The Barrel Tasting Weekend was this past weekend, the second we have attended, and we finally figured out just how to plan our route (way better then last year, when we kept getting lost!)
Saturday was a dreary day, pouring rain, but our destinations made us all smile.
There were six wineries on the list - we made it to five - and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to support local business and who wants to find a new wine. They each offered a different twist on old favorites, new classics, and some things I had never tried (Jalapeno wine?! My friends each bought a bottle).
We started at
Coffin Cellars in Webster; they had several varieties for tasting, but none of their wine is made with grapes - every other fruit you can think of, Lime, Blackberry, Blueberry, Jalapeno (OK, maybe not a fruit, but you get the idea). They were gracious and clearly excited about their products. I loved the Blackberry wine, but I think my group bought one of each available.
Onward to
Haunting Whisper in Danbury - one we did make it to last year - and a personal favorite of my mother. I am a big fan of their Carmenere and their sweet Marechal Foch...yum. Next, to
Newfound Lake Vineyards in Bristol. The owner was greeting visitors and explaining her wines last year as well, and was fascinating to everyone! Personal favorite - Wicked Good Red!!
Final stop of the day was
Hermit Woods, now in Meredith Center. Last year, this was our first stop, and we spent an hour going the wrong way on many, many different roads, so being in the middle of Meredith now is great for our GPS! Their new home is spacious and allows for visitors to shop, taste, and learn in comfort. My favorites are the Petite Blueberry and the Carmenere.
Sunday was a completely different day - sunshine and fabulous foliage everywhere you looked! Our only stop of the day was to be
Gilmanton Winery, home of Peyton Place and Alpacas! Check out their site....
I loved the visit here, with the grapes being picked as you walked up the drive, and the Alpacas up the hill, not to mention the owner, Marshall. He is clearly so proud of his product, as are all the owners we met this weekend, and it is good to see local success!
Sometimes, the best things happen when you aren't paying attention.. On our way in to Gilmanton, we had noticed a sign on our right that said "Lindon Garlic Farm". Garlic? we said. Yum! We said. So on the way back, we turned left and found Don, The Garlic Guy.
Lindon Garlic Farm was just lovely, and Don and his wife were warm, welcoming, and ohhhhhh, the smell of garlic was amazing!! It is well worth the journey!!
Don the Garlic Guy, and Janet, working Dirty Deeds fundraising
When we got home, we took stock of our holiday purchases, personal stock and raffle basket purchases.... Did we have fun? Well, you decide!!
The labels.
Oh please, do it again next year!!
