Due to our hectic pre-Halloween schedule, we ended up making our traditional
Fall excursion to the
Blue Ridge Parkway a bit late this year. Since
daughter Allison is staying at
Pleasant Hill, the old Martinsville
homestead, she came with us this year. However, due to our weekend scheduling,
we didn’t get up at the ass-crack of dawn for the traditional breakfast
at
Mabry Mill (sadness!). Instead, we headed straight for
Villa Appalaccia Winery, which is, without question, our favorite winery in our region. We took a
picnic lunch and settled ourselves in our favorite spot, the enclosed garden
terrace. (No, we are NOT creatures of habit or anything like that.) Excellent
wine (their 2020
Dolcetto vintage is superb) and an excellent lunch. The
company could be sour on occasion, but that’s kind of a given. (Ducking, running, etc.)
Then, also following long-held tradition, we scooted over to nearby
Chateau Morrisette Winery and sampled a few more vintages. Their restaurant is still closed, as
it has been since the onset of COVID-19, but we talked at length with one of
the owner‘s sons, and we were happy to hear that there are plans to reopen it
— sooner rather than later. I can’t wait.
So, another gratifying outing to the Blue
Ridge, and better late than never.
