Photos By NCL Mountain Photographer Paul Purpura : People celebrated the end to summer this past weekend at the annual Romp, Stomp & Chomp at Wintergreen Winery. Lucy would be envious!

Nelson County, Virginia
Though it’s not official until September 23rd, Labor Day Weekend signifies the end to summer for most. Packing up, winterizing, getting ready for colder days ahead. But not before enjoying a fantastic holiday weekend here in Nelson! People from near and far spent the extended weekend enjoying lots of activities. Our NCL Mountain Photographer extraordinaire, Paul Purpura, gallivanted all over Nelson to grab some shots of some of the things happening. Overall the weather cooperated for most of the weekend.

If you've never made the annual event at Wintergreen Winery, you should! It's a stomping good way to say farewell to carefree days of summer!

Over at Democracy Vineyards near Lovingston it was their 3rd annual Blessing of the Harvest complete with a full communion service.

Democracy is nearing completion of their new tasting room adding another fantastic winery / vineyard to Nelson!

Head up about 3500 feet and Wintergreen Performing Arts held their annual International Wine Festival at the Resort. In just a few days on September 24th, WPA will hold their annual Oktoberfest, a celebration of German culture and food.

60 wines were available from Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Chile and Argentina. Two Virginia wineries were also represented (Veritas and Pollak)

Also at Wintergreen Resort this past weekend people got the rare opportunity to ride the ski lifts on a summer day! It's a whole different feel on a beautiful warm afternoon. Won't be long before those slopes will be covered in snow!

In addition to the ski lift rides, there was plenty of other activities including arts and crafts, live music, movie nights, and a day at the lake.

Photo Courtesy of Sherri Brooks: Down the Blue Ridge Parkway from Wintergreen people in Montebello were out celebrating their annual Community Market Day including all sorts of crafts.

In addition to the crafts, lots and lots of great food!

See you next Labor Day, till then get ready to enjoy the beautiful fall colors heading our way in October!

Photos By NCL Mountain Photographer: Paul Purpura : BBQ Connections cooked up some yummy pork this past weekend at a Saturday pig roast over at Wintergreen Winery.

Beech Grove/Roseland
Nelson County, Virginia
It may have rained buckets last Saturday night, but the day was perfect for a pig roast over at Wintergreen Winery.

Jason Ring and Jacabone were on hand to provide fantastic music all day long!

And of course, the wine!

Photos By Paul Purpura: ©2011 www.nelsoncountylife.com : This group pauses for a funny photo this past Saturday (4.30.11) at Wintergreen Winery's 18th Anniversary Celebration. They held their bachelorette party the same day!

Nellysford/Beech Grove
Nelson County, VA
18 years ago Wintergreen Winery opened its doors for business in the Rockfish Valley just off of Route 664 on the way up to Wintergreen Resort. The current owners, Jeff and Tamara Stone took over the operation 12 years ago. So they got to celebrate their own dozen years under beautiful sunny skies this past Saturday.

Jeff Stone (far left) co-owner and winemaker at Wintergreen Winery chats it up with folks by the Rockfish River during their 18th anniversary celebration.

Lots of folks had a picnic during the 18th anniversary celebration at Wintergreen Winery.

Jim Waive and Jason Ring provided live entertainment at the 18th anniversary of Wintergreen Winery this past Saturday - 4.30.11

Celebrating 18 great years of reds and whites!

Congrats Jeff, Tam and the entire crew at Wintergreen Winery!

Cheers to Wintergreen Winery as they celebrate 18 wonderful years this Saturday April 30th! Come out and celebrate too!

Wintergreen/Beech Grove
Nelson County, Virginia
Saturday, April 30 · 12:00pm – 6:00pm
Toast the Wintergreen Winery’s 18th Anniversary (and Jeff & Tamara’s 12th as owners) with live music, wine and gourmet food tasting, and door prizes.

Light picnic fare and scenic riverside picnic area available. $5 Admission fee (children are free) includes wine glass, wine tasting and wine and gift shop specials. Rain or Shine. MUSIC by:

Jim Waive (country-blues-rock ) followed by Jason Ring, the “one-man blues, country, bluegrass band”.

Wintergreen Winery
462 Winery Lane – on Beech Grove Road (Rte 664) just 1/2 mile off 151
Nellysford, VA

See you there!!

Tables are set inside The Verandah at Wintergreen Winery for this weekend's A Wine and Tapas Evening from 6:30 to 9:30 PM - April 16th.

Wintergreen/Roseland
Nelson County, Virginia
A unique evening is planned at Wintergreen Winery this coming Saturday night – April 16, 2011 from 6:30 to 9:30 PM. A Wine and Tapas Evening. Tapas is the name of a wide variety of appetizers, or snacks, in Spanish cuisine. ” We wanted to expand into some unique different evenings in our new Verandah event facility. This was a perfect fit for the warmer days of spring and summer ahead,” said Jeff Stone, winemaker and co-owner of Wintergreen Winery along with his wife Tamara.

Here’s the info about the special upcoming night and there a few slots left if you want to head on over:

$45 per person
Tickets purchased in advance.
info@wintergreenwinery.com or call 434.361.2519
Catered by The Catering Outfit of Shebeen in Charlottesville

MENU for “A Wine and Tapas Evening”

~ Sweet Onion Biscuit, “Mill Hill Apple” Braised Pork Belly, Grated Aged Cheddar Paired with Mill Hill Apple Wine

~ Brioche Crouton, Triple Cream Brie, Chilled Asparagus Soup Paired with Viognier

~ Blackened Ahi Tuna, Tempura Shiitake Mushrooms, Mango Vinaigrette Paired with Raven’s Roost Cabernet Franc

~ Horseradish Crusted Salmon, Parmigiano-Reggiano Risotto, Beet Reduction Paired with Black Rock Chardonnay Reserve

~ Veal Saltimbocca Stuffed with Sage and Prosciutto, Madeira Mushroom Cream Sauce, Torn Pasta Paired with Brent’s Mountain Merlot

~ Chocolate Pot de Crème Paired with Raspberry Wine

This sounds yummy!

See you there!

©2011 www.nelsoncountylife.com : Photos By Tommy Stafford : Don Rhodes (left) owner of Wine Tours of Virginia, Jeff Stone (center) owner of Wintergreen Winery, and David Miller, of Stoney Creek talk about Thomas Nelson White during a wine tasting Wednesday afternoon at Blue Ridge Grocery's Grand Reopening.

Nellysford
Nelson County, Virginia
We’ve been telling you about the makeover underway at Blue Ridge Grocery in Nellysford. (IGA). For the past several months Jim Blackwell, formerly of Ukrpos has been consulting with the Nellysford grocery owners to bring things more in line with what customers want.

Jim Blackwell in our Mach 2010 issue of Nelson County Life Magazine on page 20, talking about the makeover at Blue Ridge Grocery.

One of the requests, local wine. This past Wednesday afternoon the store held several food and beverage demonstrations including a wine tasting from Wintergreen Winery. Don Rhodes, owner, Wine Tours of Virginia was on hand to give Jeff Stone, the owner of the winery a hand.

Wintergreen's Thomas Nelson White is just one of the local varieties of wine you will now find at Blue Ridge Grocery in Nellysford.

Blue Ridge Grocery on Facebook by clicking here.

Photos By Paul Purpura : ©2011 www.nelsoncountylife.com : People got the chance to try out favorite wines paired up with the perfect cheeses this past Saturday night (1.15.11) at Wintergreen Winery.

Roseland/Beech Grove
Nelson County, Virginia
The cold January nights signal a highly sought after annual event at Wintergreen Winery just south of Nellysford on the way up to Wintergreen Resort. The evening consisted of a guided presentation of artisanal cheeses paired with Wintergreen’s handcrafted wines.

The mid-winter event is always a very popular one to wine veterans and newcomers alike.

Missed this most recent pairing at Wintergreen Winery? Not to worry, there's another one coming up in March! Click the hyperlink below this picture to find out more.

Information on the March wine and cheese pairing at Wintergreen Winery.

See you there!

Photos By Tommy Stafford : ©2010 www.nelsolncountylife.com : Jacabone played their blend of Funk, New Orleans Groove, R&B & Blues at this past Friday night's luna-see held at The Verandah at Wintergreen Winery. Click any photo to enlarge.

Nellysford/Beech Grove
Nelson County, Virginia
It was a total night of luna-see as the week was winding down heading into the weekend. Wintergreen Winery held the first of what’s rumored to be more events like this in the future. The night to dance by the light of the moon was held at The Verandah, the new event facility at the winery.

It was a perfect night for people to unwind and relax under the covered patio at The Verandah.

Jacabone plays as the sun set, and the near full moon was on the rise at the winery.

People grabbed their favorite wine and headed for the patio for a night of dancing and relaxation.

As we mentioned the people over at Wintergreen Winery tell us they have more events like this planned in the future. Keep watching!

Wintergreen Winery on the web: http://www.wintergreenwinery.com/

Click on image to enlarge.

Nellysford / Wiintergreen / Beech Grove
Nelson County, Virginia
The people over at Wintergreen Winery are having a cool event this evening at their new event facility.

luna-see… a night to dance by the light of the moon

Join them at The Verandah for wine, music, and dancing. Featuring the sounds of Jacabone ~ blending funk, New Orleans groove, r&b, and blues in to a mix designed to get everyone up and dancing. So, come “Shake Your Tail Feathers”!

$10 per person includes admission and wine glass.

For more information call: 434.361.2519 or visit them on the web: http://wintergreenwinery.com/

See you there!

All Photos Paul Purpura : ©2010 www.nelsoncountylife.com : The sounds of Kevin Davis & Ban Caribe fill the evening sky this past Friday at RHOP's annual spring fundraiser held at Wintergreen Winery.

Wintergreen Winery
Nelson County, Virginia
Though rain is in the forecast for the weekend, Friday evening was perfect for Reach Out For Rural Health, an annual spring fundraiser that’s a branch of The Blue Ridge Medical Center in Arrington. This is the second year it’s been held at Wintergreen Winery in The Verandah.

Ann and Ray Ashton of Nellysford enjoy of bottle of Black Rock Chardonnay on the porch of The Verandah at Wintergreen Winery.

Folks enjoyed a catered dinner by The BBQ Connection.

The annual spring fundraiser is one of the main events held by RHOP each year to raise money for its programs.

The Rural Health Outreach Program has served Nelson County since 1992, making comprehensive, accessible, and affordable health care available to residents of central Virginia regardless of their ability to pay.

To access these services or to volunteer, please call 434-263-4858.

RHOP on thew web: http://www.brmedical.org/RHOP.htm

Photo By Paul Purpura : ©2009-2010 www.nelsoncountylife.com : Sue Bernard, one of the founders of the RHOP annual fundraiser, is presented with an arrangement at last year's event. Judy Rendich is presenting the flowers while Blue Medical Center Executive Dir, Peggy Whitehead, looks on.

Nellysford/Beech Grove
Nelson County, Virginia
This Friday Rural Health Outreach will again hold its annual spring fundraiser at Wintergreen Winery in The Vernadah. The 2009 event was the first time in over a decade the event had been held away from the former Spruce Creek Gallery after it closed for business in January 2009.

This year’s event is bigger and better than before!

The fabulous Afro-Cuban, Latin, Caribbean music of Kevin Davis & Ban Caribe along with fabulous BBQ; delicious vegan & vegetarian fare as well. Lots of fun fund raising events during the evening!

All proceeds benefit the Rural Health Outreach Program of Blue Ridge Medical Center

Event Date: Friday 21st of May 2010 06:30 PM

Location/Address: Wintergreen Winery, Rt 664, Nellysford, VA

Contact Telephone Please call 434-361-0362 for more information

©2010 www.nelsoncountylife.com : People grabbed a glass Saturday afternoon as Wintergreen Winery held a soft opening of The Verandah, their new event facility.

Wintergreen/Nellysford
Nelson County, Virginia
The folks over at Wintergreen Winery opened their newest event facility this past weekend, The Verandah. We told you about it here in our April 2010 printed issue of Nelson County Life Magazine.

The Rogan Brothers Band were on hand to help Wintergreen Winery salute the opening, their 17th anniversary. Junior Publisher, Adam Stafford, approved!

Even with rainy skies a threat, no worries! The band just moved under the covered porch and kept on playing. One of the beauties of the new facility.

Blue Ridge Medical Center will host its Reach Out for Rural Health next month at The Verandah on May 21st at 6:30 PM. It’s one of the first large events at the facility.

Congrats to Wintergreen Winery on 17 years! And, The Verandah!

Photo By Tommy Stafford : ©2010 www.nelsoncountylife.com : Jeff & Tamara Stone stand in front of The Verandah recently completed at Wintergreen Winery.

Nellysford/Wintergreen
Nelson County, Virginia
Join Wintergreen Winery as they toast the winery’s 17th Anniversary and the Grand Opening of The Verandah! Wintergreen Winery will hold its Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, April 24th with wine, music, picnics and fun from 11am until 6pm each day. The celebration will feature the “rock-roll-soul” of the Rogan Brothers Band on Saturday afternoon. The winery’s tasting presentation of their award-winning wines will feature the latest vintages of Black Rock Chardonnay Reserve, Viognier, Three Ridges White, Thomas Nelson White, Raven’s Roost Cabernet Franc, Three Ridges Red, Brent’s Mountain Merlot, Mill Hill Apple and Raspberry. Light “wine-friendly” picnic fare will be available for purchase to enjoy on the banks of the Rockfish River. Admission of $5 per adult includes a souvenir wine glass, wine tasting, door prize eligibility and special wine and gift discounts. Wintergreen Winery is a family friendly setting and there is no admission fee for children. Event is rain or shine. Wintergreen Winery is located 1/2 mile from Route 151 on Route 664/Beech Grove Road near Nellysford in Nelson County.

For more information or directions visit their website at www.WintergreenWinery.com or call 434.361.2519. Wintergreen Winery is also on Facebook.

Event Date: Saturday 24th of April 2010 11:00 AM

Location/Address: Wintergreen Winery – 1/2 mile from intersection of Routes 151 and 664

Contact Telephone Please call 434.361.2519 for more information

Photos By Tommy Stafford : ©2010 www.nelsoncountylife.com : John Howard (left) and Jacob Allen pose for a shot with Snowbojac, to say so long to winter and hello spring 2010 this past Saturday at Wintergreen Winery's Snowvivor 2010 Spring Fling. Click any photo to enlarge.

Wintergreen/Nellysford
Nelson County, Virginia
No other way to describe it, perfect. The first day of spring was beautiful and warm! 80° to be exact! Ideal for the 2010 Snowvivor Spring Fling at Wintergreen Winery!

Merideth Young (far right) from Heards and her peeps toast to a sunny day and good-bye to a very tough winter!

Mississippi Conjure stepped up on stage after Hobojac to keep the spring tunes going!

The entire event was a day of fun that developed after the brutal winter folks here in Nelson experienced after 5 feet of snow. CBS-19 Chief Meteorologist, Travis Koshko came out to the celebration to assure folks that winter is on its way out, though we may have a few days of cold weather left, maybe even a snowflake! No! Yes, it has snowed here in April several times, so let’s not get too cocky, just yet!

Junior Publisher, Adam Stafford, decided it was nice enough to dance to a little Hobojac.

Check out lots more pictures from the 2010 Snowvivor Spring Fling by clicking on the photo above!

There’s plenty more pictures over in our Nelson Mag Facebook album by clicking on the photo above. Not our Facebook friend yet? Click here to become one now! You’re missing out on lots if you aren’t!

See more photos of how folks spent the 1st day of Spring 2010 by clicking here!

Snowvivor 2010 Spring Fling is this weekend @ Wintergreen Winery. Say so long winter and hello spring! : Click image to enlarge for more details.

Nelson County, Virginia
Calling all Snowvivors! Don’t miss the inaugural event for the Nelson County Snowpocalypse Support Group. Come out and say goodbye to the Winter of 2010 and celebrate the first day of Spring. Music by Nelson’s own local talent featuring HoBoJac with special guests Mississippi Conjure. We’ll toast the Vernal Equinox which occurs March 20th @ 1:32pm.

The event will be at Wintergreen Winery from 2-6PM.

Abandoned car on Rt. 151 near Rt. 613 in Nellysford. (Tommy Stafford) Nellysford, VA. © 2009 NelsonCountyLife.com

Remember scenes like this one of Route 151 in December 19, 2009? – Let’s forget about that!!

No admission…just want to get everyone together to have a little fun and enjoy the camaraderie we have developed through our Snowpocalypse experiences! Family-friendly and you are welcome to bring non-NCSSG members.

Guests 21 years of age or older: Wintergreen wines will be available to purchase by the glass, bottle and/or case.
Non-alcoholic beverages also available for purchase.
Picnic foods available in the winery’s tasting room and shop or you may bring your own.
Please note: Due to ABC regulations covering the winery grounds, no outside alcohol is allowed.