September 4th, 2014

Destination? Chatham Vineyards Paddle, Southeast Expeditions, Machipongo, Virginia, Chatham Winery, Church Creek Wines, A Virginia’s Eastern Shore Get-Away Kayaking Experience

It started a few months ago, when Debbie contacted friends to see who wanted to embarc on a kayaking expedition to Chatham Vineyards in Machipongo, Virginia.  This is Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

We were going to go with Southeast Expeditions.  This kayaking experience can be enjoyed by all, from beginners to advance.  The cost was $89 per person.  This included kayaking, tour, and tasting at the winery, and a bottle of Church Creek for two.  You may find more info. by visiting http://www.southeastexpeditions.net.  Please call them at 757-331-2680.  You can find them on Facebook.

We have all been saying what a nice summer this has been.  Low humidity….not hot.  But guess what?  When the temperatures reached 92 degrees on Tuesday I was ready to start whining…..all the way to the winery.  Ben was our guide.  So nice and friendly and shall I say with plenty of patience.

Once we were on the water, it was great.  Not too hot, just concentrating on Cindi and I not tipping over.  This was a relaxing kayaking experience so our determination was to enjoy it to the fullest…..and hoping our arms would keep up!!!

We made it to the winery and were eager to explore.

Chatham Vineyards overlook Church Creek.  Their label?  Church Creek Wines.  The land where the Chatham Farm is located was patented in 1640.  The Federal period home was built in 1818.

Chatham Vineyars is owned and operated by the Wehner family on this historic Chatham Farm, which as been a working farm for 4 centuries.  Jon Wehner is a second generation Virginia winegrower.  They are open daily from April to December and then from January to March they close on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Address?  9232 Chatham Rd., Machipongo, VA 23405.  Website?  http://www.chathamvineyards.com.  Tel. 757-678-5588.

The location is ideal for this vineyard…between the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay, benefitting from a moderate climate.  The vineyards are high density in a European style.  They contain 32,000 Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot vines.

The winery has state of the art equipment and French and American oak cooperage.

Our tasting began with a 2013 Church Creek Chardonnay, steel-fermented.  Then, a 2013 Church Creek Chardonnay, oak-aged.  Followed by a 2013 Church Creek Rose, which I thoroughly enjoyed.  A 2012 Merlot, a Lot 12 Cabernet Franc, a 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon and a 2010 Late Harvest Dessert Wine.

Thanks so much to our Somelier….she was awesome!!

We relaxed outside, sipping some more wine.  But, then, it was time to go….we needed to paddle our wine off!  It was late in the day and it looked beautiful outside.

We paddled against the current but we made it back.  So much fun!!

Until next post….the Second Season has begun!!

Note:  Some info. for this post was taken from Chatham Vineyards.

September 3rd, 2014

Destination? Virginia’s Eastern Shore, Machipongo Trading Co., Breakfast, Lunch, Take Out, Coffee, Gluten Free Beer, Gluten Free Cider..Must Stop!! Machipongo, VA, A Virginia’s Eastern Shore Quick Get-Away!

A quick get-away, with an old friend, Cindi, and new soon to be new friends, took us on a kayak expedition to Chatham Winery, near Cape Charles, Virginia.

We met for sustance before our expedition at the Machipongo Trading Co., located at 13037 Lankford Hwy., Machipongo, VA 23405  Tel. 757-678-005.  Lankford Highway is also Rt. 13.  Many of you travel this route throughout the year, mostly in the winter as you try to go south for warmer temperatures.

It is only 20 minutes north of the Bridge-Tunnel, and across from the Barrier Islands Center.

Introductions were made and we proceeded to order lunch.   Our kayak guide, Brandon, was getting our kayaks ready while we had lunch.

This place was a great stop.  And, surprise, surprise….it was charming and quaint.  Wi-Fi available, as well, so make yourself at home, will you?

Looking around I found gluten free beer and cider!!  They also offer local wines.

And I bought Machipongo Morning Coffee by local Coffee Roaster, Eastern Shore Coastal Roasting Co.  Cannot wait to try it.

Machipongo Trading Co. offers picnic provisions for any of your expeditions.  You can also call ahead for carry out orders at 757-678-0005.  Or, do like we did and enjoy sandwiches and paninis.

My Falafel Wrap was amazingly good with onions, spinach, cucumbers and tzatziki.

Since this was my first time with this group….I only took a few photos….did not want to scare them away.  In the following posts, initiations had ended and they went with the flow.

Hours of operation for Machipongo Trading Co. are:  Monday to Thursday from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.  Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Hungry while traveling Lankford Highway……this is a must stop for all kinds of goodies….healthy, not so healty (ice cream)…..and remember if you have a gluten allergy…..this is the place.

Have a great time!!  Until next post.