Running Series at La Grange Offers Vines, Wines, Finish Lines
It’s vines, wines and finish lines at The Winery at La Grange, where the vineyard hosts tons of events year round including an ongoing 5K running series all four seasons in collaboration with a local running and coaching company Soleful.
Tucked away on peaceful and picturesque Antioch Road in Haymarket, La Grange is home to a historic manor house, gorgeous grounds, breathtaking views, award-winning wine and an ambiance that naturally lends itself to memories, moments and, in the case of the running series, miles.
“The runs are a great way to get fresh air, explore the vineyards and experience all that Virginian Wine Country has to offer,” says Connor Duszynski, the Social Media Marketing Coordinator for The Winery at La Grange.
In partnership with Soleful Running & Coaching, The Winery at La Grange started the running series in 2022 and has hosted eight events so far. One more run is scheduled later this year (October 19).
The runs not only include the intrinsically positive benefits of running and walking for fitness, health and wellness, but they also offer an opportunity to socialize, see existing friends and make new ones in a setting that is incredibly inclusive, fun and welcoming. The 3.1-mile course is cross-country style and winds around the rolling hills of the grassy vineyard as well as along the vines.
With one run scheduled each season — winter, spring, summer, fall — the 5K offers a special up-close chance to see the grapes growing at various stages throughout the year. Laughter and cheers fill the fresh air as runners and walkers cross the finish line where they are then invited to enjoy a glass of wine and all that The Winery at La Grange has to offer.
For this and all occasions, The Winery at La Grange is a perfect place to spend an afternoon. On any given day, you will see families and friends with dogs dotting the picnic tabled landscape enjoying great wine, conversation and oftentimes live music. The manor house transports visitors back in time with framed letters and more along with a present-day tasting room that is always bustling with atmosphere and activity as well as an adjacent barrel room that offers tours.
Evidenced by all of this, the running series is just one of many activities visitors can enjoy throughout the year. Keeping with the fun and fit theme, one of these events includes the much-loved K9s in the Vines, with the next of these scheduled for June 8. For K9s in the Vines, guests get to bring their furry friends for a special dog walk and tasting throughout the vineyard that includes stations, samples, vendors and adoptable dogs.
“Not only are these events great opportunities to walk the dogs through the vineyard, but it's also a great way to support our friends at Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation, who we partner with for these events,” says Duszynski. "They always try to bring a few adoptable rescues with them in case our guests are interested in adopting.”
These events, among the many others offered by The Winery at La Grange throughout the year, provide an amazing opportunity to see a beautiful and historic property. Steeped in history and charm, simply visiting the venue is an event all on its own.
The current winery was established in 2006, but the history of the location and the land far pre-date that.
“Our property has a rich history unlike any other,” Duszynski says. “The original La Grange property was carved out of Robert ‘King’ Carter's original Bull Run Tract from the early to mid-1600s. The La Grange property gets its name from Château de La Grange in Lorraine, France (not far from Luxembourg).”
The vineyards, tastings and wine club carry the names Benoni Harrison and his wife Catherine, a nod to some of the storied past associated with the property.
“In 1790, our manor house was constructed by George Green and by April 12,1800, the cornerstone was laid at the La Grange Spring House,” Duszynski says. “In 1827, Benoni Harrison and his wife Catherine acquired the La Grange property through the courts. They're still regarded as some of our most renowned previous owners, as we name our vineyards, tastings, and Wine Club after them. The Harrisons owned the property through the Civil War, and our manor house was actually converted into a field hospital for both Union and Confederate soldiers during the Battles of Bull Run.”
From there, after the Harrisons passed, the property changed ownership a number of times throughout the year before the current day.
“Shortly after our winery was established in 2006, the American Civil War Commission commissioned a wine from us to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the war,” Duszynski says. “Our winemaker created the General's Battlefield Red (we're on its sixth iteration), which we still serve and sell today.”
And new history is always in the making here at The Winery at La Grange, where the wonderful team continues to craft creations in the way of wine, events and spaces, including a new event center added a few years ago that can accommodate up to 150 guests.
“The Event Center makes for an excellent multipurpose space that houses our Wine Dinners, pairings, industry events, local markets, weddings, corporate events and more,” Duszynski says.
It is outside in front of this Event Center, one Saturday morning each season, that The Soleful Running Series in partnership with The Winery at La Grange gather to kickoff a fun 5K in and around the vines. Tickets include a glass of wine and a participant event shirt. Discounted registration is available for the under 21 crowd. To learn more about this and all of the exciting events at The Winery at La Grange, visit their website at https://wineryatlagrange.com/
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This article was originally written by Michelle Pais for publication in Haymarket / Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine