Urban Chic and Early Mountain Vineyards: A Night to Sip and Shop

A plus to blogging is the fabulous people you meet through it. And when you combine those fabulous people, wine, and fashion, you know it’s going to be an amazing evening. Thursday night was one of those nights.

Thursday night, Urban Chic Boutique and Early Mountain Vineyards hosted a Sip and Shop. Thanks to Reston Limos, a dozen of us local fashion and style bloggers hopped in a limo bus and headed to Virginia Wine Country.

Early Mountain Vineyards in Madison, Virginia set up a mini boutique of fall fashions from Urban Chic Boutique, featuring The Shirt by Rochelle Behrens, jeans from J. Brand, Seven for all Mankind, and Citizens of Humanity; fashion from Trina Turk, Shoshanna and Rebecca Minkoff; and jewelry by Hyla DeWitt. Urban Chic’s personal stylist Wendy Pilch from Spendalla spoke to us about the upcoming fall fashion trends while we sipped Prosecco and nibbled on local cheeses.

I have been hearing about Rochelle Behrens’ The Shirt for a while and was happy to have the opportunity to see them up close. Elegant fabrics that dress up and down with ease without issues of wrinkling, and a brilliant hidden-closure system on the placket which prevents your shirt from gaping between buttons. As a curvy woman, I was in love – don’t be surprised to see one of these in my wardrobe in the future! I also loved Hyla DeWitt’s unique jewelry – an eclectic but extremely wearable combination of metals, beads, textiles and stones. Not only does she have an amazing and varied collection that could be worn anywhere from the market to the boardroom to the ballroom, but she also crafts custom jewelry.

After the fashion portion, we dined on Early Mountain’s fabulous cuisine and enjoyed wine flights from Early Mountain and other local Virginia wineries. I had the Reds flight, and was quite partial to the 2010 King Family Vineyards Meritage Bordeaux Blend. I enjoyed Early Mountain’s 2011 Pinot Gris on the ride to the winery so much that I bought a bottle of it, a salami made by a local farmer, and a locally made goat cheese to take home so I could share the experience with my husband.

Early Mountain isn’t your typical winery. While they serve their own estate-grown wines, they also showcase wines from other Virginia wineries and delicious cheeses, meats, and other treats from local Virginia farms. Early Mountain’s goal isn’t to make profit, but to strengthen and promote the Virginia wine industry and help it compete with other leading wine regions around the globe. Owned by Virginia resident and AOL founders Steve and Jean Case, Early Mountain Vineyards is a beautiful winery with beautiful wines, and a beautiful purpose.

And thank you to Urban Chic Boutique for such a lovely evening of fashion. Urban Chic has boutiques in Georgetown, Bethesda, and Baltimore that carry some of the hottest designers and trends. Check them out online at urbanchiconline.com.

Thanks to So Much to Smile About and Spicy Candy DC for use of some of your Instagram photos!