February 25, 2009 – 10:14 am
Palisade, Colorado is the sweet spot for growing grapes in that state. While flying to neighboring Grand Junction one may notice the acres of grapes while flying over Palisade. Many of these vineyards border Interstate 70 that in turn is bordered by the Bookcliffs. We found this area peaceful and photographically stunning. We enjoyed the backdrop of the Bookcliffs and Grand Mesa as seen from vineyards in Palisade. The blue sky, and yellow to brown colored rock formations painted the perfect backdrop for vineyards and grapes.
The new Wine Country Inn opened in Palisade and makes the perfect base for exploring the 15 area wineries. One can walk from the inn to three wineries. Some may enjoy biking to several others. The Red Rose Café, in Palisade is favorite eating spot for locals and visitors. They only serve Colorado wines, a tribute to the local wineries. Many more lodging facilities and restaurants are located in Grand Junction, about a twenty-minute drive.
Check out these Palisade and Grand Junction trip itineraries:
Palisade
Grand Junction
February 24, 2009 – 2:54 am
Other areas that would like to be known as the “Napa of” do not have the acreage or the number of wineries that you’ll find in Napa. However there are enough wineries to spend a few days to a week or longer. On the east coast of the United States a large concentration of wineries is along New York’s Finger Lakes.
There are more than 100 wineries along Cayuga (pictured), Seneca, Keuka and Canandaigua Lakes in New York. Some will take awhile to drive to while others are just minutes apart. Many of these wineries offer beautiful scenery with the vineyards sloping down toward the lake.
Just as in Napa, there is a range of winery tasting room experiences. Some tasting rooms are large while others are quaint. The area isn’t as crowded as Napa, however if a wine trail is sponsoring an event there will be large crowds in the tasting rooms.
There is ample lodging in Ithaca, Watkins Glen, and Geneva with vineyards just minutes away from these towns. Several bed and breakfasts are scattered along the lakes. Check out the Halsey House. Glenora Wine Cellars also has an Inn.
Halsey House link
Check out the Finger Lakes trip Itineraries:
Cayuga Lake South?
Cayuga Lake North?
Keuka Lake?
Seneca Lake
February 23, 2009 – 6:29 am
Some of the marketing and PR people in different areas will make the statement “We want to be known as the Napa of the …”. There are certain regions that could well become like another Napa. Coming to mind are the Finger Lakes in New York, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Palisade, Colorado and Temecula, California. There are similarities between Napa and these areas.
There are also differences. Napa has well over 300 wineries and close to five million visitors staying at least one night. At times during the year this can make for crowded tasting rooms and slow moving traffic on California Rt. 29. However there are months when the crowds have subsided and traffic is not a problem.
We visited Napa in late February 2007 and had a delightful time. Often we were the only ones in the tasting rooms seldom were there more than five people. The reward for traveling to Napa in late February is the mustard growing between the rows of vines (pictured). The yellow flowers offer a brilliant contrast to the winter. The vines’ architecture can readily be observed during winter. The wineries are relatively close together and one can easily visit three or more a day. You would need a couple of months to see all of them though. Interested in choosing a few wineries to visit? Check out our Napa itinerary at: http://winetrailtraveler.com/itineraries/napaca2.php
This week I’ll blog about some of the other areas that would like to become the “Napa of the ….”.
February 22, 2009 – 9:49 am
Unforgettable Walks to Take Before You Die
Authors: Steve Watkins and Clare Jones
Published by Firefly Books Ltd. 2008
Yesterday I spent time at my local library browsing through books. I can easily spend hours at the library. Numerous topics interest me besides wine so it is delightful to come across a book that grabs my eye. Okay, so the cover is bright orange. In large font the title begins with Unforgettable. Pulling the book out from amidst the others, I almost returned the book to the shelf because of the complete title, Unforgettable Walks to Take Before You Die. After all there is enough focus on bad news in the world, dying is not a focus for me at this moment. Hesitating, I quickly started turning pages and realized the photos were wonderful and that the book concentrates on living.
In the introduction, the authors write “ By choosing to walk, which naturally engages both body and mind, we sense everything around us more acutely, and can have a deeper, healthier and revitalizing travel experience.”
Filled with numerous photographs on almost every page, this book is delightful to enjoy and if you want more details read the accompanying articles.
The authors chose 30 destination sites around the world. Will the authors write Book Two? Will wineries and vineyards be included? How many destinations are possible for one to visit and walk in a lifetime?
Cheers, Kathy
February 21, 2009 – 9:19 am
Consider attending a private wine tasting at Chateau O’Brien. Recently Chateau O’Brien at Northpoint in Virginia sent a flier describing a Private Wine Tasting event. This event only happens three times a year and appointments are necessary. The next wine tasting is February 28. Experience a private wine tasting with the Chateau O’Brien’s winemaker, Jason Murray. For more information, visit http://www.chateauobrien.com/events.php.
We attended a barrel tasting at Prince Michel in Virginia. The winemaker enthusiastically had us compare wine from barrels that was about to be bottled to wine that needed to age for several more months. This experience reinforces the concept of how aging for months and years improves the quality of wine.
Many wineries host private wine tastings. Sometimes these tastings are called “Barrel Tastings.” Check the wineries in your own “backyard” to see what type of special tastings they offer. There is usually a fee for these special wine tastings although Wine Club members may receive a special discount or no fee. You will undoubtedly enjoy the experience.
Cheers, Kathy
February 18, 2009 – 9:21 am
The Wine Cellar in Las Vegas is a great experience. If you are visiting Las Vegas and want to get away from the busyness of the slots and shopping, take time to visit The Wine Cellar. It is located in the Rio casino, within walking distance of the Strip.
A wrought iron spiral staircase, leads down to this unusual wine cellar. Arches of brick and stone add to the ambience of the room. Visitors to The Wine Cellar will see collections of wines to browse and perhaps purchase. The wood tasting counter has seating available.
For visitors, flights of wine are available for purchase or one can purchase a glass of wine and retreat to a nook or cranny to enjoy it. Leather chairs and low lighting add to the comfort level.
This was the first tasting room we have been to where International cheese is also available in flights. Consider choosing a wine flight and cheese flight for pairing.
The Wine Cellar also has everyday wines available at everyday prices. The Wine Cellar is relaxing and offers a large selection of wines.
Cheers, Kathy
February 17, 2009 – 9:30 am
Wine Country Inn in Palisade, Colorado is featuring a Mardi Gras celebration on February 21, the Saturday before Mardi Gras 2009. Live music will feature Influx Jazz Quartet. Enjoy listening or dancing to this instrumental jazz. The event is slated to run from 8pm to 11pm on the 21st.
According to the Wine Country Inn blog, “Mardi Gras 777 will offer a cash bar, bar menu, and those famous Hurricanes, which are amazing concoctions of lime juice, passion fruit syrup and rum. There is a $5 cover charge. Everyone 21 and over is welcome.”
Consider visiting Wine Country Inn and taking part in the festivities. Standard rooms are available that evening at a very reasonable cost – $77.70 per couple. This includes a complimentary ticket for the Mardi Gras Jazz 777. Check for availability of rooms ahead of time.
For more details, visit the Wine Country Inn website at http://www.coloradowinecountryinn.com.
Cayuga Wine Trail in the New York Finger Lakes region is celebrating Mardi Gras in grand style with its 7th Annual Mardi Gras festivities on February 21 and 22. This event includes receiving Mardi Gras beads at each winery, a wineglass and prizes. Each winery will provide a wine and food pairing. Three grand prizes will be awarded. Tickets at the door are $25, $20 advance purchase, or $15 for a designated driver.
For more details: https://www.cayugawinetrail.com/cwt_register.taf
Enjoy Mardi Gras!
Cheers, Kathy
February 16, 2009 – 8:56 am
Many presidents enjoy wine. But it was Thomas Jefferson who had a passion for the grape. Before his presidency, he was the Ambassador to France in the 1780’s. While in France he toured the wine regions and became accustomed to French wine. As President he had many French wines served at the White House. Wines from Côte d’Or, Hermitage and Medoc were among his favorites. When back in Virginia, he tried for years to cultivate vinifera grapes in the fertile Virginia soil. Jefferson was unsuccessful as the vines kept dying. There are no records that he made wine. He did however create an extensive wine library.
Thomas Jefferson’s unsuccessful attempts to grow vinifera were in part due to phylloxera. A litter further north, John Adlum was successfully growing vinifera grafted onto American rootstock. He successfully planted vinifera vineyards in Harve de Grace, Maryland and Washington D.C.
Thomas Jefferson’s passion for wine serves as inspiration for many winemakers and enthusiasts for generations.
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Enomatic Wine Serving Systems
Enomatic Wine Serving Systems offers wine establishments the opportunity to serve more premium wines by the glass without fearing loss of quality or oxidation. This seems to be ideal for restaurants, bars, wine shops or perhaps the smaller size for home use. By using gas to protect the wine from oxidation, the Enomatic machines can keep wine fresh for up to three weeks.
If winery tasting rooms decide to use the Enomatic serving system, they will need to be careful about maintaining the experience that many wine tasters come to expect in tasting rooms.
Have you used an Enomatic serving system for a tasting or a glass of wine?
Where was the Enomatic located? What was your experience like?
Cheers, Kathy