On Saturday, May 3, Alexandria’s social scene thrived as guests enjoyed a day of festivities beginning with the Gold Cup races in The Plains and culminating at the Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden for an enchanting evening of wine, art, and history. The historic mansion, located on Oronoco Street in Old Town, provided the perfect setting for the annual Wine and Art Night, drawing a diverse crowd to celebrate local culture and heritage.
The event, a nod to the house’s rich history as a former speakeasy during Prohibition, spotlighted wine rather than bourbon this year. Attendees enjoyed a curated selection of wines from three acclaimed Virginia wineries: Prince Michel Vineyards, Slater Run Vineyards, and Old Town’s Wine Gallery 108.
Wine Gallery 108, a boutique wine shop located at 108 North St. Asaph Street, has become a fixture in Alexandria since its opening in 2017. The shop’s owner, Lisa Katic, curated a special selection of international wines for the event, offering guests a global tasting experience.
Slater Run Vineyards, situated in Upperville, Virginia, presented some of their finest wines from their family-owned estate, located near the renowned Middleburg AVA Route 50 corridor. Prince Michel Vineyards, also family-owned and woman-led, offered tastings of their award-winning wines, including the gold-medal-winning Très Bien Petit Manseng, created by head winemaker Bryan Jones.
In addition to the exceptional wine offerings, the event showcased the work of local women artists and artisans. Paintings by Barbara Cooper adorned the dining room, while nature photographer Carol Jean Stalun displayed her work in the museum’s entryway. Outside, the Lee-Fendall House grounds were transformed by the work of Barbara Nowak’s ceramics, Candace Stribling’s jewelry, and photographer Jenny Nordstrom’s striking images. The gardens, in full bloom, provided a stunning backdrop for the evening’s festivities, with floral arrangements incorporating peonies planted by Board member Megan Ritter Judt’s late mother, Joanne Ritter, who had been a passionate supporter of the house.
Mayor Alyia Gaskins of Alexandria took a moment to acknowledge the historical significance of the Lee-Fendall House, a landmark that has stood since 1785. The house has served as a home to both enslaved and free African Americans, as well as 37 members of the prominent Lee family. During the Civil War, the mansion became a hospital for Union soldiers. The house also served as the residence for the Downham family (owners of Highclere Castle, featured in Downton Abbey) from 1903 to 1937 and was later home to labor leader John L. Lewis until 1969.
The event also marked the 50th anniversary of the Lee-Fendall House operating as a museum, with proceeds from Wine and Art Night benefiting its continued preservation. Board member and former Vice Mayor Amy Jackson attended the event, having just come from a Kentucky Derby watch party, and participated in the silent auction, which featured donations from local businesses such as Penny Post Paper Goods, Sugar House Day Spa, Salon Monte, and the Washington Nationals.
Lee-Fendall House’s Collections and Programming Manager, Jenny Waters, chaired the event, marking her debut in event planning for the museum. Guests were treated to delicious fare from Bittersweet Catering and delightful wine and artist-themed cookies from Maribeth’s Bakery. The evening’s entertainment included the French-inspired musical stylings of the DC Ambiance trio, creating a Parisian atmosphere that complemented the wine, art, and garden setting.
The night was a resounding success, blending history, local artistry, and community spirit, with the Lee-Fendall House standing as a testament to Alexandria’s vibrant past and promising future.
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