This year's Carytown Food and Wine Festival will take place on Oct. 7 at Cary Court. For the ninth year in a row, the festival will spotlight a variety of Virginia wineries, local restaurants and wine shops in a family friendly environment. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate, and include a souvenir wine glass and tasting. $10 designated driver tickets are also available. 307-6533 or carytownrva.org.
Visit Barboursville Vineyards in Orange County on Oct. 13, for The Octagon Dinner, starting with a reception with canapés and Barboursville Brut and a barrel tasting in the Octagon Cellar, followed by a four-course meal prepared by chef Melissa Close Hart. The meal will be paired with four distinct vintages of Octagon. Reservations are required and the fee is $150 per person. (540) 832-7848 or barboursvillewine.net .
The second Louisa Wine Festival, set for Oct. 13, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Walton Park in Mineral, features 14 Virginia wineries, a demonstration by chef Jade Laurenco of Obrigado Restaurant in Louisa on cooking with wine, pairings of wine with chocolate and cheese, horse-drawn carriage rides, country music performed by the Last Call Band and oldies, beach music and Motown by Flashback. Tickets, which include wine samples, are $15 in advance, $20 at the gate ($5 less for designated drivers). (540) 967-0944 or louisawinefestival.com .
The first Williamsburg Jazz and Wine Festival will be held Oct. 12 to 14. The festival will kick off Friday with a jazz concert and silent auction to benefit the Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters. The rest of the weekend will feature regional contemporary jazz performances, food and wine samplings, and Sunday brunch. Ticket prices vary by day. 665-3478 or wjwfestival.com .
Rebec Vineyards in Amherst will hold the 22nd annual Wine and Garlic Festival on Oct. 13 and 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event includes a garlic cook-off and tastings from eight wineries. Tickets are $20 at the gate for general admission or $25 with wine tasting. (434) 946-5168 or rebecwinery.com .
For a casual day of wine tasting, head out to Powhatan's Historic Courthouse Square for Powhatan's Festival of the Grape. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the event, which has grown to comprise 30 Virginia wineries, regional food vendors, arts and crafts, and live entertainment. The festival will be held Oct. 20 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate. 598-2636 or powhatanwinefestival.com .
Vintage Maymont returns to The Jefferson Hotel for its 15th year on Oct. 26 from 6 to 10 p.m. The event begins with a cocktail reception and silent auction, followed by dinner and a live auction. This year's auction will include fine wines, vacation packages, artwork and more. All proceeds benefit the Maymont Foundation. Tickets are $200 per person or $300 for patron tickets. 358-7166, ext. 341 or maymont.org .
For those who are interested in exploring the central Virginia countryside as well as visiting wineries, The Heart of Virginia Wine Trail includes Lake Anna Winery, Cooper Vineyards, James River Cellars and Grayhaven Winery. Passport tickets are available for $15, and the trail can be completed during one or more visits anytime the wineries are open for business. hovawinetrail.com
Regional winery tours are offered by James River Transportation. 342-7300 or jamesrivertrans.com/services /wine/tours. James Limousine also offers tours. 273-1540, jameslimousine.com .
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