That's right, it’s time for Polo and Wine.  We will hit the turf again to see the pounding of the horses and the batting of the ball.  Of course, we will observe this head hitting sport with British genteelness by sipping wine and enjoying tasty tidbits.

Oasis Vineyards has offered the use of their private box that will seat 12.  Please bring some lawn chairs for additional seating.  This is one of the greatest tailgate parties you can imagine.  It is potluck so please bring a dish.  And if you wish to eat, please bring food in your dish.  We provide the wines:  Oasis, of course. 

This is one of the few events we allow those too young.  We ask that you provide the appropriate beverages and snacks for these.

The cost is $25 per person for each member and guest.  There is no charge for the under-aged.  In addition, the Polo Club requests a charitable contribution $20 per car ($5 per person) for parking.

To ensure an adequate supply of wines, if you plan to attend, please contact Joe Alt at joenpat@erols.com or (703) 799-5988 by June 17th. Or, better yet, send a check to:  Joe Alt, 8201 Tis Well Drive, Alexandria, VA 22306.

Directions:  From the Beltway in Virginia, go on I-66 West about 25 miles to Exit 31.  The signs will direct you to Great Meadows.  Tell the parking attendants you are going to the Oasis Box.  They will direct you from there.
   

BLESSING OF THE VINES WITH CHRISTENDOM COLLEGE CHOIR

Oasis Winery, Hume, VA
This “most enchanted evening” starts with a procession into the vineyards to bless the vines and harvest, and continues with a candlelight dinner with entertainment.  Please make your reservations directly through Oasis:  (800) 304-7656 or http://www.oasiswine.com/events.stm.  To insure your discount, please state that you are a member of the Knights of the Vine.

Also, if you are attending, please let us know by notifying Joe Alt at joenpat@erols.com or (703) 799-5988.

VIRGINIA WINE AND FOOD DAY

Capital Hill, Washington, DC
June 17th  (proposed)

Under the skilled direction of Supreme Knight Gordon Murchie, this event is moving along very well.  Many Virginia and Federal government officials are involved.  The Nation’s Capital Chapter of the KOV will provide a small, but highly integral part, to bring this event to fruition.

We believe our effort will contribute to our obligation to educate many on the wines and vines of America (particularly Virginia), plus alert many in Virginia and the nation of our presence and our obligations.

 

SCHEDULE CHANGES

As important as it is to schedule events well in advance and to adhere to the schedule, one must recognize opportunity and seize it. During a splendid “Educational Wine Tasting – Stellar of Syrah or Shiraz?” Master Knight George Foote suggested he would be willing to do two such educational tastings a year.  Always willing to look a gift horse in the mouth, I immediately accepted.  

Suggested is a tasting of Cabernet Sauvignon in the fall and a tasting of the whites from Alsace in the spring.  The tentative date for the fall event is September 13th.

With an educational wine tasting in September, we needed to establish a date for the Potomac River Cruise.  It's now tentatively set for October 5th.

As soon as these dates are confirmed, you will be notified, or please check our web page, ably maintained by Gentle Lady MaryAnne Wassenberg.

As we work through these opportunistic changes, please remember one thing:

NATIONAL NEWS

Annual Meeting:  The annual national meeting of chapter delegates was held on April 26 in Napa Valley.  The organization is financially solvent and growing.  Most of the chapters are solid, and we are slowly adding new ones.  If any member wishes to review the accounts of the national organization, please contact Ken Haapala at (703) 978-6230 or Ken@Haapala.com.

Annual Dues:  What keeps the national organization alive, and our chapter alive, is payment of dues.  About 40% of the dues payments are returned to our chapter.  This largely covers the expenses of our newsletter.  Some chapters charge additional dues. We do not because we attempt to make events self-sufficient and rely on the good hearts of some members.  For those who have not, please pay your dues.  An added benefit of being a member is that, if you travel, you are welcome to attend any function (with a timely reservation of course) of any of the chapters.  Unfortunately, most chapters do not have a Mary Anne Wassenberg to skillfully maintain a web site. Consequently many events are not posted. However, if you travel and wish to explore what is available that might not be on the web, please contact Ken Haapala at (703) 978-6230 or Ken@Haapala.com.

Events:  A number of Chapter Commanders confirmed that we have one of the broadest arrays of events, expensive and inexpensive, of any chapter.  We will continue to do so.

Membership:  Although we rank among the top in events, with 54 members we rank about 8th in membership.  We may have no desire to go for number 1 at 217, but there is  no reason why we cannot go for number 4 or 5 at 75.  The key to the success of any chapter, both events and membership, is the Cadre.  The membership believes we are performing at events.  Now is the time, at our annual planning meeting this fall, to address the correct procedures for increasing membership.