NBC29 and the Progress are reporting that Felicia Warburg Rogan, the former New Yorker whose 1983 quest for viticulture on Garth Road touched off a multi-million-dollar Albemarle industry, plans to close Oakencroft Vineyard and Winery and sell the premises.
Frontier justice
Local John Laws and tillermen who feel unappreciated have friends over the mountain. As a token of thanks to the police, fire and rescue squad personnel who stand ready to answer every call–whether to wield the jaws of life or fetch Mr. Puss from the maple tree– the Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia offers free admission June 1–September 1. The offer is open to crews from Staunton, Waynesboro, Lexington, Charlottesville and Harrisonburg and Augusta, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Nelson, Albemarle and Botetourt County– and the Virginia State Police. The “living history” museum in Staunton features six reconstructed working farms from Germany (1710), Northern Ireland (1730) and England (1690), and Botetourt (1850) and Rockingham County (1773). The farms represent the daily lives and agricultural heritage of people who immigrated to the new world and formed a unique American culture– and established fire, police and rescue squads. 9am-5pm every day. I-81 at Exit 222 to Route 250 West, Richmond Ave. Museum’s entrance is 1/2 mile on left. 540-332-7850. # (1)
I-64 teen appeals
The 16-year-old who pleaded guilty to seven charges stemming from the shooting rampage he and Gremlin-driving Slade Woodson undertook March 27 is appealing the sentence handed down by Judge Susan Whitlock that puts him in the state Department of Juvenile Justice for an indeterminate length that could stretch to his 21st birthday, the Daily Progress reports. A probation supervisor, his defense attorney and the prosecution recommended a 180-day treatment program locally at the Blue Ridge Detention Center. (3)
Council opts for diamond interchange
The DP reports that due to reportedly safer bike/pedestrian connections, City Council chose this top plan Wednesday rather than this bottom plan for the interchange planned for Route 250 Bypass with the proposed Meadowcreek Parkway, a road that 1990’s supporters thought would save downtown. 
Now that downtown has been saved somehow without it, the road still has plenty of backers, even though both of these plans appear to cause months-long gridlock and million-dollar issues for the Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad, shown on the aerials as a red cross. (1)
Rogan to close Oakencroft
NBC29 and the Progress are reporting that Felicia Warburg Rogan, the former New Yorker whose 1983 quest for viticulture on Garth Road touched off a multi-million-dollar Albemarle industry, plans to close Oakencroft Vineyard and Winery and sell the premises. (3)
Snap o' the day: Truck o' the day
Sure this massive 18-wheeler stopped traffic in both directions on Carlton Road, but even as cars were delayed, the driver’s skill in backing this behemoth into Martin Horn’s driveway kept hungry lunch-goers from honking. (3)
I note as an interesting coincidence that Oakencroft is the featured winery of the month on the website of your chief competitor, C-ville Weekly, which lists a full calendar of events at the vineyard and estate well into December.
Sorry to hear of its apparent demise; the Viognier was always quite tasty.
Addendum: the NBC29 and Progess stories note that the Oakencroft operation will shutter at year’s end. Think I’d better skidoo out there and score a case of the Viognier before there is no mo’.
I agree with Cinematic - time to get out there and enjoy the wine and the experience before it is a memory.
I have always been a fan of Oakencroft, mainly because of Felicia Rogan and her very dedicated long term staff. It is a shame that it they are closing but their contribution to the industry will live on and, hopefully, be fully appreciated.
Best wishes to everyone at Oakencroft!