I am frequently asked this question and it is both an easy and a hard question to answer. Easy because my passion for and experience in the food and wine industry extends over twenty five years and I think what I do exceptionally well – and better than most – is to pair wine with food. Interesting Wines. Reasonably Priced. I want to bring your palate on an adventurous wine journey! Hard because I am not a good self promoter. Probably not a “bad” trait overall but probably not the best tool in one’s toolbox when your business is to sell!
My role as wine buyer for and wine purveyor of The Vineyard Table is to be your wine gatekeeper and guardian. I’m here to field all the wines out there and figure out which ones are well made and offer good value (both monetarily and tastewise) to you. You put your trust in me and I have to deliver repeatedly to you or you won’t continue to patronize my shop. It’s truly that simple.
I taste between 50 and 100 wines each week with over 25 different wine wholesalers licensed in Virginia. I know you won’t feel sorry for me but believe me, there are a lot of wines out there which don’t make the cut! Not only do I aim to find interesting wines, reasonably priced, but I want to take your palate on a journey! Wine should be fun!! It’s not just about the wine and the food, it’s about the people, the place, the geography, the history…there are SO many layers about wine to enjoy!
We are BIG supporters of the local food and wine industries. We are a CSA drop spot for Potomac Vegetable Farms. We are a drop spot for Local Flavor. I run a wine tasting group with the local winemakers once a month. I judge for the Virginia Governor’s Cup (someone has to be the Simon Cowell of the wine judging world!!) We offer lots of complimentary wine tastings each week, frequently offer wine classes and offer a wine club as well.
I am a serial entertainer, a devotee to the Leesburg Farmer’s Market, have more condiments in my pantry than your local grocery store, am an avid gardener and simply adore Champagne and Pinot Noir. I’d challenge anyone to find a better selection of Champagnes, Sparkling Wines and Pinot Noir in the Northern Virginia area!
Lastly, we are not a point driven store. There’s nothing wrong with points – it’s a great place to start and learn about wine. But wine is subjective, not objective. What you like to drink is most important – not what someone tells you to like. I would rather have a quick question and answer session with you to learn your likes and dislikes in order to make an appropriate recommendation versus selling you a wine because “it is 95 points”. Honestly, this is a lazy wine purveyor’s way to sell. I want to work for and earn your trust to be your wine guide. I assure you, I won’t get it right it everytime, But I will do my best to make your overall experience shopping at my store a great one and one which meets and exceeds your tastes and expectations.
Our niche is just how food AND wine centric we are. Many independent wine shops (as well as restaurants) are founded by hobbyists. They love wine, they open a wine shop. They love to go out to eat, they open a restaurant. Just because one can do any of these things doesn’t mean they are qualified to operate and deliver an experience to customers which will meet and exceed customers’ expectations and earn the respect, trust and repeat business of one’s clientele. I want to earn your repeat business and I have the food and wine experience to back up my delivery to you.
A Votre Sante -
Lucinda Smith, Owner
