by Nadirah Muhammad 

With a wildly successful inaugural year already under its belt, this year’s Daze of Rosé Festival set its sights on a familiar goal: to continue being an annual celebration of Virginia Rosé that promotes inclusivity, art, and freedom of expression by gathering wine lovers together in a beautiful location.

The brains behind the operation, Matt Harmon, owner of Harmony Wine, a black-owned business focused on making wine accessible and approachable for all, reminds festival goers that, “However you drink, drink in Harmony.” With this mission in mind and a goal to increase inclusivity in the wine industry, this festival is a culmination of both Harmon’s work and his passion to ensure people from all walks of life can enjoy their right to “rosé all day.”

One step onto the Castle Hill Cider grounds on festival day and it is abundantly clear that Harmon’s vision has come to fruition. Tablescapes sprawling with abundant florals, dozens of local purveyors and diverse vendors, and various educational wine sessions are just a few of the highlights from the Daze of Rosé event. The main event? Getting to taste over 20 local wineries and vote in the People’s Choice Rosé Wine Competition, which perfectly embodies Harmon’s wish to make wine accessible to all and representative of the community, many of whom have traditionally felt excluded by the wine industry.

This festival is more than just an afternoon of wine and sunshine, but rather permission to appreciate the leisure and luxury of a space that often Black and Brown people have not seen ourselves represented in.

This annual collaboration between Harmony Wine and Castle Hill Cider works to eliminate the traditional branding of wine culture, which convinces us that a certain amount of knowledge, access, or experience is required to enter it. Instead, it invites us to convene, collaborate, and celebrate Virginia wine.

The festival’s driving message, to dress pink and drink pink, certainly rang true that day, as droves of wine lovers and enthusiasts lined up to participate in tastings within the barn, partake in wine education events in the loft, and take to the discovery lawn to enjoy additional offerings and dance the evening away amid the foothills of Central Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains.