Grant Crandall and Warren Richards
I first met Warren Ricard (and his late husband/collaborator Paul Armstrong) back in 2012. They were ubiquitous, especially back then. Virginia. Maryland. They were constantly visiting tasting rooms and spreading the word about Virginia wine. They were a part of the famous "Lamb Coma" lunch of 2013 at Black Ankle. And of course I saw them at most Virginia wine events I attended. They started the Virginia Wine Time blog in February 2005, about five months before I started East Coast Wineries.
Warren and Paul
Richard and Paul promoted and publicized Virginia wine for more than 20 years together before Paul's untimely passing more than a year ago. They tasted everywhere - Monticello, Shenandoah, to the Blue Ridge, and more. Despite this, Warren has continued to write, and received the Birchenall Excellence in Journalism Award for his wine writings. Stated a press release, "At a ceremony at Gray Ghost Winery in Amissville this Saturday, hosted by owner/winemaker Al Kellert, Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association President Grant Crandall presented Warren with an engraved plaque signifying excellence in wine journalism. The moment was especially poignant for Warren, as he and Paul had their first date at this winery years ago, and became partners in life soon after." It could not have happened to a nicer man. And a more talented wine writer.
Past winners of the award include Richard Leahy, lead organizer for the Eastern Wineries Expo, Linda Jones McKee of Wine Industry Daily; Lenn Thompson of The Cork Report; and Stephen J. Casscles, author of the seminal work, Grapes of the Hudson Valley and Other Cool Climate Grapes.
Wrote Warren on his Virginia Wine Time, "It seems like yesterday that Paul and I launched Virginia Wine Time, and I was honored to receive this award on behalf of the blog. I was uncertain whether I could continue Virginia Wine Time without Paul, but I am so glad I did. It’s been remarkable to discover and report on the exquisite gems to be tasted at Virginia wineries, and I plan to continue for as long as possible. Keep checking in for my latest posts, and be sure to plan your own visits to Virginia wineries, including Gray Ghost Vineyards. Mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you"
Congratulations to Warren (and to Paul) for receiving the award. Well deserved, sir! Well deserved!
A link to Warren's page and thoughts on the Birchenall appear here: