Blenheim Vineyards

To the tasting room we go!

The same day we went to Jefferson Vineyards, we were given the opportunity to pay $15 for the opportunity to go taste at three other vineyards in the area, instead of $10 for tasting at only Jefferson Vineyards. It sounded like a pretty good deal, so my fiancé and I went ahead and made the purchase. We visited Blenheim Vineyards a few miles away the same day, so that we could contrast the two experiences. It was really enlightening to do it this way, because it allowed us to compare the two side by side.

A bench made out of a used wine barrel. I want one!

One of the first things I noticed about Blenheim versus Jefferson Vineyards was that there was a lot more focus on the overall aesthetic of the vineyard and tasting room, rather than the making of the wine. That's not to say that there wasn't focus on creating the quality product, but the focus was on the romance of the experience, instead of the scientific part. They allowed weddings at the vineyard, and I could definitely see how great of an experience that would be.

The view into the cellar.

You can only take a tour at Blenheim vineyards in a large group with an appointment, but their tasting room was huge, with lots of nice tables and a great view of the vines. They had a huge porch off their tasting room where you could bring a picnic. You could also sit on their porch overlooking their vines. Despite not being able to tour, you could see down into their cellar. This feature was built into the overall aesthetic of the place.

These were a bunch of the wines we tried. Unfortunately, I lost my tasting notes, so I can't remember for the life of me what was what, other than the fact that I enjoyed everything. I can tell you that the ones with the birds on the label were a special vintaged blend. Each year the owner of the vineyard draws a new image to go on the label of the blended wine. 

This is the view from the porch overlooking the vineyard. I would love to see it again when they are covered in green. What a beautiful sight that must be.

Brad and I on the porch. We're coming back and bringing a picnic sometime soon!