Signature Events

Unique Experiences • Extensively Curated • All-Inclusive • Enriching • Immensely Enjoyable

The events below are considered the Virginia Wine Expo's signature events because they offer exceptional, unparalleled experiences, are extensively curated, offer a wide breadth of highly-regarded craft beverage content, and are held at unique, beautiful venues.

At the Walk-Around Grand Tastings and Sparkling & Champagne Celebration you will receive a beautiful Stolzle crystal wine glass to use and take home.

At SMOKED! you will be given a choice between the Stolze crystal wine glass and the Stolzle crystal nosing glass.

Finally, at Tequilabamba and the A. Smith Bowman Guided Tasting Experience, you will receive a Stolzle crystal nosing glass.

Walk-Around Grand Tastings presented by The Omni Homestead Resort

The Expo's premier, most popular, curated wine, spirits and food tasting experience
Three entry times on Saturday, March 8, and two entry times on Sunday, March 9
VIP and General Admission sessions available
Featuring hundreds of wines from Virginia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Sonoma, CA and other wine regions, Virginia spirits and ciders, and artisan specialty food
Most Virginia wines and all Virginia spirits will be available to sample and for purchase to go
Enjoy a silent Auction and bid on items with your mobile phone
Specialty food sampling included; free artisan water available for all attendees; some seating available
Artisan food vendors available to sell full meals (sold separately)

SMOKED! - A Whiskey, Wine & Global Smoked Cuisine Experience at the Dewey Gottwald Center

VIP and General Admission entry times on Friday, March 7
A walk-around style event with available seating
Features 80+ whiskeys from Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and other U.S. states + dozens of highly regarded wines
Savor a refreshed menu of global smoked cuisine inspired by food traditions from various regions of the U.S. and the world. Vegetarian options will be available
Enjoy a live and silent Auction (bid on items with your mobile phone), live music and gaming table

Sparkling & Champagne Celebration at Beautiful Dover Hall

A celebration of sparkling and champagne wines (plus highly-regarded still wines) from Italy, Virginia, Champagne, Australia, New Zealand, France, California, Oregon, Washington State, and more regions paired with inventive cuisine created by Leah Randolph, Executive Chef at Dover Hall
This extraordinary tasting will include an exceptional selection of sparklers and Champagnes from legendary producers from around the world curated by Sommelier and Co-owner of Dover Hall, Mr. Chad Hornik
A walk-around event with live music and available seating

A. Smith Bowman Guided Tasting Experience

A unique self-guided tasting tour featuring multiple stops situated throughout the A. Smith Bowman Distillery, including the spacious main room and two barrel rooms.
Tasting card includes 10 incredible cocktail and straight whiskey food and drink pairings.
Get ready to be greeted by A. Smith Bowman coworkers who will be ready to give you an educational and unforgettable behind-the-scenes experience and a few surprises along the way!
Kick it up a notch with a VIP experience, which includes a special tasting experience at the Ironclad Inn

Tequilabamba at Casa del Barco with Tequila Connoisseur Javier Gonzalez. Grand Tasting Included.

Explore the incredible - and growing - world of craft tequila and mezcal at this curated tasting party featuring dozens of premium blanco, reposado, anejo, and extra anejo sipping tequilas, top-shelf mezcals, premium wine, and tequila-based cocktails. All this will be paired with tacos and Mexican small plates custom crafted especially for this event.
Taste dozens of highly-regarded sipping tequilas and mezcals, two artisan cocktails and highly regarded wines
Javier Gonzalez, tequila connoisseur, will curate the tequilas and mezcals
A walk-around event with some seating and tables
Enjoy free parking

Bacchanalia Reception & Dinner at Historic The Mill at Fine Creek presented by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates

A brilliant, sinfully delicious, multi-course sit-down wine dinner - completely refreshed for 2025 - featuring 5 chefs, a keynote speaker, and preceded by a sparkling reception
Held Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at stunning The Mill at Fine Creek
Highlights highly regarded Virginia wines, elite wines from Oregon, and seasonal Virginia cuisine