Category Archives: Vermont

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?

WW: Views From the Rail Trail

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The first weekend I was home, I brought my niece on what was suppose to be a run (I never realized how much harder it was to run with a stroller) on the rail trail. (The rail trail is where the railroad use to go thru in our area which has since been converted to a walking trail.) The views are gorgeous. Pictures, no matter how great they come out, do it no justice. You’ll just have to come see them for yourself.

These were taken along Route 105 in Enosburg Falls, right before coming into Berkshire.

Today I’m linking up with The Paper Mama, Jenni From the Blog, Seven Clown Circus, Photography Essentials and Communal Global for{Wordless Wednesday}.

“The Shire” – Vermont

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I grew up in the tiny, tiny Northern Vermont town of Berkshire, VT. When I say tiny, I mean I’m pretty sure there’s more cows than people, even now. I thought, what better way to introduce Vermont than to first introduce the town where I was raised! Here’s a glimpse into my childhood. The more things change, the more they seem to stay the same.

View from my parents land.

A few facts:

2000 Census Population: 1,300 people
One store / gas station.
Elementary school is Kindergarten thru 8th grade.

High school? We can pick which high school we would like to attend from one of the neighboring towns.
Two restaurants (one is only open in the summer, the other just opened up), one bar.

MANY, many family owned dairy farms.

It’s a place where “Everyone knows your name”.
Canada is in our backyard. Literally.
‘West Berkshire’, ‘Berkshire Center’ and ‘East Berkshire’ constitute as ‘The Town of Berkshire’.
Closest grocery store – about 15 minutes away.
Traffic? It’s either a car going slower than 50 on the main road or a tractor, probably a tractor.
Not one stop light in town. Not one.

A few more important buildings (considering we have them)…

The Lady of the Lourdes Catholic Church in East Berkshire.

We have a fire department, volunteer only. My dad was a volunteer fire fighter when I was growing up. The big fires were the barn fires from wet hay.

This is the Berkshire Town Hall. I will say this is “new” to me. This building has obviously always sat here but it was recently renovated and it looks pretty nice. The previous town clerks office was about the size of my bedroom… ok probably a little bigger than my bedroom but not that much. This is nice, I’d be interested to go inside.

Finally, coming into East Berkshire from Berkshire Center…. we love those Green Mountains in the background. It makes a sight for sore eyes. I can never get sick of looking at those peaks. The point part of the mountains in the background is Jay Peak (ski resort).

Here’s a little glimpse into my homeland. This town holds a really special place in my heart. If you have any questions about the town or what it was like to grow up here, I’d love to hear them!