Miracle Valley Vineyard, Delaplane

It felt like... visiting a hometown for the first time. First impressions are the most lasting ones, and Miracle Valley made a very good first impression. The winery is small-medium, very attractive, and the land was open field, vineyards and forested hills. I could happily live around here. Wicked Olde, folk-blues trio was playing under one of the two picnic shelters. I like folk-blues, and they were good. Definitely left a tip, and would have bought a CD if they had any. Okay, the whole point of a winery is the wine. There are two tasting rooms when you walk in, we went to the left. The manager of the day was Mandi Wooten, what a pleasant and knowledgeable wine guide. Miracle Valley has several good wines, but I had to settle for my favorite two; a Cabernet Franc and a Merlot. Time for a picnic. Dave bought the white wine and I bought the picnic basket, they sell them! But you have to return the basket and knife. A choice of cheeses, a choice of crackers and a choice of sausages. What a great way to enjoy a lazy, hot summer day in the shade, chatting with friends. I wish we lived closer.

This is about as local as it gets. Incredibly, they grow 98% of their own grapes, soon to be 100%. This is a small and serene place with a nice covered patio and the main building being an old farmhouse. The owner was filtering wine when we got there and taught me some wine facts. I love sweet white wines and would buy a case of their Cobbler Mt. White if I could!