A visit to Nashoba Valley Winery

Even though I had heard about the Nashoba Valley Winery, when I first moved to Middelsex County, I can't tell you how thrilled I was when I found it by accident one day.  I was on one of my "get lost on purpose" excursions, which is how I find great places to share, and this day proved to be a winner!  I have now been a customer for over two years.

With orchards, grape vineyards, a beautiful wine boutique, and tasting area I was in heaven.  I even think I heard angels sing when I opened the door :-).  Since I am all about visual presentation, ambiance, and great products, this winery had it all! Did I mention they have a fabulous restaurant on the premises called J's Restaurant? Reservations are STRONGLY recommended. 

Wine Slushy Recipe - Pinch Me Now!

Hear me now..... This is a fact, without a shadow of a doubt, that I will be making this slushy for some sort of Summer Soiree this year.  Maybe even for a Spring if I can't handle the waiting game. 

Let me apologize to the person who took this photo and posted the recipe.  I saved the recipe awhile ago and forgot to make note of where I found it and who the creative genius was. 

A Visit To Far Niente in Napa Valley

Inside Far Niente Winery

It has been a long time coming, but I have finally put some of my photos to video from my Far Niente press trip in Napa Valley.  I have many more press trips and photos of events that I will be putting to video and getting on line soon.  I hope you enjoy your virtual visit.

Wine Tasting and Our One Year Anniversary at New England Fine Living

 New England Fine Living, Mill River Winery, and The Write Expression 

From Left to Right
 Linda (Me)  from New England Fine Living - Donna from Mill River Winery - Linda from The Write Expression

This Fun Halloween Table Setting, in my shop, was inspired by the purple/green iridescent fabric I found the night before our event.  I added googly eyes to soda water bottles (they were going to go on the wine glasses, but it was too much with the hats), place setting cards by The Write Expression.  I had painted glitter names on the hats, but by the morning the letters just slid off the cardboard.  So much for that craft paint!

My Vintage Woodfield plates were used in this setting. Purple and green twigs are tied to black napkins. Under the napkins are custom napkins with gold print.  These happen to say "We Do Custom Parties" 

Here I am with my wine glass holder (we have a few left at the store for $8.00 ).  Beth from the Corner Cafe & Bakery,  Leslye from Francie's Boutique and Linda from The Write Expression 

These delicious delights were made by Linda from the Write Expression. I will get the recipe for these

Linda made this incredibly delicious dip too! A pumpkin flavored sweet dip with gingerbread cookies.  I kept going at it!

I kept it simple on my end since I did not have time to cook or prep something.  I  used a piece of slate for this cheese and fruit platter.  USUALLY I have the cheese right on the slate, but silly me washed the grapes too late and they were still wet.  Nobody likes wet cheese!

After searching around my store, I found a paper weight, a dragon fly candle holder to  use in  the centerpiece

Meet Hector... He has traveled with me for almost 12 years as my  Retail Autumn  Helper. 

Here is a cute display in The Write Expression showcasing a great Hostess Gift Idea.... custom paper napkins

Wrapping up an order before I go taste more wine from Mill River Winery!

All of the photos above were taken by Linda from the Write Expression.  Thanks Linda!

Do you think of wine or lobster when you think of Maine?

Many of us from New England associate Maine for its beautiful coast, light houses and of course lobster, but how about wine? Below, you will find some information that might surprise you. If you get to visit any of these wineries, I would love to hear your thoughts.

Cellar Door Winery and Vineyards

One of the few wine makers in Maine growing their own grapes. The vineyards are set on 68 acres of rolling fields in the coastal town of Lincolnville adjacent to the north boundary of Camden Hills State Park. Cold weather grapes are pressed and cellar-aged to create varieties of white and red table wines. The winery also makes a Maine blueberry wine. Stroll through the vineyard or visit the gift shop and tasting room.



Bartlett Maine Estate Winery

For more than 20 years this winery has specialized in sophisticated fruit wines made with native flavors. Bartlett uses locally grown apples, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, pears and peaches to create distinctive aperitifs, whites, reds, and sweet dessert wines that capture the essence of Maine. The winery is located in Gouldsboro on the scenic Schoodic Peninsula east of Mount Desert Island. A tasting room and retail shop are open May through October.


Blacksmiths Winery

This winery in the town of South Casco near Sebago Lake produces a wide variety of wines with local fruits and hand picked grapes from the state of Washington. Blacksmiths offers a cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay,merlot, pino grigio, sangiovese, vidal blanc, and sparkling blueberry and cranberry among other selections. The tasting room and gift shop are open year round.


Savage Oakes Vineyard and Winery

On a working farm in the midcoast town of Union, Elmer and Holly Savage grow eight varieties of hybrid wine grapes and their own blueberries. This year will be the first vintage for Savage Oakes, and with grapes like marechal foch, leon millot, Cayuga white, and seyval blanc, the wines should be a treat. The winery is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday mid-May through the fall.

Linda Smith Davis, owner of http://www.newenglandfineliving.com is an Allied ASID Interior Designer New England, owner of New England Fine Living, and Party Planner North of Boston. Classic New England Style or Glam Interior Design and parties have been most recently completed in Middleton, Carlisle, Andover, North Andover, Marblehead, Boston, Salem, Newburyport, Newbury, Ipswich, Westford, Boxford, Topsfield, and so many more surrounding towns!

Start a wine collection of your own.

I'm not sure about you, but whenever I try to start a wine collection, I seem to open and enjoy the bottles faster than I can collect them, but David Icken, Managing Partner and Wine Director of The Capital Grille in Burlington, MA. offers suggestions to beginners on how to start their own collections.