Sparkling & Champagne Celebration at Dover Hall.  Walk-Around Grand Tasting Included.

An Unparalleled Celebration of Great Sparkling Wine & Champagne and Exquisite Cuisine at Beautiful Dover Hall

Tickets to the Sparkling & Champagne Celebration also include tickets to the Walk-Around Grand Tasting: VIP/Early Sunday Special on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Main Street Station

We can't wait to share this special experience for those who love sparkling wines, Champagnes and delicious food.  Please join us at gorgeous Dover Hall for this thoughtfully crafted wine and food celebration featuring the cuisine of acclaimed Executive Chef Leah Randolph, who won “Chef of the Year” in 2023 from the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging, and Travel Association.

Please scroll down for photos from last year's Celebration.

Emphasis on Champagne and Sparklers from France, California, Virginia, Spain and Portugal + Additional Regions of the World

Savor a curated, international lineup of sparklers and Champagnes with an emphasis on France, Virginia, California, Spain and Portugal.  All of these bottles will be poured by experienced servers whether they be long-time volunteers or winery/distributor representatives who can discuss and educate you about what you're sampling. 

This walk-around experience takes place in numerous rooms inside stunning Dover Hall, which is full of incredible art, statues, mounted wild game, ornate architecture and more.  Seating will be available in some of the rooms.

Refreshed Menu in 2026

The sparkling wine and champagne selections will be curated by a collaboration between the Expo team, Chad Hornik, co-owner of Dover Hall and a certified Sommelier, and representatives from organizations such as Jackson Family Wines, the Sparkle-ist, owned by Champagne Master Level Lieven De Geyndt, who will be participating in the event, and others.

Leah Randolph, Dover Hall's brilliant Executive Chef, who was “Chef of the Year” in 2023 as awarded by the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging, and Travel Association, will present a stunning menu of delicious bites crafted to pair well with the wines offered in 2026.

Regions of Emphasis

While the Sparkling & Champagne Celebration features sparkling and still wines from around the world, Virginia sparklers will be well represented along with bottles from the Expo's 2026 Regions of Emphasis, Spain, Portugal and Central Coast, CA.  In addition to sampling, some sparkling wines from Virginia may be for sale at the event.

With Your Ticket, You Will:

• Gain entry to the Sparkling & Champagne Celebration at Dover Hall AND entry to the Walk-Around Grand Tasting: VIP/Early Sunday Special on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Main Street Station.

• Taste 35+ highly regarded sparkling wines and champagne, premium still wines, and savor artisan bites to enhance your tasting experience.  There will be plenty of fine food for a full meal.

• Receive and keep a beautiful Stolzle crystal wine glass 

• Be permitted to park for free in the Dover Hall parking lot.
• Stroll through beautiful Dover Hall.  
• Be able to use the complimentary coat check.
• Some seating will be available.

Tentative Menu from 2025     2026 Menu TBA

Stationary Display: Mediterranean Board

Canapes

Smoked Salmon Cucumber Cups

Smoked Salmon Mousse, Dill

 

Whipped Brie Tart

Red Pepper Jelly & Candied Pecan Soil

Stations

Oyster Rockefeller

Spinach, Fontina, Mozzarella

 

Szechuan Chicken Karaage

Yuzu Aoli, Pickled Fresno

 

Duck Confit Endive Cups

Cranberry Maple Vinaigrette, Honey Roasted Slivered Almonds, Feathered Leeks

 

Coconut Red Curry Shrimp Skewers

Bell Peppers, Onion & Ginger

About Chef Leah Randolph​

Leah is an Indiana native who moved to Virginia in elementary school. She started working in commercial kitchens at the age of 16, but it wasn’t until 2015 that her true passion for culinary was revealed when she began her fruitful career with Salisbury Country Club. Under the leadership of her Executive Chef and Executive Sous Chef, she learned a different style of culinary that sparked a passion like never before. Leah spent four years at Salisbury Country Club learning and growing before bringing her talents to Dover Hall in 2018. After two years as the Sous Chef, she was promoted to Executive Chef because of her attention to detail, leadership in the kitchen, and of course, her delicious food! In 2023, only two years after becoming Executive Chef, the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging, and Travel Association awarded Executive Chef, Leah Randolph, the prestigious title of  "Chef of the Year" at their Ordinary Award Ceremony. The staff, work environment, and access to local ingredients are a few of her favorite parts about leading the Dover Hall culinary team. A signature dish by Leah will most likely include plenty of herbs, seasonal produce, and a hint of citrus! In her free time, you will find Leah cooking, trying out new restaurants in Richmond, sipping on a beer at Strangeways Brewery, or skydiving!