For Immediate Release
February 23, 2006
Digital images available

Media Contact:
Melissa Wood (703) 799-5203
mwood@mountvernon.org

MOUNT VERNON, Va. – Mount Vernon’s Wine Festival & Sunset Tour celebrates the history of wine in Virginia with exclusive evening tours of the Mansion and cellar, appearances by “George and Martha Washington”, and live jazz on the east lawn of George Washington's Mount Vernon home overlooking the scenic Potomac River. Visitors can bring a blanket and relax on the lawn as they sample wines from 16 Virginia wineries on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 19, 20 and 21, from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person and are available at Mount Vernon’s Main Gate or through TicketMaster (703-573-SEAT) beginning April 15.

Historic interpreters and colonial-attired 18th-century "friends" of the Washingtons will conduct special tours of the Mansion throughout the evening. The interpreters will discuss Washington’s attempts at creating a vineyard and highlight various wine-related items inside the Mansion, such as Washington’s spirits case, as well as the basement’s brick vaults, where Washington stored his wine – an area of the Mansion not open to the public at any other time of the year.

Throughout each evening, guests can sample wines from 16 award-winning Virginia wineries: Barboursville Vineyards, Breaux Vineyards, Chrysalis Vineyards,Horton Cellars, Oasis Winery, Peaks of Otter Winery, Pearmund Cellars, Prince Michael Vineyards, Lake Anna Winery, Rockbridge Vineyard, Stone Mountain Vineyards & Winery, Swedenburg Esate Vineyard, Tarara Vineyard & Winery, Waterford Vineyards, and Wintergreen Winery.
Guests must be prepared to show identification for wine service. Designated drivers will receive free Coca-Cola soft drinks.

To accompany the wine tasting, Fruit & Cheese boxes are available by advance purchase ($22 each; serves two). A variety of hot and cold food and desserts including baguettes, gourmet sandwiches, and specialty sweets will be available on site from the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant and Firehook Bakery Concessions. Outside food and beverages are not allowed. Pets are also not allowed.

Situated on the piazza lawn overlooking the Potomac River, a very limited number of Private Tables are available. Perfect for corporate entertaining or a special evening with friends, tables seat 12 guests and include admission, fruit & cheese platters, bottles of Mount Vernon wine, and VIP table service. Tables are $750 and may be purchased by calling the Mount Vernon Voice Mail Reservation Line at 703-799-8659.

Guests can take home a remembrance of Mount Vernon’s Wine Festival and Sunset Tour from the Shops at Mount Vernon, open until 9:30 p.m. each evening. Cases of wine purchased at the Festival can be transported by wine valets to the Shops for easy pick up at the end of the evening.

Mount Vernon’s Wine Festival and Sunset Tour takes place rain or shine, tickets are limited and all sales are final. This is a popular event; early ticket purchase is suggested. Admission tickets ($30 per person) and reserved Fruit & Cheese boxes ($22) may be purchased through TicketMaster at 703-573-SEAT or www.ticketmaster.com or at Mount Vernon’s Main Gate ticket window during visiting hours starting April 15.

All proceeds benefit the ongoing preservation and restoration of Mount Vernon and its educational programs.

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Since 1860, over 80 million visitors have made George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens the most popular historic home in America. Through thought-provoking tours, entertaining events, and stimulating educational programs on the Estate and in classrooms across the nation, Mount Vernon strives to preserve George Washington’s place in history as "First in War, First in Peace, and First in the Hearts of His Countrymen." Mount Vernon is owned and operated by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, America’s oldest national preservation organization, founded in 1853. A picturesque drive to the southern end of the scenic George Washington Memorial Parkway, Mount Vernon is located just 16 miles from the nation’s capital.

Hours of operation: April-August, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; March, September, October, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; November – February, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Regular admission rates: adults, $13.00; senior citizens, $12.00; children age 6-11, when accompanied by an adult, $6.00; and children under age 5, FREE. Admission fees, restaurant and retail proceeds, along with private donations, support the operation and restoration of Mount Vernon.