Neighbors March 2011 | Page 22

Day Trips After ordering our caramel apple lattes, we put the sofa to good use, chatting while looking at the menu. To our delight, the choices included sandwiches with fresh mozzarella, pesto and tomato! BACK TO BUSINESS We finally headed back to the winery, parking the car and walking up the rugged stone stairs built into a big hill. (Continued from Page 21) HERE’S THE SCOOP Our trip took place in late October on a Saturday. We arrived just after 11:00 am. It seemed a little too early to sample wine, so we drove into downtown Prairie Du Sac, which is quaint with beautiful antique streetlights. WALKING ON AIR It did not take us long to find the perfect place for lunch, selecting the Blue Spoon Creamery, a bistro-type establishment with Tuscan décor. The second we walked in the door my excitement rose to cloudy levels – I was so happy I couldn’t see straight. It took a while for me to settle down and take it all in. They gave us the opportunity to sit on the terrace, which overlooks the river. It was a tad chilly so we passed. Besides, the interior was so beautiful that it seemed wrong not to be inside enjoying it. We happened to notice a wrought iron spiral staircase. Curious as to where it led, we ascended it to the loft above. We immediately knew where we would be spending the next couple of hours. The stairs led to a path that reminded me of a fairy tale. The buildings, to which the path led us, reinforced that feeling. The setting reminded me of Giverny, a tiny, rustic village I visited in Normandy, France where Claude Monet lived and painted many of his fine works of art. We watched a brief video in a building that resembled a barn, sitting on benches similar to church pews, which rested on richly dark hardwood floors. KNOWLEDGE We learned a lot about the property’s history along with interesting facts about the various types of grapes. Most are winter hardy French-American hybrids, but the main grape is a very reliable and versatile Marechal Foch. We toured the fermentation hall and barrel aging room where we were educated all about the wine making process. (Continued on Page 23) A cozy sofa sat up in the loft, accented with a coffee table and books. Ann Marie said it reminded her of Central Perk on the TV series, Friends. Page 22 Neighbors-March 2011