The 2016 Vermont Wine and Harvest Festival is coming up this fall, and people all over the Green Mountain State are getting excited! Each year, the festival attracts winemakers from over a dozen Vermont wineries as well as several spirits distillers and arts and crafts vendors. Over the course of one weekend, guests can enjoy a wide variety of events including tastings, dinners, wine parties, live entertainment, and much more! If you’re a fan of all things vino, book your stay with GetAway Vacations and check out the annual Vermont Wine and Harvest Festival.

Explore the Vermont Wine and Harvest Festival

Wilmington Village Stroll & Soup Contest

On Friday, September 16, the festival kicks off with a preview tasting of Vermont wines and cheeses during a village stroll in the center of Wilmington. Guests can listen to outdoor entertainers, walk through the historic village, and sample soups from the Valley’s chefs. The town’s shops, galleries, and restaurants will all be featuring Vermont wines and local soups from 5 to 7 PM.

Grand Tasting at Mount Snow Resort

The next day, head to Mount Snow Resort in West Dover where you can enjoy the biggest event of the Vermont Wine and Harvest Festival – the grand tasting! Enjoy sampling dozens of Vermont’s finest wines, spirits, cheeses, and farm-fresh products, all while enjoying live music from local bands. There will also be over 70 vendors on site, including potters, jewelers, painters, and photographers. Feel free to take a break from the tents and ride the Bluebird lift for a summit view of Southern Vermont’s glorious fall foliage.

When the sun goes down, stay for a special Prix Fixe wine dinner at 6 PM and the 2016 Deerfield Valley Rotary Wine Tasting and Auction. There will also be a Wine & Harvest after party from 8 PM to midnight. Check the festival website for frequent updates and information!

Wine Tasting Tips

If you’re not sure where to begin when it comes to sampling wine, you’re in luck! We have a few wine tasting tips and tricks that will help you make the most of your day at the Wine and Harvest Festival.

• Study the program before you begin tasting to get to know the vineyards. Be brave and try wines that are new to you!
• Don’t feel obligated to swallow what the pourers put in the glass – it’s okay to use a spit cup! If you find a wine you like, you can always ask for a second pour to taste it again.
• Start with white wines, then roses, then reds. Take at least two sips before you decide if you like a wine or not.
• Ask questions! The best part of a wine festival is being able to chat with pourers and the other guests at the tasting tables.
• Go slowly, take some time to eat, and drink plenty of water. Remember that Mount Snow is a higher elevation, and the climate itself can be dehydrating.
• And, most importantly, have fun!

Come Home to GetAway Vacations

Now that you know all about the Vermont Wine and Harvest Festival, it’s time to book your stay at one of our Killington vacation rentals! Nestled in the heart of the Green Mountains, our gorgeous homes feature cozy fireplaces, sprawling living areas, private hot tubs, and more that will make your fall getaway unforgettable. Enjoy hours of fun at the festival, then come back to total peace and serenity and get ready for another day of adventure tomorrow. We can’t wait to see you soon!

For more information on upcoming events, including the Vermont Cheese Festival and the 2016 Burlington Wine Festival, request a copy of our free Killington vacation guide.

Photo Credit: Thomas Jackson | Thinkstock

Wine lovers, rejoice! If you thought you had to travel all the way to Napa Valley for a great glass of vino, you’re in luck. Winemaking in Vermont is a growing industry, where local vintners use cold-hardy French hybrid grapes to produce the same kind of wine you’d find in the beautiful European countryside. There are tons of Vermont wineries popping up all over the state, and many offer wine tastings, tours, events, and more – and it’s all just a short drive from GetAway Vacations! Here are some of our favorite Vermont wineries.

Spend an Afternoon at These 3 Vermont Wineries

1. Snow Farm Vineyard

In 1992, Snow Farm Vineyard began with the dream to preserve Vermont’s agricultural land and create fine wine. The vineyard is located in the middle of Lake Champlain and produces a variety of cooler-climate grapes, including Pinot Noir, Riesling, Vidal Blanc, and Baco Noir. In addition to a tasting room and art gallery, the winery offers a free Summer Concert Series every Thursday evening from June through September. Guests can bring their own lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy some great live music, food, and delicious wine!

2. Shelburne Vineyard

Located in Shelburne, VT, Shelburne Vineyard offers incredible award-winning wines including reds, whites, rosés’, and ice wines, and features a stunning backdrop of Vermont’s signature rolling green hills. Open 7 days a week, the tasting room is nestled among the vines and offers tastings of their signature varietals. Guided tours of the vineyard and winemaking facility are offered daily and give visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the process from vine to bottle. Be sure to stop by the retail shop where you’ll find local food products, gifts, crafts, and books, and check out the art gallery that features works by local Vermont artists.

3. Lincoln Peak Vineyard

Open daily from 11 AM to 5 PM, Lincoln Peak Vineyard in New Haven, VT, is another great place to spend a summer afternoon. The 12-acre vineyard produces about 25,000 bottles of wine a year and has won three best-in-show awards from the International Cold-Climate Wine Competitions, as well as several gold and double-gold medals. Guests can visit the winery and enjoy a glass of wine and local gourmet cheeses on their beautiful front porch, or sit back and relax in the cozy tasting room. Be sure to check their website frequently for upcoming events and programs happening at the winery.

Come Home to GetAway Vacations!

Before you start planning a trip to these Vermont wineries, be sure to check out a winery map, then book your stay in one of our beautiful Killington vacation rentals! Our luxurious and comfortable homes provide total relaxation after a day of fun and feature all the amenities you need for the perfect getaway. Bring back a bottle of your new favorite wine and enjoy a glass in a bubbling hot tub, on the deck, or in front of a crackling fire. Cheers!

For information on other fun things to do in VT, including visiting Vermont vineyards and Vermont breweries,
request a copy of our free Killington vacation guide!