Category Archives: Beverages

Northern Vermont Wine

The fall season is a great time to visit Vermont, but there’s so much more to do than look at the foliage! One of my new favorite things to do is to try out new wines. Between Texas and Vermont, the difference in wines is amazing so I’d like to share with two vineyards that I had the pleasure of trying while I was in Vermont!

East Shore Vineyard

(Disclaimer: Please note, I did receive a free tasting at East Shore Vineyards for my review. As always, all opinions are my own.)

East Shore Vineyards is located in Grand Isle but has a tasting room conveniently located on beautiful Church Street. The tasting room is a great opportunity to try out wine without having to go out into the country, a quick stop, before or after a meal or just swing on in during the afternoon.

The atmosphere is comfortable and relaxing. You’ll have the opportunity to taste a few wines and review some of the local products, which they showcase. While I was visiting, they introduced me to their “Ice Wine”, which is definitely something that Texas lacks in the wine department.

Ice Wine is made on the third coldest night at the third coldest hour. The frost on the grapes is a huge component to the making of the wine. One pound of grapes literally makes only drops of the wine. The process is amazing but so isn’t the taste!

There is a small fee for tastings. Bottle prices ranged from $16-$25.

Due North Winery

Due North Winery is located little farther north and situated in Franklin, Vermont. If traveling throughout Vermont’s dairy farming community, near Lake Carmi or to/from Canada suits your fancy, this is a location that you must place on your “To Do” list!

This winery has been producing wines for only the past two years and is fairly new! The delicious wine, scenic views and overall location in itself will make the trip worth the while (and the owners are incredibly nice)! There’s a great selection of wines to choose from!

Due North provides free tastings on the weekends. Their hours are selective – please check their website or Facebook page for the latest updates.

All of the wines from both locations were fantastic. I literally enjoyed every single one! Has anyone been to either Due North or East Shore? Any favorites?

Brew Over Ice & Giveaway!

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Disclaimer: I did receive product from Brew Over Ice in return for this post. All opinions are entirely my own.

I attended BlogHer in Chicago a few weeks ago and tried out the Strawberry Pomegranate Brew Over Ice and I fell in love. Now I’m hooked!

Let’s back track for a second… I am not a fan of the “coffee” flavor. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE how coffee smells but the taste, oh the taste just isn’t for me. Needless to say, I’ve stayed away from the Keurig machines for this reason. Then they came out with the tea flavors and I’ve been a little more intrigued BUT when I found the Brew Over Ice – they got me.

It gets pretty hot here in Texas and there’s nothing that I like more than a cool, ice cold beverage on a HOT day. Now, I can have pretty much any flavor I’m looking for in a matter of seconds. There’s a ton of flavors, coffee, Snapple variety, Green Mountain Naturals, Celestial Tea, the list goes on so you are bound to find something you like! Plus, it’s the same great convenience of getting a glass. Fill a cup with ice and tell the Keurig to go!

Keurig has a great offers going on right now…

Print off a $2 coupon to save on Brew Over Ice K-Cups!
Participate in the Brew Over Ice Sweepstakes where you could win $10,000 in cash!
Also check them out on Facebook and Twitter to be the first to know of any new updates they may have!

On top of all that, we’re hosting a giveaway! Keurig and Down Home Traveler has teamed up to give you the chance to win:

3 Brew Over Ice K-Cup® samples,
Brew Over Ice tumbler
4 Brew Over Ice coasters
Brew Over Ice light-up ice bucket and tongs

Be sure to enter! I’m in love with these and I think you will be too! Give it a go! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BlogHer ’13 – The People, The Parties

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BlogHer brings about many opportunities to network. Get out there and meet other bloggers who you’ve become friends with online, bloggers who you are meeting for the first time at the event and, as always, the sponsors. Parties are a huge deal. Not only the parties hosted by event sponsors but the private, invite only parties.

I only knew one other blogger that was attending the event, and I was rooming with her. I walked away with so much more. I met her friends, I made new friends and most of all, I made some travel blogging friends!

Liz from Yes/No Films and I at the CheeseburgHer party in the Presidential Suite at the Sheraton Hotel.

Parties.

Cracker Barrel Cheese – Not only did we receive a demonstration on how to pair and present food, we also met Top Chef 2012’s Runner-up, Sarah Grueneberg and had a Food Network Challenge of our own! We each received a box and had to make it work. (I had Valentine’s Day) PicMonkey Collage Yappem – hosted a party at the Navy Pier. Talk about a place for an event! Two people won $12,000.00 each… just saying.

PicMonkey Collage1 Lazy Boy – We had our nails painted, make-up done and chair massages not to mention meet Kelly Edwards (host and co-host of HGTV’s Design on a Dime). Can’t complain about any of that!

South Fort Walton Beach – If I had to pick a favorite, this would be it. Why? It has to do with travel of course and that’s my favorite! This is also where I met my first travel blogger of the event and I tried out their local beer, shrimp and grits and had some live music from the most popular local, South Ft. Walton Beach band! Like I said, right up my alley!

These are just a few of the events I was able to attend. Each were unique and a lot of fun!