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A dream come true
A dream come true
New, 'green' Delaplane winery plans grand opening
By Jennifer Heyns
Fauquier Weekend Contributing Writer
When Brian and Sharon Roeder decided to turn their 70-acre homestead in Delaplane into a vineyard and winery, they had no idea they were about to trade in their 9 to 5 jobs for a backbreaking 24/7 venture, but they still wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Before 2006, the couple had a typical metropolitan lifestyle, living in a remodeled house in Arlington and enjoying steady income and an active social life. All of that began to change when Brian noticed how frustrated Sharon was with her job.
During a 2004 vacation in Key West, Brian asked a fateful question, “If you could see yourself doing something else, what would it be?
“And that question led to all of this,” he said, gesturing out the couple’s kitchen window to the vineyard, winery and scenic mountain views beyond.
So how had Sharon answered the question?
She told Brian about her recurring dream of waking up in the morning, taking a walk with her golden retriever — steaming cup of coffee in hand — to check her grapes.
“What I was checking for I had no idea,” she admitted, “but I was checking them.”
Brian, who is like a loaded spring ready to solve the next challenge, asked if he should do something about it, but Sharon replied, “Of course not, don’t be ridiculous, I don’t know what I’m talking about.”
Fortunately, Brian persisted and the following spring he received a different response.
“Go ahead, knock yourself out,” said Sharon, knowing full well she had just released the spring.
Barrel Oak Winery is hosting a grand opening beginning at noon Friday, May 23, with activities throughout Memorial Day weekend. The winery is located at 3623 Grove Lane in Delaplane. For more information: call (540) 364-6402 or (703) 798-8308; e-mail info@barreloak.com; visit www.barreloak.com .For the complete story, see the Fauquier Times-Democrat Weekend.
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