Saturday, May 5, 2012

Let's Get Away. Part 2


I had never been to a winery before.  This one has a unique story and is beautiful!  Day 2 of our mini-vacation included visiting  Shelton Vineyard for a tour and wine tasting experience.


We got caught in some pretty heavy storms during our new adventure...   but it was fun.


We enjoyed hearing about how 2 brothers, Charlie and Ed Shelton purchased this land at an auction in 1994, with no idea as to what they'd be doing with the land.  It was just a few miles from where the brothers grew up.


 The grounds are meticulously kept and breathtaking.


 I love the cool musty air, and the earthy, sweet smell inside  where the wine barrels are kept.

For a little over $500 you can purchase a barrel and have an inscription put on it.  The barrel stays in the cellar and houses wine for up to 5 years before the barrel is turned over to it's owner.  (minus the wine, of course).  During that 5 years, a case of wine is shipped to you each year and at the end of the 5 years you have to go to the winery to pick up your barrel.


We learned a lot that day.


 And as we tasted different types of wine and learned about the planting and harvesting of the grapes and how the wine was made, I discovered port wine was my favorite.  A little more expensive, and a little more of a kick...  


The tour concluded at the wine bar downstairs, where we then decided which wine we'd take home with us.





We then ventured over the bridge to the Harvest Grill Restaurant, also a part of the Vineyard,  and settled in just in time to watch another wicked storm outside...


It was a great day.


But for some reason...  we couldn't stop thinking about Gracie..  and then she showed up in the clouds...

Do you see her?


17 comments:

  1. How fun Bobbi!... what a beautiful setting and the wine sounds yummy!... yes, I see Gracie checking on you!... xoxo Julie Marie

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  2. Your VINEYARD TOUR was lovely. We enjoy visiting the VINEYARDS in HAMMONDSPORT, NY. We brought a BARREL back home with us on one of our trips. It was a long, long ride. So it had to stay in the car when we stopped at motels along the way. The fumes were intoxicating. We attempted to COVER it up with a blanket, so nobody would NOTICE it was there. But it was so-ooo OBVIOUS. LOL Looks like you two had a BARREL of FUN. Thanks for sharing. Take care.

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  3. Hehe. I DO see her in the cloud....she won't let y'all forget about her...... what stunning grounds! I love the pond and waterfalls..... it's all so gorgeous.......thanks for sharing...so glad you and Gary had lots of fun......and your comment on my blog had me bawling, Bobbi, you are such a dear to me!

    Hugs,
    Jenni

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  4. Samson Says:
    Gracie, Gracie,
    Was that your eyes in our sky?
    I see you here and you can fly.
    Why didn't you stop by?
    I will wonder about this til I die.
    XOXO, your Samson

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  5. OH, Bobbi, we certainly were on the same wavelength with our sky pics. I had no idea who it was in our sky, but now it makes sense. I just wanted to say that the photos of the vineyard are just beautiful. I can just imagine what a wonderful and refreshing trip you are having.

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  6. I'm so glad you had fun in between the storms!!! Is Port wine a sweet dessert wine? I know nothing about wine. This place is beautiful!!!

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  7. LOL; I do see Gracie in the clouds :) That is so neat at the winery about getting the barrel (and case of wine yearly) for a pretty nominal fee in my books! Wineries are fun to visit, aren't they? Where we used to live before we moved a year ago had lots of wineries. It was fun to drive through the area on Sundays and see all the people visiting, the limos taking people around them, etc, the decorations at Christmas. We visited maybe one or two (or three or four) when we lived there.

    It does sound like a very nice day indeed!

    betty

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  8. Gracie was watching you guys enjoy the winery from the clouds:) I visited several wineries over the years and enjoyed it each time! We have a local winery here in Georgia, it is a good tour also! Napa Valley California is my favorite:) Looks like you all had a wonderful time on your getaway! Have a blessed day dear Bobbi, HUGS!

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  9. What a beautiful place and so much fun! I sure do see Gracie, lol.

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  10. Shelton Winery is one of our favorites. Very good friends of ours live in Boonville, NC, just a few miles from Shelton Vineyards in the Yadkin Valley we visit them each August. We spend one afternoon each year visiting area wineries. Sanders Ridge is also very good and they have a wonderful restaurant on site too.
    Hugs Madi and Mom

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  11. Serious question here: I was owned for 14 years by my Bichon child. Now I'm owned by a Maltese and I'd have it no other way. But HOW can you travel? I refuse to leave my fur-child more than 3 hours because we both end up whining!! LOL

    Plus, he has a three hour bladder.

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  12. Wineries are so beautiful, and fun and relaxing to visit aren't they? I'm glad you enjoyed your day, and I had to laugh at the cloud looking like Gracie--At least it wasn't a black cloud because then I'd maybe worry if it was an omen! :-))!!

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  13. Gracie is never too far away I see! lol
    This place looks incredible! The gardens and the winery and the restaurant! Good find Bobbi!

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  14. What a great date day! Beautiful property as depicted in your photos. Poor Gracie - - - - creeping into your conscience!!!

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  15. Yes! I see Gracie!!
    LOL That was great.

    Loved the photos - beautiful place. I've visted some vineyards and wineries (all in the US) and like you, I find them so interesting and beautiful. I could have tagged-along with you on your vacation and been a happy camper. I love that sort of thing!

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  16. Sounds like a great time. I always enjoy a winery tour!

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  17. We have yet to visit Shelton's. We actually have a free tasting card from them that was given to us by one of their wine members. I am so glad you enjoyed it!

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