ALEXANDRIA, VA — A vibrant celebration of Virginia wine, local artistry, and historic preservation brought crowds to the Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden on Saturday, May 3, as the landmark estate hosted its annual “Wine and Art Night.”
Held in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, the event capped a day of festivities across the region—from the Gold Cup races in The Plains to Kentucky Derby watch parties—culminating in an elegant evening at the 18th-century Lee-Fendall House on Oronoco Street.
While the museum’s Prohibition-era legacy might have spotlighted bourbon in the past, this evening was dedicated to wine. Guests sampled selections from two award-winning Virginia wineries, Prince Michel and Slater Run Vineyards, as well as from local boutique Wine Gallery 108, which showcased a globally curated tasting menu provided by owner Lisa Katic.
Slater Run Vineyards, a fourth-generation estate in Upperville, offered a variety of wines that highlighted Northern Virginia’s growing viticultural prominence. Prince Michel Vineyards, based in Leon, VA, poured multiple award-winning selections, including the gold-medal-winning Très Bien Petit Manseng, presented by head winemaker Bryan Jones.
The night also underscored the influence of women in Virginia’s wine and arts communities. All participating wineries and art vendors were woman-led or owned. Inside the historic mansion, guests admired paintings by Barbara Cooper and nature photography by Carol Jean Stalun. The museum’s garden featured displays by ceramicist Barbara Nowak, jewelry artisan Candace Stribling, and photographer Jenny Nordstrom of Alexandria’s Torpedo Factory Art Center.
The garden itself was part of the experience. Floral arrangements—some featuring heirloom peonies planted by the late Joanne Ritter, mother of Lee-Fendall Board Secretary Megan Ritter Judt—adorned tables across the lawn, paying tribute to past and present caretakers of the estate.
Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins, in attendance with her husband Greg Gaskins, spoke about the Lee-Fendall House’s role as a living timeline of Alexandria’s social and architectural history. Built in 1785, the house marks its 50th anniversary as a museum in 2024. Over the centuries, it has served as home to enslaved and free African Americans, dozens of members of the Lee family, Union soldiers during the Civil War, and prominent labor leader John L. Lewis, who occupied the home until 1969.
Joining the evening’s celebration were former Vice Mayor and current Board member Amy Jackson and Lee-Fendall Board Vice President and historian David Heiby, accompanied by his wife Christine Hamilton Heiby. The event featured a silent auction with items donated by local businesses, including Penny Post Paper Goods, Sugar House Day Spa, Salon Monte, and the Washington Nationals.
Coordinated by Collections and Programming Manager Jenny Waters, the evening marked her debut as event chair. Guests enjoyed gourmet catering by Bittersweet, along with custom-designed cookies shaped like wine glasses and artist palettes from Maribeth’s Bakery.
Live music by the DC Ambiance trio added a Parisian flair to the evening, complementing the Bordeaux-style wines and méthode champenoise sparkling offerings. The event served as both a fundraiser and a celebration of community, culture, and the preservation of one of Alexandria’s most storied properties.
Proceeds from the evening support the ongoing restoration and programming efforts of the Lee-Fendall House Museum, ensuring its legacy endures for future generations.
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