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Unique journeys beyond Connecticut
No passports, planes, or security checkpoints required!
The mood to wander from home hit recently, even if only for a night or two. My sweetheart and I decided to get in the car and look for great food and wine, lots of shopping, a bit of exploration, a relaxing place to stay, and, above all, something different from our hometown of Fairfield County, Connecticut.
New York? Been there.
Boston? Done that.
How 'bout Nantucket? Nah, too crowded in summer and too quiet the rest of the year.
With a search engine at my fingertips, AAA maps, and some great word-of-mouth suggestions, my favorite travel companion, Ron, and I were off on a New England road trip that would, in a few short days, include Vermont, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.
Our first stop was 230-miles from Fairfield County to Barnard, Vermont's Twin Farms. The location was so exclusive its entrance was an unmarked iron gate that that was buzzed open on our arrival.
As we drove into the 300 acres of rolling Vermont fields, mountains, lakes, and gardens, we were instantly at ease. This retreat combines first class service with lush master suites; private cottages; blazing fireplaces; Jacuzzis; a game room; a fitness center and spa; a Japanese furo or hot tub; ski slopes; kayaking; fishing and guided hiking trails. There is no need to leave the property.
The Main House, built in 1795, serves as the property's hub and offers guests dining and living and guest rooms and a library. This historic house was formerly the summer residence of the Hawaii-based Twigg-Smith family, well-known private contemporary art collectors.
Rooms and cottages each offered a distinct and eclectic flair, reflected through architecture and interior nuances, all designed by New York's Jed Johnson and Alan Wanzenberg. We stayed in the Asian decorated Orchard Room, with its dark wood furnishings and vibrant red chaise lounge, eclectic artwork, two fireplaces, and a large marble and stone-shower bathroom. This served as a perfect compliment to the breathtaking mountain views around our cottage,
The cost was all-inclusive, which translated into our accommodations, fabulous four-star meals, wines and spirits, activities, and lots of little extras that were offered throughout the visit. No tipping was necessary and requests were easily met. Chef Neil Wigglesworth prepared daily menus based on fresh local ingredients and paired the meal with appropriate wines from their 26,000-bottle wine cellar.
Bidding farewell was so hard we accidentally took our room key home with us.
Next we steered our car closer to home and started looking for something off the beaten path. As wine aficionados, we decided on New Hope, Pennsylvania and Frenchtown, New Jersey, both bordering Bucks County neighborhoods. These towns house a few soon-to-be popular wineries, quaint bed and breakfasts, lots of antique shops, and a scenic drive along the Delaware River.
Frenchtown is a town full of culture, art and hospitality. Unique shops, local cafes, and a diverse residential population of about 1,500, makes up this delightful artisan destination. After a day of sightseeing and shopping we headed back to Route 32 to Indian Rock Inn and Restaurant for a hearty "New England-meets-the-Mediterranean-style meal. This is where the locals hang out, sing and socialize over a cocktail and unwind from the day. We did too, minus the singing.
Time to rest. This time we landed at Chestnut Hill, a lovely bed and breakfast, owned by Linda and Rob Castagna, on the Delaware River in the tiny town of Milford. Plush private accommodations included private baths and Jacuzzis; heated floors and towel racks televisions; and a to-die-for four-poster bed with cotton quilts and soft sheets. Admittedly, it was one of the best night's sleep we've ever had. The next morning we awoke to a scrumptious breakfast of stuffed French toast and then headed to Bucks County, Pennsylvania for the vineyards.
Our first stop was Joseph Maxian at Sand Castle Winery. Maxian's Czechoslovakian lineage in winemaking plays a major role in his wine making. As a seasoned viticulturalist, Maxian recognized that the Pennsylvania land and climate was prime for growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling grapes on the same field. Today, Sand Castle is one of the few wineries exclusively growing European vines on the East Coast. In 1988 this 72-acre estate released its first vintage to the public. The underbelly of this operation, where large stainless steel vats and oak barrels age the wines to perfection, is 30 feet below the ground and keeps the wine at a perfect temperature. Maxian's future plans include building a chateau that will house tasting and special events rooms, an outdoor patio overlooking the river and vineyard and a touring facilities for his frequent wine symposiums.
Next stop: working our way through the hippy-style village of New Hope, PA. There we found Crossing Vineyards, the polar opposite of Sand Castle. Crossing Vineyards was established in 2000 and produced its first vintage in 2002. Crossing practices more modern, state-of-the-art wine making. Tom Carroll Jr., formerly an actor in California, convinced his parents, Tom Sr. and Christine to help him bring his dream, to own and operate a hometown vineyard, to fruition. Housed on 15 acres and in a 200-year-old estate, the Carrolls have created a contemporary winery and a venue that produces true to the land light wines and then helps visitors pair those wines with food.
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