OK, at first glance you may not think the Civil War and wine have all that much in common – but, boy, are you wrong!

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to do a book signing of my historical fiction book, Shades of Gray: A Novel of the Civil War in Virginia at Bluemont Vineyard in Bluemont (Loudoun County), Virginia.

To describe Bluemont Vineyard in one word – I would have to say “spectacular.” The winery is nestled on an eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains at an elevation of 951 feet. The panoramic view from the tasting room of landmarks such as Tysons Corner, Reston and Dulles offers visitors a stunning and unique experience.

Now, back to the Civil War and wine. Ten vineyards in Virginia have joined to create a General’s Campaign Journal to compel wine lovers (and history lovers) to visit wineries and historical sites along the Wine and History Trail. This campaign commissions visitors to “scout” each of the wineries on the Trail, and get their Journal stamped with a star. At the end of the year, all of the full journals are entered into a drawing for great prizes. The Journal includes a map, a history of each of the wineries, and nearby historical sites.

You can pick up your Journal at any of the wineries or visit www.thegeneralswinetrail.com to learn more.

Virginia has so much history to offer, and the beautiful landscape is unlike anything you’ll see anywhere else. Take advantage of this great campaign to drink in the sites of the past … and savor a glass of hand-crafted wine!