery, winery, and distillery will be offering pours and samples appropriate for an event that starts at 11:00 a.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m. That’s six hours to try samples from nine distilleries, four breweries, and three wineries.
While the list of offerings from each is too long to mention, I decided to go to one of the wineries that will be in attendance to get a sneak peek at their samples for the event. I did this solely from a place of journalistic integrity and concern for the local economy, of course. I chose Elk Island Winery.
Elk Island Winery is a nearby winery located in Goochland, Virginia. It is a beautiful drive, a little under fifty minutes from downtown, named after an island in the James River near the quaint converted house that serves as their tasting room.
I purchased a couple flights to taste on the patio of the tasting house. The wines were all executed incredibly well. The Petite Verdot, which will be making an appearance this Saturday, had an inviting raisin note on the nose. It had a developed medium body with light tannins and a medium acidity that brought the palate to a refreshing raspberry resolve. Back by popular demand will be their Ginger Green Tea Sangria. It is a sangria made from their house pineapple wine, and this tasty sipper will prove to be a noteworthy sample.
My favorite wine was the Naked Norton, a wine made from a Norton grape. It was hands down one of the most interesting wines I have had in Virginia. Although it won’t be at the event, it was worth the mention, and its peppercorn nose and nearly savory tasting notes left Elk Island with me in bottles.
I had a great time there, but I was flying blind and spending money in a place that could have been a total bust. This Saturday at Stony Point Fashion Park you can put pins on your map of Virginia of places you do and do not want to go, making the $45 pre-sale and $55 day-of tickets a wise investment. Tickets are currently available at drinklocal.org.
Come see, smell, and taste what our Commonwealth has to offer this Saturday at Stony Point Fashion Park. And, as always, drink responsibly and tip your bartenders.
