Cou Cou Rachou may be known for buttery croissants and beautiful baguettes, but the summer months find the bakery chilling in style with vanilla-bean soft serve, available daily. Craving something even cooler? Try the seasonal sour-cherry Coke float, a fizzy-sweet stunner made with Coke (from the glass bottle, of course) and the vanilla-bean soft serve, topped with sour cherries. Feeling fancy? Add a splash of MUZ vermouth for that extra je ne sais quoi. And don’t pass up the summer pastries made with fresh seasonal fruit like red currants, raspberries, black raspberries, peaches, and blueberries.
Talk tomato to me
Heirloom tomatoes, Virginia wine, and magical summer settings combine in SummerSupperSomm, back for its fifth (and biggest) season yet. Presented by Village Garden RVA, this dinner series hits the road with 22 one-night-only dinners from the low country to the Blue Ridge, all celebrating juicy, peak-season tomatoes and standout local wines. Make plans to meet your ’maters at virginiawine.org/pages/summer-supper-somm.
Menu planning
Charlottesville Restaurant Week returns July 21–27, serving up three-course meals at $25, $35, and $45 price points in restaurants from Belmont to Barracks Road and beyond. You’ll want to make reservations early at one of this year’s tasty participants, including Bang!, The Bebedero, Botanical Fare, Café Frank, The Local, Maru, Mockingbird, Tonic, Fiorano, Bulpan Korean BBQ, Orzo Kitchen, The Ridley, Arepas Steak House, and Mount Ida Reserve Taphouse, to name a few. Menus drop soon at c-villerestaurantweek.com.
New at the Hill
Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards has named Phyllis Case as its new general manager—and she’s no stranger to top-tier hospitality. Case has led operations at celebrated spots like The Clifton, The Dominion Club in Richmond, and the upscale Pond House Café in Hartford, Connecticut. “My mother taught us that hospitality was not just about presentation, but about presence,” Case says. “At Pippin Hill, I see that same spirit reflected in every detail.”
Gold rush
Virginia wine keeps crushing it. At the prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards—aka the world’s largest and most rigorous wine competition—Early Mountain Vineyards’ 2022 Petit Manseng won a gold award, with judges calling it “richly flavoured and texturally gastronomic.” It’s the second-ever gold for the state, and a big deal considering the competition: 57 countries, 248 top-tier judges (including 22 Master Sommeliers and 72 Masters of Wine), and thousands of bottles. Bottom line? Virginia wine belongs on the world stage—and in your glass.
Sip happens
Albemarle CiderWorks sixth annual Sangria Ramble is July 5 and 6, bringing a fruity swirl of creativity to eight local wineries, cideries, distilleries, and breweries—including Potter’s Craft, Loving Cup, Mountain & Vine, and more. Each stop serves up its own signature sangria recipe by the glass, so pace yourself and plan your route wisely.
On July 12, Albemarle CiderWorks keeps the party going with its 16th birthday bash from 6 to 8pm—an after-hours lawn party featuring pours from fellow 2024 Governor’s Cup gold medalists, including Buskey Cider, Daring Wine & Cider, and Sage Bird Ciderworks. Bring a blanket, and raise a glass to another golden year.
Hold the biscuits
On June 14, Brookville Restaurant temporarily pressed pause on dine-in service for the summer. In a heartfelt note shared on social media and posted on their door, the team cited “the importance of family and the wonderful opportunities that lie ahead.” This break will give the Multiverse Kitchens crew time to focus on loved ones and cook up some new projects behind the scenes.
Cou Cou Rachou’s sour-cherry Coke float hits the sweet spot. Photo: Tristan Williams.
More to Chew On
Saturday 7/12
LobsterPalooza. The second annual LobsterPalooza, featuring delicious lobster eats from Cousins Maine Lobster food truck, with music by Smokin’ Trout and Scuffletown. $12–20, noon–9pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Lane, Etlan. ducardvineyards.com
Second Saturdays at Bellair Farm. Recipe demos, wine tasting, pizza, knife sharpening, and live music. The walking trails and pick-your-own field will be open. Free, 9am–2pm. Bellair Farm, 5290 Bellair Farm. bellairfarm.com
Sunday 7/20
Cucumber Pickles Workshop. Learn how to make two types of pickled cucumbers, and take home a jar of each. This workshop takes place outside, rain or shine. Led by Caitlin Walls of Happy Humblestead and Lina Schneider of Nealand Farm. $40, 9–11am. Nealand Farm, 8232 Scottsville Rd., Scottsville. nealand.farm
Tuesday 7/22
Taste of the Bay. Enjoy oysters from Chesapeake Oyster Alliance, wine from Oakencroft’s vineyard, and hors d’oeuvres, including beef from Rapidan River Ranch. Ages 21+. $45, 6–8pm. Oakencroft Farm and Winery, 1455 Oakencroft Cir. events.cbf.org
Saturday 7/26
Woolly Bully Beer Fest. A summer celebration of craft beer featuring 10-plus breweries from across Virginia. Hosted indoors in a comfortable, climate-controlled setting to enjoy great beer, great people, and good vibes. Tickets include a commemorative tasting glass. $45–55, noon–4pm. The Wool Factory, 1837 Broadway St. thewoolfactory.com
Saturday 8/2 & Sunday 8/3
Homemade Peach Ice Cream Days. Chiles donates the peaches. The Crozet Lions Club makes and sells the ice cream—proceeds go to
the Crozet and Western Albemarle community. And you get to enjoy fresh homemade peach ice cream. Soft-serve ice cream and milkshakes available. Enjoy live music from 1–4pm on both days of the event. Free admission, 9am–6pm. Chiles Peach Orchard, 1351 Greenwood Rd., Crozet. chilesfamilyorchards.com
