UVA Clubs: Behind the Scenes - Celebrate Virginia Wine Month

Hosted By UVA Clubs

Event Details

Behind the Scenes - Celebrating Virginia Wine Month with Lance Lemon (Col '11) and Reggie Leonard

All alumni, friends, families, and fans are invited to join us for our next virtual Behind the Scenes program celebrating Virginia Wine Month with Lance Lemon (Col ’11) and Reggie Leonard as they talk about winemaking in Virginia, with a focus on small, diverse producers.

We will be tasting two varietals:

Wine #1: 2021 Blenheim Vineyards Rkatsiteli is a dry, floral, and refreshing white wine crafted exclusively from 100% Rkatsiteli grapes sourced from Horton Vineyards. It undergoes fermentation and aging in stainless steel tanks, preserving its crisp character. This wine delights with notes of peach blossom, apricot, and a touch of lemon zest.
Wine #2: The 2022 Common Wealth Crush "Family Meal" is a light and chill-able red blend that brings together an eclectic mix of red and white grape varieties. Bursting with tangy fruit flavors and an energetic spirit, it's the perfect wine for casual gatherings.

General registration is free, but if you wish to participate by drinking the same wines as Lance and Reggie, you can order your own here. Shipping is available to VA/DC or you can pick up in Charlottesville or Richmond. The wine is $50 (+$25 shipping). The deadline for ordering your wines is Tuesday, October 17.

The Zoom link to join us will be sent via email before the event.

For more information on this event, please contact Robin Stafford (PAR '17), Senior Associate Director, UVA Clubs, at ras5s@virginia.edu.

About the speakers:

Lance Lemon (Col ’11) is a Virginia native with a background as an actor, co-founder of RichWine RVA, and co-owner of Penny’s Wine Shop in Jackson Ward. Richmond, VA (one of Wine Enthusiast’s Top 25 Wine Shops). He majored in Acting and Studio Art with a focus in cinematography at UVA. After college, Lance moved to New York to continue his acting career and work in hospitality at places such as the eccentric Jean Georges ABC Cocina and Kitchen. He went on to curate, open, and manage two successful wine shops in Brooklyn, all while continuing his growth as an actor. The experience defined his two life passions: acting and wine. And oh, he loves to play a little golf too.

Reggie Leonard, Associate Director for Career Connections and Community Engagement at UVA's School of Data Science and School of Engineering, is a serious food and wine enthusiast. Highlighting and encouraging diversity throughout the wine world is a labor of love for Leonard, who moved to Charlottesville in 2015. He began his wine education at the Market St Wineshop’s tastings where his wine palate began to develop. As co-founder of Blenheim Vineyards’ inclusive wine club Oenoverse, he helped launch last October’s inaugural Two Up Wine Down festival, which spotlighted BIPOC wine professionals, enthusiasts, and allies in Virginia.

Find upcoming Behind the Scenes events and past recordings: engagement.virginia.edu/BTS

*Note: These events are being recorded by audio, video, and photographic means. By participating, you grant the University of Virginia the right to use your voice/likeness in any depiction of these events, including sharing on social media. Video is not required to participate in this event. UVA Clubs is committed to providing universal access to our events. Please contact us at uvaclubs@virginia.edu to request disability accommodations. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.