It was supposed to be a simple stop – a time to stretch our legs and indulge in a quick wine tasting on our way home to New Jersey. But then, midway through said tasting, we hit upon a wine so unique that I just had to share it with you. But first, let me tell you about the winery that gave birth to this unicorn.
Our decision to visit Harford Vineyard and Winery was based solely on the fact that it was one of the few wineries open on President’s Day. We certainly weren’t expecting to find such a radiant tasting room complete with a roaring fireplace. Surprise number two was the tasting menu – not only did they have a great selection of affordable wines but also distilled spirits and liqueurs too! We made our selections and cozied up to the fire with a scrumptious cheese plate.
We started off with the Traminette, a semi-dry with pleasant floral notes, followed by the Vintage Vidal Blanc that left our palates dancing with its tropical notes. Surely, this would be the winner of the day. And then we tasted Paint the Town Red – and were blasted into the stratosphere. This blend of Chambourcin and Noir is barrel-aged, making it unlike anything I’ve ever tasted. Paint the Town Red starts off mildly sweet with a hint of cherry and then wham! It smacks you with a slightly smokey finish. Out came my pen. This exceptional wine deserves an audience.
The only downside to our visit was that it happened during such a gloomy time of year. Alas, my photos fail to capture what must be a truly picturesque view of the vineyards in full bloom from the back deck of the tasting room. Nor can one fully appreciate the drive up to the tasting room past said vineyards, which must be amazing in the spring. Regardless, what is appreciated is that Harford is a year-round winery as far as events are concerned. There is live music on Saturdays plus Sunday Fundays with board games galore. And for these two weary travelers, Harford Vineyard and Winery was the perfect respite on our journey home.
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