Published February 24, 2005, in issue 0408 of The Hook

BY LAUREN BROOKS

Looking for a relaxing and educational way to spend your weekend that doesn't include touring a historical landmark? Consider a trip to a vineyard!

At a wine and cheese weekend February 19-20, visitors to Barboursville's Burnley Vineyards had a chance to learn about and compare cheeses and Burnley wines with others from around the world.

The winery was packed on Saturday. After completing the wine tasting, guests and their choice glass of wine made their way into a sunlit room overlooking the 30-acre vineyard to sample the treats.

Family owned and operated, Burnley is one of the oldest Monticello viticultural area vineyards, located 12 miles beyond Charlottesville off Route 20 North.

If you missed the wine and cheese weekend, don't worry! In addition to Burnley's normal tasting room hours and private tours, lots of area vineyard host interactive and educational weekend events throughout 2005.

Mmmmm, cheese

C.J. Reeder, general manager of Burnley Vineyards, educates his customers on varietals.

Tom and Linda Sturgill of Pasadena, Maryland chat with winemaker Lee Reeder.

Burnley Vineyards is one of the oldest in the Monticello viticultural area.

Swirl, smell, sip: From left, Paula Theis, Ron Ankeney, Patrick Koren, and April Ankeney give the Cabernet Sauvignon a whirl.

A veritable smorgasbord of deliciousness: Rita and Jeff Sharpe test their taste buds at the cheese-tasting table.

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