Potomac Point Vineyard & Winery
275 Decatur Road
Stafford, VA 22554
Open year-round daily from 11 AM to 6 PM
Phone: 540-446-2266
Email: [email protected]
Date of visit: June 23 and July 5, 2021

We always find that wine tasting takes the stress of driving north on I95. We recently visited Potomac Point Vineyard & Winery. The winery is in Stafford about a 12-minute drive off the highway.
 
It is a Tuscan-styled winery, vineyard, and bistro nestled in the heart of Northern Virginia.  The rolling vineyards and Potomac Point’s indoor and outdoor areas create a memorable wine & culinary experience.

The winery is still operating under some COVID restrictions and tasting ($20) are limited to select flights. We did not do a tasting, but rather decided to select a wine from their list along with a white wine cheese platter. The Petit Manseng (2018) and the platter were amazing. On our return from visiting family, we were stalled in traffic when we spotted the Potomac Winery sign. Since our earlier trip was amazing and it was lunch time, we decided to visit the winery again. This time we choose the charcuterie platter and again the Petit Manseng. What a great lunch!

We asked our server whether they recognized AWS membership. He wasn’t sure but asked his manager. Well. They did and we received a 10% discount. So just because you don’t see the “AWS WELCOME” sign, don’t be afraid to ask. So, the next time you are traveling on I95, take a short side trip and experience some amazing wine, amazing scenery, and great food.
Cheers!

​Submitted by: Stan & Tess Barwikowski

​Article submission to AWS National -
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​The Ocean Isle Beach, NC AWS chapter held its April 28th meeting at Antonio’s Restaurant in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  57 members sipped wine on a beautiful Carolina afternoon catching gentle ocean breezes and viewing picturesque marsh views.  (Less than a ¼ mile from the Atlantic Ocean)
Normally our chapter meets at the Silver Coast Winery in OIB, but the OIB AWS Board of Directors sought the feedback of the chapter and after visiting Antonio’s for a tableside wine tasting, determined a Field Trip there would be ideal.

After opening comments and updates from Stan, Antonio personally did the presentation of five mutually agreed upon favorites from his restaurant wine list.  Antonio’s personality and many years as a tour guide in Italy, certainly showed through during the tastings, intertwined with some history and great humor.

1. Da Luca Prosecco –Veneto, Italy – Alc. 10.5% -  paired with cheese and crackers - $12 at most stores
2. 2016 Beringer Bourbon Barrel Chardonnay – St. Helena, California - Alc. 14.5%  paired with Italian sausage spring rolls - $19 at Total Wine
3. 2017 Pinot Noir Elouan –Oregon – Alc. 13.8% - paired with eggplant rollatini - $20 at Total Wine
4. 2013 Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG Frescobaldi Nipozzano – Tuscany, Italy - Alc. 13.0 % - paired with cheese filled ravioli – price ranges from $30 to $58-  depending on where purchased
5. 2014 Barolo Mebbiolo DOCG Renato Ratti Marcenasco – Tuscany, Italy – Alc. 13.5% - paired with cheese filled meatballs – price ranges from $49 to $90 – depending on where purchased

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The evening was very enjoyable as were the wines.  We did not rate the wines but on a personal note at several tables, there was consensus about how good the Chardonnay was – even from non-white wine drinkers!
  
Submitted by:  Marie Hill, Dave LaClair and Jan Stocklinski

Pearmund Cellars
6190 Georgetown Road
Broad Run, VA 20137
Open year round daily from 10 AM to 6 PM
Phone: 540-347-3475
Date of visit: April 8, 2019
Tasting Room Manager: Deb Eakins

Wine tasting in Virginia is always a treat for us when we travel North to visit family. Our visit to Pearmund Cellars was just like visiting family. Especially when we noticed the “AWS Welcome” sign on their front door. Our tasting was conducted by Betsy who was very pleasant and knowledgeable. When we told her that we were AWS members, she went out of her way to make us feel like family.

We tasted all 10 wines on the tasting sheet, plus those extra special gems reserved for industry members. All the wines were excellent. We especially enjoyed their Chardonnay ($29), the Ameritage ($29) and their wine dedicated to the military, BLACK OPS ($39).

Because we were AWS members, our tasting was comped (normally $10) and we received a 20% discount on any wine purchased. Normally ,the purchase of a full case is required to receive that discount. Besides having very good wine, you can also purchase cheese, crackers and cured meats to enhance your experience.
Pearmund Cellars also allows the local AWS chapter to use their facility for meetings. So if you are ever in the northern Virginia area and want a wonderful tasting experience, don’t hesitate to stop by and visit this winery.

​Submitted by: Stan & Tess Barwikowski