In all, the winery produces three separate lines of their products. While each has won acclaim the Single Vineyard Wines division is particularly distinctive, as included in this grouping are wines that have been biodynamically farmed. This holistic approach to winemaking is similar to organic farming but goes a step further by requiring close attention to the forces of nature that influence the vine. Suffice it to say that these are probably the purest wines you will ever taste.

Only a handful of vineyards in the country pass the rigorous requirements to attain official biodynamic status, and we are very excited to be featuring the first biodynamic-certified wine in California history, the 2001 Tribute, as the highlight of this evening. This wine was produced in such limited quantities that Maryland only received nine cases, so once again Antrim is at the forefront of the latest industry innovations and we are honored to be able to offer our guests a taste of the future of wine.

We are delighted to welcome Kyle Cook, Benziger's East Coast representative. The first non-family member to join the Benziger staff, Mr. Cook's 20 years in the wine industry made him well-suited to join this remarkable company. Mr. Cook will explain in further detail the techniques and the benefits of biodynamic farming, as well as give us an introduction to each of the Benziger products we are sampling.

This tribute to the Benziger Family Winery is $98.00 per person inclusive. We will begin the evening with hors d'oeuvres at 6:30 p.m., followed by introductory remarks from Mr. Cook at 7:00 p.m. and seating at approximately 7:30 p.m. For those interested in spending the night, wine dinner guests can enjoy Antrim's luxurious accommodations at the special rates of $100.00 for Mansion rooms and $150.00 for suites.

Our featured menu for the evening follows:

Antrim figures prominently in Newt Gingrich's new historical novel, Gettysburg, A Novel of the Civil War. The former Speaker of the House of Representatives' novel offers an alternative version of actual history. In it, he and his co-author, William R. Forstchen create a scenario by which the Confederate Army, under General Robert E. Lee, could have prevailed in the critical battle of the Civil War. The authors spent a considerable amount of time actually visiting Antrim and researching the local area for the telling details that give the story a real ring of plausibility, if not truth.

In this story, Lee uses Antrim as his headquarters and many of his most important strategic decisions are set against the familiar backdrop of Antrim’s Drawing Rooms and grounds as well as the rooftop cupola, which provided an extraordinary bird's-eye view of the battlefields at Gettysburg.

Enthusiasts of historical novels in general and the Civil War in particular, especially those who may visited Antrim, will find many familiar details and an interesting what-could-have-been to ponder.

Mr. Colgan studied locally and in Europe before opening his studio in Hanover in 1982 where he teaches, does restoration work and accepts commissions. He has a particular interest in finely detailed portraits.

The public is invited to a free opening reception on October 12 from 5:00 to 6:30. An elegant 6-course dinner with the artist will follow at 6:30 for $62.50 per person.

The focal point of this exhibition will be Lester Stone’s large oil painting of The America. The “America” was a keel schooner built in 1851 from a design by George Steers for John Stevens, commodore of the New York Yacht Club. She was 102 feet long and carried 5,263 square feet of sail. America won, on August 22nd, 1851, the Royal Yacht Club race around the Isle of Wight at Cowes, England, witnessed by Queen Victoria. Her prize was the handsome silver pitcher, which is now known as America’s Cup. America served on both sides during the Civil War, and was later owned by the U.S. Naval Academy.

Lester Jay Stone’s paintings are in many private, public, and corporate collections, including the permanent collections of the United States Capital Rotunda, the United States Naval Academy, and the United States Defense Department.

In July Antrim’s owners, Richard and Dort Mollett, visited the winery to taste their current releases and were given a private tour by owner Marc Perrin. Mr. Perrin will be here to present his wines and discuss his philosophy of winemaking with Antrim’s guests.

The evening begins with hors d'oeuvres at 6:30pm, followed by dinner seating at 7:00pm. The cost is $125.00 per person which includes tax and gratuity. Wine dinner guests who would like to spend the night are entitled to reduced room rates of $100.00 for Mansion rooms and $150.00 for outbuildings and suites.

Caption: Richard Mollett and Marc Perrin in the Château de Beaucastel wine cellar.