Joie de Vivre - Picking Raspberries and Sipping Wine

As we get closer to the beginning of the days of summer with sunny blue skies, bright sun and green grass, its time to begin planning some of our summer events in the beautiful countryside of Virginia and Maryland.

View from Bluemont vineyard

Our first of many outdoor summer events, will be a visit to the countryside on a wishfully bright Saturday morning, where we will stop by a local farm, just in time of the year, where the raspberries and cherries are waiting to be picked and wine to be sipped on a hilltop patio with great views of the surrounding landscape of mountains and a far glimpse of the city skyline.

Picking Black Raspberries and Tart Cherries

Our choice for the farm fruit pickings is the Great Country Farms, which is a working farm situated at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains outside the village of Bluemont, VA.

Black raspberries which are rare treats ripen in the middle of June, and they go very quickly. The best picking technique is to pluck just the ripe dark black raspberries from the tips of the canes. Black raspberries are lower in sugar than most berries and also contain a lot of fiber and antioxidants.

Great Country Farms, Virginia

The farm also has tart cherries for picking in June which are rich in vitamins A and C, and in beta-carotene. Cherry skins split easily, so the best picking technique is to pluck the fruit with the entire stem attached. Tart cherries can be used for juice, preserves, sauces, and pie filling.

The admission for picking is $10/adult and the farm has wagon rides that will taken us to the orchard.

Fruit picking conditions are very difficult to predict, so if the raspberries or cherries are not available for picking on a particular day, we can buy them from the farm along with other farm products ranging from local honey, jams, dips, pottery, gift ideas and much more.

Sipping Wine and Enjoying a Scenic View

After we have completed our fruit pickings, we will head over to the Bluemont vineyard, which is half a mile from the farm and perched on top of the hill, with some of the best views of the countryside and the Blue Ridge mountains. We will enjoy a glass of wine or two at the winery.

Please note, the winery does not allow outside food but offers a variety of cheese and charcuterie besides truffles, French bread and sandwiches for purchase.

Event Details

Event: Joie de Vivre - Picking Raspberries and Sipping Wine

Description: Our countryside visit involves stopping by a local farm, where the raspberries and cherries are waiting to be picked and wine to be sipped on a hilltop patio with great views.

Date/Time: Saturday, June 17th, 2017 10:30 AM to 2:00PM

Admission: Free / Grapes & Grains members must RSVP

Tentative Schedule

10:30 am - 12:00 pm - Great Country Farms

18780 Foggy Bottom Rd Bluemont, VA 20135

12:00 - 2:00 pm - Bluemont vineyard
18755 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont, VA 20135

Article Category: Events