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. 

Yay or Nay

New Kent's Patriot

Remember our trip to the New Kent Winery?  If not you can check out some of the details here.  On my second visit to the winery Mark picked up this little bottle of wine and we opened it this week to give it a full scale taste.  To me the taste of wine in a winery is different than the taste of wine at home.  I know the amount of time the bottle is open and what the wine is eaten with or what you drink ahead of time change the flavor so how it tastes at the winery does not mean it will taste the same later.  But since it still tasted great I was not let down :) 

If you visit New Kent Winery's web site they no longer have it listed as a selection.  I know that this was a special creation and that part of the money from the sales of the wine were going to help the families of soldiers.  Their wine menu describes the wine as "Refreshingly sweet, blended white wine."  I would say that's pretty accurate.  With 3% residual sugar it was a sweet wine but not so sweet to the taste that I couldn't stand it.  I really don't usually care for dessert wines so it was just sweet enough to have with some fresh fruits or crackers but not sweet enough to serve as syrup!  We enjoyed this wine so another "Yay" for the records. 

The weekend is upon us and holiday shopping and a few errands to run for the weekend are in store.  Have a great one folks! 

Williamsburg Virginia

A couple weeks ago I was able to slip away with a girl friend and spend a little time in Williamsburg Virginia.  When most people hear Williamsburg they think of Colonial Williamsburg and conjour up sights of women in period dresses or men wearing tricorn hats and coats with tails....at least when I think of Colonial Williamsburg that's what I think.  But the part of Williamsburg we visited was the portion that draws in all the the shoppers :)  There are outlet malls, Christmas stores, stores I've never heard of and a few stores that make it snow inside!

We went down on a Friday and, as I've shared in a previous post, we stopped along the way at New Kent Winery and at Saude Creek Winery.  I finally downloaded those pictures!



New Kent Winery





Inside the tasting room





For your shopping pleasure.





Step up to the bar.

 


Looking out at the vineyard.



Saude Creek Winery



The magnificent view from the deck at Saude Creek.



This porch was made to sit on and have a sip!



Front porch of Saude Creek.



The bar where you do the tasting.



The cozy fire.



If you rather sit outside by a fire...they have this!

After stopping at these two great places we headed down the road and checked in to our hotel.  We stayed at the Quality Inn on the bypass in Williamsburg.  I snagged a good deal on Kayak and it was nicer than I expected...minus the noisy neighbors holding a meeting at 6 a.m. in the hallway! 

We had dinner at Carrabas (my first time ever going) and did a little shopping around.  Breakfast was at The Bakers Crust and OMG...crazy good food! 



Dinner hit the spot! 



Breakfast at the Baker's Crust :)



French Toast with rum and bananas!

Some of our shopping was actually next to Colonial Williamsburg in Merchant's Square.  The shops here are small and quaint.  You find yourself walking along and finding the unexpected.  




A shop at Merchant's Square.



Couple playing with a cat in an alley.



A Farmer's Market was set up too for browsing.



All the shops look like they are from a bygone time.



This road leads to the old Colonial Capital.



An unexpected find around a corner.



Our cat friend waited for us to come back.

 
There is a gigantic Yankee Candle store in Williamsburg!  That is the store that will make it snow inside!  It's a treat to take the kids in and watch them play inside.  Carrabas is right next door by the way ;) So if you go with a group if someone will wait for the seats everyone else can go next door and do a little shopping! 

It was a great get away with my friend and a great way to start a little Christmas shopping! 


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!