Everyone knows by now that there are plenty of amazing inns you can find in wine country all across the U.S., but did you also know that there are several B&B's that offer special wine experiences all on their own? From private wine tastings to decadent dinners, which are both educational and entertaining, here are three properties where sipping and staying pair to perfection.
The Red Clover Inn & Restaurant
Forget about Wine Wednesday, friends! First Friday Wine Dinners are the ideal time to toast at The Red Clover Inn & Restaurant in Rutland, VT. On the first Friday of every month, the inn's chefs create a unique pairing menu or series of tastings to celebrate the season based on themes. Guest savor the cuisine of a selected region prepared with fresh Vermont ingredients, artfully presented to pair with the featured wines. Tickets range from $60-$80++/person, which includes cuisine and wine. Upcoming wine dinner themes include: Harvest Wines on Friday, October 16th; Comfort Food on Friday, November 6th; and Bold & Spicy Wines on Friday, December 4th. Miss the wine dinner date for the month? A Chef's Tasting Menu with wine pairings is available nightly and ranges from three courses to seven. Guests can also indulge in a Wine Weekend package that includes 20% off a two-night stay plus two tickets to the dinner.
North Fork Mountain Inn Bed & Breakfast
Knowledge is power, and it's twice as tantalizing when it comes to teaching your palate. At North Fork Mountain Inn Bed & Breakfast in Cabins, WV, fine dining is a special event on Saturday evenings at the inn. The night begins with a complimentary wine tasting of 5-6 fine wines from around the globe. Sommelier, chef, and innkeeper Ed Fischer shares his wine expertise with guests as he leads a guided wine tour of some of the best wine regions of the world. Whether you are a beginner or an accomplished connoisseur, you will find Ed's wine tastings fun, educational, and entertaining. Along with the wines, guests indulge in palate pleasers such as roasted red pepper humus served on Breton crackers, tzatziki served on garlic panetini toasts, fresh fruit, or assorted cheeses. Wine Pairing Dinner Weekends provides Ed with the opportunity to create the latest gourmet delights matched to the perfect wines. This five-course feast features each item paired with a complementary wine and is perfect for both foodies and oenophiles.
Wickwood Inn
Wickwood Inn, a premier boutique hotel in Saugatuck, MI, is celebrated for its culinary prowess and extensive menu. As a renowned author of five award-winning cookbooks with an extensive career in cooking, owner Julee Rosso understands the intricacies and importance of pairing food and wine to make the most of any meal. With Wickwood's wine tastings special, guests can enjoy a private tasting for two by exclusive arrangement. The inn will secure a reservation with the wine professionals at The Petter Wine Gallery (PWG), a local wine bar and shop that carries more than 200 wines from around the globe. All selections are carefully selected, small, independent vineyards that treasure their terroir as much as their varietals and winemaking traditions. This unique experience is an extraordinary journey for the palate to some of the world's best vineyards in the company of an expert guide. The tasting runs about 1 1/2 - 2 hours and is priced at $125. Attendees can choose from the following categories: All Red, All White, or a Regional Tasting.