Chronicles of the Long Shot Farm

Holiday Decorations at the Winery

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Our first winter at the Winery started off with decorating for the holidays in mid November.  We used a lot of greenery outside, including swags along our fence posts and a garland around the entrance way.  Left over pine branches were arranged in various containers,  ranging from flower pots to milk crates.  New light stands were wrapped around the grapevine garland along our fence rail so all the lights were brightly shining.

Inside the tasting room we kept decorations simple, since we don’t have very much space.   We hung red Christmas balls on gold ribbons in all our windows, and places battery operated candles (which are covered in actual wax) below.  Some candles were placed in wreaths, others on candleholders or in lanterns.

You may have noticed our arrow above the wine rack, which holds seasonal ornaments.  For the winter we chose a Red Cardinal and we strung a green garland through the top of the wine rack.  The music changed to holiday classics to help spread even more cheer.

Anja made festive bottle ornaments, complete with tags, transforming any of our wines into a perfect holiday gift.

Throughout the weeks leading up to Christmas, Rachel and Samantha were busy organizing various craft and painting activities at the winery.  Some were scheduled classes, others were “drop in” events to make bottle and cork crafts.

                

 

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Mulled Wine for the Holidays

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Mulled wine is one of our favorites during the winter holidays.  There are lots of different ways to make this hot winter drink.  All recipes start off with wine to which mulling spices  are added, and the mixture is slowly heated until the flavors blend.  Some recipes use a mixture of wine and cider (or other juice), while others “spike” their wine with brandy or rum.  Often fruits, such as orange slices or cranberries, are added and some people like to sweeten the mixture a bit.

One of our favorite recipes is the less alcoholic version of wine and juice:

  • 1 bottle of red wine (such as Sweet Mountain Mist)
  • 3 cups of apple cider or apple juice  (or 2 cups of apple juice and 1 cup of cranapple juice)
  • 2 cloves
  • 1 cinnamon stick (about 3 inches)

Alternatively, you could substitute two bottles of our Winter Blend wine, which is a blend of Apple wine and Chambourcin wine, and omit the apple cider or juice.

Heat all ingredients in a crock pot – but never let it boil. Start off on the high heat setting until the liquid becomes hot, then turn it to the low or warm setting and let is simmer for about 2 hours.  The cinnamon stick should flatten out as the flavors blend together.  Serve hot and enjoy!

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Harvest 2019

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It’s near the end of October and our 2019 grape harvest is done!  This year was so much better than the rainy mess we had in 2018. We harvested 13.5 tons of grapes at the Long Shot Farm, and Zach and Rachel harvested an additional 1.5 tons at Ripplebrook Vineyard.  We had lots of help from our family and friends as we hand-picked 30,000 lbs of grapes!

We harvested the following grape varieties in 2019:

  • Chambourcin
  • Chardonel
  • Concord
  • Corot Noir
  • Niagara
  • Traminette
  • Vidal Blanc

Check out our harvest season video

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Vidal-Alfredo Food Pairing

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It is the simple things in life that matter.

This is most certainly true when it comes to Alfredo.  I am not fooled by those jars in the grocery store that pretend to be Alfredo and are white and gooey and plop out of the jar with a sickening Gak sound.   I make my Alfredo as simply as possible with just a handful of ingredients:

  • 1 and 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • pinch of nutmeg
  • 1/2 freshly grated parmesan
  • salt and pepper

Bring the first 3 ingredients to a boil, reduce heat to simmer and let thicken a few minutes.  Add salt and pepper.  Toss with pasta and parmesan.

I like to add in a few vegetables and chicken sometimes.  To pair with the Vidal wine I added asparagus and toasted pine nuts.  A satisfying Friday night meal after a full week.

Posted by Anja Weyant

Wine Bottle Scarf and Hat

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Fall is in the air.  School has started and it is cooler in the mornings. I think someone in our neighborhood is already using their fireplace because I swear I can smell the smokey wood fire on the crisp evening air.  AND The Winery is hosting their first wine and knitting/crochet event.  I did not need any more encouragement to get my knitting needles out!

 

 

With no particular plan in mind, I found some yellow yarn – the color of yellow autumn leaves – and knitted a scarf for one of my wine bottles.  And then I tried to make a slouch hat to match.  The scarf turned out great…just a simple cable.  The hat…well…looks a little odd but it was still fun.

 

Maybe wine bottles just don’t have the right “face” to pull off a slouch hat.  Perhaps the wine bottle opener does?  Hooray for fall!