Indian Summer Sunday
On an Indian summer Sunday, we celebrated our friend Jayn’s birthday at Villa Appalaccia’s “All Things Olive.”
I learned that if I picked a fresh olive off a tree and put it in my mouth, I’d quickly spit it out. The flavors are dependent on the oils, vinegars and herbs that the olives are aged in. We tasted olives from Italy, France and the Mediterranean; cerignolo, kalamata, nicoise and gaeta and more.
We spent most of our time chatting, nibbling and sipping wine in the winery’s Music Garden, an open air walled sitting area, reminiscent of an Italian Villa.
We dipped bread pieces into rich bodied and delicately flavored olive oils. I confess I wanted to drink them, especially the truffle oil. That’s winery’s grape grower/owner Stephen Haskill, who also grows olives and provided a resource of information on the oils.
Inside, at the wine tasting I learned that describing a wine as buttery is about its texture rather than flavor. I finally got to taste the winery’s dessert wine, Raspberry Beret. Another treat was that the tasting was done by the winemaker/owner herself, Susan Becker. You can just barely see the winery’s Italian-inspired flag through the window.
Today is raining and I’m still thinking about the taste sensations of yesterday and fantasizing a trip to Italy. Until then, the Villa Appalaccia, which is practically in our backyard, is the next best thing. Happy Birthday, Jayn!
October 7th, 2013 12:32 pm
What a fun place. I would like to go there…maybe someday!
October 7th, 2013 6:52 pm
Italy in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. The colors of your words and photography gave me an experience of the beautiful Indian Summer day that you ladies shared together. I now plan to visit the winery before winter arrives with new colors. gratitude for all the sharing you do through words and pictures.
Shirleyann
October 7th, 2013 6:58 pm
What a wonderful afternoon! Olives and Wine and lovely company, too….
October 7th, 2013 7:18 pm
It’s been a lovely and long time coming local discovery, Shirley.
Well worth the trip, Tabor. xo
October 7th, 2013 9:08 pm
Good friends and some good food makes for a wonderful celebration. Happy birthday, Jayn!
October 8th, 2013 1:15 pm
From an old old friend of Jayn’s upstate New York past, thanks so much for this lovely description. I’m bookmarking your blog; seems like something to come back to.
October 8th, 2013 2:20 pm
Hey Polly. Good to meet you and thanks for reminding to add this link to this entry: http://looseleafnotes.com/2010/12/jayn-avery-a-simple-living-devotee/ It’s a story I wrote about Jayn for Natural Awakenings in 2010.