Vineyard Entertained Guests During Open House

By Kendra Bobowick

Steve Blum, Rich Ryerson and Robert Kopec unraveled melodies as guests arrived at McLaughlin Vineyard’s Harvest Open House last weekend. Fieldstone steps carried small groups of wine lovers toward a gravel patio where the jazz trio trilled beneath a cloudy day on Saturday, September 27.

Nearest the musicians at a table kept dry by an outdoor canopy, Jason Sheaves and Amanda Jones-Panadis sampled a glass from a bottle of Blue Coyote. Soon, Bruce McLaughlin greeted the couple and other guests before leading them — wine glasses in hand — for a walking tour of the vines, outbuildings, and views of his more than 160 acres divided by split-rail fences off of Albert’s Hill Road.

Blaming the weather, for one, for the light attendance, he asked, “Where is P.T. Barnum when you need him?” Rainy forecasts aside, he noted, “There is always something going on” at the vineyard. Weekend events, classes, and entertainment are listed online at McLaughlinVineyards.com.

As Mr Sheaves’s table left for a tour, Roger and Susie Gibbs of Hamden listened to a few strains before settling at a bistro table with plates of red grapes, cheese, and crackers. They thanked Kyla Allen as she tipped a bottle toward their glasses and discussed the wine.

Vineyard manager Deedee Morlock sought another group and directed them indoors where merlots, chardonnays and varieties of vineyard specials waited by the glass. Already sampling from a mini bar filled with open bottles were Rhode Island residents Steve and Jackie Alfano and Debbie and Gary Alfano of Westport. Liking both the winery and the beginning hints of autumn weather, Debbie Alfano said, “It’s nice.” As the Alfanos carried their glasses toward a picture window, Massachusetts guests Peg and Rick Grimaldi tasted a chardonnay Saturday while they were out “doing the vineyards,” she said.

Considering the New England setting with early fall color in the trees Ms Grimaldi said, “It’s beautiful.” Outdoors as the mist turned to drizzle hydrangea blooms bent toward the ground and the jazz strains followed guests indoors and caught up with those downhill walking along paths through the vines.