Monday, April 24, 2017

NECTAR OF THE GODS

Washington Crossing and Bucks County might not be known as wine country, but that's set to change if the owners of Crossing Vineyards have anything to say about it.
Since opening Crossing Vineyards and Winery in 2000, they have built up a reputation for superior vintages that blend technology and expertise with a careful attention to craftsmanship and an eye to the unique local terroir. Ah, yes, there cannot be a more perfect time of year to go winery hopping, and here our fair hamlet we are lucky enough to have our very own slice of Napa cradled in the outskirts of New York City and Philadelphia, with four vineyards.....yes, I see a tour coming.
Here in Bucks County, which is not the first place you think of for wine producing country, but none the less, a good friend and I  visited a lovely vineyard in Washington's Crossing, a small town up  river from New Hope and not far from the lazy Delaware River, the spot where Washington crossed the Delaware during the Revolutionary War.It was a perfect 70 degrees, sun shining amidst a cloudless sky, which seemed to heighten every one of my senses in the most fantastic way. The Crossing Vineyards and Winery, a two-hundred year old estate, is a charming plot of land with swirling vineyards, floating butterflies and a whimsical little garden that looks out to acres of stunning property. The winery has been written up by The New York Times and was awarded the gold medal at the 2010 International Eastern Wine Competition. And after tasting their fare, I can see why.
Opened in 2000, the winery has become one of the best of its kind in the area. The success of the  fruitfully, robust grapes can be partially attributed to the use of laser planting technology which creates perfectly straight rows for optimal vine growth.
 
Yesterday when we visited we opted for the “standard” tasting.  Tastings are held in a large, dimly-lit cellar on a long U-shaped table where guests gather around. We tasted a total of 12 wines, five whites, four reds, and 3 dessert wines.  I will not claim to be a connoisseur, but I have tasted some excellent wines in my day, and overall I was extremely pleased with the selections I sampled.
The staff was extremely friendly and very knowledgeable. The wine attendants at each station gave facts and the flavors of each wine. For $15 that included our tasting, and then one full glass of your choice at the end.  But you know your dear Mistress bought a bottle, as did my friend, and we enjoyed it with a huge selection of meats and cheeses. What a lovely afternoon. Of course I came home with a bottle too. How could I pass up on the Wildberry?

On the way home I even stopped in Washington's Crossing to snap a few gratuitous pictures.
The bridge above was of course not there then, but this is the spot. Below , on the stone "landing" is the spot where Washington and his troops pushed off to cross the river. One almost gets chills knowing all this history took place. Or was it the wine???

And this last shot is strictly for Bob. It reminds me of his Architecture Wednesday post. This home is on River Road heading back into New Hope. Boy, I can only imagine their views!!!!!
What a great way to celebrate Earth Weekend.
Tootles

28 comments:

  1. It's fascinating to see where wine is now being produced... and successfully. And if their wine tastes as good as their vineyard looks, they should do well.

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    1. I was only recently let in on the secret of the wineries here, I had no idea. They best look out now. I was very pleasantly surprised.

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  2. Bob will like it! When I was in college, we drove thru SE WA and all that was here was corn and wheat. Now we have vineyards everywhere.

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  3. Your on a roll with getting out lately. If I come this summer, I can see I may need two weeks to enjoy that fine area! Washington's Crossing looks very cool, thanks for stopping there for pictures. And the winery....who knew???

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  4. Wine is one of the things that may make me move to Temecula. It's more than a place to meet someone for a fight. They have some great wineries out there, too.

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  5. What a beautiful afternoon spent steeped in history, some wine and good friendship nothing could get any better. Thanks for sharing it all with us.

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    1. It is! Sometimes when sitting and enjoying the scenery here, and thinking, it can get overwhelming the amount of history that went down here, and the characters that have lived here.

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  6. The architecture whore in me loves that house!

    The wine whore in me--having lived near both Napa/Sonoma and Sonora wine country--loves the idea of winery hopping.

    The whore in me loved the rest of the photos because it looks like a delicious day!~

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    1. I didn't know you were such a whore, bob; does carlos know about this? ;-)

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    2. One of these days, I'll have to do a whole post on some of the houses here for you. There is a few I think you'd love Bob.

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    3. I'm just a whore with everything

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  7. What a gem of a place! William and I stopped in for a wine tasting as part of our Saturday afternoon travels, two years ago. We are so glad we did! The grounds are beautiful, and the tasting room is inviting. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. Our tasting was upstairs in the large loft area. Glad to see it is still doing well.

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  8. WHO KNEW? thanks for pointing out another day trip place for spouse and I to go! anything with alcohol is OK by me!

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    1. I really do think you'd love it. There is one flight of wide steps, but after that it's great. Plenty of outdoor seating for you guys to enjoy the weather. They bring by pitchers of water for all to, which I thought was great.

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  9. Pretty grounds, sounds like you had a nice wine tasting experience this weekend. It really is like a little slice of Napa in your own back yard. LOVE that home!!!

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  10. What a nice experience! Looks like it was a lovely afternoon. Your area sure is damn picturesque. If I ever moved back to the states, I would consider Bucks for sure. Love the grounds there.

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  11. Great weekend! I would love to check this out when I come back sometime on a return visit. I may have never mentioned But I love history, so Washington's crossing would be so cool to see.

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  12. I can only guessed you drained the joint.

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  13. I never knew there was a winery so close. It is rather very beautiful. I'll have to check it out, I love my wines. So does this mean the Blue Coat Distillery is safe from you temporary?

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  14. Writing about visits to places like this should be your full time job, Mistress. Living off the fat of the land is what you were made for!

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  15. I am ready to spend the whole day with you.....im your clay, mold me!

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  16. I'm thinking I need to move somewhere more interesting than here. The place looks very relaxing, but I would be far intoxicated from so many tastings. I doesn't take much these days. Love that little cottage on the property.

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  17. Soil and water have tons to do with the quality of flavor. I'm surprised it took someone this long to get into the game.

    Happy Tuesday!

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  18. You live in one of the most interesting areas. What a way to spent the afternoon. I have been to New Hope and the area three times and it is very intriguing. I remember seeing the Oscar Hammerstein Estate. Have you been yet?

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  19. I had no idea that place was there till we had a symphony concert there once. I'd love to come back out and see it again. I wonder WHO I could find to spend the day with???

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!