The Black Dog Blog

Harvest with the Dogs

Harvest with the Dogs is a one of a kind vineyard experience hosted by Chateau Morrisette Winery.  Spend an afternoon in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia learning to harvest and process grapes.  You'll have a lot of fun and some excellent food and wine while you learn.  

Your adventure begins with a wagon ride from the winery down to the Vineyard.  Once there, you'll meet with our owner, David Morrisette and our Vineyard Manager, Steve VanSutphin.  After a short orientation, you'll be given cutters and a lug and pointed in the direction of the vines to be harvested.  Spend about a hour or less harvesting grapes with your own two hands.  Once the grapes are cut, you'll travel by wagon back to the winery where you will meet with our Winemaker, Jason Crolley.  Jason will teach you how to crush the grapes, process them, and make the wine.

So while it may sound like hard work, you will have plenty of time to relax over lunch hosted in the vineyard, a glass or two of your favorite Chateau Morrisette wine, and even a tasting of a wine in process on your tour of the cellar with Jason.  Once complete, you'll have an opportunity (if you want) to step back in time and experience the ancient way of processing grapes by climbing into a barrel and stomping them with your own two feet.  Your adventure concludes with a complimentary wine tasting in our tasting room and a t-shirt of your choice.  It will be a day to remember!

Harvest with the Dogs takes place on Saturday, September 15th at 10AM or 1PM and on Sunday, September 16th at 1PM.  Participation is limited to 32 people per session.  Tickets are $75 per person and include lunch, wine, wine tastings, tour, t-shirt, and your vineyard harvest experience. It happens rain or shine so be sure to dress comfortably and appropriately for the weather.  Get tickets early before they sell out.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

 

Insights From Our Winemaker and Our Owner

Pair a Wine recently spoke with our Winemaker Jason Crolley and our founder and owner David Morrisette:

The Black Dog Beach Music Festival Returns August 11

 

Saturday, August 11 at the Morrisette Festival Field, The Black Dog Beach Music Festival welcomes you with Chateau Morrisette wine and cider tastings; sales by the glass or bottle; cold, 100% Virginia hard cider by the can or four pack; beers on iced tap; food, art, and craft vendors; and of course an afternoon of beach music to get you and your friends moving!

"South Carolina's Finest Show Band" the Fantastic Shakers open the festival, with featured performers Carolina Beach Music legends the Embers.

GET TICKETS + INFO

Discounted advanced tickets $20 until July 27, then $25 until August 10 at 4p, then gate price of $30.

Admission includes tastings through the afternoon, on site parking, and entertainment. Gates open at 11a. Tastings and sales begin at 11:30. Music begins at noon and continues until 5p.

Seating and sunscreen recommended. Canopies welcome in designated areas behind the dance lawn. Well behaved dogs on a leash are welcome. No refunds - the beach music happens rain or shine! No outside food or drink. Wagon shuttle between the festival field and winery will run noon - 4p; top of the hour at festival field, bottom of the hour at winery. Look for signs to 'board shuttle here'.

Children under 12 admitted free with paid adult admission. Discounted ticket for designated drivers and young adults.

The festival site is Nancy Morrisette Festival Field, 3641 Black Ridge Road Floyd, VA 24091, just a half mile from the winery.

GET TICKETS + INFO