Published: June 17, 2009 10:39 pm      

Wine festival to offer fun on a budget

A Raleigh County winery is offering the chance to eat, drink and be merry while celebrating the state’s birthday Saturday.

The 11th Spring Wine Festival at Daniel Vineyards in Crab Orchard is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The event is an opportunity to sample drinks from seven state wineries, plus shop, eat, listen to live music and just enjoy time with family.

The admission cost, for those of legal age, includes an 11-ounce wine glass that attendees can use to sample wine.

“You can take it around and taste as much or as little as you want for free,” owner Dr. C. Richard Daniel said.

“This is an event for family, really. We encourage people to bring their children. They can play on the spacious golf course. ... And for $10, this is a great affair. You can enjoy the music, play softball. There’s a lot to see and do here.”

Daniel said the festival usually draws 700 to 800 people, but he hopes it will continue to get bigger and better. This year’s seven wineries are Daniel Vineyards, Jones Cabin Run Vineyards in Tanner (Gilmer County), Watts Roost Vineyard in Lewisburg, Forks of Cheat Winery in Morgantown, West-Whitehill Winery in Moorefield, Lambert’s Vintage Wines in Weston and Wine Tree Vineyards in Vienna.

Scheduled music acts include Big Phat Delicious (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.), Anne Cline (2 to 3 p.m.), Three Degrees of Hair (3 to 5 p.m.) and RiverChase (5 to 7 p.m.). Food vendors include chef Leonard Bailey and the Mountain State University culinary arts program, Pasquale Mira and Home Cookin’ Caterers, owned by Peggy Cochran. Numerous other vendors and specialty artisans are scheduled to come, including those who make jewelry, pottery, glassware and candles.

“We’re going to have food you can enjoy, and you can come up and dance in the pavilion,” Daniel said.

What makes Daniel and employees at the vineyard proudest, though, is supporting the Women’s Resource Center and Raleigh County Animal Rescue. The vineyard will buy soda and spring water WRC personnel will sell. The center will keep all profits. Animal rescue will bring pets available for adoption, which will be located on the golf course grounds.

Also, Daniel was proud to have the festival fall on June 20 — West Virginia’s 146th statehood anniversary. For a number of years, the festival fell on the third weekend in June.

“It just happened to be on the 20th this year,” Daniel said. “We want all people to come out and see the best-kept secret in the state.”

Those attending are asked to bring identification but to leave pets and coolers at home. People are welcome to bring blankets and/or lawn chairs.

— E-mail: apridemore@register-herald.com