Under a sunny, blue sky at the Reston Town Center, the San Gennaro Foundation of Virginia celebrated Virginia wines and Italian culture in the one-day Festa Vino on Sept. 20.
More than 15 wineries passed out samples of selected wines, and food vendors, three of them featuring dishes from Italian restaurants in the Fairfax area, offered the culinary bent that is the hallmark of local festivals. Live music entertained throughout the day. The $25 admission fee included a souvenir wine glass and unlimited wine samples.
"I came here to renew old memories," said Jo DeMeo. "They would have these feast days in Brooklyn with hundreds of people in attendance." DeMeo was accompanied by her daughter, Debby McHail, and Debby’s husband, Rex.
"We came for old-time’s sake, my mom’s old-time sake," said McHail of Fairfax. "My mother would go to Italian festivals to watch her mother march in the parades."
In traditional Italian style, a processional into festival grounds honored San Gennaro, patron saint of Naples who reached out to the poor and the needy. Representatives from Northern Virginia Italian cultural organizations held aloft a statue of San Gennaro. As the day wore on, dollar bills were pinned to San Gennaro.
Proceeds from the festival provide charitable grants to individuals, and to local and national organizations on a need-basis. The foundation also provides assistance to local school and educational organizations in support of the Italian language by providing grants-in-aid and scholarships.
"I COME TO THE TOWN CENTER all the time, and I saw the banner for the wine festival," said Dianne Gallardo of Reston. "So far, it’s fabulous. The way it’s laid out is very nice. There’s lots of spacing, giving it an open-air look and it’s really nice with the wineries under the trees up here."
Some of the attendees wore t-shirts expressing pride in their Italian heritage, and if someone were looking for a memento of Italy, there was something to be found. Jewelry artists showcased their crafts, and a few vendors specialized in wine-related merchandise. One vendor sold furnishings made of aged casks.
Nicole Brady of Reston came to the festival on her way home from the gym. She said she saw the tents as she walked, and thought it seemed interesting. "I think this idea is great," said Brady. "I wasn’t aware there were so many vineyards so close by. I’m definitely going to do it all today."
Gloria Angela Toner, wearing a ‘Proud to be Italian-American’ t-shirt, read about the festival in a newsletter distributed to senior citizens. She grew up in an Italian neighborhood in New Jersey, and came to the Reston festival because it was "about San Gennaro."
Toner and her husband were exploring the festival grounds in early afternoon, interested in the cultural displays and the food. It was, though, at noon, too early to be drinking wine, Toner said.
"I think if they had more food, and more advertising, there’d be even more people here. They definitely need more Italian food."