UNIQUELY WEST VIRGINIA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- APRIL 12, 2010
TRAVEL BERKELEY SPRINGS Convention and Visitors Bureau
Press contact: Laura Smith -- 800-447-8797
www.berkeleysprings.com
PHOTOS AVAILABLE

17th annual UNIQUELY WEST VIRGINIA:
CHEFS AND RAMPS AND WINE MAKE BERKELEY SPRINGS A TASTY PLACE

NEWS FLASH: Vu ja de Vineyards chooses Uniquely West Virginia to debut their new Wine Diamonds vintage.
" ....extreme fruit forward yet delicate with a combination of spice, rose petals, citrus fruits, and peach was beautiful. Upon tasting it the aroma and bouquet was complimented by its taste.... Fantastic wine, one that I would recommend be submitted to various competitions....it's a WINNER!!!" Nicolaas Opdam, Oenologist, Eastern Wine Labs

BERKELEY SPRINGS, WV -- Live demonstrations from local chef Scott Collinash of Panorama at the Peak Cafe is a new feature for the 17th annual Uniquely West Virginia wine and food festival in Berkeley Springs on Saturday, April 24 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 ten 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.

"It was Chef Scott's idea to have live cooking demonstrations, and we're excited to have him. It brings more action to an already colorful event." said Jeanne Mozier, one of the event organizers. "Local Farmer's Market star, Mock's Greenhouse, is coming with fresh lettuce, watercress and basil and if we're lucky maybe even a fresh tomato." Wisteria Farm is coming with fresh baby greens and local honey and herbs are available from Farmers Market members Quail Hollow Farms and C&M Farms.

Ten 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 mushrooms dominate the food section of the festival and several local eateries. Both can be foraged in the West Virginia woods. Lot 12 Public House is at the festival with ramp soup, ramp corn muffins, fried morel sandwiches, fresh morels and ramps packaged individually. The noted restaurant of Chef Damien Heath, the only West Virginian on the James Beard best chef regional finalist list, is also serving specials with local morels and ramps all weekend. The Country Inn becomes Ramp Central serving ramps at every meal from breakfast to tapas.

Wining and dining wonders do not end at the festival door. Later in the evening, Tari's Cafe features a four-course West Virginia food tasting dinner. 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. Panorama at the Peak is highlighting local lovage in special treats and serving several of the recipes Chef Scott shares at Saturday's event.

The 522 Yard Sale all day Saturday is a new shopping adventure with shopkeepers setting up sale tables in front of their downtown businesses to clear inventory and back rooms.

Fun moves outdoors with Redbud Weekend that includes everything from star parties at the Observatory on Friday and Saturday nights to an open house at the spectacular Eidolon Nature preserve all day Saturday. " One of the most popular parts of the weekend is getting a free dogwood 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." Even the food is outside on Sunday with the season opening of he Berkeley Springs Farmers Market in the Square.

Berkeley Springs is the state's first certified arts community making local art a uniquely West Virginia product. At the Ice House, just a block from the wine and food show, the Civil War is on display with walls of numbered prints from the country's most prominent contemporary Civil War artists and an exhibit of David Hunter Strother's amazing eyewitness drawings of the Trial and Hanging of John Brown. More than 30 regional artists sell their creations as part of the Ice House Co-op Gallery. The Ice House Theater Project opens Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" with a local cast and director on Friday at 7:30pm. Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon at 3pm are additional shows.

The Old Factory Antique Mall 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.

2010 UNIQUELY WEST VIRGINIA VENDORS

WINERIES

CASCARELLI'S OLD COUNTRY WINE - Salem - John Cascarelli 304-782-2768

FISHER RIDGE WINE CO.-Charleston- Wilson Ward.

FORKS OF CHEAT - Morgantown - Jerry & Susan Deal 304-599-8660 Variety of award-winning West Virginia wines.

JONES CABIN RUN VINEYARDS-Alan & Elaine Wolfe. 2007 Gold, Silver & Bronze State & International award winners.

KENCO FARMS HONEY-WINES - Sutton - John & Barbara Kennen 304-765-7980. Honey wine (mead) as well as candy, jams & jellies.

LAMBERT'S VINTAGE WINES - Weston - Jim & Debbie Lambert 304-269-4903.

POTOMAC HIGHLAND WINERY - Keyser - Charles Whitehill 304-788-3066. "Best of Show" in state competition for their '98 Chardonnay, '99 Meritage and 2000 Seyval Blanc.

VU JA DE VINEYARDS - Spencer - Bryan George 304-377-1404

WEST-WHITEHILL WINERY LTD. - Moorefield - Joe Worzala 304-738-9208.

WINETREE VINEYARDS - Vienna - Craig & Candice Bandy 304-865-0507 New York style wines.

SPECIALTY FOODS

LOT 12 - Berkeley Springs - Damien & Betsy Heath 304-258-6264. Ramp soup, morels.

PANORAMA AT THE PEAK- Berkeley Springs - Patti Miller and Leslie Hotaling 304-258-0050.

CONDIMENTS

C & M FARMS - Honey

UNCLE BUNK'S - Rose Young- 304-652-1920 Mustard spread, Pepper sauce and Sweet Pickles.

OTHER PRODUCTS

GLASCOCK'S PRODUCE--Mark and Laura Glascock

HASKINS FAMILY FARM--Eggs and information on meats

MANNA FOR LIFE--Breads

MOCK'S GREENHOUSE--Paul Mock-Berkeley Springs

WISTERIA GARDENS--Heather Caudie-Berkeley Springs