When it comes to spirits made in Virginia there is one undisputed king – bourbon. It gets all the press. Some even argue that the sweet brown liquor was born here. But the truth is fruit brandy has a longer, and possibly grander, history in the commonwealth.
Leaf buds began appearing on Sean and Melody Wheeler’s grapevines in early April, marking the start of their sev…
In the early 2010s, Shaka Smart had the basketball world talking about two things: how many games he was winning at Virginia Commonwealth University and how good he looked doing it. But while the strength of Smart’s VCU teams was evident to everyone – after all, they gave the school its firs…
It’s a drizzly, overcast morning in May and Ash Hobson Carr is busy preparing flowers for a …
Tucked away in a neighborhood overlooking the Lafayette River, Norfolk’s Hermitage Museum & Gardens gives off the cozy retreat vibe its name implies. But with up to 100,000 visitors a year, the museum is in fact a popular destination for art lovers from all over the state.
While those upstarts from Brunswick, Georgia, may beg to differ, the eponymous stew that carries their name – a favorite of civic fundraisers – actually hails from Virginia.
Sommelier Grayum Vickers, 34, keeps the wine lovers happy at Longoven, a popular Richmond restaurant known for innovative dishes and an impressive wine list. The Scott’s Addition hot spot recently earned Wine Spectator magazine’s prestigious Award of Excellence. We sat down with Vickers, a T…
In January of this year I traded my comfy life of apartment living – golfing on weekends, free gym and pool, zer…
A photo I came across on Instagram, posted by skin care mogul May Lindstrom, featured a lavender-colored rose beginning to wither and the words “Beauty in every stage.” To me, it perfectly exemplified the industry’s movement away from terms like “anti-aging,” toward a healthier perception of…
The difference between whiskey and whisky is more than a missing “e.” It refers to a very specific type of spirit, one that will soon have a new, official, designation.
Lauren M. Dix took the roundabout way to her career in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle.
Most amateurs pop the cork on a Champagne bottle the same way – eyes closed, bottle pointed in the other direction, grimace of anticipation on their face. Half the time they end up popping someone in the head with the cork as the drink spills out on the table.
Ever since a private tailor in Nevada manufactured the first pair of rivet-reinforced denim pants, we have been in love with the fabric. Yes, it was invented by the French, but Americans perfected it. What other country is big enough – and diverse enough – to give full expression to its expa…
The cows stare curiously at their early morning guest but soon recognize the familiar face trekking along the farm’s dirt pathway. At a time when most of us are just waking up, Louella Hill has already greeted the sunrise and is busy collecting enough milk to begin her day making cheese.
Anyplace else, General Jackson probably would’ve been euthanized. Several veterinarians have recommended it. Ever since he was a foal, the Tennessee walking horse has suffered health problems, including laminitis, a painful hoof condition that requires constant attention. But “The General,” …
The image of an art collector for most of us is someone extremely wealthy, and probably a little stuffy. They hold fundraisers, donate collections to area museums, and have buildings named after themselves.
Furrowed brow. Pursed lips. A fleeting smile. A sharp intake of breath to gather strength for what is to come.
“Raspberries?” I said, puzzling over a pour of lightly-blushed rosé at a recent wine tasting. “I get strawberries,” my friend replied, her head tilted as if letting the wine speak to her. “It’s strawberries,” the wine rep said, pointing down at his tasting sheet.
Lynchburg has stood in the shadow of its cooler Virginia cousins, like Charlottesville and Richmond, for decades. But with the Blue Ridge Mountains as a backdrop, and an expanding foodie scene, the newly reinvigorated Hill City is on the radar as a weekend destination.