Apple blossoms in bloom at Holmberg Orchards this May will be accompanied once again by the tantalizing sounds of wine bottles being uncorked and acoustic guitar music in the air and over the lawns at the 3rd annual Blossoms & Bottles Festival.
Blossoms & Bottles 2010, from 1 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 8, at Holmberg Orchards in Gales Ferry, will feature tastings of wines and ciders from multiple Connecticut wineries, including Holmberg Orchards’ most recent release, a peach wine, World Peach. Other wineries in attendance will include Sharpe Hill Vineyards of Pomfret, CT, Jones Winery of Shelton, CT, Maugle Sierra Vineyard of Ledyard, CT, Taylor Brook Winery of Woodstock, CT, Jonathan Edwards Winery of North Stonington, CT, Bishop’s Winery of Guilford, CT and Stonington Vineyards of Stonington, CT.
In addition, there will be vendors offering a variety of gourmet foods, as well as displays of jewelry, all-natural soaps, soy candles, handbags and other handcrafted goods. Several makers of healthy, all-natural dog treats will be on site for those who want to bring something home to their pets. Foods will include locally produced pasta and pizza sauces, marinated mushrooms, all natural granola, artisan truffles, spice blends and natural grains, honey, gourmet teas and locally roasted coffee, chips and pesto. Holmberg Orchards will also offer freshly made sandwiches and stuffed breads for sale for those who forgot to pack a picnic.
Acoustic blues guitarists Dan Stevens and Chris D’Amato, who were finalists in the solo-duo division at the International Blues Challenge ‘08 in Memphis, will be performing all afternoon.
Holmberg Orchards introduced effervescent hard ciders, ranging from semi-dry to sweet, Three Sheets apple wine and Pearfection pear wine in December 2007. Holmberg Orchards will be pouring these popular lines again this year as well as World Peach, its latest creation. The buzz at the orchard hints that grape vines are being planted this spring to further enhance the winery’s product line.
Admission is $20 in advance and $25 at the door, and the festival, under a tent, goes on, rain or shine.
The orchard festival, surrounded by 40 acres of apple blossoms, is the perfect setting for a picnic, so bring your lawn chairs or blankets and baskets of delectables to spend the whole afternoon at Holmberg Orchards.
And don’t forget the camera!
For more information, call Holmberg Orchards at 860 464-7305