Harvest Open House Will Welcome Guests To Vineyard

By Kendra Bobowick

A deep breath pulls in the cedar tang of fallen leaves. Trees throw a rainbow of reds against a sunset that stretching like spilled Zinfandel above the hillside. As temperatures cool farmers begin their harvest as daylight fades. Joining the season’s last efforts to gather the apples or corn still surviving the cooler nights, McLaughlin Vineyards welcomes residents to a Harvest Open House on Saturday and Sunday, September 27 and 28 between 11 am and 5 pm, offering a celebration and end-of-season surprise of its own.

“It’s going to be a wonderful day,” said vineyard manager Deedee Morlock. Hoping to draw attention to the open house — a past event she is hoping to revive — she teased that foliage hikes, hayrides, trails leading to the Housatonic River and in some places crossing Al’s Trail, await guests. Temptations of chocolates, cheeses, and varieties of wine are also at the end of the long gravel road tracing a split-rail fence to the vineyard. Wines will be for sale by the glass and the bottle.

Tickets in advance are $20, or $25 at the door. Children and guests 21 and under enter for half-price.

From 11 am to 5 pm will be wine tasting and food pairing, from noon to 1 pm will be vineyard hayrides, garden jazz will entertain between 1 and 4 pm on Saturday, while bluegrass will fill the air on Sunday. A fall foliage hike begins at 1:30 pm and the two days conclude with a winery and vineyard tour at 3 pm followed by a hay ride from 4 to 5 pm.

Celebrating the completion of the harvest, Ms Morlock noted some of the specialties that the end of growing season brings. “Most of the picking is done except for the special grapes,” she said. She is waiting for the first frost. Anticipating the fermenting of a winter wine, she explained, “It increases the intensity of the flavor of the grapes.

Dressing up the outdoor picnic and wine tasting area will be mums, corn stalks, pumpkins and a hint of mulled cinnamon cider scenting the air. What type of wine goes with the season? “Come and see,” she offered. Describing one bottle, she said it’s a golden amber with a “cidery” feel, a fall wine, she said.

Bring a picnic basket and blanket. Families and couples are encouraged to spend the day at the vineyard.

A “beautiful location” on 160 acres, Ms Morlock stressed, “There is no other vineyard like ours.”

Visit McLaughlinVineyards.com and learn more about the facility, the open house, and upcoming entertainment and events, or call 426-1533. Wine sold by the case during the two-day event comes at a 20 percent discount.