Posted by “After the first glass of absinthe you see things as you wish they were. After the second you see them as they are not. Finally you see things as they really are, and that is the most horrible thing in the world. I mean disassociated.” – Oscar Wilde
It all started with a cold day in NoVA. We headed out to West Virginia with the intention of a hike around Harper’s Ferry. It ended with a good bunch of liquor and drinks later.
1st stop was a wine and small bites pairing at 868, an adorable farm winery that has an associated restaurant next door.
Bottom to top for the bites is top to bottom on the wine list below.
Everything was perfectly paired with their bites. The reds were just earthy enough to be reminiscent of a good steak, and the whites were crisp and fruit forward, more for a good summer day.
After lunch at Grandale Vinter’s Table (the restaurant) we trekked our way to Cotoctin Creek Distillery. Virginia ABC laws state that you cant have more than 4 pours, and you cant have more than 3 oz of hard liquor. So, I ordered 4 mini cocktails all yielding 0.5 oz of 3 rye whiskeys and a gin.
These cocktails rotate, so it’s always a good idea to swing by and see what pourin’.
Once sufficiently too sober for a Sunday Funday, we transported ourselves to Middleburg, VA, to Mt. Defiance Cidery and Distillery. Here, you have the same ABC laws, so I ordered 3 cocktails, together adding to 3 oz. The Chocolate Covered cherry was delicious, and the Hot Buttered Rum is always good. I asked Kimberly to make me a drink that wasn’t on the menu and used one of their syrups. I got ginger and rum sprinter that was deliciously ginger. Definitely awesome. My friend ordered the Absinthe, which is one of their staples. It’s quite the interesting process when its poured, and worth checking out while you’re in the vacinity of this small town gem.
I did mention a cidery above… well the main store of Mt. Defiance was getting really busy, so we decided to head to their new location, the Barn. Which only pours cider. We tried them all, including the vermouth spritzer, and let me tell ya, that was the best thing on their menu! I’d go back just to order 10 of those and enjoy the view.
After that, we made our way to my favorite eatery, Bites Grilled Chesse and Wine Bar where we ordered some sandwiches (the Hamilton and the lola) and some tomato basil bisque, a beer and some white peach sangria. Rounded out the day nicely, and I was still in bed by 8 PM! Subsequently, we work a 9-5, so work the next day was a little rough, but worth every stop!
To close out this adventure, I figured I would show where it all began, St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church in Harper’s Ferry, WV.
Until next time!
Jessica
Geek Havok 