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Virtual Wine & Cheese Event
January 24, 2021 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Join Michael Shaps, one of Virginia’s foremost vintners, for a special virtual cheese & wine pairing to benefit Charlottesville Ballet. We will gather via Zoom on Sunday, January 24 at 2:00PM to enjoy learning the art of pairing fine wine & artisan cheese for a graceful cause. Keep our beautiful dancers learning and moving!
The pairing will feature Michael’s 2016 Chardonnay and 2016 Petit Verdot with expert commentary from Michael and his cheese-mongering daughter Hanna. Both father and daughter will guide a paired tasting of Meadow Creek Mountaineer (Virginia) and Colston Bassett Stilton (England) to accompany the wines. University of Virginia Professor of Public Policy and Charlottesville Ballet supporter Jeanine Braithwaite will moderate. If you are unable to purchase from Feast!, we encourage you to find similar cheeses at your local cheese shop.
If you are interested in participating in the Zoom tasting please fill out the RSVP Form below and an invitation will be sent to you the morning of the tasting.
- The wine can be ordered online from michaelshapswines.com or by visiting Wineworks Extended (1585 Avon St Ext) daily between 1:00-7:00PM. Wine cost is $59 (that’s less than retail!) with over half donated to Charlottesville Ballet. This package is only available until Sunday, January 24.
- The cheese board can be purchased online from Feast! for $15. Must be picked up by 3:00PM on Friday, January 22. Two cheeses, toasted nuts, fruit, and crackers specially selected to pair with locally produced Michael Shaps wines. Serves 1 or 2. For an additional charge, cheese can be shipped; shipment orders must be placed by 3:00PM on Tuesday, January 19.
- Michael’s daughter Hanna lives in Burgundy, France and works for Fromagerie Alain Hess. She will join us live via Zoom.
ABOUT OUR GUESTS:
Michael Shaps
One of Virginia’s foremost vintners, Shaps studied and trained to be a winemaker in Burgundy, France. He produces Virginia wines under the Michael Shaps label, and also for several wineries in the Commonwealth, as well as under the Maison Shaps label in Mersault, France where he owns and operates a second vineyard. Shaps wines have won many awards, including the 2017 Governor’s Cup.
Hanna Shaps
Hanna will join us live via Zoom from Beaune, Burgundy, France where she is a cheesemonger for Fromagerie Alain Hess. She made cheese in Italy and helped at Caromont Farm in Albemarle County. Hanna is French-American and hopes to start her own cheese export company.
Jeanine Braithwaite
Jeanine, moderator, is a long-time fan of Shaps wines, Feast!, and the ballet. When not sipping Shaps wines or attending Charlottesville Ballet performances, she can be found teaching about global development issues at the Frank Batten School of Leadership & Public Policy, University of Virginia, and eating lunch at Feast!