Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Spring is In the Air

   Spring is in the air! How can you tell? Look around the farm. Garland and Joe and Chuck are spreading fertilizer on the fields. Winter pruning of the vineyard has been completed. Another acre of ground in the new vineyard has been prepared for new vines, which will arrive on March 19 and be planted that next week. The new acre is set up with posts and trellises, all in nice symmetrical lines. Joe is making sure that all the tractors work, and pretty soon the planter will be removed from the shed.

   What do you like best about the spring? Think about it. I like the freshness of the air, the promise of a great crop of wheat (and corn and soybeans and grapes). I like sitting on the porch of the winery in a rocking chair and sipping a cold glass of Vidal Blanc. I like sandals (hate shoes!) and watching the children play in the winery playground on weekends with parents relaxing on the porch. I like putting away jackets and sweaters.  Soon……………..

    With spring comes a whole new calendar of events at Layton’s Chance. Kicking off the spring season, we have our Easter egg hunt on Palm Sunday in the afternoon starting at 2. View of the Vineyard takes place the day before with everyone getting a chance to plant their own grapevine. Happy hour will continue through the spring with the opportunity to sit outside on warm nights, and enjoy the sunset over the vineyard.

   By the way, Jello shots were a great hit at Friday night’s Happy Hour, and JohnE Wa2C rocked the crowd with his famous words “Sa - lute!” to which everyone raises their glasses and joins in a toast to music and wine. See you at the winery! Help us say good-bye to winter and hello to the warm days of spring.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Love, wine, and Jello Shots?!?!

Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us here at Layton’s Chance! Our Sweetheart Dinner on

Saturday night was a lovely event with twinkle lights on the trees and a special gourmet meal

from Suicide Bridge Restaurant. The room was decorated by Barb Bailey, and the dinner was

served by Barb and Pam Payne. It was truly elegant. The Tidewater Farm Club is coming in on

Valentine’s Day for their regular February meeting and a special Sweetheart luncheon.

Happy Hour is on the agenda for this Friday nite, February 17, with one of our favorite

performers, JohnE Wa2C. We will again offer our lite buffet with chili, salad, and dessert. Come

on out and relax after a tough work week. Teachers..…you know who you are…...come on out

and celebrate TGIF! This week we will feature jello shooters made with wine for $1 each, and

the always-popular wine-a-rita returns from last summer.

Layton’s Chance has an intern, Troy Thomas from Cambridge, who is a junior business and

marketing major from SU. He is working here every Friday, learning how we market our winery

and also becoming familiar with the staff and events, as well as many aspects of wine-making.

Come in and say “hi” to Troy on Fridays. He likes working Happy Hour on Friday nite!

Check out our Facebook page and our website for the most up-to-date details of all our

events!