1.800.447.8797 Official
Website of Berkeley Springs, WV ~ The Country's First Spa
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UNIQUELY
WEST VIRGINIA 2011
18th annual UNIQUELY WEST VIRGINIA:COOKING DEMOS, RAMPS AND WINE MAKE BERKELEY SPRINGS A TASTY PLACEBERKELEY SPRINGS, WV -- Live demonstrations from local chef Scott Collinash of Panorama at the Peak spice up the 18th annual Uniquely West Virginia wine and food festival in Berkeley Springs on Saturday, April 16 from 10am to 5pm. The show offers a free opportunity for the public to sample and buy dozens of state-grown products including more than 50 vintages from nine wineries, as well as meet the faces behind these products. By locating at the north end of the Old Factory Antique Mall, more than 75 antique vendors extend festival shopping further. Chef Scott's cooking demonstrations were so popular last year, he expanded for 2011 to four sessions and two different foods. “Watching him whip Berkeley Springs Farmers Market vendors are also attending bringing a range of locally grown edibles and plants including greens, dairy products, honey and, from Mocks’ Greenhouses, hydroponic lettuce. Other food producers offer chocolates, mustards and sauces. Nine West Virginia wineries are making an appearance, each with a special spin on the ancient art of winemaking. Vintages for tasting range from true Italian concord to light white Riesling. "The winemakers all have a story to tell as you sample their wines," said Laura Smith, Administrator of Travel Berkeley Springs which produces the event. Smith considers the chance to taste and buy rare state wines as the major draw for regulars. "People buy their favorites by the case. Fortunately, there is plenty of free parking at Old Factory to load up." Ramps and morels dominate the food section of the festival along with trout croquettes and organically raised pork in the guise of hot Italian sausage sandwiches. Lot 12, Tari’s Café and Panorama at the Peak make up the prepared food section. Panorama is unveiling a pair jarred sauces using local products at Uniquely West Virginia: a green tomato ratatouille pasta sauce using Mock’s green tomatoes and a plum puree using Glascock’s plums. “There are rumors that the unveiling will include a personal appearance by the Giant Green Tomato,” said Mozier.
Fun moves outdoors with Redbud Weekend which includes everything from a rattlesnake talk (with live snakes!) on Friday night to Sunday’s wildflower walk at Eidolon Nature preserve and historic structure walk in town. Even the food is outside on Sunday when the Farmers Market moves to its usual place on the Square. Cacapon State Park is the outdoor center with excellent redbud growth as well as nearly a dozen topical talks and walks from deer and bear to bird melodies. "One of the most popular parts of the weekend is getting a free redbud seedling at Nature Niche," said Mozier. "Folks need to come on Friday or go there before the festival Saturday morning because those seedlings go quickly." Self-guided redbud tours take visitors along backroads to see the hot pink blossoming tree in its habitat. “The hot tip is to look under power lines,” reported Smith. Redbud can be found in abundance along Cold Run Valley Rd. on the way to Frog Valley Artisans where you can spend the afternoon making pinch pots with Veronica. The Old Factory Antique Mall, site of Saturday’s wine and food fair is located on Mercer and Williams at the north end of Berkeley Springs. Uniquely West Virginia is produced by Travel Berkeley Springs, with support from the Division of Culture and History Fairs and Festivals. For a free Celebration Guide with all the details on both festival vendors and related activities throughout the county including Redbud Weekend call 800-447-8797 or check online at www.berkeleysprings.com. 2011 UNIQUELY WEST VIRGINIA VENDORS WINERIES CASCARELLI'S
OLD COUNTRY WINE - Salem - John Cascarelli
304-782-2768 LAMBERT'S
VINTAGE WINES - Weston - Jim & Debbie Lambert 304-269-4903. VU JA DE VINEYARDS - Spencer - Bryan George 304-377-1404 TARI'S PREMIER CAFÉ - Berkeley Springs - Amy McBee 304-258-1196. Panorama at the Peak-Berkeley Springs-Patti Miller & Leslie Hotaling 304-258-0050 HEALTHBERRY
FARM - Dryfork- Ben McKean 304-227-4414 Honey and beeswax
products and handmade chocolates BRIGHTSIDE ACRES-Bartow-Dawn Barrett-304-520-9595. Gourmet fruit preparations are handcrafted from Wildgrown fruits, and herbal teas. WISTERIA GARDENS - Berkeley Springs - Heather Caudle. 304-358-2921. Berkeley Springs Farmers Market:
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up chicken marsala or drunken mushrooms is exciting. Getting to sample what you watched him cook is even better," said Jeanne Mozier, one of the event organizers. 
Wining and dining wonders do not end at the festival door. Later in the evening, Highlawn Inn has a limited seating Meet the WV Winemaster five-course meal with matched wines on Saturday featuring Fisher Ridge's Dr. Wilson Ward. At the Fairfax Coffee House, Americana music is added to the mix with live performances both Friday and Saturday nights.