June weddings. Why are so many weddings held in June? We recall reading someplace that the tradition dates from Roman times, when June 1 was dedicated to the Juno and Jupiter, Jupiter being the goddess of marriage and childbirth. Also back then there was probably pent-up demand, because May is the month the Romans performed rites of exorcism to rid their homes of malevolent ghosts.
As noted in the all-knowing Wikipedia, “Because of this annual exorcism of the noxious spirits of the dead, the whole month of May was rendered unlucky for marriages, whence the proverb Mense Maio malae nubent (“They wed ill who wed in May”).
But June it is, and last weekend we had the pleasure of attending a wedding at the winery of our neighbor and good friends at Hunting Creek Vineyards in Halifax County, Virginia. For others a destination wedding, but for us just a trip down the road. Beautifully arranged, perfectly catered and attended to, we had a great time.
With a friend coming to Annefield for the weekend from Washington, we decided to host a very small gathering for a decadent lunch. With the non-stop rain all week, we were lucky to get into the vineyards to get out a much needed fungicide spray. And happy to get it done, because we had a lot planned for Saturday.
We hadn’t seen one of our travel companions in a while, so with just four of us it was — manageable. Still more work than dinner at home, what with selecting the china, glassware, silver, linens, and so on. We started with an amuse called Carrot-Ginger Elixir, which called for a simple syrup infused with fresh ginger, lime juice and fresh carrot juice. Very simple, unexpected and refreshing (we finished it at breakfast the next morning). The first course was a Pasta Primavera, followed by Creole Chicken Fricassée over steamed rice, and in the end a Rhubarb Tart with Vanilla Ice Cream. We paired these with Kistler Vineyards Kistler Vineyard Chardonnay 2009 and Kistler Vineyards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2010. There was supposed to be another salad course but we ran out of time, and appetite. No one missed it.
After lunch and (and for some, a nap) before leaving for the Derby Party, we had to partake of at least one Mint Julep, “The Very Dream of Drinks.”
The main event of the day, though, was a Derby Party at a friend’s house over in Halifax, Virginia with about 20 other people. This house overlooks the Banister River; it really is a lovely setting. The plan was to gather for drinks, watch the race, then head over to Molasses Grill for dinner. Before heading to dinner, though, “selfie culture” raised its sodden, ugly head and there was a call for a group photo out on the deck.
Those with a sense of foreboding know what comes next.
The deck collapsed under the weight of about a dozen people, falling about 12 feet to the ground — one corner dropping to the ground seemingly in slow motion with a pause halfway down, with potted plants and patio furniture hurling down the surface. But thankfully — miraculously — no one was seriously injured — a few bruises, a couple of people had cuts, but nothing requiring hospitalization or anything other than a bandage (yours truly landed on one of the hosts and emerged unscathed). The potted plants did the most damage, covering most of us with mud as they came tumbling down. Fortunately they were in lightweight plastic pots, not terra cotta.
So we cleaned up as best we could, and headed out to a lovely dinner. Those dining at the restaurant didn’t quite know what to make of this large group of people coming in covered with mud. In a thank you note, our guest wrote “The deck disaster was the highlight of the weekend.” What a good sport.
A few weeks ago we attended a meeting of the Southern Virginia Wine Trail Association, better known as SoVA. Given it was the depth of winter, we opted to meet mid-afternoon rather than have the usual dinner meeting. Everyone brings something to share, so we chose to make these cookies, which are super easy and very delicious. Its pretty basic, but we kicked it up a notch by adding pecans to give it that Southern dimension. There is so much “stuff” in the mix the dough barely holds together, making them quite airy. Delicious.
The welcome committee at Greenwood Vineyards.
The meeting was at Greenwood Vineyards over in Halifax County (pictured here is the welcome committee that will follow you from the gate to the parking area outside of the tasting room). Greenwood was founded by Paul Greenwood, a native of Halifax County who planted the vineyard in 2004 (expanded in 2007) who returned to the family farm after a career in government service. Greenwood grows Merlot, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay. At first selling fruit to other wineries, Greenwood opened his own in 2010.
Greenwood is located just west of the town of Halifax, which is a great place to stop for during a SoVA winery tour. Make some cookies to take along for the ride.
Chocolate Chip Pecan Oatmeal Cookies.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup old-fashioned oats
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup dried cranberries
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°F
In a bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and oats.
In another bowl with an electric mixer, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition, and beat in vanilla.
Beat in the flour mixture and stir in the chocolate chips and pecans.
Drop dough by rounded tablespoons 2 inches apart onto baking sheets and bake cookies in batches in middle of oven 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden. Cool cookies on racks.
Southern Virginia is terra incognita to most people, so we have a visitor’s guide that includes a list of accommodations and attractions on our website. We’ve published this list before, but it seemed time to revise and update it with new additions. We’ll point out a few of the highlights here — all unique places that are sure to tempt (or perhaps horrify) the adventurous traveler.
This list is organized by distance. There are a range of choices, from simple motels to the expected bed and breakfast, and one luxury resort, all within 30+/- miles. We’ve noted dining options convenient to each, and the mileage from Annefield. There are additional dining options noted on our website if these don’t tempt you. This list is not comprehensive, so please see our website for additional places.
Diamond Hill (13.4 miles). Closest to us is Diamond Hill, which recently opened in the heart of the Charlotte Court House Historic District, offering two guest rooms. Down the road you will find Mimmo’s Italian Restaurant. Since they are brand new, no doubt they’ll try harder to please you than many other places.
The Henry House (13.8 miles). Just up the road (and around the bend) from Diamond Hill is The Henry House Bed & Breakfast in Charlotte Court House. One of the owners, Paul Masselin, is a graduate of Les Ecole des Arts et Meitiers, the Swiss Culinary Arts Institute, and on request can prepare dinner for you. They also have a hot tub.
Sheldon’s Motel (18.5 miles). During the two years it took to renovate the house, we visited every two or three weeks to meet with the contractor and inspect the work. We needed an affordable option so our usual place was Sheldon’s Motel in Keysville. It’s a good, solid clean place; the restaurant serves an excellent breakfast, and the fried chicken is outstanding. Dinner there is a hearty, simple affair, but if you want something fancier, you’ll have to travel a bit. Traveling up the road to Farmville would be your best bet, where you will find one of our favorite restaurants, Charley’s Waterfront Café, serving great food, great beer, and it has an expansive wine list. Spend some time with the bartender and you won’t want to leave. Very close to Keysville (but not walking distance) is Badeaux’s Cajun Kitchen. New on the scene is The Fishin’ Pig between Keysville and Farmville, which serves sophisticated and innovative Barbecue, and the homey and the very satisfying and homey Cruis-in Cafe in downtown Keysville.
The Chandler House Bed & Breakfast (25.9 miles). The Chandler House Bed & Breakfast offers two rooms and an impressive breakfast on the outskirts of South Boston.
Cooper’s Landing Inn (26 miles). We must not forget Cooper’s Landing Inn & Traveler’s Tavern in Clarksville , with its own restaurant and an idyllic setting in the heart of the Clarksville Historic District. For something more pub-like, visit The Lamplighter for dinner.
Cage’s Bed & Breakfast (27.4 miles). In Halifax we have Cage’s Bed & Breakfast, which is walking distance to Molasses Grill in the Mountain Road Historic District. Just two rooms are available. We see firsthand a tradition of hospitality here, because this inn is owned by the mother of Barbara Cage, the co-owner of Bistro 1888.
Charles Bass House (27.6 miles). When the house was being restored we stayed one weekend at this particular charmer, the Charles Bass House Bed & Breakfast in South Boston. It’s a great location on Main Street near downtown South Boston, with just two suites available — and a hot tub, if that’s your pleasure. South Boston’s Bistro 1888 is a 15 minute walk from here. Dare we ask, what’s with all the hot tubs?
Falkland Farms (29.9 miles). Another interesting place is Falkland Farms, a plantation and hunting preserve comprised of over 7,600 acres, the largest single tract of privately owned land in Virginia. You don’t have to shoot things to stay there. Accommodations include breakfast, but for dinner reservations your best bet is either Halifax or South Boston, where you can find a number of restaurants in addition to those noted in this post.
Berry Hill Resort (31.8 miles). On the far side of South Boston is Berry Hill, the incomparable Greek-revival style mansion now transformed into a resort. We’ve written about it in the past — see Our Very Own Parthenon: Berry Hill. Dining options at Berry Hill include the resort’s own restaurant, Carrington’s, which is excellent, and the more casual Darby’s Tavern, located in the mansion’s former kitchen house. This is without a doubt your most luxurious option for a Southern Virginia wine country weekend.
Longwood Bed & Breakfast (36.7 miles). High Street, with its turn-of-the-last century palatial houses In Farmville is home to the Longwood Bed & Breakfast. The house dates from 1880 and has six luxuriously-appointed guest rooms, each with a private bath. It is a 15-minute walk from Charley’s Waterfront Café,
We have friends and family coming from all parts of Virginia and even from California for our Harvest Party on October 20, 2012 (details to be announced soon — we promise!). We’ve had a couple of requests for recommendations of where to stay. Southern Virginia is terra incognita to most people, so we have a visitor’s guide that includes a list of accommodations and attractions on our website. We’ll point out a few of the highlights here — all unique places that are sure to tempt (or perhaps horrify) the adventurous traveler. We encourage you to make a weekend of it and plan on a Friday arrival, have an interesting dinner, spend Saturday morning sightseeing, then join us that afternoon for the party. We’ll feed you well — you will not be disappointed!
There are a range of choices, from simple cabin rentals to motels to the expected bed and breakfast, and one luxury resort, all within 30+/- miles. We’ve noted dining options convenient to each, and the mileage from Annefield. There are additional dining options noted on our website if these don’t tempt you. This list is not comprehensive, so please see our website for additional places. This list is organized by distance.
Diamond Hill (13.4 miles). Closest to us is Diamond Hill, which recently opened in the heart of the Charlotte Court House Historic District, offering two guest rooms. Down the road you will find Mimmo’s Italian Restaurant. Since they are brand new, no doubt they’ll try harder to please you than many other places.
The Henry House (13.8 miles). Just up the road (and around the bend) from Diamond Hill is The Henry House Bed & Breakfast in Charlotte Court House. One of the owners, Paul Masselin, is a graduate of Les Ecole des Arts et Meitiers, the Swiss Culinary Arts Institute, and on request can prepare dinner for you. They also have a hot tub.
Sheldon’s Motel (18.5 miles). During the two years it took to renovate the house, we visited every two or three weeks to meet with the contractor and inspect the work. We needed an affordable option so our usual place was Sheldon’s Motel in Keysville. It’s a good, solid clean place; the restaurant serves an excellent breakfast, and the fried chicken is outstanding. Dinner there is a hearty, simple affair, but if you want something fancier, you’ll have to travel a bit. Farmville would be your best bet, with Charley’s Waterfront Café. Very close by (but not walking distance) is a new place we have yet to try, called Badeaux’s Cajun Kitchen.
Cooper’s Landing Inn (26 miles). We must not forget Cooper’s Landing Inn & Traveler’s Tavern in Clarksville , with its own restaurant and an idyllic setting in the heart of the Clarksville Historic District.
Cage’s Bed & Breakfast (27.4 miles). In Halifax we have Cage’s Bed & Breakfast, which is walking distance to Molasses Grill in the Mountain Road Historic District. Just two rooms are available. We see firsthand a tradition of hospitality here, because this inn is owned by the mother of Barbara Cage, the co-owner of Bistro 1888.
Charles Bass House (27.6 miles). When the house was being restored we stayed one weekend at this particular charmer, the Charles Bass House Bed & Breakfast in South Boston. It’s a great location on Main Street near downtown South Boston, with just two suites available — and a hot tub, if that’s your pleasure. South Boston’s Bistro 1888 is a 15 minute walk from here. Dare we ask, what’s with all the hot tubs?
Falkland Farms (29.9 miles). Another interesting place is Falkland Farms, a plantation and hunting preserve comprised of over 7,600 acres, the largest single tract of privately owned land in Virginia. You don’t have to shoot things to stay there, and if you fall in love with the place and decide you can’t live without it, it is on the market for $26 million. Accommodations there include breakfast, but for dinner reservations your best bet is either Halifax or South Boston, where you can find a number of restaurants in addition to those noted in this post.
Berry Hill Resort (31.8 miles). On the far side of South Boston is Berry Hill, the local resort we’ve written about in the past (Our Very Own Parthenon: Berry Hill.). They have their own restaurant, Carrington’s, which is excellent. This is probably the most expensive (and luxurious) option.
Bottled Poetry. 