Bud Break - Sugarloaf Mountain Winery

  

Sugarloaf Mountain Winery (SMW) began it’s day with a Farmer’s Market but confused some attendees and vendors (we were no exception)…. Once up to the main event, there was plenty of space but it was a bit lean on vendors and therefore maybe just for this event the Farmer’s Market and Bud Break event should have been combined……yet the music was fabulous. Starting the day with Ted Garber and finishing up with The Freddie Long Band, both local favorites (and ours too).

The food vendors were well spaced out with one tucked a bit far in the back; I started to feel bad for him by the middle of the day. The food covered crab cakes, hot dogs and the essential ice cream...for the kids of course (hmmm yeah right)! The lawn was plenty big with room for dogs, Frisbee, football and a little butterfly catching. It was good see well-behaved pets and pet owners (mostly).

The event offered a FREE bounce house for the kids, which was awesome, but lacked the necessary supervision even with the parents standing by.  However, I cannot stress enough the bounce house was an awesome added bonus for the kids and even better there was no charge. A face painter next year might be a good add, but I wouldn’t expect that to be free.

Overall, it was a well worth it event.

Decanter 2011

The Decanter event at Pimlico Race Track was a complete and utter wash out.

Glass Pickup for Decanter April 2011

BUT it should become an annual event. Maryland Wineries Association, the even organizer, planned the event in only a few month. The quality of the staff and their professionalism showed. Every detail from set-up, poor weather accommodations, transportation, and exit plan were perfect.  Promoting of the even despite the pouring rain was effective, special thanks to 98 Rock.

All visitors enjoyed track side views of the few races (that were able to run) under cover; a huge even tent protected guests and vendors.

This event (minus the rain) is a must attend! Looking forward to NEXT YEAR's DECANTER!

North Gate Vineyard

(Soft) Grand Opening


Just before Christmas 2010 at the Holiday Wine Mall in Dulles Virginia we sampled North Gate's wine....quite impressed with Viognier I began planning a trip to the vineyard, but they were quick to inform me that the tasting room was 'under construction' and they planning a spring opening....

So we found them on Facebook (the best way to stay current these days) and followed the progress on building.....each week new pictures showcased their progress and finally they announce a soft opening.

Thankfully we were free that weekend and decided to take a spin out to our first Virginia Wine experience.    We were the first there besides a few unwelcoming employees but as soon as we made it inside the attitude quickly changed.

There is still much work to be done, but it's mostly landscaping....the patios are open with fireplaces inside and out....the tasting bar is a blended top with wine bottle chips for a soft shine. There is plenty of room for a picnic (indoors or out).

North Gate is an up and coming winery. Better keep an eye on them.