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Desserts USA South
HAYMARKET, VIRGINIA, USA – Beautiful rolling vine covered hills surround a historic home originally built in 1790. Inside this former residence, modern tourists line the bar for a taste of some of Virginia’s best wines.
In 2005, Chris Pearmund and a group of investors converted the 22 acre Bennoni Harrison estate into the Winery at La Grange. Wildly successful, the tasting room hosts daily visitors, and the home and grounds are frequently alive with wine dinners, movie nights, and other special events. Winemaker Jeff Stebbin produces some terrific wines to accompany the festivities including a gold medal winning, non-malolactic chardonnay, and a complex red produced from Virginia’s native Norton grape.
It’s hard to think of a more scenic setting for a winery.. Evidently the folks that built the estate centuries ago, Bennoni and Catherine Harrison (whose gravesites are on the property), agree.
The estate house remains, in many ways, the way the eccentric Harrisons left it. If you need evidence of the couple’s quirkiness, just check out the upstairs parlor with its two nearly side-by-side fireplaces. It seemed Mr. and Mrs. Harrison could barely stand each other, despite their long standing marriage. So they wouldn’t have to speak with each other, the small room was outfitted with two separate fireplaces, only a few short feet from one another, so that each could entertain their own friends in their own warmed corner.
Today's winery visitors and employees alike claim the Harrisons have never left the premises. Manager Melissa Stephan has heard voices quietly conversing in the house at closing time. This despite the fact that she’s thoroughly checked the facilities to insure she’s the only one in the building or on the property.
Hearing disembodied voices seems to be the most common paranormal claim here. The scent of the cigars that Bennoni and his friends enjoyed smoking occasionally still manifests itself in the house (no report if the scent interferes with tasters’ abilities to appreciate the wines).
Doors in the basement have been known to forcefully slam shut by unseen hands. In order to appease the original owner, a glass of red wine is always kept on the tasting room mantle (photo top right). Employees say when they neglect to keep Bennoni’s glass filled, he gets “ornery” and activity increases.
Whether or not you experience the spirits of the winery, or even if you have no interest in such things, it still makes a wonderful stop while traveling through this area. Grab some foods from the snack (each item serves two) or picnic menus, pick up your favorite bottle of La Grange wine and enjoy a leisurely afternoon in an idyllic country setting. Bennoni and Catherine are happy to share the space.
The Winery at La Grange is located at 4970 Antioch Road in Haymarket, VA 20169. Phone 703-753-9360 or click to www.wineryatlagrange.com. Be sure to check the website for special events and wine dinners. The tasting room is open daily from 11AM to 6 PM. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and Easter Sunday.
For more information about visiting this area in general, contact the Prince William County/Manassas Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.VisitPWC.com or call toll free 800-432-1792.
Desserts USA South
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HAYMARKET, VIRGINIA, USA – Beautiful rolling vine covered hills surround a historic home originally built in 1790. Inside this former residence, modern tourists line the bar for a taste of some of Virginia’s best wines.
In 2005, Chris Pearmund and a group of investors converted the 22 acre Bennoni Harrison estate into the Winery at La Grange. Wildly successful, the tasting room hosts daily visitors, and the home and grounds are frequently alive with wine dinners, movie nights, and other special events. Winemaker Jeff Stebbin produces some terrific wines to accompany the festivities including a gold medal winning, non-malolactic chardonnay, and a complex red produced from Virginia’s native Norton grape.
It’s hard to think of a more scenic setting for a winery.. Evidently the folks that built the estate centuries ago, Bennoni and Catherine Harrison (whose gravesites are on the property), agree.
The estate house remains, in many ways, the way the eccentric Harrisons left it. If you need evidence of the couple’s quirkiness, just check out the upstairs parlor with its two nearly side-by-side fireplaces. It seemed Mr. and Mrs. Harrison could barely stand each other, despite their long standing marriage. So they wouldn’t have to speak with each other, the small room was outfitted with two separate fireplaces, only a few short feet from one another, so that each could entertain their own friends in their own warmed corner.
Today's winery visitors and employees alike claim the Harrisons have never left the premises. Manager Melissa Stephan has heard voices quietly conversing in the house at closing time. This despite the fact that she’s thoroughly checked the facilities to insure she’s the only one in the building or on the property.
Hearing disembodied voices seems to be the most common paranormal claim here. The scent of the cigars that Bennoni and his friends enjoyed smoking occasionally still manifests itself in the house (no report if the scent interferes with tasters’ abilities to appreciate the wines).
Doors in the basement have been known to forcefully slam shut by unseen hands. In order to appease the original owner, a glass of red wine is always kept on the tasting room mantle (photo top right). Employees say when they neglect to keep Bennoni’s glass filled, he gets “ornery” and activity increases.
Whether or not you experience the spirits of the winery, or even if you have no interest in such things, it still makes a wonderful stop while traveling through this area. Grab some foods from the snack (each item serves two) or picnic menus, pick up your favorite bottle of La Grange wine and enjoy a leisurely afternoon in an idyllic country setting. Bennoni and Catherine are happy to share the space.
Practicalities
The Winery at La Grange is located at 4970 Antioch Road in Haymarket, VA 20169. Phone 703-753-9360 or click to www.wineryatlagrange.com. Be sure to check the website for special events and wine dinners. The tasting room is open daily from 11AM to 6 PM. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and Easter Sunday.
For more information about visiting this area in general, contact the Prince William County/Manassas Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.VisitPWC.com or call toll free 800-432-1792.
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