Almost 1,400 attendees of the first-ever SoVA Wine Fest hosted by Southern Virginia Wine Trail drained several popular wines on Saturday.
Tomahawk Mill Winery brought 276 bottles and completely sold out of chardonnay, Vidal Blanc and apple, said owner Corky Medaglia. In fact, it sold out of apple twice because staffers brought in more from the winery after it proved popular.
Greenwood Vineyards of Halifax County brought 252 bottles and sold 60, including selling out of “Sweet Samantha” and “Mountain Road Red,” owner Paul Greenwood said.
SoVA Wine Trail, a nonprofit, is still tabulating the revenue, but the proceeds will go toward marketing the region’s wine and promoting agri-tourism for Virginia, said Cameron Anctil, director of marketing.
Vendors appreciated pairing up with the tasting festival, as ChathaMooCa of Chatham sold “a ton” of hot dogs and chicken salad sandwiches, said owner Suzanne Brown, adding her food supply was nearly depleted. Wine cakes made with The Homeplace Vineyard’s wines were a popular dessert.
Karen’s Hallmark Shop (of Piedmont Mall) sold dozens of woozies, 5-in-1 corkers and hands-free Hangovers for holding wine glasses, Karen Johnston said.
SoVA plans on holding its second wine fest in the area at Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex area in Chatham next February.
For more information and to learn about other wineries, visit www.sovawinetrail.com.
By the numbers
Inaugural SoVA Wine Fest
1,400 attendees
12 wineries
100 different wines
9 non-wine vendors
60 songs by Sick-N-Tired band of Brookneal
150 barbecue sandwiches and plates and 100 bowls of chili sold by Melrose Bison Farm of Gladys
50 woozies, or wine coozies sold from Karen’s Hallmark Shop
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