Published: May 11, 2008 09:59 pm         

Daniel Vineyards hosts ‘Wine Makers Open House’

For only the second time in 18 years, Dr. C. Richard Daniel hosted a two-day “Wine Makers Open House” over the weekend at Daniel Vineyards in Crab Orchard.

The event, which ran from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday and from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. Sunday, featured the wines of 2007. As Daniel explained it, 2007 was a unique year for West Virginia wines in that it was a drought year.

“You have to remember that this (2007) was an unusual year. We have good news and bad news,” Daniel said Sunday. “The quality is exceptional. You didn’t have much rain, and you had a lot of sunshine and heat that ripened the grapes. The wines are superb.”

The bad news? “There’s not much of it. We had high quality and low quantity. If you like them, you’d better get them quickly. We’re selling them like hot cakes,” he added.

While inclement weather conditions appeared to suppress Sunday’s turnout, Daniel was by and large impressed with the positive reception he received with the event. The customers from Charleston, Huntington, Lewisburg, Princeton and White Sulphur Springs that he normally sees at such an open house seemed to stay away Sunday. “That’s enough to make me want to stay home,” the doctor quipped, of Sunday’s tornado watch.

“We’re selling a lot of wine. They love it, and they enjoy being here. Both days have been good. In fact, they come and don’t want to go home. It’s the same as when we have reunions, weddings and receptions here. They come out here and don’t want to go home. I can’t get them out of here,” Daniel joked.

He described the grapes of 2007 as “exquisite” and without very many weaknesses. Daniel hosted a similar open house two years ago, he said, and would’ve had one last year had he not been so busy. “We should’ve had it for all of these years. A lot of people do this who are in the business.” To that end, Daniel vowed Sunday to begin having an open house every spring starting this year. “People expect it now. It’s a good time to present the new wines from last fall.”

He also shed some light on next month’s annual West Virginia Spring Wine Festival at Daniel Vineyards. Scheduled for June 21, the festival will feature wares from at least four additional wineries that aren’t usually there — West-Whitehill, Jones Cabin Run Vineyard in Gilmer County, Watts Roost Vineyard outside Lewisburg and Lamberts Wines from Weston.

Daniel’s wife, Barbara, and her partner Mary Ann Hodson will showcase watercolor art in the tasting room, Daniel noted. The duo operates The Studio on Prince Street in Beckley. A Lewisburg potter named Anne Tomea will also be featured, along with wreaths and dry-flower arrangements by Cathy Smith. The only musical act confirmed thus far is Country Express.

Daniel said he has decided to cut back on days but expand hours for the festival, which is normally a Saturday and Sunday event. This year’s festival will run from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m., rather than closing up shop at 6 p.m. as it has in the past.

This fall will involve another first for Daniel Vineyards. No one can accuse the doctor of not being responsive to fans’ requests. “So many have asked why we don’t have a fall festival. I will take them up on it this year,” Daniel declared, unveiling his first ever Octoberfest. That will take place Oct. 18 during the same hours as next month’s festival.

“That’s one weekend when the (West Virginia University) Mountaineers (football team) will not be playing home or away, so there’s no excuse for not being here,” Daniel said. “Come on out and taste the good stuff.”

For more information, call Daniel Vineyards at 304-252-9750 or e-mail them at danielvineyards@cwv.net.

-- E-mail: mhill@register-herald.com