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Now Available! "Virginia Wine In My Pocket" is the only iOS and 'Droid travel guide for the Virginia Wine Country. Written by Nancy Bauer and Rick Collier -- long-time Virginia residents, travel writers, and wine explorers -- this In My Pocket guide includes information on all Virginia wineries, plus wine trails, nearby inns, dining, and GPS mapping to each. Get the app in the Apple iTunes store! Get it for 'Droid in the Google Play store! |
A really huge makeover is in the works for Virginia Wine In My Pocket!
The new web site will link directly to the app (both ‘droid and iOS) to provide the new features you’ve been requesting: Users will be able to track where you’ve been, vote on your personal favorites, make your own personal tasting notes, and more. (This change affects mainly the web site; the app will get normal *free* content updates, including new links to the new features.) The new site is under construction now; we’re working to relaunch before spring, 2013.
| Just about done! (about 99%) (May Day 2013: Loading live data.) |
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 Final checks and code complete. |
| Search and map functions complete. |
| Dining and Lodging place types added. |
| User-specific list functions tested and complete. |
| Mapping and geolocation logic done. |
| Web to Apps logic done. |
| User creation and login pages done. |
| Winery lists and menu functions done. |
| Winery display views done. |
| User notes and ratings functionality (“It works!”) |
| Content types and display sets complete. |
| Web site layout, template, and server setup. |
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Tags: development, features, makeover, new, progress, refresh, relaunch, status, update, updates, VAWineInMyPocket, VAWineInMyPocket.com, Virginia Wine, Virginia Wine in My Pocket
The ever-inscrutable Google has for some reason decided not to play nice with our one-day Va Wine in My Pocket app sale. The price change took effect for the .99 sale in iTunes (for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch) but Google has not reduced the price from $3.99 to $.99 for Android devices yet today.
I’m sorry for any inconvenience to you Droid users! You certainly waited long enough for the app to be published in Android, and now this! We don’t mean to torment you – really we don’t.
I’ll keep an eye on it and when I see the change go through, I’ll email those of you who are patiently waiting and politely inquiring. Just send me an email (Nancy@VaWineinMyPocket.com)
We love summer. You love summer. Everybody loves summer! So let’s celebrate!
TOMORROW ONLY – FRIDAY, MAY 25 – the Virginia Wine in My Pocket app goes on sales for just .99 cents!
This comprehensive, FUN app travel guide to Virginia wine country is available both in iTunes and in Android Market (yes, finally!).
It’s normally $3.99, so buy it and GIFT IT to friends on Friday! (You can only gift through iTunes – Android doesn’t have that feature yet.)
The app has first-hand reviews (by us!) of nearly 200 wineries, plus dining and lodging options at wineries, plus maps, and lots of filters and gadgets that let you sort by Region, Pet Friendly, Kid Friendly, and lots more.
Haven’t downloaded the app yet? LOVE the app and want to gift it to a friend (or lots of friends)? Been holding out for a better price? (Though – really – $3.99? That’s a steal for everything we’ve stuffed into this guide!)
Stay tuned for an exciting announcement that involves the words “Virginia Wine in My Pocket app” and “sale” and “May 25.” Just in time for Memorial Day weekend! One day only.
The summer 2012 update of the Virginia Wine in My Pocket app is now complete! It includes nearly 20 NEW wineries, and it should be approved and live in iTunes and Android Market any day now.
Yes! In case you missed the announcement, the app is now available for ‘Droid! Still only $3.99! Thanks to Virginia Wine Guide Online for helping us get the word out; check them out for the latest on what’s happening in Virginia wine.
Thousands of avid Virginia winery visitors have now downloaded our app travel guide to Virginia wine country, with reviews of nearly 200 wineries, online maps, days/hours, tasting fees, wine styles, and rules on kids, pets, and groups. Here’s a sample review from iTunes:
I love the descriptions, info on prices and lodging. Worthwhile to find out specifics about which locations are dog friendly, good for groups, newcomer wineries, etc.
Thanks to everyone contributing comments within the app – you’ve been a huge help in keeping the details up to date, and also sharing your “warts ‘n all” reviews.
While updating the Virginia Wine in My Pocket app for spring 2012, I just came across a Good Luck Cellars newsletter article promoting Buri Wine Bags. A big thanks to the Northern Neck winery’s owner Katie Krop for her support!
I haven’t written much about this, but Rick and I are supporting a small village of women weavers in the Philippines by distributing their hand-woven Buri palm bags in Virginia. Rick is just back from there, as a matter of fact, and got to know the ladies, the mayor, and other local dignitaries, as he encouraged the town to continue to support and expand the weaving culture, which is helping to alleviate the extreme poverty of the area.
Good Luck Cellars and others are carrying the hand-woven wine bags in their gift areas, and reporting brisk sales of the one-of-a-kind items.
If you know of a winery or wine shop interested in stocking the bags at a very reasonable price, please let us know. (See all the gorgeous Buri wine bags, beach bags, market bags, and handbags on our Buri Bag Project Facebook page.)
Tags: buri, Good Luck Cellars, Northern Neck, Virginia, wine, wine bags, winery
Yes! Yes! Yes!
It’s been a long time coming, and our readers all deserve a patience-reward, but we are finally able to report that the Virginia Wine in My Pocket app is now out on Android! It’s still $3.99, it’s still highly rated, and it’s still the ONLY mobile travel guide to Virginia Wine Country! Download for yourself, or gift the app to your friends and family today. You can find it here.
And once you’re part of the VWIMP community, don’t forget to use the in-app comment feature to share your impressions as you wander wine country.
We drink Virginia wine nearly every night. No kidding. At first it was because we’d amassed quite the bounty of bottles during our 150 Virginia Wineries in 150 Days Tour. But once we’d plowed through those (except for the four cases we have now cellared, to see if what the winemakers told us is true…), we started buying Virginia wines at Safeway. Jefferson, Barboursville, Breaux…they were our family now. (Don’t get me wrong, though – these are no sentimental, “buy local!” (even if you’d prefer Napa) purchases. The Virginia Cab Francs and Meritage are terrific food wines.)
So we’re always tickled when we see one of the “family” on local restaurant menus. I make a point of commenting on it to the staff. You should, too, if you’re a Virginia wine lover (and I’m guessing you are – otherwise why read this? It’s not like we’re the mega-popular Swirl, Sip, Snark).
March is Virginia Wine & Dine Month, so get out there and meet a few new family members. The Virginia Wine Office has put together a great reference list of 981 restaurants, 350 wine shops, and hundreds of events where you can do just that.
Tags: dine, month, restaurants, retail, Virginia, wine, wine shop
News from our friend and incredible wine writer Mary Ann Dancisin:
VWG-Online, the online wine magazine formerly affiliated with the Virginia Wine Gazette, becomes Independent as of March 1, 2012. With a new name, VIRGINIA WINE GUIDE Online, the e-zine will continue to cover a full range of stories on Virginia wines and wineries. The website address remains www.VWG-Online.com.
Content strategist Mary Ann Dancisin says, “Weʼre planning an ambitious campaign to reach more Virginia wine fans in 2012. New social media strategy, more interactive promotions, a visible presence at key wine festivals and trade shows – these are some of the elements weʼll employ to become the go-to source for the latest news on wine and winery-related tourism in the Commonwealth.” VWG-Online is published by Effective Communication Solutions, LLC, Dancisinʼs wine marketing firm located in Rappahannock County.
The focus of the revamped online magazine will be “to match [the consumerʼs] own preferences with the group of wineries most likely to please,” as stated in the new entityʼs Facebook profile.
The mission statement continues, “Virginia wineries run the gamut from deeply-rooted family farms to convivial countryside lodges to grand estates with centuries of history…Virginia wines cover a wide range as well: friendly, easy-drinking reds, whites, and rosés; balanced and elegant food wines; and a variety of sweets; as well as a great selection of fruit wines and apple ciders!”
VWG-Onlineʼs objective is to cover all segments of Virginiaʼs wine scene: the e-zine will provide readers a clear path to finding and enjoying the wines they will love most.
For more information, contact Mary Ann Dancisin at vwg@studioecs.com or 540.937.2804.
I had a great time writing this article on Virginia winery weddings for the Virginia Wine Gazette! If a wedding’s in your future, be sure to check out these special places.
Fire pits, cigar bars, photo booths – each generation of starry-eyed lovers ties the knot a little differently, and the current crop goes for less pomp, more play.
Bridal couples are opting out of churches and formal, seated dinners, and wineries have emerged as one of the new go-to spots for out-of-the-box weddings. Sunset ceremonies overlooking the vineyard are followed by receptions that flow with personality, like “toasting” with marshmallows over an open fire, or hiring sommeliers to lead vintage wine tastings or wine-pairing dinners.
Even for the simplest weddings, during spring’s bud break or fall’s grape harvest, no other venue can match the rustic romance, the views, and the sense of renewal and rebirth of a wedding among the vines.
Read more here.
The three wineries featured here can fill up a year in advance, so plan ahead. And if your first choice is already booked, keep looking: Virginia has nearly 90 wineries that want to help you say “I do.”
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What you’re saying about Virginia wineries
It’s been an active summer for the Virginia Wine in My Pocket community!
We also see a few comments that aren’t quite as glowing, and we get a lot of tips about new tasting fees, hours, and other tidbits that help keep the Virginia Wine in My Pocket app updated. (And with more than 200 wineries now operating in Virginia, we sure do appreciate your help with that!)
Here are a few of the love letters we’ve seen recently…
About Bluestone Vineyard, southwest of Harrisonburg, from Yogivino: “It’s a further away drive from where we stayed, but well worth it. I bought 6 different type of red wines, can’t decide which to get. All are great red wines from sweet to complex. Will definitely be back soon!”
About the Winery at Bull Run, north of Manassas, from jhip: “The Winery at Bull Run is a great place. We were there today and they were hoppin! We were drinking Meritage by the fireplace, a party was going on the patio and the tasting bar was busy. Lovely Sangria, attentive staff, VA wine at its best”
About DuCard Vineyards, about 20 minutes south of Sperryville, from Justin: “What wonderful wines! The Cab Franc. Is outstanding, winning over even my Cab-Franc-hating wife. Supple and rich, this wine is ready to drink now but could also be cellared for a couple of years. The Viognier is excellent as well, but it does spend time in oak rather than the standard stainless steel treatment. Service is excellent, and with the purchase of a second bottle, one tasting fee is waived.”
About Sharp Rock Vineyards, near Sperryville, from Anonymous: “We enjoyed our visit here. The view is lovely, and the rustic feel to the tasting room fit the environs. The barrel aged Chardonnay was a standout, as was the dry Rose and the 13-year old Cab they were pouring. The sweet wines weren’t all that good.”
About Jacey Vineyards, on the Northern Neck, from Art and Kim Costas: “We went to Jacey yesterday and had a truly enjoyable time. After our tasting, the young lady pouring our wine suggested we go to the barrel room. There we met the owner and winemaker and did a barrel tasting, something my wife and I had not done before. We learned a lot about the wines and the wine making process and left with the feeling that they care about their wine. We can’t wait until next year to taste the Vidal Blanc and the Petit Verdot we tasted at our barrel tasting.”
About Veritas Vineyards, about 30 minutes west of Charlottesville, from Jen: “Beautiful place with some really great wines! When we went they were no longer doing the two flights because they are trying to hold back some of their reds so it was a mixed tasting of white red and sparkling. Would love to spend some quality time there!”
About Byrd Cellars, between Charlottesville and Richmond, from Anonymous: “We have been to Byrd twice, and enjoyed both visits. We aren’t big fans of their whites, finding them a little “green” for our tastes, their Chardonnays especially. But the reds… Love, love, love the Syrah and the Petit Verdot in particular. We also love how kid-friendly they are, as well as the fact that you can recycle your empty Byrd bottles there and get a discount. This has become a favorite. We’ll be back again.”
Tags: comments, praise, reviews, Virginia, wine, wineries