News Article

Poplar Forest wine festival receives tourism grant

Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Justin Faulconer
Lynchburg News & Advance

FOREST - Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling presented Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest with a $5,000 grant from the Virginia Tourism Corporation.

The money will help market the Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival, an event that sold more than 1,900 tickets for its inaugural event in 2009.

Bolling said this year the state increased funding for the tourism corporation by more than $7 million. Most of it is for advertising, he said.

"Tourism employs more than 200,000 people in our state," said Bolling. "This is a good, clean industry."

The Bedford County retreat's festival last year was a "huge success" and attracted visitors from around the country, he said.

"We have over 100 wineries operating all across Virginia," Bolling said.

Lynn Beebe, president of the nonprofit corporation that runs Poplar Forest, said the money would help build on last year's success.

"It definitely boosts the level of marketing we can do," Beebe said. "No question, it makes a big difference."

This year's wine festival is set for Nov. 20 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $25 at the event and $20 in advance.

For additional information contact Ibbie Hedrick at 804-225-2487 or ibbie.hedrick@ltgov.virginia.gov.