Furnace Brook Winery at Hilltop Orchards in Richmond, the Berkshire's First Farm Winery, will host an Open House on Sunday, May 18 from noon to 3 p.m.
"Full bloom in the orchard with the scent of apple blossoms everywhere is the perfect opportunity to hold our first annual Spring Open House," said John Vittori, owner and winemaker. " It was an awful long winter, and we are thrilled to be able to thank our many regular customers, and new friends, by celebrating this special event at such a beautiful time of spring."
The Spring Open House event will feature live music with pianist Mark Kelso, tasty food and wine pairings, and wine club membership.
"We got the idea of starting a farm winery so that we could produce our Johnny Mash hard cider here at the orchard," said John Vittori. "Once we invested in the winery equipment, we saw an opportunity to expand on our original plans. Having always enjoyed the drinkable and affordable regional wines that are made throughout the countryside in France, we have created a range of vintage varietals using grapes from the Northeast United States. We are also making apple cider, as produced in the Normandy region of France."
The winery is located at Hilltop Orchards in Richmond, MA, and is open Friday-Sunday, 9-5. Wine tastings are available throughout the day. The Normandy Gazebo offers wines by-the-glass in an open air environment overlooking the orchards and Berkshire Hills. Varieties of wines offered are Merlot, Pinot Noir, Johannisberg Riesling, White Zinfandel, Sparkling Blanc de Blanc, and apple cider. Two reserve wines, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, have been aged in limousin oak barrels.
"The reception has been fantastic," said Vittori. "Many of our customers, who have been coming to the orchard for years, have been very excited to see us start a winery right here in Richmond. In fact, several have asked me if we are going to continue with our orchard activities, to which the answer is Å’absolutely yes."
Hilltop Orchards, established in the early 1900's, today produces over 20 varieties of apples, plums, pears and grapes, and is the largest producer of fresh apple cider in the Berkshires. The Hilltop Orchards Farm Store stocks fresh baked goods, local produce and cheeses, as well as apples, cider and cider donuts. Pick-your-own apples will be available from late August through the end of the harvest in October. The Orchards and Winery are open Friday-Sunday, 9-5, located on Rt. 295 in Richmond, ten minutes from Tanglewood.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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