In all seasons, Vermont is an iconic place to
visit: winter brings exhilarating skiing and riding, spring features fresh,
pure maple syrup, and summer offers Ben & Jerry's, swimming holes, hiking, and
lazy afternoons. And, of course, autumn brings thousands to the state for
foliage season.
But there's more to Vermont in the fall than
spectacular leaves. Fall is harvest season in this agricultural state renowned
for its artisan food products. So, during your Vermont weekend getaway this
autumn, and in between leaf peeping, hiking, and driving slowly to take in the
view, consider exploring some of Vermont's harvest hot spots.
When visiting Vermont there are a number of great farms and orchards that offer
a taste of the state heritage and home town pride. Vermont is prime apple
country, and you'll find everything from Cortland and Liberty, to Royal Red
Delicious, and a stunning variety of heirloom varieties. Many orchards also
offer fresh apple cider and irresistible cider donuts.
To celebrate the season guests visiting the local
farms may just find one of Vermont 'famous' wooden apples. If you happen to
find one during your time in the orchards this fall, don't toss it aside,
because it means you've won an iPod! The State of Vermont have teamed up
recently with
Vermont based online Apple retailer Small Dog Electronics to create
Apples to iPods.
Who knows what other Free surprises await when you visit a local farm or
orchard in Mid
September, so choose an orchard and get pickin'!
While out and about enjoy the local charm of Vermont's small town's and be sure
to visit one of the state's local wineries, where a glass of organic Vermont
wine will ensure that you wrap up your day in style. Certain varieties of
grapes thrive in Vermont's northern clime, and result in wines that go
head-to-head with the best that Napa, Australia, Chile, France, and Italy
offer. The state is home to several notable wineries that host wine tastings,
and provide tours of the vineyard and wine making process.
Shelburne Vineyard
- located just south of Burlington ' has won multiple awards for their
organically and sustainably grown Riesling, Cayuga, Vidal, and Vignoles wines.
Sample the wines in a spectacular, state of the art 19th-century shingle styled
tasting facility, tour the fields and processing area, and perhaps look into
their organic grape-growing workshops and wine-making classes. For more about
Shelburne Vineyard, visit
www.shelburnevineyard.com.
