News for February 2009

"A bottle of wine contains more philosophy than all the books."

-- Louis Pasteur

Our Tastings and Wine Dinners [more]

Hot Dip & Wine Weekends, $22 February Saturdays & Sundays, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Our Tasting Room Questions: 540-347-3475		Hearty Soup & Wine Weekends, $10 February Saturdays & Sundays, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Our Tasting Room Questions: 540-347-3475

Valentine Chocolate & Wine Tasting, $5 February 14th, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Our Tasting Room Questions: 540-347-3475		Virginia Wine is For Lovers Dinner, SOLDOUT February 14th, 6:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Our Romantic Barrel Room Questions: 540-347-3475

Half-Shell Oysters & Wine for Two, $20 February 15th, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Our Tasting Room Questions: 540-347-3475		Brass Cannon & La Grange Wine Dinner, $55 February 18th, 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Stonewall Golf Club, Gainesville, VA Reservations: 703-753-9360

Adults-Only Chili Night, $15 March 13th, 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Winery at La Grange, Haymarket, VA Reservations: 703-753-9360		Comfort Foods Wine Dinner, Cost TBA March 14th, 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Winery at La Grange, Haymarket, VA Reservations: 703-753-9360

Barrel Tastings & Futures Sales, $25, Starting . . . March 14th, 15th, 28th & 29th, 11:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Our Tasting Room Questions: 540-347-3475		Alice's March Madness Wine Dinner, $89 + tax & tip March 21st, 6:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Our Barrel Room Reservations: 540-347-3475

Our Products

Join winemakers Chris Pearmund, D. J. Leffin, and Rob Cox aboard upscale Oceania Cruises for our 10-night Rome to Barcelona cruise. Each day from June 17th to 27th, the Nautica will arrive at a different port in Italy, Monaco, France, or Spain. En route, fun-filled activities include a wine tasting, cocktail reception, and wine dinner. On shore, five optional excursions are: Wines of Ancient Pompeii, Chianti's Wine Road, Grimaud Village and Enjoy Pearmund Cellars Wine Dinner Hosted by Brass Cannon Restaurant

Wine Tasting, Old Nice with Wine and Cheese Tasting, or Châteauneuf Du Pape and Avignon. Only a few staterooms remain. Contact Cruise Holidays of Alexandria at 703-706-0011 or for details, or stop by the Winery at La Grange on the afternoon of February 8th. Book now with a deposit of $750 per person. No further payment is due until March 19th.

Whether or not you can join this fabulous cruise, we know that you and your favorite wine lovers will enjoy our many winter activities:

Hot Dip & Wine Weekends: Every weekend in February, you can enjoy a hot dip in a bread bowl with a bottle of our fine wine for $22. A different dip and varietal will be featured each day so contact us to ask if we are serving your favorite. So far, many customers have requested crab dip and spinach/artichoke dip with Sauvignon Blanc. It's the perfect snack for two wine lovers!
Hearty Soup & Wine Weekends: Every weekend in February, you can also savor a hearty bowl of soup with a glass of your favorite Pearmund Cellars varietal for $10. A different soup will be featured each day so contact us for details. In January, it seemed like everyone's favorite was our beef stew with Ameritage. Be sure to give us your suggestions for February.
Valentine Chocolate & Wine Tasting: Love is in the air at Pearmund Cellars so bring all your Valentines on February 14th. Savor decadent chocolates with our award-winning red wines for only $5. Visit our sister winery too, and you will receive a free gift! And, stay overnight at one of our local bed and breakfasts so you can return on Sunday for another romantic treat.
Half-Shell Oysters & Wine for Two: Romance continues at Pearmund Cellars on February 15th. Enjoy six oysters on the half shell with a bottle of Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc for $20. Purchase flowers, scented bath products, or local artwork along with a bottle of wine and create the perfect gift for romance, fun, and friendship. Before or after your tasting, stop at our sister winery for your free gift!
Brass Cannon & La Grange Wine Dinner: On February 18th, Executive Winemaker Chris Pearmund and Executive Chef Michael Arnatt invite you to a gourmet wine dinner at the Brass Cannon Restaurant for $55 (including tax and tip). Part of the Stonewall Golf Club at Lake Manassas, the restaurant is open to the public on a daily basis. If you have not tasted their great food, you will pleased to see how well it pairs with your favorite Virginia wines.
Adults-Only Chili Night: For $15, treat your best friends to a bowl of steaming-hot chili and a glass of classic wine at our sister winery on March 13th. Cozy up in front of the fireplace, or hang out in Benoni's Lounge. There will be games to play, books to read, and a wireless connection for your laptop. What a way to stay warm!
Comfort Foods Wine Dinner: On March 14th, relax at our sister winery and enjoy your favorite comfort foods paired with their fine wines. The menu and pricing will be provided soon. To receive details via email, join their mailing list.
Barrel Tastings & Futures Sales: On March 14h, 15th, 28th, and 29th, plus April 18th, 19th, 25th, and 26th, enjoy pre-release samplings of our 2008 vintage wines paired with hors d’oeuvres and gourmet cheeses, discussions with the winemakers responsible for our fine vintages, and the opportunity to purchase cases of these future wines at discounted pricing. For more savings, visit the Winery at La Grange for their barrel tastings on March 7th, 8th, 21st, and 22nd plus April 4th and 5th.
Alice's March Madness Wine Dinner: You may find Alice, the harried rabbit, the mad queen, the smiling cat, and others at our celebration of March Madness on March 21st. Come in costume to share your creativity. A menu will be available soon. To receive dinner information in advance of our newsletter, join our mailing list and check the VIP Club box.

Our Process

Help Us Improve Pearmund Cellars Wine Experience

In the Winery: Many thanks to those who completed our Survey Says wine tasting! We truly appreciate your assistance in improving our customer service. The winner of our wine dinner for two was Robert Wood, one of our 2007 barrel owners. We were pleased to note that 92.4% of you rated your winery experience as excellent, and 7.6% rated it as good. Also, 74.9% of you said our wines are excellent, and 25.1% said they are good. 6.5% heard about us via a printed ad, 19.4% via a web page, 50.9% through word of mouth, and 23.2% from road signs.

Help Us Improve Pearmund Cellars Wine Experience

80.0% requested more wine dinners, 75.8% want to sip their wine near bonfires, 77.2% were interested in food and wine courses, and 53.4% were aspiring winemakers. There were a large number of write-in votes for live music, 40% were interested in international cruises, and 35.3% wanted to take the Rhone cruise planned for 2010. Many of you also provided good recommendations with the most common idea being to stay open on Friday and Saturday nights. This month, our staff will look at the feasibilty of implementing each of these ideas. Thanks again for helping us to serve you better!

In the Vineyard: Since our vines are dormant for the winter, our winemakers have time to strategize about ways to improve our trellising, pruning, spraying, and harvesting. They have been studying ongoing research to learn cutting-edge techniques and are making plans to implement those that make sense for our vineyard. In addition, they have been ordering and organizing the latest in organic-farming supplies so they are prepared for bud break.

Our People

Celebrate Your Intinate Wedding Reception at Pearmund Cellars

If you have enjoyed one of our wine dinners or planned your own private tasting, you have experienced the magic of Jessy Timmons. Using creative talents, gourmet cooking skills, and knowledge of fine wines, she orchestrates elegant, unusual, and romantic receptions for you and your guests. Last month, however, Jessy took a break to plan her own special occasion: her wedding with fiance Michael. Everything ran smoothly, and she became a blushing bride with all the compliments she received. Ask to see her pictures when you stop by the winery.

Our Partners & Retailers

Partner: Marni Maree’s vibrant watercolors represent her love for drawing, desire to create beauty, and inner joy. Her favorite subjects are flowers and scenes from the West, Greece, Spain, and Haiti. After earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts, Marni worked as a freelance graphic artist, but transitioned to first colored pencils and then watercolors. She exhibits her work in the Loft Gallery, at Springfield Art Guild shows, in our winery, and via annual solo shows. Enjoy and purchase her vibrant watercolors and notecards in our tasting room.

Wine Store: Rick's Wine and Gourmet is a neighborhood wine, beer, and gourmet shop just west of Old Town Alexandria. Browse their huge wine and beer inventory, get advice on perfect wine and food pairing, sample wines from around the world, or select cut-to-order cheeses, charcuterie, and other gourmet items. On Saturdays, taste American microbrews and traditional European brews or compare Virginia wines with European and other wines.

Restaurant: Voted the top after-work meeting place in Northern Virginia, Harry's Tap Room uses fresh organic and naturally-raised ingredients, drawing seasonally from local farms, and prepares each item simply and flavorfully. They feature American wines and beers from independent, quality-minded producers like Pearmund Cellars. On Tuesdays, enjoy their wine and filet specials including beef, bison, red deer, venison, barramundi, arctic char, and sturgeon. On Sundays, relax with a burger and bottle specials. Find them in Arlington, Pentagon City, and Dulles.

Inn: Located in an early 1900’s Victorian townhouse in the heart of D.C., the Bloomingdale Inn offers nine elegantly- appointed guest rooms, three gracious sitting areas, and a cozy front porch. It is close to tourist attractions, hospitals, government offices, and businesses, yet overlooks the wide-open space of the McMillan Reservoir. Guests may use the business center, high-speed Internet, and laundry facilities after they wake to a delightful, leisurely breakfast. The inn offers refreshments, catered lunches, receptions, and dinners so remember to request Pearmund Cellars wine.

Our Industry

In less than three years, the United States is expected to become the world's biggest consumer of non-sparkling wine. With $21.8 billion in sales of wine over $10 per bottle, we are already the top world market in turnover. Read about other statistics from the study organized by VINEXPO and executed by the International Wine and Spirit Record.

In light of this news, several of our customers have been asking about investment opportunities in the Virginia wine industry. If you are interested in learning about the economics of wineries.

We appreciate your business and your feedback. What topics would you like to see covered in future newsletters?
Please send your comments to our Staff, and please forward this newsletter to other wine aficionados.
If you'd like to translate this newsletter into French, Spanish, German, Chinese, or other languages, try Babel Fish Translation.

To be added to our mailing list, just complete the brief form accessible from the Contact Us page of our website: http://www.pearmundcellars.com.
If you would like to be removed from this mailing list, please reply to our Staff.