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Our weekend in Mystic was short, and we wanted to cram in as much sightseeing as possible. Despite this. we managed to fit in two really great wineries, both which offered beautiful scenery and impressive wines. First there was Salwater Farm Vineyard, where we enjoyed a tasting and beautiful views. We also visited Jonathan Edwards Winery. a unique property in that is makes wine from both estate grown Connecticut grapes as well as grapes from Napa Valley. Out in the country, surrounded by land and horses, the area that Jonathan Edwards in is absolutely stunning.

Jonathan Edwards Winery

Our visit was on a cold and cloudy day, yet plenty of people sat outside with their wine, enjoying the view. I can imagine that the winery is really spectacular in the summer!

Inside was just as beautiful, with lots of light and wood and traditional country touches.

Jonathan Edwards Winery

Jonathan Edwards CT Chardonnay

We loved the space, but the wines truly wowed us. We tasted through seven wines. Most notable was the back-to-back tasting of their Connecticut Chardonnay and Napa Chardonnay. The wine made from CT grapes won me over! Notes of citrus and bakes pear make this wine both crisp and luscious, creamy, with a hint of oak, ideal for Connecticut coastal cuisine. We also loved the Napa Valley Merlot, with grapes from Yountville, for its earth, tobacco, berries, and spice. I was hoping to try their CT Cab Franc, but they weren’t pouring it yet, giving me another reason to return!

Jonathan Edwards Winery

The winery was welcoming and encouraged us to take our glasses out to explore. Always happy in the country, especially where there are vineyards, we bundled up and braved the early spring (really felt like winter) to breath some fresh air and soak in the beautiful quiet.

Jonathan Edwards offers some elegant and flavorful wines from two very different regions, along with excellent hospitality and a relaxing space just perfect for a little getaway. Add it to your Mystic weekend itinerary!

Jonathan Edwards Winery

wine and John Deere

Tags: vineyyards, wine, wine of the week. CT wine. New England. Travel, wine tasting, winery

I’m not done with Tanzania yet! I have a few more blog posts to write, and I plan on savoring each photo and memory as I write about this experience of a lifetime.

For other posts on our travel in Tanzania, check out these links:

Luxury Accommodations at Maramboi Tented Camp, Tanzania

Tarangire National Park  Safari with Overseas Adventure Travel, Tanzania

Serengeti Camping

Serengeti Game Drives

Shanga and Riverhouse Arusha Tanzania

cooking demonstration ArushaOn the same day we had an incredible experience at Shanga, we relaxed over lunch at Arusha Coffee Lodge. It was a luxurious property that was a real treat for our travel-weary bodies. We arrived at the Arusha Coffee Lodge and were welcomed with creamy cold coffee drinks that were just what we needed after our morning at Shanga. We found seats under a shaded pavilion and then gathered around to watch a Tanzanian cooking demo.

arusha coffee lodge

Our chefs showed us how to make delicious Tanzanian dishes such as Makande (mixed bean pot), Pilau (spiced rice), and Kuku Paka (chicken in coconut).

polenta

Meanwhile, polenta bubbled away in a cauldron. Once ready, it would provide the perfect base for the saucy dishes we enjoyed.

arusha coffee lodge

Sticking with the South African wine theme that was woven through our Tanzania trip, we shared a bottle of Graham Beck brut, always a favorite of mine. A wine trip to South Africa is on my bucket list!

Graham Beck

Lunch was simply amazing, a mix of spices and fresh ingredients that made us all go back for more.

food in Tanzania

After lunch we all moved on to a comfy seating area for orange cake and to sample coffee grown on the plantation down the street. The coffee was smooth and rich, perfect without milk or sugar. Simple, perfect, just the way so many things in Tanzania were.

Orange Cake

arusha coffee lodge

Arusha Coffee Lodge is most definitely a place I would love to visit again, perhaps to stay on the way to Tarangire. It’s well located, elegant, and has an excellent food and beverage offering.

Tags: Arusha, Food, Graham Beck, hotels, restaurants. Africa, sparkling wine, Tanzania, Travel, travel blog, wine

I’ve been going on and on for years about how great some Massachusetts wines can be. Longtime readers and friends know I recommend Travessia every chance I get, and I have also enjoyed many trips to Westport Rivers; their Farmer’s Fizz was our bubbly of the summer last year!

I knew little about Connecticut wine though, and this weekend while visiting Mystic and dining at the Harbour House, I learned CT is making some excellent wines.

 

Saltwater Farm Vineyard

We spent part of Sunday visiting two Connecticut wineries, which included a relaxing stop at Saltwater Farm Vineyard. Surrounded by salt marshes and countryside, the vineyard was beautiful and serene, a lovely place on a cloudy spring day, so I can imagine it would be gorgeous in the summer.

 

Saltwater Farm Vineyard

The winery building is an old airplane hangar with high ceilings, beautiful wood, and lots of nice little touches. A wedding the night before had left their lights strung up, and it added a twinkly magic to the afternoon. Or maybe that was the wine? 🙂

Saltwater Farm Vineyard

We did a tasting of all of the available wines. After our night at the Inn at Mystic, I was very familiar with the Saltwater Farm rosé of Cabernet. This wine is right up my alley, super dry and crisp with fresh strawberry notes.

 

Saltwater Farm rose

Other favorites included the Gold Arc Estate Chardonnay, barrel aged for toasty coconut notes with a lemony background. Connecticut, like Long Island, can be great for growing Chardonnay grapes.

Saltwater Farm Chardonnay

Ever being a lover of Cabernet Franc, I was a huge fan of Saltwater Farm’s Cab Franc – Merlot, mixing spice and earth with juicy berries for a beautiful wine and new favorite. You better believe a few bottles were tucked away for us to add to our collection.

wine tasting at Saltwater Farm Vineyard

Saltwater Farm is a great stop along a Mystic getaway, and the wines, scenery, and friendly staff make it well worth the visit. Cheers to #WineWednesday!

Tags: chardonnay, Connecticut, rose, rose wine, vineyard, wine, wine travel, Wine Wednesday

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