Tickets for Mount Vernon’s Wine Festival & Sunset Tour on sale April 15

Mount Vernon’s Wine Festival & Sunset Tour celebrates the history of wine in Virginia with exclusive evening tours of the Mansion and cellar, appearances by “George and Martha Washington”, and live jazz on the east lawn overlooking the scenic Potomac River.  Visitors can bring a blanket and relax on the lawn as they sample wines from 17 Virginia wineries on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 15, 16 and 17, from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.  Individual tickets are $30 per person. Private reserved tables featuring a fruit and cheese platter, three bottles of house wine and VIP table service are available for $1000.  Tickets and tables are available at MountVernon.org or the ticket window at Mount Vernon’s Ford Orientation Center.

Historic interpreters and colonial-attired 18th-century “friends” of the Washingtons will conduct special candlelit tours of the Mansion throughout the evening.  The interpreters will discuss Washington’s attempts at creating a vineyard and highlight various wine-related items inside the Mansion, such as Washington’s spirits case, as well as the basement’s brick vaults where Washington stored his wine.

Throughout each evening, guests can sample wines from 17 award-winning Virginia wineries: AmRhein Wine Cellars, Barboursville Vineyard &Winery, Boxwood Winery, Chateau Morrisette Winery, Chrysalis Vineyards, Corcoran Vineyards, DelFosse Vineyards & Winery, Fox Meadow Winery, Hiddencroft Vineyards, Horton Cellars Winery, Jefferson Vineyards, Pearmund Cellars, Prince Michel Winery, Rappahannock Cellars, Swedenburg Estate Vineyard, Three Fox Vineyards, and Veramar Vineyards.

To accompany the wine tasting, fruit & cheese boxes are available by advance purchase ($24 each; serves two).  A variety of hot and cold food and desserts including baguettes, gourmet sandwiches, and specialty sweets will be available on site from the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant and Alexandria Pastry Shop.  Outside food and beverages are not allowed.  Pets are also not allowed.  Guests can take home a remembrance of Mount Vernon’s Wine Festival and Sunset Tour from the Shops at Mount Vernon, open until 9:30 p.m. each evening.  Cases of wine purchased at the Wine Festival can be transported by wine valets to the Shops for easy pick up at the end of the evening.  

This year new commemorative stemless wine glasses are available for purchase and pickup at the Wine Festival & Sunset Tour. The set of four glasses is $24.95 and may be purchased through MountVernon.org.

Mount Vernon’s Wine Festival & Sunset Tour takes place rain or shine, tickets are limited and all sales are final.  This is a popular event; early ticket purchase is suggested.  Guests must be prepared to show identification for wine service.  Designated drivers will receive free Coca-Cola soft drinks.

All proceeds benefit the ongoing preservation and restoration of Mount Vernon and its educational programs.

Hours of operation: April-August, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; March, September, October, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; November – February, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Regular admission rates: adults, $15.00; senior citizens, $14.00; children age 6-11, when accompanied by an adult, $7.00; and children under age 5, FREE.  Admission fees, restaurant and retail proceeds, along with private donations, support the operation and restoration of Mount Vernon.