Wine Weekend

Mark has had this idea for about a year that we should do a "wine crawl" that involved some of our more local wineries.  And by local I mean still a few counties away in New Kent.  But the few he had in mind are pretty close to each other and could easily be visited in an afternoon.  He wanted us to work our way east so that we would be able to make a short drive to Williamsburg.  Then we could stay the night and visit the one winery there and make our way home.  The only thing we were waiting on was a good time to do it.  Last weekend was the perfect time.

We started at New Kent Winery.  We've been here several times, it never disappoints.  I'll actually be back to visit them on Valentine's Day.  They host a 10K...Race for the Chocolate :-)  How could I say no?  This winery is just off of I64 in New Kent County.

 

Our second stop was just a 10 minute drive east to Saude Creek Vineyards. This is another one we have visited several times.  They usually have music out on the porch in the summers and a fire going in either the fireplace or fire pit.  This particular day they had music inside and more people than I've ever seen at the tasting bar.

 

Our third stop was to a winery we had only visited once before.  It's newer to the area but becoming a fast favorite,  Gauthier Vineyard.  It was just a short drive, maybe 10 minutes, away from Saude Creek. 

We had the best time at Gauthier.  Our wine host was exceptional and we literally stayed until they were closing up.  

Knowing this was an over night trip I had already made reservations in Williamsburg for us at the Comfort Inn Historic Area Williamsburg.  The pictures on the website looked pretty good and the price was right at $39, but I have notoriously picked places that don't end up being the deal you think you are getting. This time I was surprised!  The entire place was clean, the bed was awesome, the location was easy to get to with several options for food right around it.  I think the low price has more to do with it being off season for the area.  

After getting a good night sleep we made our last stop on the wine crawl.  Another winery that we recently visited, Williamsburg Winery. This particular day we woke up to a chilly rain.  So I didn't take pictures of the winery itself in fear of looking like a drowned rat.  When we left the rain had let up and fog was coming in...so I grabbed a few pictures of the vineyards.

 

 

A few friends joined us for the trip so it made it all that more special.  I always say that yes I love my wine but more than anything I love the memories we make visiting the wineries with friends and family. 

Saude Creek Winery

I've blogged about it before and I'll probably blog about it again, Saude Creek Winery.  Being that this particular winery is less than an hour from the house it's very convienent to us and even if it wasn't I would still go.  The atmosphere here is very laid back and family oriented.  Last week I got an copy of their monthly newsletter in my e-mail....they were advertising an outdoor concert on Saturday night.  Well this particular couple just happened to not have any plans for Saturday night....so guess where we went! 

Now a lot of things can go wrong with an outdoor concert, most of which are weather related.  And this particular Saturday it looked like the concert might be a wash.  Buckets of rain got dropped on the area.



That is our driveway and street.  The
street actually FLOODED

I was really worried that all my planning (ok really just a few text messages and phone calls) would we washed away along with the concert.  But with a quick call to the winery I was able to find out the concert was still on.  Insert happy dance here. 

Warning:  these pictures are blurry and may contain images that insect hating people should avoid.



Julie is a former cheese model and was demonstrating
she still has skills





One of the few fire pits on site.  There is a wooden
stage in the back ground. That is for
concerts on dry days



The view from the back deck



The band played on the big wrap around pourch




This would be Saude...the winery kitten



This would be Creek...the winery spider



And the band played on

There actually was no rain at the winery the entire night.  Just a breeze blowing, wine flowing and music in the air.  Twas a great night.  




And They're OFF!

There is something exciting about the announcer broadcasting "The horses are in the starting gate"...."And they're off!"  The crowd suddenly goes from calm and collected to screaming and jumping around like a bunch of monkeys from the zoo.  Is it because they have money on a certain horse and are cheering them on?  Maybe just joining in to cheer on a favorite horse?  Could be the alcohol being served at the race :)  Either way this last Saturday was the 15th running of the Virginia Derby.  What?  You didn't know there was a derby other than the Kentucky Derby?  Well yeah!  It's ok....I didn't know Virginia had one either until around the first of this year.  But once I found out I scoped out the date and put it on the calendar! 


Pre race trot around the field???


For our first year attending the Virginia Derby, Mother Nature paid a little trick on us and decided to drop buckets of water on us....isn't she sweet???  But we didn't let it hold us back too much.  The Derby is held at Colonial Downs in New Kent County.  They have several options on how to actually watch the race.  And each options comes with a different price tag, ranging from $5 right on up to $135.  They have indoor options, out door options and 'Hoot on the Hill' options.  We decided on tale gating at the 'Hill' with the Hooters girls :)  For one price everyone legally in your vehicle can get in to watch the race.  So not a bad option for us and our friends that wanted to go.  And yes they do have A Fancy Hat contest.  Next year I will be rocking my own FANCY HAT.  I am sure it will have a wine theme! 

She braved the rain to show off that....hat



One of the jumbo trons

There were 8 races before the BIG race.  If you opt to do the 'Hoot on the Hill' they have a tent set up for placing your bets, a couple jumbo tron screens to help see the races, a band plays pre race (unless it's raining buckets) and then they have a tent set up for the Hooters Girls.  Lots of fun all the way around! 



Emma dancing with he girls



Emma dancing with anyone that will dance...

The rain was a bummer but by race time it had stopped and the races went on without a hitch.  It did leave us with a muddy mess but we knew it would all wash off and we proceeded to have a good time anyway.  I am glad however we took a canopy :)



My sister Tessa and her hubby Marty...they were troopers to put up with the
kids and the mud!

The official winner of the 2012 Virginia Derby and the $600,000 was Silver Max.  He and his rider did a great job!  And they all had the crowd whipped into a frenzy!  I was glad to have experienced it with our family and some friends. 



The Virginia Derby-1 1/2 mile course



Emma was having a 'moment' and her foot
made contact with my torso.  HMPH!

 
Next year I would still go with the tail gating but I would get there a little earlier.  I would also have a nice talk with Mother Nature and see if I couldn't work out some agreement with her to not have it rain that day or have it 100 degrees.  I'm sure she is a reasonable entity.  Right?!?!?!





New Kent Winery



New Kent Winery

A couple weeks ago my girlfriend and I took a short trip to Williamsburg and made a couple pit stops along the way.  Our first stop was at New Kent Winery.  I enjoyed it so much (along with Saude Creek Winery) that this past saturday Mark and I took a few of our close friends back with us to enjoy a day of wine tasting and gorgeous views.  With weather in high 60s/low 70's it was perfect for sitting on the patio and deck and catching up with our friends.

New Kent winery in particular is known in the area for being a "pretty winery" to visit.  Some wineries that you visit are just buildings with little more than good wine to offer.  But this one offers a place that is pleasing to the eye as well as the pallet. 



From the parking lot.



From inside looking out the back to the patio.

There is a large front porch that welcomes you in to a large open area for tasting and buying wine.  Tastings are $5 each and to add a tour of the facility it's an additonal $3.  One the back in another large porch with tables and seats for a picnic or for just relaxing. 



The kids found a seat just their size.



Everyone waiting for the next tasting.

Since I had been once before I already had my favorite picked out.  It was nice to hear what others enjoyed and what others would be taking home.  I personally loved their Chardonnay and the White Merlot.  Yes White Merlot!  They have a special press that makes a Merlot that is truly white.  And very good!  I had gotten these two on my first visit.  With Mark there I know we got three more and I think they were totally different than the two I bought.  I know he got their Patriot but I didn't see what the two others were.  Either way I know they won't go to waste :)



A quick picture of everyone with their new goodies!

They are open Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. So make some plans, pack a picnic and let me know which wine turns out to be your favorite!





Monday Love

Happy New Week to everyone!  Hope you and your family had a great Thanksgiving holiday and that you didn't get too stuffed :)  I am glad to say that our Thanksgiving was at my sister's house and that meant all the leftovers stayed at her place...so we over ate once and that was eat.  I did miss the turkey and dressing come Friday but it was ok in the end!

Around the holidays the Bryants don't usually travel too far from home...but we are still just as busy!  Over the long holiday we spent lots of time with friends and family, decked our halls with plenty of pretty yule tide decorations and even managed to spend a day at a couple wineries with lots of friends. 



Is there an app to tell me where the next meal is?



New Kent Winery before...



New Kent winery during....



New Kent winery after :)



These two have a love/hate relationship!
They are on the deck of Saude Creek winery.



Check out the view behind our picnic.



That is the Pumonkey River in the distance.






"The gang"





Not quite ready for the tacky light tour...but getting there.



Now were ready for Yule!

 There will be lots of fun events and festivities to come.  Can't wait to share them all with you guys!