Sabin Wine Journeys

July 7, 2022.   At the recommendation of friends Joe and Belle, we stopped in at the new Merrie Mill Farm and Winery near Cismont.   Just over a year old (May 2021), Merrie Mill is owned by Guy and Elizabeth Pelly from Great Britain who purchased the property in 2018.   They have already suffered through a frost that killed their 2020 crop.   There are 12 acres under vine at Merrie Mill with plans for growth.   These vines produce their Rose, Viognier and White Blend offerings.   According to Haley Verdi, the Wine Club Manager who helped us, fruit for other wines comes principally from Castalia Farm in Keswick, maintaining a strong sense of place.   At this point, Merrie Mill is not fully in production on the range of products they want.   Of the ten wines listed on the Merrie Mill website, only five are Merrie Mill products (MMF); on the tasting menu, only three of seven wines are MMF.   The others are from Veritas Winery and Veritas’ second label, “True Heritage.”   The plan is to

July 7, 2022.   A short drive south from Honah Lee on Route 231 is Keswick Vineyards near the town of Keswick.  Before Al and Cindy Schornberg purchased it in 2000, this property was an old horse farm, and you know that you are in horse country with the white fences and rolling estates.   You sense that old money surrounding the vineyard as you approach.   Keswick had to deal with these tony neighbors and the local zoning commission, eventually coming to an agreement on noise and event restrictions before they could open.    We arrived just before a torrential rain but were able to take seats in the lounge area reserved for the wine club.   (It was a lazy Thursday afternoon).   There are no inside tables, giving the tasting room an unfinished vacant look.   I think this was COVID-related.  Outside under a tent, the rain was turning the vision of the green hillsides grey with falling water.   We had to keep drinking – the umbrellas were in the car. The vineyard has 32 acres under vine