From Jane Alonso. Her passion for food and spirits leads her on frequent excursions into Borderstan’s land of bars and restaurants. Email her at jane[AT]borderstan.com

DC’s Wine Week. (Luis Gomez Photos)

Had one too many pints at the latest Octoberfest? Take a break from all those lagers and ales during DC Wine Week from October 13-20. It’s the perfect season to visit a local vineyard while the leaves are changing or explore a cabernet you have never tried before at a neighborhood restaurant.

Co-founded by Vanessa French and Lisa Byrne (founder of DCeventjunkie), DC Wine Week is dedicated to enjoying wine and supporting the area’s growing local wineries, wine shops, wine bars, restaurants and merchants.

Participating Venues

Participating bars and restaurants – including Borderstan favorites such as Veritas, Hanks Oyster Bar, Policy, and One Lounge — will feature paired menus and special offers, as well as a chance to network with local wine experts, attend tastings and learn more about what our area has to offer when it comes to wine (there are over 245 wineries in Maryland and Virginia). The schedule can be found here .

Who knew, but DC apparently leads the nation almost every year in per capita sales and consumption of wine, according to Alex Evans, the director of education for Arlington’s Washington Wine Academy. The District consumes 6.6 gallons of vino per capita — With almost two full gallons more of the grape than the second most oenophile-centric state in the nation, New Hampshire.

Why?  Some might say it’s due to DC’s abundance of foreign embassies, special events and receptions (political and otherwise), and culinary-minded individuals with disposable income.

Do your part to keep DC leading the pack!

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