Breaux Vineyards Harvest Festival & Lobster Feast
Before we began visiting individual wineries, we were casual visitors to local wine festivals. We first met Paul Breaux, owner of Breaux Vineyards, at the Herndon Jazz & Wine festival some 1.5 years ago. Being a native of New Orleans myself, and Paul having Cajun roots, when he began telling us about the gumbo festivals, Mardi Gras celebrations, and the Cajun theme surrounding his winery, we knew it was only going to be a matter of time before we paid him a visit. We have been to Breaux Vineyards several times since that day and have enjoyed every visit along with their award winning wines.
Breaux Vineyards
On Saturday, September 16th we paid another visit to Breaux Vineyards to enjoy the Harvest Festival and Lobster Feast. Breaux Vineyards is located in Purcellville , VA and offers wonderful views of the Blue Ridge and Short Hill Mountains and surrounding Virginia countryside. We arrived fairly early and there was already a nice crowd gathered enjoying food, music and wine. Admission to the festival was $10 which included a souvenir glass, the house wine tasting and all the fun you could have in a day.
The Lobster Feast !!!
We paid the admission, received our glass, and were off to our tasting. For the festival the house tasting was being offered outdoors and the reserve tasting, for a small fee, was being offered indoors. The following wines were being poured for the house tasting: Jolie Blond (Seyval Blanc) 2002, Viognier 2005, Chardonnay (steel fermented) 2003, Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2002, Lafayette (Cabernet Franc / Sauvignon, Merlot blend) 2001, Merlot 2002, Cabernet Sauvignon 2002, Chere Marie (Vidal Blanc) 2004, Alexis (Late Harvest Vidal Blanc dessert wine) 2004. The Reserve wines offered were the following: Lafayette 2000, Cabernet Sauvignon 1999, Meritage 2002, Merlot Reserve 2002, and Nebbiolo 2002. We opted for both tastings and thoroughly enjoyed each. Breaux wines are great and all wines tasted exhibited exceptional varietal character. Winemaker, David Collins, has really done a great job at Breaux Vineyards, and it certainly is evident during a tasting of their wines.
Outdoor tasting at festival
interior of winery
After our tasting we found a table and chairs under the tent and enjoyed a bottle of the Madeleines Chardonnay 2003 with our food selections. The Madeleines 2003 is done in a crisp fashion, with clean and fresh tree fruit on the palate. There was also some great food being offered such as clams, steamed shrimp, clam chowder, grilled chicken and of course lobster. We met some really nice people and enjoyed conversation and the sounds of the Cajun blues/rock band, the Crawdaddies. The band had everyone from young to old snapping their fingers and shuffling their feet. We also enjoyed, with new friends a box of Breaux’s Cabernet Sauvignon filled dark chocolates, which was decadently delicious. We spent the next few hours enjoying more conversation, food and the tasty and refreshing Madeleines Chardonnay 2003.
Madeleines Chardonnay 2003
Patio Madeleine
In closing the festival was a wonderful way to spend a lovely weekend day; there was great food, Breaux’s award winning wines, great people and staff, good Cajun music, dancing and even hayrides around the vineyard.
The Crawdaddies rocking the crowd !!!
~ Hayrides ~
I would suggest book marking Breaux’s web site for upcoming events and visiting the winery. You can pack a picnic basket or purchase select light gourmet fare at the winery and enjoy a day spent on the patio outdoors, or next to the fireplace indoors. When you decide to visit Breaux Vineyards please let them know you read about them on Virginia Vine Spot.
Stay tuned for more!
Happy Sipping!
Dezel
