Plenty of people heard it through the grapevine that Fauquier County’s best homegrown wine could be found at Airlie Hotel and Conference Center last weekend.

On February 8, the 300-acre property owned by American University drew more than 400 thirsty oenophiles for a taste of the ninth annual Fauquier County Wine Showcase. Inside Airlie House, 13 local wineries set up shop for a full day of sips and sales of their tasty and award-winning vino.

Airlie has hosted the festival since 2014—in partnership with the Fauquier County Department of Economic Development—as part of its commitment to supporting the community it calls home.

“The festival has become an annual tradition that helps Airlie welcome our community members to our historic conference center, hotel, and working farm,” said Mike Scher, SOC/BA ’08, WCL/JD ’13, Kogod/MS ’19, assistant vice president of campus auxiliary services. “Before Airlie was donated to AU in 2016, the property was not open to the public. This event, amongst others Airlie hosts, help make the property more accessible to our community and region.”

Kimberly Grunett, SPA/BA ’99, Kogod/MBA ’04, who works part-time for Pearmund Cellars, said the annual showcase is an economic boon for local wineries. But as much as it’s about community support, the event is about excellence.

Fauquier County, which touts itself as being in “the heart of Virginia wine country,” is located in a geographic sweet spot for ideal grape growing conditions. Last year, The Wall Street Journal called Northern Virginia “America’s next great wine destination,” identifying the region as an up-and-comer in one of the top-producing wine states on the East Coast.

Partners and AU staff members Saagar Gupta, SPA/BA ’18, MPA ’19, and Shea Lamanna, SPA/MA ’20, Kogod/MBA ’27, came to enjoy that wine and stayed the weekend for a relaxing getaway from DC.

Hearing about the rigorous process it takes to turn grapes in to wine was a high point of their weekend.

“It’s an art—selecting the grapes, the barrels,” said Gupta, assistant director of community-based learning and special programs in the Center for Leadership and Community Engagement. “Learning about each and every decision that’s been made and hearing the story around [the wine] is what I enjoy [most].”

Airlie has been a special spot for Gupta and Lamanna since Gupta attended a Division of Student Affairs retreat there a few years ago. Lamanna joined him to enjoy a weekend away. Since then, Airlie has become a frequent destination for the couple and their families, even hosting a 30th wedding anniversary for Gupta’s parents, who live in Florida.

Each time they go, the couple counts on Airlie’s tranquility and top-notch hospitality.

“My job is to take care of people. I take care of faculty; I take care of students’ needs. Whenever there’s a request, I step in and help make sure that things get handled,” said Lamanna, manager of SIS’s Department of Environment, Development, and Health. “It is so refreshing to come to Airlie and feel taken care of, a benefit available to staff that I wish more people took advantage of. It’s really nice to have your needs anticipated in a way I’ve never seen [at] any other resort or hotel.”

The wine festival nestled in Warrenton’s rolling hills is a draw for locals, too. Warrenton resident Gayle Moore boasts that she and her sister, Joan, have come every year, save for one. She said that she appreciates mingling with people from the community, enjoying good food, and filling her glass with tasty wine—all in one place.

Pearmund Cellars’ Grunett said it’s equally fun to spend the day working the event, pouring wine, telling stories, and sneaking off during lulls in the action to try some herself.

“The highlight is seeing all of the people,” Grunett said. “I love talking about our wines and having the opportunity to chat and mingle with people. It’s kind of like seeing friends you never see.”