Thank goodness it was only round one because the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail’s Harvest Festival was too much fun to fit into a weekend. In fact, it was so much fun, I didn’t even make it past the first winery.
We pulled up to Black Walnut Winery in Sadsburyville on Sunday, September 30th. Grey skies began to flirt with the clear blue views. I hoped it would hold off and stepped out of the six-person packed car to be greeted by soothing music from JD Malone. Rain was no longer a thought in my mind as the tunes reached my ears and put me in a wine drinking mood. Well, at least more of a wine drinking mood.
Valerie Castle, part owner of Black Walnut Winery, was on hand to greet a few family members, a friend, and myself as soon as the restored barn door swung open and revealed our smiling faces. She matched our enthusiasm without hesitation. A group finished up a purchase in front of us and another jolly crowd enjoyed a tasting in one of their cozy appointed spaces. I knew I would follow in their footsteps not too far down the road, completing a tasting of my own and heading out back with one or two of my favorite bottles.
The Harvest Festival presented an excellent opportunity for wine lovers to pay a flat fee of $20 for a Wine Trail Passport and, in return, be invited to complete the standard wine tasting at each location. Since most winery tastings range from $5 to $7 per glass and there are seven locations participating in the 10th Annual Harvest Festival, it was advantageous to make the passport purchase. We just arrived at our first stop and paid up. Even though we didn’t make it past that first stop after paying up, I knew there was another weekend to use the passports. On this day, we were happy just staying put at Black Walnut Winery.
My comfort at our day’s first and last location all began with the tasting. We were taken into a quiet and inviting room with the very informative Courtney Sarbaum. No matter which wine we picked, and our preferences were all over the place, she had plenty to share regarding the palate, nose and color of each selection. Since this wasn’t my first time tasting Black Walnut’s unique creations, I chose mostly my favorites. My tasting list included the Pinot Noir 2008, their 2011 Apple and the Black Tie Optional from 2007, plus a few others that I didn’t have a clear recollection of and wanted to revisit.
The Pinot Noir 2008 has always been my number one pick and I was quick to snag a bottle once the tasting was complete. It has a spice off the back end of it that I can’t seem to find in another Pinot Noir. The lingering taste is not too overpowering. I pushed my tongue against the back of my teeth and tried to suck out every last flavor. That same attempt occurred for the Apple and Black Tie Optional. They were good to the very last drop.
I’d like to argue that the Apple’s label had nothing to do with my drinking preference but the chipmunk on the cover is so darn cute and the acorn he’s holding jogged every fabulous autumn memory that I have. So the taste? It’s just as rewarding. While you might expect an overly sweet finish, that’s not true at all.
I suddenly found myself torn between Black Tie and Apple when deciding on a second bottle to purchase. Since I had taken home a bottle of Apple from their Phoenixville Tasting room only a few weeks before, Black Tie it was.
My guests each bought a few bottles of their own and we all receded to the barn’s beautifully renovated back deck and patio. There were tables spotted across the terrace, many filled with couples enjoying the live music, a bottle of wine and small bites. A fun loving group was gathered toward the back around a large table, right next to Black Walnut Winery’s food tent where they were dishing out burgers, hot dogs, and brats, complete with a crockpot of sauerkraut. I didn’t ask if they strategically picked their spots in order to catch the scents wafting from the grill but I’m sure they were up to something of that sort.
We chose a spot on the top deck, overlooking the romantic couples and JD Malone’s musical tent. I looked upon the distant scenery, soaking up the wooded lots, rolling hills and fluffy clouds. The clouds quickly turned less-fluffy and a downpour was upon us. Groups huddled under the back deck’s covering and continued to enjoy their tasteful wines. It was great to see unfriendly weather only because, combined with the good wine, it turned strangers into best friends. Chairs were rearranged to make room and seats offered to the nearest lady, before names were even exchanged.
Lance Castle and a few of his creative comrades were just finishing up the day’s harvesting activities and preparing to stow away equipment. Their strainers, hoses, and barrels wouldn’t be the only things to make a reappearance on Brandywine Valley’s Wine Trail the following weekend. I was also eager to return.
The celebration is scheduled to continue on October 6th and 7th from noon to 5 p.m.
Passports may be purchased online or at any BVWT member winery. Passports are valid for the Harvest Festival weekend only and your purchase includes a commemorative wine glass. Be sure to check out the official website for “day of” details at each location, such as food served, musical performances and extra activities. Cheers!
BVWTHarvestFestGlass credited to Nina Lea Photography.
