2013 Festival Horton Vineyards Will Attend

February 19-24: Virginia Wine Expo  Richmond Convention Center Over 350 wines from 60+ Virginia wineries.  Check out the web site for all the exciting events and tastings.

March 16: Chesapeake 757 Wine Expo - Chesapeake Conference Center - Saturday: Noon - 6pm, Indoor wine festival put on by the folks who do the Chesapeake Wine Festival in the fall.

March 23 & 24: The Rites of Spring - Fredericksburg Fairgronds - Saturday: 11am-5pm, Sunday: Noon-5pm. an indoor/outdoor event with 10 wineries, 1 micro brewery and 25 to 30 artisans and crafters. Live music--childrens entertainment.

April 13: Monticello Wine Trail Festival - nTelos Wireless Pavilion - Charlottesville - Saturday, April 13 2p-6p with special VIP Entry from 1pm - 2pm.

April 13: Smithfield Wine and Brew Fest - Windsor Castle Park - Smithfield, VA. - Saturday, 11am-5pm.  Come to the hottest riverfront event in Hampton Roads on Saturday April 13, 2013 -  - but make plans to stay in Smithfield all weekend!.  Experience everything that "HamTown" has to offer - Wine Dinners, Hotel Packages, Fri Concert, Shopping, Art Galleries/Studios, Walking Trails & More!  757-357-5182.

April 20 - Celebration of the Vine - “Celebration of the Vine” Wine Festival at the Chesterfield County Government Complex. Chesterfield, VA.  11am - 6pm.

April 20 - Ashland Wine Festival -  Downtown Ashland, VA.  -  Wine For Cures presents it's signature festival event. It's a fundraiser for cancer research and special cancer projects. Wineries, live music, food, interesting vendors, highlighted sponsors, mini wine school and very much more. Tickets are $20.00 in advance, $25.00 at door and all a donation to a worthy cause.

April 20 & 21 -  Taste of Shenandoah -  Augusta Expoland, Fishersville, VA.  -  Psych yourself for a fun and enjoyable day by warming up with free wine tastings from the award winning wineries around the area.  Browse thru the Artisans and Crafters, you’ll probably find a gift for yourself, your spouse, someone else’s spouse or a friend.  Then visit one of the food vendors, grab a bite to eat, cop a squat on a hay bale and enjoy the music of Jeremy Staubus and the Dam Town Boys.

April 20 & 21 - Princess Anne Wine Classic - Back Bay Farms - Pungo, VA.  12pm - 5pm.

April 26 & 27 - Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival - Fri. 3pm - 10pm, Sat. 11am - 6pm. In a traditional wine-tasting atmosphere, Virginia Wineries will be offering wine samples to attendees over a two-day event. A number of local-independently owned restaurants are participating as food exhibitors to sell foods that compliment the wines. Regional artisans are also being invited to participate as exhibitors. Live musical entertainment will be present to complete the atmosphere.  Info: 540-662-3863.

April 27 & 28 - Great Grapes Wine, Arts & Food Festival - Reston Town Center (Northern VA) (12pm - 6pm) Tantalize Your Taste Buds! You are invited to celebrate the taste of over 100 unique, diverse and flavorful wines! The Virginia Wineries want you to sample the essences of their best grapes while expanding your tongue's tastes.  A full palette awaits your arrival to Great Grapes! While mastering the art of wine tasting, be sure to attend our wine seminars, Gourmet live cooking demonstrations & shop amongst the unique artists! - Info: 800-830-3976.

April 27: Blacksburg Fork and Cork Fest - Blacksburg, VA. - Join The Blacksburg Partnership the 5th annual Blacksburg Fork and Cork, a food, wine, and art festival held at the First & Main Shopping District on Saturday, April 27, 2013.  Attendees will enjoy wines from premier Virginia wineries and view the work of regional artists. Delicious food from local restaurants will be abundant, and multiple music groups will provide smooth tunes throughout the day. Returning to the festival is Can Do!, the fun canned food sculpture contest and food drive benefiting local hunger relief organizations.

April 27 - Danville Wine Festival - Danville, VA "Community Market" (southern VA) - Sat. 11am - 7pm.  Info: 434-432-1063

May 4 & 5 - Montpelier Wine Festival - Montpelier - Orange, VA.  Sat. 11am - 6pm, Sun. 11pm - 5pm.  The Montpelier Wine Festival is a premier spring event for the whole family. Held annually on the grounds of Montpelier, the lifelong home of James Madison, the fourth President of the United States and the "Father of the Constitution," the Festival showcases distinctive arts and crafts; specialty food vendors; live music; "cooking with wine" classes; children's entertainment and rides; and tastings all day.  Info:  540-672-5216.

May 4 & 5 - Spring Town Point Wine Festival - Town Point Park - Norfolk, VA.  Sat. & Sun. 11am - 6pm.  Join Festevents in welcoming spring’s newest annual tradition featuring music,, gourmet foods, specialty wares, and samplings of newly released vintages and past favorites from Virginia’s premier wine-makers. Info: 757-441-2345

May 11 - Taste of New Kent Wine Festival - New Kent Winery.  Sat. 11am - 6pm.

May 11 - Central Virginia Wine Festival - Snag-a-Job Pavilion, Richmond, VA.  12pm - 6pm.  This year’s event will showcase 16 wineries from around the Commonwealth; live music; food & beverage concessions; beer sales; specialty-item and arts & crafts vendors.

May 17, 18 & 19 - Mount Vernon Spring Wine Festival - Mount Vernon, VA. Fri., Sat., Sun. 6pm - 9pm. Bring a blanket and stretch out on the lawn to enjoy an elegant evening of live jazz music and stunning Potomac River views. Candlelit Mansion tours include the rarely-seen Mansion cellar and appearances by George Washington. Ticket quantities are limited for this popular event.  Tickets: 703-573-SEAT.

May 18 - Front Royal Annual Wine & Craft Festival - Front Royal, VA. - 10am - 6pm. Artists and Crafters from all over the east coast. Find anything from fine handmade jewelry, hand painted wine glasses, hand crafted musical instruments, pottery to iron work. Plenty of fun for the entire family including a children’s area and come try your skill on the mechanical bull.  Info:  540-635-3185.

May 25 - ValleyFest - Beer & Wine Festival - Massanutten Resort, VA.  11am - 7pm.  ValleyFest, held on Memorial Day weekend, is the festival that everyone looks forward to! More than 4,000 people celebrate the holiday weekend at the festival, dancing to live music, sampling food, shopping for unique and handmade crafts, and enjoying quality wines and microbrews of the Shenandaoh Valley, Virginia and beyond. Many varieties of beer and wine will be represented, from merlots and seasonal ales to meads and maibocks. Its' all of the beer and wine you could possibly enjoy in one place!

May 25 - Wintergreen Festival of Wines - Wintergreen Resort, VA. Wine tastings from Virginia’s very best wineries will be offered throughout the day! Enjoy an afternoon of wine, jazz, light fare and the cool mountain air. Proceeds support Wintergreen Performing Arts' extensive performance and educational activities. 12pm - 5:30pm.

June 1 & 2 - Vintage Virginia - Bull Run Park (northern VA). Sat. & Sun. 11am - 6pm.  Vintage Virginia is one of the state's oldest and longest-running wine festivals, produced by Across-the-Way Productions and the Virginia's Wineries Association. The festival is held in the Northern Virginia area, at Bull Run Regional Park Special Events Center, and features over 50 of the most prominent Virginia wineries, pouring over 350 of their finest selections. Vintage Virginia also features some of the best entertainment you'll find at a wine festival, with music from some of the nation's most talented performers, educational workshops and children's activities. A great outing for the entire family!  540-745-3378.

June 8 - Tribute to Wounded Warriors - The Great Meadow Event Center, 5089-Old Tavern Rd, the Plains VA. Admission to the Memorial Day tribute to Wounded Warriors festival May 27th will be the day of the largest event ever staged in this country for Wounded Warriors! Members of the top Symphonies and will come together to create a 200 member orchestra with a 500 strong chorus conducted by Maestro Ulysses James and Francis de Araujo.  More than 6 major bands including the Marcus Johnson Project and The Blackbyrds will perform on a specially constructed stage surrounded by risers for the chorus and  Jumbotrons will show the action and carry messages from our sponsors, patrons, and performers.  There will be two air shows with jumpers from the flying circus.  There will be classic  and new cars on display on display in our automotive area. There will be a football exhibition from the DC Diva’s (professional women’s full contact football). Polo exhibition, and a softball tournament featuring wounded warriors. Corporations in corporate tents and individuals will enjoy all the festivities including a children’s area with moon bounces, rock climbing, face painting, with complimentary ice cream and popcorn.

Admission will include free food, complimentary wine tasting, beer, sodas, vitamin water, and more.  All benefiting wounded warriors at the Great Meadow Event Center, The Plain Virginia. (Home of the Virginia Gold Cup).

June 8 - Summer Celebration - Lee Hall Mansion, Newport News, VA. 11am to 6pm. The late spring splendor of Lee Hall Mansion's beautiful grounds provide the setting for the Annual Summer Celebration Wine Festival. The finest vintages from Virginia's best wineries combine with live music, exquisite food and unique craft vendors to make this one of the Peninsula's most popular events.   Info: 757-888-3371

June 8 - Wine & Arts Festival - Locust Grove, Walkerton, VA.  10am - 5pm.  Enjoy Wine Tasting, Artwork and a day of music at the historic Locust Grove Farm in Walkerton - King and Queen County. Just a short drive from Richmond, Fredericksburg or Virginia Beach.  Artists and Virginia Farm Wineries will be attending the event on the bluffs of the Mattaponi River at Locust Grove Farm.  Only 30 minutes from Richmond on the Middle Peninsula.  Info: 804-769-8201.

June 16 - Manassas Jazz & Wine Festival - Harris Pavilion, Manassas, VA.  11am - 6pm.  The Manassas Wine and Jazz Festival is held on Father’s Day at the Harris Pavilion, located in the heart of historic Old Town Manassas. Featuring 3 headline jazz artists, this smaller event is a more intimate, relaxed afternoon of tasting and purchasing wines from 15 different award-winning Virginia wine artisans. Attendees appreciate this refined atmosphere for the chance to discuss wines with the vintners, shop at the merchant booths that offer wine related merchandise and dine from upscale food concessions. Tickets are sold for tasters as well as non-tasters for this event. Info: 703-361-6599.

June 22 - Clifton Wine Festival - Childrens Park, Clilfton, VA.  11am - 7pm.

July 6 & 7 - Devault Watermelon Festival - Devault Vineyards, Concord, VA.

July 20 & 21 - Daylily Wine Festival - Viette Farm, Fishersville, VA.  Sat. 10am - 6pm, Sun. 12pm - 5pm. Fields of glorious daylilies and exotic plants against the scenic beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains is a must-see for flower lovers, wine lovers and weekend travelers seeking a relaxing get-away.  In its 16th year as one of the Shenandoah Valley's most popular festivals, the Daylily Food and Wine Festival will be better than ever!

July 20 - Que & Cruz BBQ Competition -  Louisa Small Country Campgrounds, Louisa, VA.