Wine Tasting

LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. (WDVM) — The second annual Loudoun Arts Film Festival (LAFF) is returning to Loudoun County on September 10.

The festival features movies created by local filmmakers with a range of genres.

HEARTWARMING: Soldier surprises daughter just days before Labor Day

With tickets starting at $40, locals can attend a wine tasting, listen to music and watch the selected films from the comfort of their car.

“We have Oscar-winning shorts, we have animated film…We’ve got some student films, some local block films,” said co-founder of LAFF, Owen Palmiotti. “Getting that representation for a local film maker at a drive-in watching their movie is probably one of the coolest experiences for me.”

Trailer for the 2020 LAFF.

The drive-in screenings will be held at 50 West Winery & Vineyard in Middleburg. The festival highlights the local arts in the community, featuring live music performances and an art show.

Over 100 films will be screened at this year’s event. Palmiotti says to accommodate the large number of entries, the festival is offering a second location at Artistic Fuel in Leesburg.

“We want to maximize on connections of the filmmakers, making sure they have opportunities to talk,” said Palmiotti. “We also have a bunch of happy hours throughout the week.”

LAFF is a non-profit organization that serves as a platform to connect artists locally and internationally.

The festival will run Sept. 10-19. Tickets and other information can be found on the event’s website.

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Top 10 Best Wine Decanters 2021

1. Red Wine Decanter – Hand Blown Crystal Wine Carafe – Glass Decanter Aerator for Cabernet, Pinot Noir, Bordeaux – Wine Accessories for Wedding, Christmas, Wine Tasting – Elixir Glassware – 50oz, Clear

• ✔ 100% lead-free ultra-clarity crystal – pair the sensory delight of wonderful wine with the beautiful artwork type of the wine carafe by elixir glassware. all elixir merchandise are made out of lead-free ultra-clarity crystal – all of the fantastic sparkle and aptitude of wonderful crystal glass, tempered for sturdiness and thoroughly crafted to completely savor pinot noir, bordeaux, merlot, cab…
• ✔ the right present for any event – elegant, fashionable, statuesque. this wine decanter set makes an ideal current for commemorating life’s nice events – engagement events, weddings, anniversaries. give your family members a novel present that may deliver a touch of magnificence to their dwelling. rejoice life’s most memorable moments with a present that speaks for itself – the per…
• ✔ a powerful solution to serve your wonderful wine – nothing can elevate the refreshing style of purple wine greater than serving it in luxurious glassware. the delicate design of elixir wine decanter will give your wine a refined word, making each sip a memorable expertise. aerate your wine to launch a concord of fruit, acidity, and tannin flavors.
• ✔ conventional handmade craftsmanship – every decanter is masterfully formed and hand-blown by artisans utilizing conventional strategies to create a up to date, exceptionally clear physique that gracefully showcases your wine. the result’s a novel murals – a pleasant expertise finest shared with wonderful wine and good firm.
• ✔ beautiful packaging & satisfaction assured – purchase the elixir wine decanter with full confidence and relaxation assured that your bundle will arrive promptly in excellent situation within the care of our safe, thick protecting packaging. really feel assured to have it delivered as a present realizing that the premium elixir field will go away the recipient in awe. take pleasure in our no-compromi…

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2. MamaHome | Premium Wine Decanter | 100% Lead-Free Hand Blown Crystal Glass | 1.3Liter | Red Wine Carafe | Clear | Wine Gift | Bonus Cleaning brush

• Aroma and style – wine decanter is completely engineered for the standard 750ml bottle. slanted opening gives useful attraction in addition to aesthetic, aerating wine and stopping spills and drips
• The proper present – fashionable and chic design, marriage ceremony or birthday.
• Handmade 100% lead-free crystal – flawlessly fashionable profile of upscale barware, hand blown lead-free crystal , excellent for aerating, creates a most air to wine ratio permitting for all of the usually hidden flavors. bonus cleansing brush
• Simple pour – contains a punted backside and a slim neck designed to reinforce structural integrity and guarantee snug dealing with
• 60 day assure – to show how assured we’re in our decanter, we provide a 60 day a reimbursement assure with each buy! in case you are not utterly happy along with your wine carafe, we’ll refund your buy with no exception!

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3. 1.5L Clear Wine Decanter Lead-Free Crystal Glass by YOXSUNY, Hand Blown in an U Shape Design. Great Gift for Wine Lovers. Red Wine Carafe with Foam Cleaning Brush.…

• *simple to pour and anti-spills – this decanter received a slanted prime keep away from spilling and dripping. the form of the decanter is of course a deal with which make this wine carafe very simple to pour and move alongside.
• *unbelievable gifting bundle – it’s packaged effectively and can come multi function piece. each interior packing (styrofoam) and outer packing are enhancing. you don’t have to toom some time to rinse out the styrofoam vibes that broke into the carafe. you may present this to a good friend they’ll completely adore it!
• *lovely and useful u-shape design -this wine decanter is gorgeous, elegant and useful. we elevated the thickness of the sidewall on the most diameter of this carafe, not solely to scale back the chance of breakage for day by day use and cleansing, but additionally make this carafe much more attractive. easy thickened lower edges and flat backside guarantee stability and security.
• *sturdy -this decanter for wine shouldn’t be so gentle. once you maintain our decanter, you may really feel the carafe shouldn’t be fragile like others. we elevated the thickness of the sidewall on the most diameter to scale back the chance of breakage for day by day use and cleansing.
• *impress your company – this wine decanter is completely lovely in the event you do not need to pay a fortune. the blown glass is gorgeous. the form is exclusive and really enjoyable to pour from. it could turn into a focus of your hosted dinners. this wine decanter is rather like a chunk of artwork work. you may simply go away it out for all to see.

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4. Finest Amore Glass Wine Decanter Set – Hand Blown Lead-Free Crystal Carafe with Cork Ball Stopper, Drying Stand, Cleaning Cloth – Red Wine Decanter – Wine Gift – Wine Accessories

• Brings out wine aromatics & flavors – storing wine in a glass decanter permits for a smoother, fuller, richer taste profile with every sip. this wine breather is ready to specific its subtleties over a bigger respiratory floor. pouring the wine into the decanter mixes it with oxygen, aerating it and opening up the aromatics.
• Deluxe wine decanter bundle set – and that is not all! the best amore wine decanter deluxe bundle features a cork ball stopper to guard the decanted wine from flies, mud and over-aeration. it additionally comes with a drying stand so you may place the decanter the other way up to dry safely & securely after washing.
• 100% lead-free hand blown glass – take pleasure in your favourite purple, white and rosé wines the way in which they have been meant to be tasted with this glass wine decanter from best amore. exquisitely hand blown from 100% lead-free crystal glass, this beautiful decanter elevates wine from a easy beverage to a full-on sensory expertise, 1800 ml capability.
• No extra wine drips & stains! there’s nothing worse than pouring a glass and ruining the temper with drips and stains on the tablecloth. we have solved the issue for you by together with a premium microfiber cleansing material with the decanter, so you may rapidly dab up any drips and preserve the wine hour elegant and mess-free.
• Incredible expertise – we will not wait so as to add you our lengthy record of wine connoisseurs and novice sommeliers loving the unparalleled wine consuming expertise that the best amore wine decanters bundle affords.

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5. Onearf Wine Decanter, Iceberg Wine Decanter Set with Drying Stand, Red Wine Carafe with Cleaning Beads and Wine Aerator, Lead-free Crystal Glass, Wine Accessories Gift for Women Men (1200ML)

• 🍷【lead-free crystal glass decanter】onearf crystal glass wine decanter made out of non-lead crystal glass, onearf wine decanter add radiance to all place with a contemporary but elegant design. embellish your private home and impress your company, amplify the ambiance and improve the purity, aroma, and style of your favourite purple or white wine with our wine pourer. with 1200ml quantity capac…
• 🍷【simple to scrub and store】with each buy of an onearf purple wine breather carafe, you get a free wine decanter drying stand and a field of stainless-steel wine decanter cleansing beads. pour the cleansing beads into the decanter for simple cleansing. after cleansing, hold the decanter on the drying stand to dry.
• 🍷【distinctive 1200ml wine decanter】with the identical impact of 1-hour conventional decanter, onearf iceberg wine decanter set solely takes about Three-5 minutes, you may pour the wine from the bottle into the decanter and do the reverse. throughout this course of, the wine is absolutely aerated. combines liquor filling, pouring and decanting. mountain form designed base, it’s like mount fuji or…
• 🍷【prime quality wine aerator decanter】the bottle stopper is made out of food-grade stainless-steel and silicone gel, and is straightforward to scrub. the underside is widened to extend grip, stop falls. lengthy neck and massive stomach are product of a single piece. the wine carafe combines lovely ornament with the desktop so as to add magnificence.
• 🎁【pefect wine equipment and gifts】wine decanter set with extra wine equipment,like drying stand,wine stopper, cleansing beads could be a nice current for any “wino”. the right wine present for wine lovers, lovers, ladies, males, dad, mother, husband, spouse, grandparents and extra. shock your wine connoisseur associates with a novel wine current for father’s day, christmas…

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6. 1500ML Crystal Glass 51 Oz Wine Decanter Wine Carafe Gifts for Red Wine Lover, Decanter with Wine Accessories – Wine Bottle Opener, Wine Stopper & Pourer, Cleaning Brush & Beads, Drying Stand

• Simple to scrub and retailer: free brush and beads, foam cleansing brush can rotate by 360 diploma. you can clear it with the cleansing beads or brush, after which dry it on the holder.the decanter set comes with a stopper & wine stopper to guard your wine from flies and mud.
• Hand-made lead free crystal : the glass physique is made out of 100% prime quality lead-free crystal. our crystal wine decanter not solely improve the purity, aroma, and style of your favourite purple or white wine with our wine pourer, but additionally expresses its inventive aptitude. simply by itself, it’s a sublime murals.excellent for a merlot, cabernet, pinot noir, port and different bottle…
• Finest wine present units: wine decanter set with extra wine equipment,like drying stand,wine stopper, cleansing brush and beads, wine pourer and .the wine decanter set can meet your varied wants.it suits in with any wine and makes a smart present selection for that wine lover in your life.
• Wine decanter match for 750ml wine bottle: this design completely engineered for any dimension wine bottle, and glass wine decanter can maintain two commonplace bottles of purple wine.when a complete bottle of wine is poured into our decanter, the wine reaches the widest diameter on the decanter permitting for optimum aeration. it is a wine accent you may’t stay with out.
• Reward for wine lover : this crystal glass wine decanter is designed for all aromatic purple wines, rising the contact space between the wine and air, permitting the aroma of the wine to completely distributing and separating the sediment from the wine. this excellent present thought for wine lovers, males and extra. shock your wine connoisseur associates with a novel wine presents for holid…

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7. 1800ML Crystal Glass 64 Oz Wine Decanter Wine Carafe Gifts for Red Wine Lover, Decanter with Wine Accessories – Wine Bottle Opener, Wine Stopper & Pourer, Cleaning Brush & Beads & Drying Stand & Cork

• Simple to scrub and retailer: free brush and beads, foam cleansing brush can rotate by 360 diploma. you can clear it with the cleansing beads or brush, after which dry it on the holder.the decanter set comes with a stopper & wine stopper to guard your wine from flies and mud.
• Hand-made lead free crystal : the glass physique is made out of 100% prime quality lead-free crystal. our crystal wine decanter not solely improve the purity, aroma, and style of your favourite purple or white wine with our wine pourer, but additionally expresses its inventive aptitude. simply by itself, it’s a sublime murals.excellent for a merlot, cabernet, pinot noir, port and different bottle…
• Finest wine present units: wine decanter set with extra wine equipment,like drying stand,wine stopper, cleansing brush and beads, wine pourer and cork.the wine decanter set can meet your varied wants.it suits in with any wine and makes a smart present selection for that wine lover in your life.
• 1800ml crystal glass wine decanter: this design completely engineered for any dimension wine bottle, and glass wine decanter can maintain two commonplace bottles of purple wine.when a complete bottle of wine is poured into our decanter, the wine reaches the widest diameter on the decanter permitting for optimum aeration. it is a wine accent you may’t stay with out.
• Reward for wine lover : this crystal glass wine decanter is designed for all aromatic purple wines, rising the contact space between the wine and air, permitting the aroma of the wine to completely distributing and separating the sediment from the wine. this excellent present thought for wine lovers, males and extra. shock your wine connoisseur associates with a novel wine presents for holid…

Check Price Now

8. Wine Wars: The Curse of the Blue Nun, the Miracle of Two Buck Chuck, and the Revenge of the Terroirists

• Wine carafe built-in aerator : it’s totally different from the standard decanter , our decanter have the double-layer filter , it should assist to filter out impurities and aerate the purple wine , you solely want to attend for about Three-5 minutes when utilizing this product, keep away from the longer ready time . decanting the wine from the bottle to the decanter aerate the wine and releases its …
• The proper present : it’s a necessary for wine lovers.shock your wine connoisseur associates with a novel wine present for christmas, marriage ceremony, birthday or different vacation.
• Decanter with traditional look : designed for wine lover , appropriate for a bottle of 750 ml purple wine. our wine decanter is product of 100% lead-free crystal glass, clear and crystal clear. traditional styling for each event.
• Simple pour and anti-spills : contemplating the scenario throughout day by day use, our decanter is designed with a slanted prime in order to keep away from spills and drips and simpler for pouring. the slim neck would make it simpler to grip. simple to scrub.
• Virtually 24-hour after-sales servicr: when you have any questions or in case you are not utterly happy with our product, please be happy to contact us.

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10. BTaT- Wine decanter, 40 oz, Wine Carafe, Wine Decanters and Carafes, Wine Carafe Decanter, Decanter Wine, Wine Carafe Decanter, Wine Gifts, Small Wine Decanter, Small Decanter, Wine Decanter Small

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For a few moments I caught a magnificent gannet in my binocular vision and followed it as it climbed higher into a clear blue sky over St Martin’s in the Isles of Scilly.

Its long snow- white wings with their coal black tips flashed as the bird suddenly folded them and plunged headlong into the sea, some unsuspecting fish caught in its vision.

It was the first afternoon of our July week’s holiday amid these stunningly beautiful Isles of St Mary’s, St Martins, Tresco, with its famous tropical gardens, Bryher and St Agnes locked in their own semi sub tropical micro climate just 37 miles off Lands End.

MV Scillonion
– Credit: Contributed

What a busy day it had been, firstly on our two-and-a-half hour voyage from Penzance on the MV Scillonian and then transferring to on to one of the little fleet of launches that had come alongside to pick up our luggage for St Martins and the other off islands.

Twenty minutes later we had landed at Lower Town Quay right outside the secluded Karma Hotel, built like an unobtrusive row of granite cottages above a dazzling white sandy beach.

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Like all the other islands, St Martin’s also offers self- catering as well as a B&B and sheltered camping although sleeping under canvas is not an option on Tresco.

Wandering along a sandy path around the bay from the Higher Town Quay visitors will come across St Martins Vineyard taken over a couple of years ago by Nottinghamshire couple James Faulconbridge and Holly Robbins who came to Scilly on holiday in 2018 and called in for a wine tasting

Said Holly:” When we heard that the owners, who first planted the vines in 1996 were looking to retire, we jumped at the chance of taking over and moved heaven and earth to make our dream come true.”

Great Bay on St Martins
– Credit: Contributed

Deciding to picnic at Great Bay my wife Jenny and I called in at the island bakery run by husband-and-wife team Barney and Ella McLachlan.

Barney works flat out in the bakery catering for the islanders and a growing number of holiday visitors while Ella keeps the books and runs her own on line of skin care products called Phoenix and Providence.

The following afternoon we hired a sea kayak from Higher Town Beach and spent an amazing afternoon paddling around the bay and its ring of islands in flat calm waters under a clear blue sky.

To our delight, a seal suddenly popped its head out of the water and decided to follow us around thinking perhaps that we were the entertainment.

MV Scillonion at St Marys Quay
– Credit: Contributed

Now it was time to return to the main holiday island of St Marys to stay at the historic Star Castle Hotel built in 1593 and perched above Hugh Town on The Garrison Hill.

The Star Castle Hotel
– Credit: Contributed

It is run by James Francis and his wife Ella and has its own vineyard created back in 2009 by James’ father Robert, the current chairman of the Isles of Scilly Council

We arrived just after lunch and spent a lovely afternoon walking around the island’s spectacular garrison walls overlooking both the town and the neighbouring island of St Agnes.

The following morning, we cruised out to the spectacular Bishop Rock Lighthouse and back again for a walk around the coastal path to Old Town with its quiet bay and ancient church where former premier and island lover Harold Wilson is buried.

Our last day was spent strolling around the quiet island of Bryher with its spectacular Hell Bay so named because of the giant Atlantic waves rolling in at the height of a storm.

Plan your trip

We enjoyed the excellent facilities of The Karma St Martin’s Hotel and The Star Castle, St Marys

For passage to Scilly call Isles of Scilly Travel, visit www.islesofscilly-travel.

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A new 3 story, 27-unit apartment complex application was submitted this week in Rochester, Minnesota…and some homes could be demolished to make room.

It was Benaiah Properties of Rochester that put in the land development plan for 804 North Broadway, roughly across from the Hirshfield’s parking lot. The project is in the early stages, and no timeline for start of construction has been noted.

Looking at it from above, that corner doesn’t have room for those homes and an apartment building, so it seems likely they’ll be torn down.

More New Business Information from Jessica Williams…

Rochester’s most adorable coffee shop is getting closer to opening!

Remember way back, before we started talking about COVID, I told you about a really cute coffee shop that was going to be built in Rochester, Minnesota over by Cub Foods?  Well, it is finally being built and it is looking super cute!  I went over to see the progress the other day (and to see if I could get a cup of coffee yet) and thought I’d better let all my other coffee-loving friends know too.

Everything you need to know about the new Caribou Cabin coffee shop….just click here.

One More Coffee Thing – The Time James Rabe Stole Coffee!

Ignore the free Keurig offer at the end, this video is from 2017.

As always, if you have a comment, complaint, or concern about something I wrote here, please let me know: james.rabe@townsquaremedia.com

Not a fan of coffee? How ’bout wine?

Enjoy wine at one of these 19 wineries near Rochester, Minnesota

Grab your girlfriends and head out for a weekend (or two) for the best summer adventure ever – winery tours! Ok, you don’t have to take an actual tour of the winery. This is more of a sit-down and enjoy a glass of their homemade goodness with a few of your friends. Start your adventure by checking out a few of these places near Rochester, Minnesota.

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Known as the country band that rocks and rolls, We’re Not Elvis will perform from 1-4 p.m. Saturday at Delfino Vineyards.

A local cover and dance band, We’re Not Elvis features Heather Bantz on vocals and percussion, Wayne Ellison on vocals and guitar, Jim Lee on drums, Buzz Long on bass and vocals and Steve Strauss playing keyboard, guitar and vocals.

Entrance is $10 and includes music, wine tasting, door prizes and a souvenir wine glass.

To ensure there is enough food for all guests, reservations are required. Contact 541-673-7575 or terri@delfinovineyards.com with your full name, number of people in your party and phone number. Tables will be held for one hour, after which organizers say they cannot guarantee the space.

Due to recent state mandates, masks will be required indoors when not eating and drinking. Masks are not required outside, but strongly encouraged. 

Manna Feast Grill Mongolian food truck will have food available to purchase. Many Delfino wines will be available and Two Shy Brewing will provide their beer for purchase at all Delfino Summer Music this year.

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Founded in 1974, The Texas Renaissance Festival is the nation’s largest renaissance event. Known for its themed weekends, performances, food and everything in between, the festival is a much-anticipated way to escape into a world of imagination.

“Between long-term favorites and new enchanting entertainment, shops, food and whimsical experiences, we’re thrilled to welcome back guests for the 47th annual Texas Renaissance Festival,” states Cory Brock, the Chief Marketing Officer of the Texas Renaissance Festival in a statement. “Approaching the royal festivities, our kingdom will be releasing new details for the lands to become educated with our offerings to all.”

The festival has something for everyone as attendees can escape into a 16th-century village. Featuring over 400 shops, the festival dupes as a shopping headquarters for unique and handmade items crafted by local artisans and merchants. In addition, there will be some familiar faces sprinkled throughout the weekend. Fifty world-renowned singers, dancers and other performers will grace stages across the 70-acres of festival grounds, including Amanda Kitchens, Dangerous Curves, and The Washing Well Wenches.

This year’s festival will feature a new addition called Del Lago that will offer a wine tasting, new shopping attractions and French tacos. 

From Oktoberfest to 1001 Dreams and Pirate Adventure, every weekend of the festival’s run will feature its own unique theme. Just one hour north of Houston, the festival kicks from Oct. 9 to Nov. 28, including Thanksgiving, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Ticket prices start at $13 for children and $25 for adults. For more information visit here.

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news, food bites, food news, newcastle nsw, hunter valley, takeaway, restaurants, delivery

Hunter Valley winemaker Nick Flanagan saw the writing on the wall when COVID case numbers started to increase in Sydney in June. It was time for Glandore Estate Wines to “pivot” to an online model, and quickly. “We are so affected by what is happening in Sydney that once things started to get a bit away from the guys in control down there we knew we had a long road in front of us,” he told Food & Wine. “For a while we were still having people from unaffected areas drop in, but once they were in lockdown, things got pretty slow here. If I had to put a date and time on it, it was 2.30pm on June 26 and we were about to kick off our annual Burning of the Barrel. “We had 500 people arriving in 30 minutes and the government announced that the Greater Sydney Region was going into lockdown at 6pm that night. “It was crushing and an incredibly stressful time.” Virtual tastings have now replaced the typical cellar door experience. “There is a straight-up wine tasting of four of our most popular wines at the cellar door or a luxurious experience where our wines are paired with handcrafted Adora chocolate truffles,” Flanagan said. “Depending on the tasting experience, in the packs you receive four 100ml wine bottles, chocolate truffles (chocolate tasting only), tasting notes, chocolate mats (chocolate tasting only) and a Glandore glass to taste from. “These tastings can be self-driven, where you jump online with friends and family and have some fun, or hosted experiences where you schedule a day and a time and a Glandore team member will join you online and take you through your tasting.” The most popular tasting has been the Chocolate and Wine Tasting Experience. “The virtual tastings are exactly the kind of excuse people are looking for to connect and reconnect with loved ones,” Flanagan said. “There has been a really strong response from the business community as we originally pitched the idea as a way of building some fun into online team meetings or to replace the missed afternoon drinks. “These guys were trying online trivia, Pictionary and other games but wine is a great anchor for people to hold a conversation around, so it has really come together. “Everything we do at Glandore is for the love of wine and having a good time but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn a thing or two. “The hosted sessions are based around the casually informed atmosphere we maintain at our cellar door here in the Hunter. It’s relaxed, informative and far from a classroom lecture but the customer always leaves knowing more than when they arrived. “We were last year’s Hunter Valley Cellar Door of the Year and we like to maintain a standard we would expect to enjoy if we were to partake in something like this or a cellar door visit.” Online wine sales are, of course, still being offered. “We have been releasing a range of limited release wines and experiences, along with our core range of wines, as we are always trying to convince people to buy direct from the maker rather than the giants of retail out there,” Flanagan said. There are other Hunter Valley vineyards offering virtual tasting experiences, including Brokenwood Wines, Savannah Estate, Mercer Wines, Margan Wines, and Saddler’s Creek Wines. There are many, many online options, including gin and spirits tastings. The Hunter Events Seafood & Cider Festival 2022 now has a date. It’s all happening at Fullerton Cove’s Stanley Park on September 10 next year, 10am to 4pm. There will be fresh and cooked seafood, food trucks, live music, market stalls, a Kids Zone, oyster shucking and prawn peeling competitions, seafood and wine pairings, information about sustainable fishing and marine conservation, and much more. You can even learn how to properly fillet a piece of fish or clean a crab at one of the masterclasses and demonstrations being held on the day. You can sign up to the mailing list online at seafoodandciderfestival.com.au to get exclusive access to the first wave of tickets when they’re released. Slow Food Hunter Valley are known for their community-driven initiatives, and their Community Cooking Program is no exception. It is helping to provide meals to people in need in the Maitland community, aided by donations of rescued food by OzHarvest Newcastle. Over the past fortnight Slow Food volunteers have made 182 kilograms worth of tasty and nutritious meals. Also doing their bit for the community is Suspension Espresso at Islington, who have partnered with REACH Homeless Services to distribute free breakfast packs through the cafe to those in need, and Newcastle’s Soul Cafe. It’s open for takeaway hot and frozen meals (Monday to Thursday, 11am to 12.30pm) at the corner of Hunter and Watt streets. Soul’s pantry is open Tuesday and Wednesday, 1pm to 2pm, and Friday, 9am to 10am. High-profile chef Lesley Taylor has been busy helping the Soldiers Point community during lockdown, supplying close to 500 free meals to people in need. The Blind Monk at Hamilton is now open for takeaway pizza and cocktails. Our Taste of Greece at New Lambton is now offering takeaway and home delivery Thursday to Saturday from 5.30pm. Lovedale Smokehouse Gourmet Pantry & Cafe is now selling $12.50 heat-and-eat frozen meals. Order online for pick up Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 2pm. Kahibah Sports Club is now selling takeaway cocktails ($10 per jar). Oh My Papa in Newcastle’s East End is re-opening this Friday for pick up and delivery, food and beverages. The Nag’s Head Hotel at Adamstown has introduced a weekend Lockdown Survival Kit (cocktail and a meal). The Wickham Park Hotel is launching a takeaway and delivery menu today. It’s available Wednesday to Sunday, noon to 2pm, and 5pm to 8pm.

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September 1 2021 – 7:07AM

FORWARD THINKING: Glandore Estate at Pokolbin introduced “virtual tastings” when the Greater Sydney lockdown came into effect.

Hunter Valley winemaker Nick Flanagan saw the writing on the wall when COVID case numbers started to increase in Sydney in June.

It was time for Glandore Estate Wines to “pivot” to an online model, and quickly.

“We are so affected by what is happening in Sydney that once things started to get a bit away from the guys in control down there we knew we had a long road in front of us,” he told Food & Wine.

“For a while we were still having people from unaffected areas drop in, but once they were in lockdown, things got pretty slow here. If I had to put a date and time on it, it was 2.30pm on June 26 and we were about to kick off our annual Burning of the Barrel.

“We had 500 people arriving in 30 minutes and the government announced that the Greater Sydney Region was going into lockdown at 6pm that night.

“It was crushing and an incredibly stressful time.”

Virtual tastings have now replaced the typical cellar door experience.

“There is a straight-up wine tasting of four of our most popular wines at the cellar door or a luxurious experience where our wines are paired with handcrafted Adora chocolate truffles,” Flanagan said.

“Depending on the tasting experience, in the packs you receive four 100ml wine bottles, chocolate truffles (chocolate tasting only), tasting notes, chocolate mats (chocolate tasting only) and a Glandore glass to taste from.

“These tastings can be self-driven, where you jump online with friends and family and have some fun, or hosted experiences where you schedule a day and a time and a Glandore team member will join you online and take you through your tasting.”

The most popular tasting has been the Chocolate and Wine Tasting Experience.

“The virtual tastings are exactly the kind of excuse people are looking for to connect and reconnect with loved ones,” Flanagan said.

“There has been a really strong response from the business community as we originally pitched the idea as a way of building some fun into online team meetings or to replace the missed afternoon drinks.

“These guys were trying online trivia, Pictionary and other games but wine is a great anchor for people to hold a conversation around, so it has really come together.

“Everything we do at Glandore is for the love of wine and having a good time but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn a thing or two.

“The hosted sessions are based around the casually informed atmosphere we maintain at our cellar door here in the Hunter. It’s relaxed, informative and far from a classroom lecture but the customer always leaves knowing more than when they arrived.

“We were last year’s Hunter Valley Cellar Door of the Year and we like to maintain a standard we would expect to enjoy if we were to partake in something like this or a cellar door visit.”

Online wine sales are, of course, still being offered.

“We have been releasing a range of limited release wines and experiences, along with our core range of wines, as we are always trying to convince people to buy direct from the maker rather than the giants of retail out there,” Flanagan said.

There are other Hunter Valley vineyards offering virtual tasting experiences, including Brokenwood Wines, Savannah Estate, Mercer Wines,Margan Wines, and Saddler’s Creek Wines.

There are many, many online options, including gin and spirits tastings.

The Hunter Events Seafood & Cider Festival 2022 now has a date.

It’s all happening at Fullerton Cove’s Stanley Park on September 10 next year, 10am to 4pm.

There will be fresh and cooked seafood, food trucks, live music, market stalls, a Kids Zone, oyster shucking and prawn peeling competitions, seafood and wine pairings, information about sustainable fishing and marine conservation, and much more.

You can even learn how to properly fillet a piece of fish or clean a crab at one of the masterclasses and demonstrations being held on the day.

You can signup to the mailing list online at seafoodandciderfestival.com.au to get exclusive access to the first wave of tickets when they’re released.

September 1, 2021