shutterstock.com/ Dasha Petrenko
Each month, we give our food calendar a little make-over, adding new events, festivals and dinners held by local restaurants and wineries. Last month we had St. Patrick’s Day and Easter brunch events, and in February, most events had to do with love. April marks the beginning of outdoor activities, a new produce season and the dreamy above-50 degree weather.
If you’re on a health kick:
This Saturday, Wildfire will host a three-course gluten-free brunch (biscuits and gravy!), paired with spins on morning cocktails, such as sun-dried tomato Bloody Mary and pomegranate mimosa. Vanessa Weisbrod, executive editor of Delight Gluten-Free Magazine, will be in attendance as guest speaker to share her insight on living and dining gluten free. / $35 per person; Wildfire, 2001 International Drive, McLean. For more information: all Elissa or Amanda at 703-442-9110.
If you’re into (and can) shuck oysters:
The following Saturday, over in Sperryville, The Little Washington Winery will host its first Wine-Oyster-BBQ-Whiskey-Art Shindig. April 13, from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., The Little Washington Winery will host a Dirt Road Wine Festival dedicated to booze, food and art. From morning to afternoon, festival goers can enjoy two types of wine and two types of spring-inspired foods: Shindig White, which was picked to work well with fresh oysters and Shindig Red, which (you guessed it) was specially picked to go with Grand Slam BBQ. With the promise of warmer weather, the River District Art Studios will showcase new art exhibits outside among the wining and dining and just down the street whiskey tours at Cooper Fox Distillery start on the hour all day. / Free admission; Little Washington Winery, 3 River Lane, Sperryville.
If you’re into beers and baseball:
With today as the start of baseball season, two area restaurants, Mad Fox and Wildfire, will hold baseball-inspired dinners this month. On April 17, Wildfire will honor baseball by pairing four courses with a beer from baseball cities: D.C. (Nationals: 2012 National League, Eastern Division Champs), Chicago (Cubs: 1908 World Series Champs), San Francisco (Giants: 2012 World Series Champs) and Detroit (Tigers: 2012 American League Champs). / $50 per person; Wildfire, 2001 International Drive, McLean.
Mad Fox customers can enjoy a five-course meal paired with house-brewed beers and special guest, former Washington Senator‘s P.A. announcer, Charlie Brotman. / $55 per person; Mad Fox Brewing, 444 W. Broad St., Falls Church.
If you’re outdoorsy, in that you like to get drunk on patios:
The 86th Annual Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival Bloomin’ Wine Fest will be held April 26, from 3:00 – 10:00 p.m. Head west to enjoy spring with friends and family by uncorking Virginia wines, with over 20 local wineries participating, including The Williamsburg Winery, Byrd Cellars and Lazy Days Winery; both new and old favorites from previous years. There will be live music on two stages, featuring regional bands to listen to while feasting upon one of the many food vendor choices, along with tons of other festivities (like petting the Budweiser Clydesdales!) /$5-$30 per ticket;Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, 135 N. Cameron St., Winchester.
The following day, on April 27, from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m and a little closer to D.C., Great Grapes Wine Festival will be held in Reston Town Center. With over 20 wineries from Virginia and 200 wines to taste, there will be plenty to do, eat and drink. Great Grapes has introduced new pavilions where festival goers can explore tents with cheese tastings, grilling demonstrations, salt and spice samples to try and buy, a wine aroma tent to test your wine knowledge and an olive oil tent with, again, samples to try or buy for all of your cooking, eating and drinking needs. Specialty tickets ($69 VIP tasting ticket), give buyers a free t-shirt and wine glass along with unlimited wine tastings, cooking class and performance access. Other tickets are offered online before the festival; tickets bought the day of must be cash only. /$27-$69 per ticket; Great Grapes Wine Festival, 11811 Freedom Drive, Reston.