rappahannock winery

Vine Blessing for Family-Friendly Winery in Huntly

By Angela E. Pometto
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the Issue of 9/7/06)

Despite the remnants of Tropical Storm Ernesto raging outside, owners of Rappahannock Cellars in Huntly, Va., gathered with family and friends for a blessing of the vines last Friday.
This is the second year Father Ed Hathaway, pastor at St. John Parish in Front Royal, has blessed the vines.
The winery prides itself in being family-friendly. At most wineries, customers come, taste the wine, buy a bottle and leave. At Rappahannock, customers are encouraged to bring their families and spend the day. They have books and games for children, space for picnics and live music.
This family-centered philosophy stems from co-owners John and Marialisa Delmare, who have 12 children, and Joe and Roxanne Miller, who are expecting their 10th.
The Delmare family moved from California to Virginia nearly 10 years ago. They owned a vineyard in California but wanted to escape the fast-paced, California lifestyle. It was a big move from West to East Coast, but “God opened doors,” John said.
The Miller family moved from California in 1998. Joe’s sister was attending Christendom College in Front Royal, and it seemed like a nice place to live.
The families knew each other from their California parish and reconnected in Virginia. Joe and John collaborated to buy 200 acres, and eventually the idea of a winery surfaced.
They planted the vineyard in the spring of 1999, and their first wine was released in 2001. Both families, including the children, help with the vineyard, said John.
“I wanted a place where my children could work,” said Marialisa. From the beginning, the winery was meant to be a place for the whole family to enjoy.
The Miller family brings their musical talents to the winery. He and his children play instruments like guitar, mandolin and banjo, and entertain guests with blue grass, folk and country. The music adds to the family atmosphere for customers.
The vineyard blessing invigorates the owners in their work. “It seems to work on the grapes, too,” said Joe, adding that they had several good harvests in past years.
“Making wine in Virginia is difficult,” John said. “We need every bit of God’s grace we can get.”
The Delmare family left their extended family in California when they moved, but the people in Front Royal have become family. The blessing is a community event. Friends from the parish come to share the “fruit” of the labors and bless the upcoming harvest, said Marialisa.
“We’re here to honor God,” she added. “If we’re not doing that, the rest doesn’t matter.”
At the blessing, the story of the wedding feast at Cana was read.
“The wine was abundant and excellent,” said Father Hathaway. “This is a great time for thanking God for the harvest and for the spiritual gifts we receive.”

Angela E. Pometto can be reached at apometto@catholicherald.com.