There are plenty of reasons to look forward to the official start of summer: the balmy afternoons, poolside weekends, and perhaps some enticing travel plans. For those who love experiencing Virginia’s outstanding food and wine scene, there’s yet another reason to celebrate: Veritas Vineyards & Winery’s Supper Series.
This fourth annual event honors culinary excellence while showcasing the winery’s award-winning vintages and offering guests a meal and an evening they won’t soon forget. In past seasons, the series welcomed chefs from across the country, as well as Canada, but this year, the talent is as local as it gets. Veritas is showcasing its own in-house culinary team, led by Executive Chef Andy Shipman, who has been with Veritas for over 14 years.
Chef Andy Shipman
His inspiration for this year is a blend of regions where he enjoys the food and ingredients he cooks with most. “We look at the ingredients that would be in season in that theme’s specific region and source products and ingredients from the Mid-Atlantic that run parallel to those,” Shipman says.
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“The Supper Series has evolved over each season,” he says. “The evolution from year to year keeps things new and interesting for our repeat attendees.” Since this summer’s dining experience features cuisines from around the world, it gives guests who have been to these places an opportunity to connect with their memories through food and share their experiences with the neighbors at a communal table.
May’s supper was a French bistro-inspired evening, and June will set its culinary focus on Basque country. For the 250th anniversary of the United States, July’s theme will celebrate Southern food and American roots. In August, a Mid-Atlantic Blue Crab Shake Down will prove to be the ultimate summer feast, and in September, a Harvest celebration with burgundy truffles will conclude the delectable series.
Of all the suppers planned, Shipman says he is personally most looking forward to the crab pick.
Along with the culinary fare, each course will be paired with Veritas wines. Shipman says he anticipates that guests will especially enjoy some Veritas library wines and Flying Fox products showcased throughout the season.
As summer unfolds, the Supper Series offers a delicious reminder that some of the best travel experiences don’t require a passport. Sometimes, all it takes is a seat at the table, a thoughtfully paired glass of wine, and a meal shared with good company.
Here’s the lineup:
June 26: Basque Country Comes to Veritas
July 24: Celebrating Southern Food and American Roots
August 21: Mid-Atlantic Blue Crab Shake Down
September 25: A Harvest Celebration with Burgundy Truffles
