 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Culinary Tours of Rural Virginia Loudoun County, Virginia is known for its rural beauty, horse farms, civil war history, award winning wineries and restaurants that specialize in utilizing the local flavors and foods of the region. This tour will take you on a epicurean adventure of the food and flavors of rural Northern Virginia. Experience a culinary adventure that begins upon your arrival Friday evening at Lansdowne Resort, a AAA four diamond property with stunning views of the Potomac River in Leesburg, VA. You will be greeted at Lansdowne Resort by a Good Taste Tour host that will welcome you to Loudoun County and provide you with information for your stay. Friday evening you can enjoy dinner on your own at any one of Lansdowne's restaurants. After dinner, enjoy a relaxing evening and VIP seating by joining Lansdowne’s Jazz on the Potomac which will already be in progress. This concert series features local and national jazz musicians, food and great drink specials on Lansdowne's spacious outdoor patio overlooking the Potomac River. Saturday, July 26, 2008 "A Food and Wine Excursion of Rural Virginia" Good Taste! Tours will be your host and provide transportation from Lansdowne to all culinary destinations on Saturday. The first stop on your culinary educational journey will be a wine tasting with appetizer pairing at Fabbioli Cellars. Doug Fabbioli is known as the "guru" of Virginia wines and will give an educational tour of his vineyard and winery you will soon not forget. Fabbioli cellars tasting room is based on the Chateau le Garage (yup it's his garage -- but oh such a nice one!)wineries of California and Europe. While his tasting room may be modest his wines are bigger than life! He in collaboration with Chef Daniels will tantalize your taste buds using fresh local ingredients for appetizers (some of his previous appetizers include Bacon-smothered caramelized fig with a dolop of creme fraiche, Spicy chorizo stuffed squash blossoms or Artichoke hearts bruleed with goat cheese) and fabulous Fabbioli wine! From Fabbioli you will journey to Patowmack Farm, a working Organic Farm and restaurant in Lovettsville, VA that features magnificent views of the Potomac River. This farm-to-table experience shows off rural Virginia at its best. Beverly Morton Billand owner will provide a brief presentation on organic farming followed by a superb salad and entree prepared by Chef Christian known for his imaginative, unique cuisine and using the farm’s harvest to guide the menu selections. Past entree's have been Roasted Gulf Shrimp With sea scallop, ricotta pesto ravioli, peppered strawberry relish and vanilla shellfish reduction or maybe Goat's Milk Ricotta Ravioli With garlicky greens, forest mushrooms, toasted pine nuts and garlic scape cream. Expect a work of culinary art when Chef Christian is in the kitchen! From Patowmack Farm the last stop for the day will be Notaviva Vineyards for a wine pairing with elegant desserts. Notaviva is a brand new winery located just west of the quaint town of Hillsboro. It's unique winery name combines the Italian nota meaning "musical note," and viva meaning "with life". This technologically advanced tasting room combines the owner's love of music and wine. At Notaviva, you will enjoy a wine pairing with dessert provided especially for this tour by Savior Fare (examples of desserts they serve are Chocolate Raspberry Torte, Buche de Noel or Lemon Butter Cream Cake.) At the end of your epicurean adventure, we will take you back to Lansdowne for a relaxing evening where you can take advantage of everything Lansdowne has to offer. Saturday, August 2, 2008 " A Culinary Day in Middleburg" Good Taste! Tours will be your host and provide transportation from Lansdowne to all culinary destinations on Saturday. Your epicurean journey begins with a stop at Chrysalis Vineyards, home to the Norton grape a native Virginia heirloom grape. You will enjoy an outdoor wine tasting while taking in good country air and breathtaking scenery of the Bull Run Mountains. You will sample 10-12 award winning wines and be thoroughly educated on the Norton varietal. From there you will travel a few miles down the road to the center of the little town of Middleburg. You will be greeted at The French Hound restaurant by Chef John-Gustin Birkitt and his wife Marny where you will enjoy a French Bistro wine pairing lunch enjoying dishes such as a grilled hanger steak served with golden fries & caramelized shallot sauce, or Grilled Salmon with sautee'd wild mushrooms, haricots verts & a vanilla beurre blanc. After your mid afternoon Luncheon, you will have time to visit shops along Middleburg's Main Street. Don't forget to stop in the Homes Farm Store and Market Salamander both unique gourmet shops. Also, stop by and say hello at Books and Crannies where you can pick up your favorite cookbook. Hey maybe you will spot a celebrity or two during your outing! After you have walked off your wine and French Hound meal, its time for dessert! Walk down to the Middleburg Country Inn right in the center of town where you will be hosted for a wine pairing and bite size desserts courtesy of Chef Jason Reaves of Market Salamander and Inn proprietor, Joanne Hazard, known for her famous Homemade Lemon cake. At the end of your epicurean adventure, we will take you back to Lansdowne for a relaxing evening where you can take advantage of everything Lansdowne has to offer. Sunday morning you are on your own to experience Lansdowne at its best. Plan on bringing together good music and good food and partake in Lansdowne's Sunday Jazz Brunch. Enjoy local dishes and music before your departure for home. Tours include: 2 night accommodations at 4 diamond Lansdowne resort VIP seating at Jazz on the Potomac Full breakfast Buffet for two July 26, 2008 (For 2 people) Bus leaves Lansdowne 11:15 Wine pairing with appetizers at Fabbioli Cellars 11:30-1pm Patowmack Farm Lunch and organic farm presentation 1:30- 3pm Notaviva Vineyards - wine pairing with bite size desserts 3:30pm- 5pm Arrive at Lansdowne - 6pm August 2, 2008 ( For 2 people) Wine tasting at Chrysalis Vineyards - Noon - 1:30pm Wine pairing luncheon at the French Hound Restaurant - 2 - 3:30pm Shopping in downtown Middleburg 4-5pm Walk to Middleburg Country Inn for a wine pairing with bite size dessert 5-6:30pm Return to Lansdowne - 7:30pm Transportation to all venues from Lansdowne Cost: Either tour $550 per couple (includes lodging, excludes wine) You must be 21 years of age to participate on a tour. Tours may be cancelled should the minimum number of tour participants not be met. Reservations received after the cut off date will be accepted on a space available basis. There will be no refunds for no shows. |
| Upcoming Tours Culinary Tours of Rural Virginia "A Food and Wine Excursion of Rural Virginia" July 25 - 27, 2008 Registration deadline: July 24, 2008 " A Culinary Day in Middleburg" August 1 - 3, 2008 Registration deadline: July 25, 2008 For detailed Tour description and to BOOK A TOUR see below |
| All rights reserved. Good Taste! Tours site design by J.MICHAEL DESIGN GROUP, LC |