Hillsborough Wine: Virginia's Finest and Epilepsy Awareness Day May 27 2012

"Be there or be square." From family lore, my grandmother used to have a dinner bell, and if you missed it, well there went your meal. I was lucky enough not to have missed a drink at Hillsborough Vineyards last year, as I found it by driving down the road, with my wife, brother, and mother-in-law. Our plan was to see Harper's Ferry, but as the rain continued to pour down, we were not able to see the home of John Brown's Raid, or a place that had much significance in the Civil War. Virginia and West Virginia, where that famous town is located, are of course a Civil War aficionado's dream. When I was a boy, I studied this area of history like so many others, and unlike my grandmother's dinner bell, I grew up in a slightly different era. I grew up in Fairfax, VA, home of many skirmishes during that period of time, but didn't have to worry about audible sounds. Rather, it was the streetlights coming on. Yes, I had to be home by the time they came on, and my parents approach to dinner was that it should be done as a family, but at least I was able to catch a late bite after looking for bullets from back in the day, or other artifacts. This would include turtles, snakes, and God knows what else from the woods, where houses now sit.

This day of our trip to Harpers Ferry, my wife noticed a vineyard on the side of the road. There are many in Virginia, especially Loudoun County. In fact, over the past few years, its an honor that the Commonwealth has become among the United States fastest and best growing wine regions. Watch our California and Washington State, we are nipping on your heels. The vineyard that day was Hillsborough , which can be found online at http://www.hillsboroughwine.com/. As a beer drinker primarily, I thought that the day was over, but discovered a lot. I learned about how wine is made, the differences between whites and reds, and most importantly in a friendly atmosphere. For whatever reason, wine has a intimidation factor. At Hillsborough Vineyards I found Bora and his staff, to be very kind, and open minded about my discovering of wines. Sure, I had various whites and reds at weddings and other occasions, but never had I gone to a tasting room. I would have never thought strolling a vineyard, and seeing the grapes, would be an experience that I would like to be a part of.

Yet as that man who sort of grew up from those woods of Virginia, it was fascinating to see the grapes growing, and also walk the gorgeous property. The views of the valley, the mountains where so much history did occur, that was a special day as the rain dissipated and the Red Onyx was tried. I fell in love with this sweet tasting drink immediately, and have since become a fan of this particular blend, and am going to try more. Hillsborough Vineyards has whites and reds, so whatever you fancy, its good to know that you can find what you are looking for there. They do have wine sold in stores, but it is so much fun going to their vineyard instead. There you can relax in their tasting room, learn from the winemakers what goes on to make that beverage so tasty, and about the history of this beverage that of course goes back thousands of years.

On May 27th 2012, from 11 a.m.-4 pm or thereabouts, be sure to stop by Hillsborough Vineyards. Whether you want to stay the whole day, or drop on by after seeing nearby historical locations such as Harpers Ferry, Antietam, or the beautiful Loudoun Countryside, this winery is beyond kind to host Epilepsy Awareness Day. There will be wine drinking, oh yes. There will be foods, oh yes. Also at the same time, there are going to be kind folks who are from the winery, there to help you pick out that delicious bottle of wine, and the tasting room is a place that is going to be full of joy. It is with profound kindness that the Baki family and their winery, have made this "Epilepsy Awareness Day". As most know, 4% of the general population contends with this affliction, and one in ten of us one day will have a seizure. Many of our family members, friends, and co-workers contend with this everyday, from having one occasionally to thousands of them a day. These seizures can greatly diminish one's quality of life, or take a child like my son Tommy, and so many more to God far too early. There are so many crying parents, so many relatives of a child that have cried tears and felt this anguish, and the folks at Hillsborough Vineyards want to fight seizures head on. They are being kind enough to host this event, and are donating proceeds to the Epilepsy Foundation of America.

So come on around, purchase some wine, and you will not only be savoring the taste of fine grapes. You will be meeting families that contend with epilepsy, the loving folks of the Baki family, and also helping children right now, who's parents are wondering "how can I help my little girl or boy more," or preventing another parent going down a road that no one should have to. 11/04/2009 is a day I will never get over, yet what keeps me going, is people with epilepsy. They have a condition that they battle every day, yet they fight, with passion and love, never giving up. As the Epilepsy Foundation's slogan is "Not Another Moment Lost to Seizures," these courageous souls deserve our best, and only 1/2 of 1% of U.S. medical research goes to epilepsy. Let's change that needle in the right direction a bit more, and at the same time, show our love of fine wine at Hillsborough Vineyards. A toast to the Baki Family, to their fine wines of which I look forward to drinking again, and bring out your family and friends to an event that will be nothing short of remarkable.