Yoga and Wine at North Gate Vineyard 2012

“Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as People.  Now our minds are one.”

There are times in your life you will never forget, ones that will wander in and out, and some that fade away.  As we stepped barefoot into North Gate’s vineyard for our first mediation walk through the vines of 2012, it was time to meet all three at once.  One at a time, we begin our journey on the Loudoun Wine Trail.

“We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our Mother, we send greetings and thanks.  Now our minds are one.”

The vines in straight lines and manicured to their structures, they grow and fruit freely within and nestled neatly in front of the mountain backdrop between Hillsboro and Purcellville, Virginia.  It is here, connecting directly with the wet ground, we let go, become present, and face the things that enter and leave our minds.

“We turn toward the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to come.  Now our minds are one.”

Wandering in and out of the rows starting with a sequence of skipping rows in 3’s to completely loosing count or care in which way we go or when to turn, walk, speed up, or slow down.  Starting together and then taking our own paths, the paths each of us need, chose, or are drawn toward.  For a few, allowing some silent eye connection with nearby horses clearly drawn to our quietly moving bodies as we made our way through the vines.  Others found the noises of nature becoming louder and hearing sounds that we often over look or the sight and texture of the flowing vines within their rows allows for the mind to escape structure by leaning on the one surrounding them.

“We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. We see them near our homes and in the deep forests. We are glad they are still here and we hope that it will always be so.  Now our minds are one.  

“We put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who move and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them beautiful songs. Each day they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be their leader. To all the Birds – from the smallest to the largest – we send our joyful greetings and thanks.  Now our minds are one.”

The night’s storms left us with crisp, fresh air and moist ground.  The sun’s rays rose over the mountain after the thunder rolled, tornadoes spun, and rain poured.  Slowly making way to our mats we began our practice with Native American flutes and meditation.

“Now we turn to the west where our Grandfathers, the Thunder Beings, live. With lightning and thundering voices, they bring with them the water that renews life. We bring our minds together as one to send greetings and thanks to our Grandfathers, the Thunderers.  Now our minds are one.”

An Earth Element Practice, our Journey Through Asanas, was complete with the smell of wine, stone, drying rain drops, and hints of rose oil.  Starting with our Sun Salute, rising to shine and exhaling to ground to open our bodies fully for peak poses. Building within the sequence allows all levels to experience yoga to suit their body while enjoying the breath, change, and movement of their own practice.  Taking Yoga out of the studio by incorporating natural elements brings awareness to heighten senses of touch, sight and sound via mind, body, and spirit connections with our surroundings.  Bringing the outside in during our walk allowed that simplicity and beauty to carry into our yoga practice.  Enlighten :: Empower :: Emerge.  

“We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. They help to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us messages and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds.  Now our minds are one.”

We closed our practice with a centered reading, words from Lara as we REflect, REtain and REnew.  Greetings from the North Gate tasting staff, Karol and Erin, those of us who choose to celebrate this farm and vineyards wine enjoyed a fun and education tasting.  Being a Loudoun County and Hillsboro resident, she had lots to share.

North Gate Vineyard has a public tasting room was built to LEED Gold specifications.  The roof is lined with solar panels to bring electricity to the building – pretty amazing!  We all decided on bottles to share with our light fare lunch prepared by the wonderful people of Stoneybrook Organic Farm located at the end of Rt. 690 in Hillsboro.  Fresh and carefully crafted, the lunch and dessert tray of fig, coconut, peanut butter was perfectly paired with our wine selections.  Getting to connect with our people over food, wine, and through our practice was a journey we all shared on our own and together.

“With one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables, beans and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living things draw strength from them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as one and send them a greeting and thanks.  Now our minds are one.”

“We believe that quality wine comes from quality grapes. Pure and simple. So how do we ensure that we’ll end up with quality wine? Through our commitment to meticulous practices in our vineyard and cellar from bloom to bottle. To us, this is not a job, and not a hobby, but just something that we do together. We hope you enjoy the product of our hearts, minds and hands.”

- Mark and Vicki Fedor, Winegrowers and Winemakers

Their wine selection:  2010 Chardonnay,  2010 Viognier , NV Apple, 2010 Cabernet Franc, 2009 Merlot, 2009 Petit Verdot, 

Finishing our journey at North Gate’s beautiful vineyard, we were lucky to catch Vicki coming back from the Wine Country Half Marathon and got to thank her for her hospitality.  Talking about the upcoming release of the Rose’ and other wine is always fun to look forward to.  Grateful for a full mind, body, spirit practice we begin June, Yoga on the Wine Trail 2012, in the sun shine of Loudoun County.

“We now send greetings and thanks to our eldest Brother, the Sun. Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west, bringing the light of a new day. He is the source of all the fires of life. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Brother, the Sun.  Now our minds are one.

Now we turn our thoughts to the Creator, or Great Spirit, and send greetings and thanks for the gifts of Creation. Everything we need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love that is still around us, we gather our minds together as one and send our choicest words of greetings and thanks to the Creator.  Now our minds are one. “

♥ Namaste – Lara, Russ, Kim, Erin & Francesca

Writings:  A Haudenosaunee “Thanksgiving” Prayer

Our next Yoga on the wine trail will be hosted by Fabbioli Cellars!

Each vineyard has a unique setting and offering – Fabbioli Cellars tasting will be a Wine and Food Pairing. Their unique setting will allow us to spend time in the vines sharing, connecting, and nourishing the mind, body, spirit.

You can also find North Gate’s wine in the following locations…

Markets (Winter)

• Purcellville Community Farmers Market – Saturdays 10am-1pm
• Falls Church Farmers Market – Saturdays 8am-12pm
• Leesburg Farmers Market – Sundays 9am-12pm

Restaurants

• Magnolias at the Mill Restaurant
• The Red Fox Inn
• Grandale Farm Restaurant

Retail

• Hill High Orchard, Round Hill
• Leesburg Pharmacy, Leesburg
• Leesburg Vintner, Leesburg

Partner Wineries

• Fabbioli Cellars, Notaviva Vineyards 

- Loudoun County Wine Trail – Photographs by Hannah Melinia Kasabian & Lara Ward

- Purcellville Yoga & Wine