The Best Places to Celebrate LOVE in Nelson County
LOCKN’s celebrating Valentine’s Day and our state motto, Virginia is for Lovers, by highlighting some of our favorite places you can celebrate LOVE with your partner, best friend, or concert buddy. Whatever your concept of V-Day is, there is something for everyone in Nelson County.
1. Heart-Shaped Pizza at Blue Mountain Brewery
Take another little “pizza” my heart now baby and stop by the Blue Mountain Brewery, one of the familiar vendors at LOCKN’, on February 14, where your favorite Blue Mountain pizzas will be made heart shaped in honor of Valentine’s Day. Dine-in or carry-out anytime between 11AM to 10PM. For more information visit www.bluemountainbrewery.com or call (540) 456-8020.
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2. Cider Pairing at Bold Rock Cider
Our friends at Bold Rock Cider are pairing beer and wines to an assortment of Gearhart’s Fine Chocolates to ensure a sweet ride to “Chocolate Town” on February 7 from 11AM to 9PM. Expect pairings like Rosé with Tequila Lime Truffle and Pearadise IPA with Brown Butter Caramel Truffle to ultimately stoke the fires of paradise. There’s nothing quite like sitting back with a Bold Rock Cider and a loved one listening to live music, just as folks do at LOCKN’, so say “I love you,” with a cold one and listen to Matt Johnson from 6PM to 9PM. Meet the chocolatier from 4PM to 9PM. For more information, check out http://www.boldrock.com/ or call (434) 361-1020.
3. Winter Lecture Series at Wintergreen Nature Foundation Trillium House
The Winter Lecture Series at Wintergreen Nature Foundation Trillium House is hosting the Science of Skywatching at the Wintergreen Resort on February 7 to teach you to be a bird of paradise and fly in the white sky. Dr. Karin Warren, Chair of Environmental Science at Randolph College will be delving into meteorology and the physics behind a variety of clouds and atmospheric phenomenons teaching you how the stars seem to splatter in the sky. In Bob Weir’s lyrics from “Only a River” he sings “Oh Shenandoah, I long to see you,” so take some advice and consider a hiking trip to the top of local Shenandoah National Park to really test your knowledge from the lecture. Registration in advance is required and there is a fee. Refreshments will be provided. For more information visit http://www.twnf.org/ or call (434) 325-8169.
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4. Taste of Nelson 29 at the Charlottesville Downtown Pedestrian Mall
Whether you resonate with Brandi Carlile’s “Party of One” or with Jerry Garcia’s “Love in The Afternoon,” make a plan to visit the Taste of Nelson 29 on February 7 from 5PM to 9PM for a pre-Valentine’s Day event on the Downtown Pedestrian Mall Friday in collaboration with Charlottesville’s First Friday Series. Sit back and take a sip or two of some of the local producers all in one place: Blue Mountain Barrel House, Lovingston Winery, Virginia Distillery Company, Mountain Cove Vineyards, Bren Manor Vineyards and Delfosse Vineyard. The award-winning and acclaimed wines, beers and whisky of Nelson 29 will be featured during the event. There is an entry fee and 100 percent of the proceeds goes to benefit the preservation of the historic Claudius Crozet Blue Ridge Tunnel. For more information visit https://nelson29.com/.
5. Valentine’s Dinner at DelFosse Vineyards and Winery
DelFosse Vineyards and Winery is hosting a Valentine’s Dinner on February 8 from 6PM to 9:30PM. Expect more than just chopped olive-sandwiches, roses and wine as the in-house chef will be pairing elegant cuisine with select wines. Seating is limited and sells out faster than Casey Jones drivin’ that train, so make sure to reserve in advance. For more information visit www.delfossewine.com or call (434) 263-6100.
6. Valentine’s at Veritas Winery
It’s okay to have too much too fast this Valentine’s Day evening at Veritas Winery for a five-course, wine-paired dinner in Saddleback Hall at 6:30 p.m. Music and dancing to follow provided by DJ John Garland. Tickets are on sale at www.veritaswines.com or call (540) 456-8000.
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7. Truffle ‘n’ Hooch at Silverback Distillery
Come and drink to the dregs of the whiskey jar for the Truffle ‘n’ Hooch at Silverback Distillery this Valentine’s Day from 6:30PM to 8:30PM. Assistant Distiller, Lauren the “Baby Hooch,” will host an intimate guided Silverback whiskey tasting in a private setting, including the limited Alpha Series Rye, not to be confused with half a cup of rock and rye. The night will end with a Valentine-themed cocktail designed just for the occasion. Each whiskey and the cocktail will be paired with truffles from local chocolatier, Jennifer Mowad, of Cocoa and Spice. Tickets are on sale and there is limited space. For more information, visit http://sbdistillery.com/ or call (540) 456-7070.
8. Steal the Pint at Bold Rock Cider
Grab your special someone that you want to love night and day and spend it at Bold Rock Cider for a Steal the Pint Night on Valentine’s Day from 11AM. to 9PM. With the purchase of any Bold Rock beverage, the cideries’ newly designed glass featured with a romantic vibe stating ‘Apple of my Eye’ will be free. This deal is limited to one per guest and only while supplies last. Live music will be provided by Stan’s Jukebox Classics Band where you will hear classic vintage jukebox songs from the Beatles, Elvis Preseley and our friends Willie Nelson and Tom Petty. This is a free and family friendly event. For more information visit http://www.boldrock.com/ or call (434) 361-1030.
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9. The Powder of Love at Wintergreen Resort.
Up on the Blue Ridge Mountain, come and take your stand at the Powder of Love at Wintergreen Resort on Valentine’s Day for a chance at Chairlift Speed Dating from 1PM to 4PM. If you have been looking out for love, some big, big love, then this event is the place for you to meet your next sweetheart. For more information visit https://www.wintergreenresort.com/Events-Home/ or call (434) 325-2200.
10. Valentine’s Beer Dinner at Devils Backbone Brewing Company
Make a friend of the devil and indulge yourself in an evening at Devils Backbone Brewing Company for the annual Valentine’s Beer Dinner from 6:30PM to 9:30PM. Enjoy a romantic night out with a five course meal paired with Devils Backbone beers. Tickets are available to purchase in advance. For more information visit www.dbbrewingcompany.com or call (434) 361-1001.
11. Valentine’s Day Pairing Dinner at The Mark Addy Inn
Join the Valentine’s Day Pairing Dinner at The Mark Addy Inn where your love will not fade away. A four course love inspired dinner will be on both February 14 and February 15 from 6:30PM to 8:30PM. You must reserve your seat in advance. Live music will be provided by John Kelly on Friday evening and Spring Valley Duo on Saturday evening. For more information visit https://www.mark-addy.com/ or call (434) 361-1101.
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12. Wine Lovers 5K at Cardinal Point Vineyard and Winery
Now the race is on and here comes Cardinal Point Vineyard and Winery is hosting a Wine Lovers 5K from 8AM to 12PM on February 15. The race starts and finishes in the vineyard starting at 9AM where the trail takes you through the country back roads of Nelson County. Packet pick-up from 8:00AM to 8:45AM. The trail is stroller and walker friendly. Run off all those gourmet chocolates and glasses of wine from the night before and register at https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Afton/WineLovers5K and check out www.cardinalpointwinery.com for more information or call (540) 456-8400.
13. Workshop at Wintergreen Nature Foundation Trillium House at Wintergreen Resort
Birds of a feather are flocking outside and into the Wintergreen Nature Foundation Trillium House at Wintergreen Resort for a Birds of a Feather Workshop on February 15 from 1PM to 3PM. Kathie Driscoll will be showing which love birds are flocking together during the cold month of February followed by an arts and crafts to create unique Valentine’s cards. Appropriate for ages 5 and up. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required in advance and there is a fee. For more information visit http://www.twnf.org/ or call (434) 325-8169.
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14. A Dram of Love Valentine’s Celebration at The Virginia Distillery Company
Pick up your “Whiskey Legs” and take a trip to the annual Dram of Love celebration at The Virginia Distillery Company from 11AM to 6PM on February 15. Whisky tastings are available all day, but be sure to try February’s featured cocktail ‘Winter Rose’. Live music by Sue Harlow will take place from 2PM to 5PM. Take a tour through the Whisky Museum, Distillery and the Bottling House if you’re feeling curious. Reserve your space online for a tour. Tours start at 11:30AM, 1:30PM, and 3:30PM, and last about an hour. Bringing your own food is allowed, but light snacks will also be available for purchase. For more information visit http://vadistillery.com/ or call (434) 285-2900.
15. 62nd Annual Piney River Volunteer Fire Department Chitterling Dinner
Take your only true sweet love to the 62nd Annual Piney River Volunteer Fire Department Chitterling Dinner at the Piney River Volunteer Fire Department from noon to 5PM on February 15. The dinner consists of many different options including chitterlings, ham, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, vegetables, breads and an array of homemade desserts. There will also be a quilt raffle. All proceeds benefit the Piney River Fire Department. You say it’s a living, we all gotta eat, so come be a part of a classic country tradition. For more information call (434) 277- 5778.
16. Sweet Heart’s Weekend at Hill Top Berry Farm and Winery
Go where the water tastes like wine for a Sweet Heart’s Weekend at Hill Top Berry Farm and Winery on February 15 and 16 from 11AM to 5PM. Take your little honey bunny [Saturday and] Sunday mornin’ to try several styles of authentic honey meads paired with different samples of food as well as gourmet truffles paired with several different “True to the Fruit” wines. There will be treats and gifts for you and your sweetheart. There is a fee. For more information visit www.hilltopberrywine.com or call (434) 361-1266.
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