Afton After Hours with Eli Cook

“Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing.”  ― Ernest Hemingway

One aspect of springtime in the Shenandoah Valley is the emergence of outdoor entertainment, especially celebrations and performances at nearby wineries and breweries. One such activity includes evening festivities at Afton Mountain Vineyards and Winery—Afton After Hours.

The 2013 Afton After Hours season kicks off on May 25 and continues on select Saturdays from now through September: “Bring a chair, bring a picnic and blanket, and enjoy a beautiful evening in our beautiful vineyard setting!” And, of course, there will be an array of wine in which you can indulge: “glass and bottle sales only—no tastings.” Furthermore, if you find your stomach growling for a bite to eat, Blue Ridge Pizza will be at Afton After Hours from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. (For those who are unfamiliar with the Blue Ridge Pizza Co., they are a “travelin’ wood-fired pizza oven located on the back of a big truck in Charlottesville, Virginia.”)

Each Afton After Hours features a special live music performance, and on May 25, the guest artist will be blues guitarist, Eli Cook. Eli hails from Charlottesville, and he has built up a dedicated following ever since he began performing at the age of 14. Now Eli has established himself in cities far beyond his hometown, and his personal style of blues merges together the old traditions with modern styles.

Between the rich wine, the wood-fired pizza, and the talented instrumentation of Eli Cook, Afton After Hours promises to commence with an evening of enjoyment!