Passport to wineries awards top prize: wine

Raymond Munch of Stephens City just took home a case of fine Loudoun wine, the the grand prize in the 2008 Loudoun Wine Trail Passport Program.

"Loudoun wines are definitely the best around," Munch said. "There are abundant varieties of wine selections and flavors. The wineries provide a pleasant place to sit, enjoy a local Virginia wine and the beautiful countryside with friends."

William Glynn of Oak Hill won the second prize in the drawing, a tour of favorite Loudoun wineries for up to 12 people, courtesy of Girls' Night Out. Glynn enjoys picnics at Loudoun wineries, he said. And he likes supporting local businesses.

The Passport Program is off and running for 2009, and anyone who likes to visit Loudoun wineries can enter: just take the passport to the tasting room of choice and have it stamped after enjoying the local vintages. Submit a passport with nine stamps for a quarterly drawing.

Finding Loudoun wineries is no problem: there are 20, soon to be 21, from Middleburg to Lovettsville to Hillsboro. All welcome visitors to their tasting rooms and many offer tours of the vineyards and cellars. Passports can be had at the Loudoun Convention and Visitors Association, 222 Catoctin Circle, Leesburg, and at all Loudoun wineries, or call 703-777-0426. Go to www.loudounfarms.org for more information on the Passport Program and to see an interactive map of the Loudoun Wine trail.