Tents in place at Killington's Roaring Brook Umbrella Bars for the Killington Wine Festival

Tents in place at Killington's Roaring Brook Umbrella Bars for the Killington Wine Festival

After a year of planning, we are just hours away from the start of the 11th Annual Killington Wine Festival. And it is a beautiful day in Killington to complete final preparations for this weekends event.

This morning, with several volunteers, I was at the Umbrella Bars at the K1 Base Lodge completing final prep for tomorrows Grand Tasting. 4 tents have been erected around the umbrella bar complex to support the event which is expected to draw hundreds of people to the mountain tomorrow afternoon. With music provided by members of the Adam Ezra Group and a weather prediction of beautiful sunshine and temperatures in the mid 70's, the umbrella bars look like they will provide a perfect venue for tasting wine all afternoon at Killington.

Tonight there are wine events scheduled all over the Killington region. The Estate Tasting, which is sold out, takes place at the Killington Grand Hotel starting at 6:00 PM. The Killington Wine Trail is a new addition to the festival this year, with virtually every restaurant in Killington offering a wine and food special this evening in conjunction with the wine festival. In restaurant kitchens all over Killington right now, chefs are preparing for tonight's festivities. At Birch Ridge, in addition to our regular menu, Chef Frizzie has prepared a special appetizer to pair with a delicious Cameron Hughes Sauvignon Blanc. Dinner service begins tonight at the Birch Ridge Inn at 6:00 PM with seating available in both our restaurant and our Great Room Lounge. Mary, Merisa, and Lisa will be holding court in the front of the house this evening, as I will be performing my "official duties" for the Killington Chamber of Commerce at tonight's Estate Tasting at the Killington Grand.

Tomorrow is the big day for the Killington Wine Festival with the Grand Tasting starting at 12 noon for Wine Festival Patrons, and 1:00 PM for general admission. At the Birch Ridge Inn, we follow that up in the evening with our 11th Annual Killington Wine Festival Wine Dinner. Chef Frizzie has a great menu planned to match with some really nice wines from Cameron Hughes. Many other restaurant in Killington also have special wine events planned for Saturday evening as well.

To all of those who have put in hundreds of hours planning this years wine festival, thank you in advance for your support and assistance.

To those of you who are coming to Killington this weekend to enjoy the Wine Festival...have a great time. If it is one thing we know how to do well in Killington it is how to throw a party. Have fun, stay safe, and enjoy all of the great wine and food that people have prepared for the festivities.

And if you can not make it to Killington this week, where ever you may be keep it in the fairway, and don't forget your sun screen!