As the weather warms, Hampton Roads is seeing a surge in business activity. Food Lion has just agreed to carry a new bottled red sauce created by Tahjere Lewis, a 24-year-old Virginia Tech graduate who turned a family recipe into Aunt Carol’s Sauce. This is a major milestone for Lewis’s entrepreneurship journey.
Meanwhile, winemakers in the region are also reopening their tasting rooms. AmRhein’s Wine Cellars in Bent Mountain will open its doors on April 6th, while Villa Appalaccia Winery in Patrick County opened its tasting room on March 15th and exceeded expectations. Co-owner Julie Block noted that they set records and people are eager to get back out and enjoy wine tasting experiences once again.
Despite this good news, Stanburn Winery in Stuart has announced that it will be closing after the upcoming season. However, the overall trend suggests that both the food and wine industries are thriving in Hampton Roads and beyond. With new products like Aunt Carol’s Sauce hitting store shelves and wineries welcoming guests back for tastings and tours, there is reason to be optimistic about local entrepreneurs and businesses in the region.
