Archive for September, 2012

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Second in a Series: Barboursville and the Palladio

Sep. 26th 2012

Andrea Palladio was a 16^th century Italian architect who was “highly original and much imitated.” He “developed a style based on the classicism of ancient Rome, breaking with the ornate conventions of the Italian Renaissance,” meaning that he initiated a return to simplicity.

Why on earth are we telling you this, and what does it have to do with the Iris Inn and/or wine tasting road trips? The key is the word “Palladio.” The Barboursville Vineyard in Barboursville, VA boasts a wonderful restaurant known as the Palladio: “The restaurant’s name is no accident, given Andrea Palladio’s influence on the Jeffersonian mansion here, and the presence of his masterpieces throughout the Veneto, home to Gianni and Silvana Zonin, founders of this vineyard estate.

Northern Italian in inspiration, yet creatively indebted to the most seasonal and local resources of the earth and sea, Palladio offers the handsomest gastronomic redemption there can be, of the promise only the finest food and wine can extend — recalling one, recurringly, to the beauty of this world” (Barboursville Wine).

The most popular wines at Barboursville Vineyard are big, bold reds that, while good, do not reveal their full potential at the tasting bar. These reds are entirely fulfilled when tasted with food, and that’s where the Palladio Restaurant comes into play. Make your reservation now at the Palladio, and enjoy some of the finest wine and cuisine that Virginia has to offer.

One more quick thing: Are you fond of history? While you’re in Orange County on your Barboursville wine excursion, consider dropping by Montpelier, the home of James Madison. Then, enjoy the back roads filled with horse farms and rolling hills to Keswick Vineyard and their beautiful wood-focused tasting room. Then pick up I64 in Keswick, and head back to the Iris Inn to relax after your day.

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Posted by Tara Stoll | in Area Attractions, Restaurants, Wineries and Vineyards | No Comments »

First in a Series: Wine Tasting Road Trips

Sep. 12th 2012

Virginia has become renowned for its wine. From its Cabernet Franc, the state’s most harvested red grape, to viognier, its signature grape, the Commonwealth has recently seen a significant rise in recognition for its vineyards and wineries.

The Iris Inn is conveniently located near some of Virginia’s most celebrated wineries. (Seriously, we couldn’t have been more conveniently located if we had planned it!) Monticello’s Western Wine Trail happens to be only a short drive away from the inn, so you’re interested in taking a wine-tasting road trip, then look no further:

Afton Mountain Vineyards: With their Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Tete’ de Cuvee, you can’t go wrong at Afton Mountain Vineyards. The vineyards are also absolutely stunning at any time of year. After all, “grapes don’t grow in ugly places.”

Cardinal Point Vineyard and Winery: “With 24 years of experience growing vitus vinifera vines at Cardinal Point, Tim [Gorman]‘s expertise as a grower shows up in the quality of his wines.” Try out Cardinal Point’s 2010 Clay Hill Cabernet Franc, 2011 Viognier, and many more amazing wines.

Flying Fox Vineyard: In Flying Fox’s own words, “Our approach to winemaking is very pragmatic. We manage our vines for low yield and maximum fruit intensity. We work with small batches of fruit that have the most desirable characteristics of the terroir and each individual varietal. We want to make the most honest wine possible from the very best grapes.”

King Family Vineyard: Sample King Family’s Viognier, Roseland, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and more. Not only do they offer wine for sale, they also host private events, polo, an onsite shop, and a wine club: “Club members receive quarterly shipments of our wines and enjoy additional discounts available to members only.”

Pollak Vineyards: At Pollak Vineyards, their wines “are grown on the estate where [they] work throughout the year to ensure the highest quality fruit. At harvest all grapes are picked by hand into lugs and sorted, then cooled before being crushed or fermented. Many wines are made in small lots so we can coax unique characteristics from different yeasts and terroir. For wines that are blended, blind taste tests are conducted to find the best blends for each vintage.”

Veritas Vineyards & Winery: Known for their various wine events, Starry Nights in particular, Veritas boasts wines that “are all unique and of high quality, derived from vitis vinifera with the exception of one French hybrid. [Their] philosophy is to make wine with the classic, old-style principles of Viticulture and Vinification, at the same time using state of the art technology to capture varietal and regional character.”

View Wine Tasting Road Trips: The Monticello Western Wine Trail in a larger map

Posted by Tara Stoll | in Area Attractions, Wineries and Vineyards | No Comments »

Memorable Moments of Awe, and Why We Need Them

Sep. 3rd 2012

Can you remember the last time you were completely awestruck by something? Be it a sea of stars in the night sky, the panoramic view from a mountaintop, or the soft, green scent of the woods in summertime, awe-inspiring moments are certainly few and far between. Besides their rarity, they are also nearly impossible to describe—how do you put into words something that overwhelms yet pacifies your senses? And it turns out that these experiences are not only pleasing to the senses, they are also healthy for the mind and body.

A recent study tested the hypothesis that that “awe can alter time perception.” Participants in the study “unscrambled sentences, watched commercials (with large, striking images), and answered questions about personal beliefs in order to create a perceived time availability index…In addition to confirming the expansion of time, the study shows that awe can ease impatience and actually make you more willing to volunteer time in the name of others. People also begin to prefer an actual experience over a material good. And just in case that wasn’t good enough, an awesome moment can increase your overall satisfaction and happiness in life” (The Atlantic).

So, how do we go about experiencing these awe-inspiring moments? Sometimes they happen by chance, for which you simply have to wait with painstaking patience. Other times though, you can seek them out. For example, the Iris Inn is located in a breathtaking setting. We overlook the Shenandoah Valley, and we are close by to some of the most beautiful areas in Virginia (in our opinion, anyway). If you need one of these moments of awe, let the Iris Inn be the catalyst for your experience.

Photo by Alvesgaspar (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Alvesgaspar)

Posted by Tara Stoll | in Outdoor Activities, Uncategorized | No Comments »

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