Pasta, Wine, Scarves

I'm sure many of you have read the book Eat, Pray, Love. My book, whenever I get around to write it, is going to be called Pasta, Wine, Scarves.

You see, I've been in Italy for the last two weeks and returned a day ago. I know, hate me for a minute...you done?

All kidding aside, it was a trip beyond words. The beauty of Italy is stunning, its' people sexy (in the City) and adorable (in the Country), its' food--especially pasta--melts in your mouth, and its' wine...DIVINE.

We visited 3 wineries and found out that we don't do much differently than they do in Italy. Making good wine is all about dedication and attention to detail...and having good people to sell the wine makes all the difference. As always, I'm so grateful to the many volunteers who keep us going...especially those who were "Winery Keepers" over the last 16 days.

So now you understand the Pasta, Wine and...oh, Scarves...well, suffice to say I had to throw out more than one clothes item so I could fit in the scarves I bought. 

Rain Rain Go Away

Wow, we are officially in the middle of Monsoon Season here in Whaleyville. We've gotten nearly 10 inches of rain in less than 10 days. The grapevines are well and pissed off...as many of you know, history tells us many of the vines originated from the Middle East. So...they DO NOT need all of this rain.

Ah, the joys of farming.

"Award Winning Winery"

Yep, we can brag about being an Award Winning Winery now! In the recent Maryland Winemasters Choice Competion, we won 3 golds and a bronze...and two Best In Class.

Not a soul I've talked to knows what Best In Class is. So let me explain this way...if you've ever watched the Westminister Dog Show, you know that they have several "classes" of dogs, like the Hounds, Sporting, and Toy breeds. One dog is chosen to represent those specific categories, and then the last round of competion is all of the Best In Class compete for Best In Show.

Clear as mud, huh?

Well, anyway, our Puckum Pinot Grigio won Best In Class for white wines in MD and our Riddle Farm Riesling won Best In Class for sweet wines in MD. Both also won Gold Medals, as did our Diana's Delight. Our Tuckahoe Merlot won a bronze.

GO US GO US GO US!

Country Mouse

A small cadre of volunteers and I braved the trek to Howard County (Merryweather Post Pavilion) to participate in the Wine in the Woods Festival. Wow, what a busy busy weekend. And getting out of the area was a pain in the...bottle...because Lady Antebellem was playing a concert a few hours after the winos cleared out. Needless to say, it was a complete and utter cluster.

Anyway, I'm counting my blessings today as I sit here on my couch, looking out over my garden and beyond to the wheat field. Hoppy, my yorkie, is panting as usual because she is hot blooded and just a bit fat. I know, I stink as a mama, she shouldn't be fat. But back to the subject at hand...I'm so happy to be a country mouse. 

Yes, I grew up in the suburbs and yes, I went to school in Columbus, OH and yes, I lived in cities over the years...but there ain't nothing like the Shore and God's country and farmers in tractors and people who use less-than-good English.

So, Howard County: I thank you for a good event, I was able to make some money for the winery and I was able to get more than a few Weight Watchers activity points, but THANK GOD for Whaleyville MD. 

May Madness...

You’ve heard of March Madness…well, we decided our May is crazy at the winery, ergo May Madness.

We have a BUNCH of events and such:

May 3    GO ME! Series…Learn how to make CAKE POPS and a CHOCOLATE BOX for Mother’s Day. $15 per person for materials, a glass of wine and to take some finished goodies home. 6-8 PM RSVP to Kathryn  as we have a few seats left.: cheers@costaventosa.com

 May 4    Guest Pour….Relay for Life…Jean Holloway’s Team!

May 5    Stingrays and Cinco De Mayo! YAY YAY YAY! Join us to hear the Stingrays, a great band from Talbot County…4-8 PM…Free before 6:00 PM after then a cover charge of $10 for Eats and the Band. AMICI (WINE CLUB MEMBERS) ARE FREE all day!

May 6    Wine & Cigar Pairing, 2-4 PM, small fee but I forget what it is right now.  Try 4 wines & 4 cigars.  RSVP to Kathryn at cheers@costaventosa.com

May 6    Del Libro (Book Club), 2-4 PM…Discuss Rise and Shine by Anna Quinlan…no fee, just show up!

May 13  Dorothy’s Delight Party for Mother’s Day…For all Mother’s out there: mention Dorothy’s name (she’s Jack’s Mom) and receive a free glass of wine. 

May 24 Spice of Wine Dinner….YUMMMMM…International Spice Event. $30 per person, 4 courses paired with Costa Ventosa wine. Limited seats, RSVP to (who else?) Kathryn at cheers@costaventosa.com. Dinner:

Mexican Chili Chicken with Noodles; Paired with Diana's Delight (Vidal Blanc) 

Tarragon Turkey with Pasta; Paired with Assawoman Bay Chardonnay 

Korean Curried Beef with Jasmine Rice; Paired with Tuckahoe Merlot 

Strawberry Crisp: Paired with Independence Rose of Merlot

May 27 Bottling Whaleyville Red…still could use a few volunteers! RSVP to Kathryn at cheers@costaventosa.com 

May 31: Close for the summer. We’re exhausted. JUST KIDDING! We’re open all summer!