<p>Vermont winemakers are hosting their 7th annual statewide Wine and Chocolate Weekend on February 10 and 11, 2018 to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Wineries around Vermont open their doors to visitors and will feature samples of their wines with a chocolate confection or another dessert. Many partner with local chocolatiers to offer homegrown pairings—flavors only found in Vermont. </p><p><strong>Visitors can taste the full spectrum of Vermont wines during Wine and Chocolate weekend</strong>. Some wineries specialize in grape wines made from northern grape varieties like Marquette, La Crescent, and Traminette; others produce black currant cassis, honey mead, ice cider, raspberry wine, and apple wine.</p><p>The participating wineries will be open from noon to 5 p.m. during the Wine and Chocolate weekend. Visitors can also purchase a bottle of the featured wine with the accompanying chocolates for Valentine’s Day gifts. Please call ahead to wineries for details about their tastings.</p><p>2018 participating wineries include:</p><p><a href=”http://www.vermontwinerycabins.com” target=”_blank”>Autumn Mountain Winery</a>, Brandon. Tastings of all nine wines including their Chocolate Moose dessert wine, and featuring a chocolate fountain in their cozy fireplace tasting room. (802) 247-6644; www.vermontwinerycabins.com. </p><p><a href=”http://www.boydenvalley.com” target=”_blank”>Boyden Valley Winery & Spirits</a>, Cambridge. Free tasting of wine & spirits paired with decadent local chocolates. Snowflake Chocolates and STiR Chocolates will be onsite with additional chocolate samples and a variety of options to purchase. Valentine’s-themed cocktail tastings and Vermont Ice Maple Crème chocolate milkshakes will be available throughout the day. Boyden is also hosting a romantic cheese fondue dinners with wine and dessert from 5pm-7pm in their historic carriage barn loft on Saturday 2/10 by reservation only (These sell out quickly every year so make your reservations now!). Call for more details or to place a reservation for the fondue dinners. (802) 644-8151; www.boydenvalley.com.</p><p><a href=”http://www.champlainorchards.com” target=”_blank”>Champlain Orchards</a>, Shoreham. Offering a cider tasting flight paired with chocolates from Daily Chocolate, as well as house-made chocolate-drizzled & dipped cider donuts for sale. (802) 897-2777; www.champlainorchards.com.</p><p><a href=”http://www.freshtracksfarm.com” target=”_blank”>Fresh Tracks Farm</a>, Berlin. Fresh Tracks Farm Vineyard & Winery will be offering a special wine flight paired with three chocolates from Cocoa Bean of Vermont of Montpelier. (802) 223-1151; www.freshtracksfarm.com.</p><p><a href=”http://www.hallhomeplace.com” target=”_blank”>Hall Home Place Ice Cider</a>, Isle La Motte. Select Ice and Hard Cider pairings with a variety of chocolates from Champlain Islands Candy Lab (including some made with our own apple cider syrup). All cider products will be available for purchase. Full tastings at the regular fee also available. (802) 928-3091, www.hallhomeplace.com.</p><p><a href=”http://www.hellsgatedistillery.com” target=”_blank”>Hell’s Gate Distillery</a>, Georgia. www.hellsgatedistillery.com.</p><p><a href=”http://www.lincolnpeakvineyard.com” target=”_blank”>Lincoln Peak Vineyard</a>, Middlebury. Featuring wine pairings with three Addison County chocolatiers: Middlebury Chocolates’ Guatemala bar with Summit wine, Daily Chocolate’s Delightful Bar with La Crescent and Blueberry Bundles with Ragtime Red, and Farmhouse Chocolates’ Vanilla Bean truffle with Cassis. (802) 388-7368; www.lincolnpeakvineyard.com.</p><p><a href=”http://www.neshoberiverwinery.com” target=”_blank”>Neshobe River Winery</a>, Brandon. Featuring red and white port wines paired with small plates that include artisan cheeses, dried fruits, chocolate ganache truffles and other chocolate specialties. For the beer drinker, their sister business Foley Brothers Brewery is releasing their bourbon-barrel-aged porter. (802) 247-8002; www.neshoberiverwinery.com</p><p><a href=”http://www.shelburnevineyard.com” target=”_blank”>Shelburne Vineyard</a>, Shelburne. Offering wine pairings with a different chocolatier each day 11 am- 5 pm. On Saturday, they’re joining forces with Matyroshka Bakery. On Sunday, they’re partnering with Douglas Sweets. In addition to the chocolate pairings, the Vineyard will also offer regular wine tastings throughout the weekend. (802) 985-8222; www.shelburnevineyard.com. </p><p><a href=”http://www.snowfarm.com” target=”_blank”>Snow Farm Vineyard</a>, South Hero. Pairing estate wines with Vermont Nut Free Chocolates. Enjoy their newest release (Marquette 2016) or a mug of their hot mulled wine. Cheeses and meats available. Snowshoe or hike up Fox Hill for breathtaking views of Lake Champlain. (802) 372-9463; www.snowfarm.com.</p>
Source: Dig in VT Trails