Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival Soup Contest Winners Announced

Friday night Sept 24^th Welcome Reception a Big Hit for Downtown Wilmington

WILMINGTON -The September 24-26 weekend collaboration between the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce and Vermont Life Magazine added to its list of events a “Welcome to Vermont” reception in historic downtown Wilmington featuring tasting of select Vermont Wines, Grafton Cheese, and the first annual Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival Soup Contest.

The town was overflowing with soup and wine tasters taking very seriously the job of voting for the top soup. Attendance for the event exceeded expectations with more than 400 enjoying perfect weather and 17 delicious soups from some of the best restaurants in Southern Vermont, Vermont wines and Grafton Village cheeses

“It was a really terrific evening, everyone was so happy to be out and about” commented Kate Little of Pickwell’s Barn who hosted Honora Winery along with two soups “It was a very fun event, and we hope the chamber does it again.”

Winners:

Top Honors went to The Nordic Hills Lodge who offered a Tomato Basil Bisque with a Blue Cheese Crumb.
Second place went to Harriman’s Restaurant at the Grand Summit Resort for a Wild Mushroom Brie Bisque.

Tying for third place Chopin Restaurant at The Matterhorn with a Polish Pickle Soup and The Wilmington Inn for a Roasted Corn Chowder.

Vermont Life Editor Mary Nowlan was on hand to take in the festivities, “The evening walk on Friday was a big success and many of those soups were superb.” Vermont Life will be featuring some of the winning recipes and restaurants that participated Friday night in upcoming editions.

Plans are already under way for the 2011 Vermont Life Wine and Harvest Soup Contest. Chamber Director Laura Sibilia encourages contenders to mark their calendars and look for the 2011 call for soup entries next Spring. “We are looking to increase our soup offering to 20 and have more local shops participating. So start cooking up your best soup recipe now.”

For more information contact Patrice Schneider at The Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce 802-464-8092 or patrice@visitvermont.com .

Candidates for Governor attending Deerfield Valley Tri Town public forums

Matt Dunne kicks off forums on Thursday May 6th

Wilmington - All six 2010 main party candidates for Vermont Governor have agreed to attend public forums hosted by the Tri Town Economic Development Committee to discuss economic development.

Each forum starts at 8 am and will last for one hour. The format will be a roundtable discussion between the committee and the candidate with prepared questions, not shared in advance, asked of the candidates. Members of the public are encouraged to attend - this is a terrific opportunity to become informed about the large number of candidates.

All meetings will take place in the Wilmington Town Meeting Room.
The Tri Town Economic Development Committee was established in 2007 by cooperative action of the Selectboards in Wilmington, Whitingham and Dover and the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce to address short and long term economic development in the Dover, Wilmington and Whitingham area.

The schedule:
Thursday May 6th Matt Dunne
Thursday May 20th Susan Bartlett

Wednesday June 2nd Doug Racine
Wednesday June 9th Deb Markowitz
Wednesday July 8th Peter Shumlin
Wednesday Sep 8th Brian Dubie

For more information contact: Bob Rusten, Wilmington Town Manager, at 464-8591 or Laura Sibilia, Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce, at 464-8092

Honora Winery & Vineyard Announces Plans for Historic Barn in Wilmington Governor to Speak at Reception

WILMINGTON, VT—Honora Winery & Vineyard will unveil the vision for a major new culinary tourism and community space for Southern Vermont at a “Walking, Talking & Tasting Tour” community reception and press briefing on Monday, November 30 at 11:00 a.m. Governor Jim Douglas and other invited officials have been invited to speak about the importance of tourism for Vermont and the enormous potential in agriculture and culinary tourism. The kick-off will officially launch the fundraising effort to help bring this new food venture to fruition.



Patty Farrington, owner of the building and owner of Honora Winery & Vineyard, said the historic barn was originally purchased in 2004 to operate retail and manufacturing activities. “Since then, we’ve reconstructed the barn to its original foundation footprint and realized there could be a better purpose for the 30,000 square foot space.”



“We’re committed to the new vision that will be an important economic engine for the area. The concept captures the widespread interest in good food and good living and capitalizes on the increasing dollars being spent on culinary travel and food education.”



“Here in Southern Vermont we have all the resources to offer cooking classes, cooking and baking demonstrations, creative dining experiences, food festivals, winery visits and quests for travelers interested in regional specialties. What’s missing is an agricultural and culinary center and food hub to turn this wonderful opportunity into thousands of dollars for our region and Vermont tourism.”



Special guests will include the Junior Iron Chef team, Hakuna Matata, from Wilmington’s Twin Valley High School that won Best in Show at the Junior Iron Chef Competition in Burlington last year for their Veggie Huevos Mullenos
. Team members include Stevie Cunningham-Darrah, 
Shannon Lozito, Chelsea Schneider.



Grafton Village Cheese Company will be conducting a cheese tasting and Honora Winery & Vineyard will offer a wine tasting. Sharon Myers, the Purple Chef, will be providing lite fare.



The reception will take place at 211 Vermont Route 9 East, the site of the historic barn that is situated across from the White House in Wilmington. Community members and media are cordially invited to attend. For more information, please call 802-258-3992.

Vermont Blueberry Festival receives grant funding for parade

DOVER – Organizers of the 2nd Annual Deerfield Valley Blueberry Festival have received grant funding from the Town of Dover Economic Development Fund for the creation of a Blue Parade to be held in Dover on Saturday August 8th 2009. The parade, which takes place on the closing weekend of the 10 day festival, will feature blue themed floats, music and entertainment.

The festival is the brainchild of Boyd Farm proprietor Janet Boyd and is managed in partnership with the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce. Featuring 10 days of blueberry and blue themed activities in dozens of locations, 2008’s well attended event earned it a spot on the Vermont State Chamber of Commerce’s 2009 Top 10 Vermont Summer Events.

Individual venue events for the festival are already being compiled, but volunteers are needed for developing parade float criteria, routes, entertainment and logistics. A parade planning meeting is planned for 9 am on Wednesday April 1st at the Chamber offices in Wilmington. All are welcome! For more information on getting involved contact Laura or Megan at the chamber offices 464-8092.

Vermont's Governor signs new wine festival bill

Wilmington, VT – Vermont wineries and organizers of the Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival were in a celebratory mood last week when Vermont’s Governor Jim Douglas signed into law new legislation beneficial to Vermont wineries and the festival. Vermont Life publisher Tom Kelly, Commissioner Bruce Hyde from the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing and area legislators joined businesses and residents from the Mount Snow area at the historic White House of Wilmington for the signing.

“It’s a real pleasure to be here today in support of both Vermont agriculture and Vermont wine makers,” Douglas said prior to the signing.

The bill, H.700, was sponsored by Representatives John Moran and Ann Manwaring during the 2008 Vermont legislative session and allows Vermont wineries the ability to sell bottles of wine at festivals Previous Vermont liquor legislation allowed only for sales of glasses of wine, and festival organizer Laura Sibilia of the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce says the new law will be a boon both for Vermont wineries and for visitors to this falls Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival.

“This is really an exciting opportunity for Vermont’s burgeoning wine makers,” she said, adding “the one stop shopping at the festival will give visitors an opportunity to sample, purchase, and learn about the majority of Vermont’s growing wineries.”

The Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival will take place in Southern Vermont’s Mount Snow Valley September 26-28 in 2008, and in addition to showcasing Vermont wines, will highlight the large number of quality small specialty food producers in the state. Vermont artisans of all types will round out this uniquely Vermont festival, which will include headline entertainment from the Vermont Symphony Orchestra’s brass trio Fanfare, and an education segment from the Vermont Grape and Wine Council

"The passage of the wine bill only makes it better. Expectations for the first annual Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival are even higher. For us, the event is a natural, Vermont Life readers are self described foodies”noted Tom Kelly, Vermont Life Publisher. “Working together with the talented and energetic folks at the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce is a pleasure. Because of their efforts, the event planning is well in hand. We feel we can add a lot to the event. Vermont Life magazine has credibility and media reach in Vermont and the region. Culinary topics and enjoying the good life are a major interest of Vermont Life readers. Our readership is passionate about Vermont.”

Vermont Agriculture officials say wine is another example of how Vermont farmers are diversifying to find new markets. Vermont wineries have focused on using cold-hardy French hybrid grapes, but have also been experimenting with some other varieties. Honey, apples, pears, blueberries, and maple are also increasingly being used in Vermont wines.

For more information on The Vermont Grape and Wine Council contact President Dave Boyden of Boyden Valley Winery & Farm 70 Vermont Route 104 Cambridge, Vermont 05444 Email: info@boydenvalley.com Telephone: (802) 644-8151 Fax: (802) 644-8212

For more information on The Vermont Wine & Harvest Festival or visiting Vermont this fall contact: The Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce PO Box 3 Wilmington, VT 05363 Email: info@VisitVermont.com Telephone (802)464-8092 Fax: (802) 464-0287

Vermonsters Appear Around the Valley

The Vermonsters of the Deerfield Valley are now on display around the valley waiting to be discovered by locals and tourists. The sculptures are made of diverse materials from wood to metals and of subjects including animals, people and mythical figures.
Deerfield Treebeard, a whimsical tree being with a long Spanish moss beard created by Jesse Morgan, is located at the Grand Summit Resort at Mount Snow.
Driving by Chittenden bank in Wilmington you may notice a giant black fly made of copper, brass and steels titled ‘Ms. Vermont Black Fly’ created by Ron Karpius.
Locations of all twenty five unique Vermonsters as well as over forty Baby Vermonsters, can be found on the Vermonster Locator Map which can be picked up at the Chamber of Commerce and at many businesses around the valley.
Information on the Vermonster project can be found at www.Vermonsters.org.

Fireworks and Festivities in the Deerfield Valley

Wilmington, VT - Baker Field at Twin Valley High School is the site of the 31st annual July Fourth Fireworks, entertainment and festivities, happening Friday July 4th 2008. Beginning at dusk, spectators and residents make their way to Bakers Field to enjoy live music, children’s inflatable fun, and a wide array of local food offerings, delectable desserts, ice cold concoctions and a carefree summer night picnic atmosphere. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and grab your friends and family for a night of good old fashioned fun!
Attendees are strongly encouraged to use the Deerfield Valley Transit Authority’s free MOOver busses to avoid the traffic to and from the event. Park and ride spots are at Howe Farm on route 100 North and Deerfield Valley Supply on route 9 west; the MOOver busses begin pickup at 5:00 pm and return to park and ride locations immediately following the fireworks.
The Deerfield Valley fireworks are sponsored by the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce and funded by the taxpayers of Wilmington and Dover. Rain date is Saturday July 5th; current info and vendor information can be found at http://www.visitvermont.com/ or by calling 1-802-464-8092.

Vermont Life Wine and Harvest Festival

Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 3
21 West Main Street
Wilmington, VT 05363
Phone (802) 464-8092
Fax (802) 464-0287

Press Release
Contact: Jim Follett
Phone: (802) 464-8092

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 12, 2008

The Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce and Vermont Life Magazine are pleased to announce that they are working together to create and promote a premiere annual wine and harvest festival on September 26, 27 and 28th. This new outdoor event officially entitled the "Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival", will take place in the Mount Snow Valley in the Southern Vermont town of Wilmington with additional events occurring in the nearby towns of Dover and Whitingham. The festival will celebrate the best of wine, food and the good life and highlight the rich uniqueness, quality and ingenuity of Vermont producers and artisans.

Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce Director Laura Sibilia and Vermont Life Publisher Tom Kelly have expressed a shared goal to build and grow this event into a premiere destination event.
“We’re obviously thrilled to see our shared vision for this premiere annual event become reality with Vermont Life. We want to showcase Vermont’s burgeoning wineries, high quality food producers, and well know artisans,” Laura Sibilia explained.
"For us, the Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival is a natural. A recent survey revealed Vermont Life readers are self described foodies” noted Tom Kelly. “We immediately saw the mutual benefits of working together with the good folks at the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce. Vermont Life magazine has credibility and media reach in Vermont and the region. Culinary topics and enjoying the good life are a major interest of Vermont Life readers. Our readership is passionate about Vermont so we feel we can add a lot to the event."

The Weekend Schedule is as follows:
Friday September 26th:"Welcome to Vermont Square Dance and Blue Grass Party" at the Matterhorn Inn West Dover Hours 7-11pm
Saturday September 27th: Day 1 "Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival" at juncture of Routes 9 East and 100 South in Wilmington (former location of the Garlic Festival) Food, Wine, Crafts, Entertainment and Demonstrations - Hours 10-5
Saturday September 27th: Evening wine pairing dinners at variety of Mount Snow Valley Inns and Restaurants.
Sunday September 28th: "The Indigenous Vermonter Breakfast" in Whitingham - Hours 8-11 am
Sunday September 28th: Day 2 "Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival" at juncture of Routes 9 East and 100 South in Wilmington (former location of the Garlic Festival) Food, Wine, Crafts, Entertainment and Demonstrations - Hours 10-3
There are a variety of ways wine and food producers and crafters will be able to participate, including actual sales, as well as sampling and demonstrations, at the Wilmington site, Co-op advertising (at special rates) in Vermont Life's Autumn 2008 issue, a limited number of wine pairing dinner hosting opportunities, early promotion of block reservation vendor lodging, and weekend long promotional packages for visitors. Vendor registration information can be found at http://www.thevermontfestival.com/ or by calling the chamber at 1-802-464-8092.


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For more information or photographs please contact Jim Follett at 802-464-8092 or by e-mail at jim@visitvermont.com