The Hamptons Part 1- Wolffer Estate Winery

April 12th-

So......we wanted to see the infamous Hamptons, but didn't want to do the go from crowded city to crowded highway to crowded beach thing.....so we went on Easter Sunday dressed in our warm sweaters and coats. No traffic....no lines.....no crowds......this was such a heavenly escape from Manhattan- instant relaxation! I might even have to say that it is one of the smartest things we have done in a long while. We decided to visit a winery, a restaurant and the beach.....in that order.

First, we drove up to Wolffer Estate Winery....it looks like a Tuscan Villa from the outside, and is so welcoming and spacious on the inside- rustic with tall ceilings and french doors that frame views of the vineyard.....(check out the video below). There were only a handful of people there, so we received wonderful service. They handed us a menu of flights, glasses and bottles, as well as assorted cheese and crackers. We wanted to try as many wines as possible, so we both chose a different flight.

Nathan chose the Grand Tasting, and I chose the Spring Tasting, which turned out to be their two most popular. I'll tell you about the Grand Tasting first. Glass number one was one of their anniversary wines which we found out, they name after horses. Don't ask me what the significance of that is, because I was too excited to try the wines that I cannot for the life of me remember what she said, and I guess Nathan was feeling the same, because he can't either. Needless to say, the wine was good. It was the Caya (the horse's name) Cabernet Franc 2005 which was a blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. It was very light, so I liked it, but substantial enough that Nathan, who prefers heavy reds, also enjoyed it. So far, so good. Next, was possibly one of the best wines either of us has ever put into our thirsty mouths......the Premier Cru Merlot 2004, consisting of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Oh my god! This is what they drink in heaven. I am sure of it! And......since just one glass costs $25, (the bottle is a mere $100, and the case $600), it made the $20 flight a true value! It was just perfect.....complex, easy to drink, good aftertaste......and no, much to my dismay, I am not a professional wine taster, so yes, I am describing all of this in a way anyone can relate to, I hope. After this, nothing could measure up quite the same, but there are many more wines for me to "unprofessionally" review. Following the god's nectar, was a Claletto Amarone Style Cabernet Sauvignon 2005......100% Cabernet Sauvignon.....so, so syrupy. As she poured it, I thought it may be best on pancakes.....really, it was thick. You could see the legs (Oooh! Wine jargon! See? I know a little.) so long after you made the wine twirl and took your first sip. Nathan thought it was good, but it wasn't for me. Last in the series was the Descencia Botrytis Chardonnay 2006, which was made up of 100% Botrytis Chardonnay. She told us it is every expensive because there is a fungus that grows on some of the grapes which causes them to be super crazy sweet, and these grapes have to be handpicked, one by one, because one might have the fungus, and maybe the one next to it does not.....interesting. The wine tasted like honey......and was almost the same color.....good, very intense, but good.......a dessert wine.

Next, I will tell you about the flight I chose, the Spring Tasting. First on the list was a 2008 Rose made up of 53% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon and 26% Chardonnay. Ok, I admit, anything pink in the past scared me. Whenever someone approached me with Rose, all I could think about what White Zinfandel......and bad ones.....the wines that are pink and sugary and gross, and should just be served as a wine cooler, really. This was not that wine. This was lovely. This was the wine you want at brunch on a hot summer day. This was so good. I bought a bottle. Next. Pinot Gris 2008- consisting of 88% Pinot Gris and 12% Chardonnay, (yes, I brought the menu home if you are wondering how in the world I have managed to remember all of these percentages after drinking all of this wine).....this was so light and delicious and refreshing, even Nathan, who is really picky when it comes to whites, loved this one.....yes, we bought a bottle of this, too. Next was the Estate Selection Chardonnay 2005 which was all Chardonnay baby! It was fruity, and oaky, and fabulous. No, I didn't buy this one.....but I wanted to. Finally, they brought me a Pinot Noir from 2006, which was 100% Pinot Noir. It was good, but I personally liked a few others that we had better.

So, our flights were finished.......but we were? Hell no! We still had some time before our late brunch reservation.....which was thankfully two minutes down the road, so we each chose a glass of something we hadn't tried yet. Being a big fan of Chardonnay, I ordered the Wolffer Estate Chardonnay 2006, which was all Chardonnay, and happened to be our server's favorite wine. It was delightful. Nathan opted for La Ferme Martin Merlot 2004, which......ok, this is the last time I am going to do this, I promise.......80% Merlot, 18.5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon and .5% Pinot Noir. The wine was good, but how can you come back from the nectar of the gods Premier Cru?

What a heavenly place! Now we must move to wine country!