Tourism Divisions

New Wine Passions Await in Virginia

NEWS

March 1, 2008

New Wine Passions Await in Virginia

-Spunky sommeliers, 130+ wineries and unique adventures make wine travel new and refreshing in Virginia-

RICHMOND, Va. – Wine travel is new and refreshing in Virginia and Mary Watson-Delauder is living proof.  She’s the spunky sommelier at Lansdowne Resort in Northern Virginia whose creative wine and herb pairings are just one of the new passions awaiting wine-lovers in Virginia.

Mary Watson-Delauder is a petite powerhouse whose passion for life is more intoxicating than any wine she pours.  This southern dynamo is changing the face of wine tastings one visitor at a time.  Mary uses lavender, lemon grass and rosemary from her own herb garden to transform wine tasting into total enlightenment. Her unique approach and down-home demeanor bring a casual and welcoming aura to wine.  She loves to showcase Virginia wine in her tastings, which is easy, with more than 130 wineries across the state.

"I'm trying to make wine more accessible and more fun,” explains Watson-Delauder. “I feel like I can pair up almost anything …. I pair wine with gummy worms. I pair wine with twinkies ... chardonnay and popcorn, oh my!"

Mary’s passionate spirit and creativity are a prime example of what makes wine travel new and refreshing in Virginia.

Virginia is quickly becoming the new hotspot for wine travel.  Virginia’s more than 130 wineries make it the fifth-largest wine producing state in the nation and a “must” for anyone passionate about wine.  Virginia’s wineries are perfecting lesser-known varietals such as Norton and Viognier that are winning major accolades but it’s the unique wine travel experiences that really set Virginia apart. 

Virginia is one of the only destinations to offer a kayak trip to a winery, an experience waiting for wine adventurers in Cape Charles on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.  Wine travel is infused with rich bluegrass music traditions at wineries in Southwest Virginia along The Crooked Road:  Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail.  The state’s numerous wine trails wind down scenic roads and showcase Virginia’s beautifully diverse landscape from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the waterways of the Northern Neck, with historic B&Bs and local restaurants on each trail.  These are just a few of the adventures in Virginia for people who are passionate about wine.

Ready for a new adventure?  Go to www.Virginia.org, to watch Mary Watson-Delauder pour some of Virginia’s finest and get the latest on new wine passions in Virginia. 

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Note to media:

The Virginia Travel Stories series is part of the Live Passionately Virginia is for Lovers campaign.  The Virginia Tourism Corporation will highlight Virginians like Mary Watson-Delauder who embody the spirit of Live Passionately.  Live Passionately is less about a vacation and more about a lifestyle, with savvy travelers choosing to visit Virginia to live out their passions for wine, music, heritage, outdoor adventure, and other fulfilling experiences that make Virginia one of the top destinations in the country. 

Video and downloadable images of Mary Watson-Delauder and this feature in Word and PDF format are available for media use at www.vatravelstories.com.