From history lessons to good conversations over local wines, NVCT’s annual Sip & Mingle event on Sept. 15th was an all-around wonderful day for everyone! This special Thank You event took place at The Winery at Bull Run where NVCT worked to conserve 90 acres of adjacent land in the fall of 2017.
This land includes historic sightlines to Bull Run and the Manassas National Battlefield Park as well as part of the core battlefield area itself. Various Civil War-era artifacts have previously been found on the protected land and the surrounding winery property, making this site historically significant.
But the land's benefits are not only historic. The environmental impact of safeguarding these rolling hills is wide-reaching. The protected land includes three unique water features that will remain clean and safe in perpetuity. The largest of these is Bull Run Stream which runs into the Occoquan Reservoir, a major source of clean drinking water, and eventually to the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Included in the easement protections is the requirement for 100 ft. vegetative buffers surrounding each water feature - to keep the waters clean and the ecosystems flourishing in perpetuity.
Our day at the winery with friends of NVCT included a historical walking tour around the property where guests learned about the history of the land they stood on. From the original home's foundation to the oak barrels used for aging there was something for everyone. For those who took it, the tour was the highlight of their day.
Those who didn't take the tour enjoyed themselves just as much at the scenic spot. Wine was flowing and food was plentiful as everyone gathered around picnic tables to chat and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
Alan Rowsome, NVCT's executive director, addressed the crowd about midway through the day. "This is not just about the fires in the Amazon or Hurricane Dorian," Rowsome said, but also “protecting a planet with a rapidly changing climate right here in our own backyard.”