Day Trip: Louden County Wine Country

Did you know that within 25 miles of Washington DC sits one of the area's finest wine countries? Louden County, Virginia is home to more than 40 wineries! If you're itching to escape city life for an afternoon or weekend, consider sipping your way through Louden County. Here are just a few highlights - to learn more about Louden County wineries, visit Visit Louden.

Doukenie Winery

Voted the "Favorite Tasting Room in Virginia" in 2013 and 2014, Doukenie Winery's tastings are a bargain at only $10 per person. Tastings include two reds, four whites and a dessert wine. Doukenie Winery is located in Purcellville.

Fabbioli Cellars

Located in Leesburg, Fabbioli Cellars has been in business since the late 80s, but didn't move to Virginia until 2000. Their standard tasting consists of 7 wines and small bites, and costs between $15-$20, depending on the number of people in your party. 

Stone Tower Winery

Stone Tower Winery is located on a farm on Hogback Mountain in Leesburg. While a new tasting room is currently under construction, you can still attend tastings on the property Thursday through Monday from 11 AM to 6 PM, and Tuesday and Wednesdays by appointment.

Sunset Hills Vineyard

Sunset Hills Vineyard is set on a 140 year old farm and is dedicated to using solar power to run their machinery. Their regular events series include Late Night Fridays, "Welcome Spring" Weekends and Wine Club Parties. You can visit their tasting room in Purcellville Monday through Thursday from noon to 5 PM, and Friday through Sunday from noon to 6 PM. 

The drive to Louden County is a little over an hour from your apartment home at The Louis at 14, making it an easily accessible weekend trip! Some of these wineries even allow dogs, though they're required to be on a leash and are not permitted in the tasting rooms (please visit each winery's website for more information). Have you visited any of these or any other Louden County wineries? Which would you recommend? Share your favorites on The Louis at 14 Facebook and Twitter pages! Cheers!

Additional sources consulted:

Thrillist

Memorial Day Weekend in DC

When it comes to patriotic national holidays, Washington DC is the city you want to be in. As our country pauses to take time to honor the soldiers who lost their lives in battle for our country on Monday, we also have the opportunity to celebrate and enjoy the freedoms that were gained in those battles. From patriotic concerts to parades, this weekend offers many opportunities to celebrate!

National Memorial Day Concert
The National Memorial Day Concert takes place on the West Lawn of the US Capitol on Sunday, May 24 at 8 PM. This year's concert hosts are actors Gary Sinese and Joe Mantegna. The 26th annual concert will feature performances from Gloria Estefan, the National Symphony Orchestra and appearances by Laura Benanti, General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.) and Laurence Fishburne. American Idol winner Nick Fradiani will be performing "The Star-Spangled Banner." The concert will be broadcasted live on PBS if you do not have the opportunity to make it to the Mall. Viewers may also post messages and stories on the Wall of Remembrance. The concert is free to attend, but will be broadcasted live on PBS if you do not have the opportunity to make it to the Mall. From your home at The Louis at 14 to the West Lawn is about a 30-minute Metro ride.

National Memorial Day Parade
The American Veterans Center's National Memorial Day Parade is Monday, May 25 at 2 PM. The parade begins at Constitution Ave. and 7th St. and runs along Constitution to 17th St. The parade began in 2005 and started being broadcasted to soldiers around the world in 2008. Participants include Memorial Day Concert hosts Gary Sinese and Joe Mantegna, Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev, Food Network chef Robert Irvine, The Smashing Pumpkins and American Idol winner Caleb Johnson. The parade's Grand Marshals are dozens of surviving World War II Veterans. This event is also easily accessible via Metro. It's about a 15-minute ride from The Louis to the the Archives station.

These events are some of the largest not only in the DC-area, but in the nation. Have you attended either of these events in the past? If not, it is a wonderful way to honor those who lost their lives defending our country and to enjoy our beautiful city. Do you plan to attend this year's events or do you have other plans? Share how you will be spending Memorial Day weekend on The Louis at 14's Facebook and Twitter pages!

Live a Balanced Life at The Louis

If eating a well-balanced and organic diet, and healthy living habits are something you value, look no further than The Louis at 14 apartment homes. It can be difficult to remain focused on your diet and exercise regimen when you're busy with work and a social life. However, The Louis' close proximity to healthy restaurants and grocery stores, in combination with The Louis' healthy-living amenities allow you to stay (or become) fit and healthy!

Healthy Restaurants & Grocery Stores
Sweetgreen: This fresh salad eatery sources local and organic food. You'll find plenty of veggies, grains and good fats in each meal. Sweetgreen's signature salad is the Rad Thai, which is made up of arugula, cabbage, sunflower seeds, shrimp and other veggies for a filling and healthy meal. To view Sweetgreen's full menu, click here. Sweetgreen is at 14th & W, just a 5-minute walk away from The Louis.

Trader Joe's: This grocery is located literally at your feet, below The Louis! Trader Joe's buys directly from suppliers to offer shoppers a lower price, and offers an array of organic, gluten-free, kosher, vegetarian and vegan options to shoppers.

Whole Foods: Soon, The Louis will be within half a mile of TWO Whole Foods markets! According to The Washington Post, the supermarket chain is constructing a new Shaw location, which will be 40,000 square feet in size. Currently open is the Whole Foods P Street Location in Logan Circle.

Yes! Organic: This locally-owned, family-operated market is a member of the Independent Natural Food Retailers Association. Located along 14th Street, Yes! Organic is committed to offering fresh, organic, natural food options.

Amenities at The Louis
At The Louis at 14, residents have a number of options at their disposal to maintain or better their fitness. Our group exercise room offers the space and equipment necessary to squeeze in a quick 20-minutes on the treadmill or spend an hour getting in a high-quality cardio workout. The Louis Yoga Studio offers a more relaxing environment for practicing poses and flow, and our free weights area is where our residents go to get toned and complement their cardio.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be a challenge, but at The Louis at 14, residents have the tools at their disposal to not only make a healthy diet and exercise regimen possible, but enjoyable! What are your favorite area locations for healthy dining and shopping? What are your favorite spaces at The Louis to work out? Share your thoughts with us on The Louis Facebook and Twitter pages!

Celebrate DC Yoga Week

Namaste! If you have ever taking a yoga class at The Louis yoga studio or have attended a class at an outside studio, you know what a sense of calm regular practice can provide. This week allows the opportunity to gather with other DC-area yogis, and to celebrate and practice together. May 3-9 is the official DC MetroYoga Week! Although the week has already begun, there is still plenty of time to enjoy activities ranging from Yoga on the Mall and $5 drop-in classes at participating studios.

Yoga on the Mall
DC Yoga Week will culminate on Saturday, May 9 with Yoga on the Mall. The event takes places from 11 AM through 1 PM at the Sylvan Theater Stage. This will be an all-levels practice, complete with warmups and music! Be sure to bring a mat, towel, sunscreen and plenty of water to say hydrated and safe throughout your practice on the National Mall! While the forecast says partly cloudy, you could still get sunburned, and the high temperature is projected to be 85 degrees. To get to the National Mall from The Louis at 14 apartment homes, take the Green or Yellow Line Metro to the Archives stop. It's about a 10-minute ride. For complete details on Yoga on the Mall, click here. To view participating studios for donation-based or $5 classes, click here.

Trying Yoga for the First Time?
If you have never practiced yoga, here are some important facts to be aware of.

• Stay hydrated - Whether you're doing heated yoga or not, it's important to stay hydrated so you don't pass out or cramp.
• Don't push too hard - If you've never done yoga before, it's likely you won't be as flexible as some of your classmates and that's okay! As you go through the poses, you'll gradually increase your flexibility. If a pose is too much, as your instructor for a modification.
• Introduce yourself - Before class begins and after it ends, you don't have to be silent. Introduce yourself to your instructor and those around you!

Live at The Louis? Visit Our Studio!
For more information, contact Resident Services.

Sources consulted:
DC Metro Yoga Week
WUSA
Active Life DC