Winemaker for a Day at Delaplane Cellars: A Memorable Experience in Virginia Wine Country
At Delaplane Cellars, we believe that every great wine has a story — one that reflects the craftsmanship, creativity, and collaboration behind each bottle. Our recent Winemaker for a Day event gave guests the unique opportunity to step into the role of winemaker and experience this process firsthand.
A Heartfelt Thank You
We want to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who attended our Winemaker for a Day event. From blending wines to learning about the intricate decisions that shape each vintage, your enthusiasm made this experience unforgettable.
A special thank you goes to Kathy Wiedemann and Rick for sharing their expertise and guiding guests throughout the day. Their insights into blending techniques, flavor profiles, and winemaking philosophy added depth to the experience, ensuring that each participant walked away with a richer understanding of the craft.
The Quorum Experience
A key element of the event was the collaborative blending process, inspired by the concept of a Quorum — a term traditionally defined as the minimum number of members required for a group to make decisions. At Delaplane Cellars, this idea took on new meaning as guests worked together in teams to create their own signature wine blend.
Participants experimented with a selection of varietals — Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot — each offering distinct characteristics. Balancing fruit, tannins, acidity, and structure became both a challenge and an art as each group perfected their custom blend.
Once the blending process was complete, teams presented their wines for a friendly competition. Each guest had the opportunity to taste the blends and vote for their favorite, adding a fun and interactive element to the day. The winning blend earned well-deserved bragging rights — and gave participants a deeper appreciation for the complexity behind winemaking.
Looking Ahead
If you couldn’t make it to our Winemaker for a Day event, there’s still an exciting opportunity to explore Delaplane Cellars in a unique way.
Join us on April 12th & 13th for our exclusive Barrel Tasting event. This special experience offers a behind-the-scenes look at the winemaking process, where guests can sample six exceptional wines directly from the barrel. Guided by our winemaker and blending team, attendees will gain insight into the evolution of the 2023 vintage and have the opportunity to pre-purchase futures at up to 50% off.
