Photo courtesy of Omni Homestead
The Omni Homestead Resort is hosting its Epicurean Classic food and wine event.
The Omni Homestead Resort will host its third annual Epicurean Classic that features Virginia wine and food the weekend of May 16-18 — featuring a French twist this year.
The resort is about a 3.5-hour drive from Alexandria.
The three-day event — Les Délicies de France — will examine France’s vinicultural influence, celebrating the vibrant character of Virginia vintages alongside the refined elegance of French wines. The close relationship between French wines and Virginia dates to the earliest efforts to grow grapes in the Commonwealth by Thomas Jefferson.
Taste the Governor’s Cup Winners
Photo courtesy of Omni Homestead
The event will feature a tasting of the top 12 award-winning wines from the 2025 Governor’s Cup Competition.
The weekend of events will begin on Friday evening with a rare opportunity to taste the 12 wines that won the highest awards in the 2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup competition.
The exclusive tasting will be guided by Frank Morgan, who serves as director of judging for one of the most stringent wine competitions in the country. You can find a complete list of the 2025 winners here, including the top 12 wines that make up the Governor’s Cup Case plus all the medal-winning wines and ciders in the annual competition.
Hear from Virginia Winemakers and Enjoy the Delicacies of France
Photo courtesy of Omni Homestead
The Omni Homestead Resort offers a Virginia Wine Experience tasting room stocked with Virginia wines.
On Saturday afternoon, the focus will expand to include the French influence on Virginia wine, with a panel discussion featuring six of Virginia’s top winemakers with connections to France, who work at wineries in the northern and central Virginia regions.
Morgan will lead the discussion with Matthieu Finot of King Family Vineyards, Benoit Pineau of Pollak Vineyards, Damien Blanchon of Afton Mountain Vineyards, Katell Griaud of Slater Run Vineyards, Julien Durantie of DuCard Vineyards, and Michael Shaps of Michael Shaps Wineworks.
That will be followed Saturday night by a five-course dinner and reception with a decidedly French flair. The Virginia winemakers will be pouring and discussing their own wines during the meal, including Afton Mountain Vineyards in Afton, DuCard Vineyards in Etlan, King Family Vineyards in Crozet, Michael Shaps Wineworks in Charlottesville, Pollak Vineyards in Greenwood, and Slater Run Vineyards in Upperville.
Toast Virginia’s Sparkling Wine
The weekend will conclude Sunday morning with a traditional brunch featuring sparkling wines made by Claude Thibault at Thibaut-Janisson Winery in Charlottesville.
You can purchase tickets to any of the events here.
The Homestead offers a series of wine events led by Chief Sommelier Quyhn Cohen, which encompass several regularly occurring events, including the Epicurean Classic. The resort features a tasting room well stocked with Virginia wines, offers a series of educational events led by Cohen, and hosts regular dinners spotlighting Virginia winemakers. You can even sign up for a poses and pairing yoga class taught by Cohen.
All of these wine-themed events at the Homestead aim to showcase Virginia’s winemaking heritage — a history that dates to Jamestown, was championed by Thomas Jefferson, finally became a reality in the 1970s, and now continues to earn international acclaim.
