Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Biker Chick, Road Trip and Winery Tour!

Well, the planets aligned and we finally got all the bits and pieces for the motorbike to make longer trips more comfortable AND a weekend we were all free to adventure! Heading slightly northeast from the lake, we traveled some quiet and pretty back roads almost straight across New Brunswick to Richibucto, located on the east coast.  Our destination was Richibucto River Wine Estates where we were signed up for a tour on Saturday afternoon. It was a gorgeous sunny day with perfect temperatures for biking - it's HOT wearing all that equipment on (the girl at the bike shop very seriously when she suggested dressing 'for the slide, not the ride!) so I was well padded! And looking very attractive, I might add, hehehe :)

Living with NB weather all my life, I didn't realize there was any part of the province with a climate suitable for growing grapes - I was wrong.  Right along the beautiful Richibucto River, the winery spreads out over 20 acres of vineyard (with a area for growing Christmas trees as well). Guided by the owner's daughter, we learned about the history of their winery, the grapes they grow, their processes and sampled several of their wines - whites, rose and reds! Delicious! I may have bought a few bottles too :).

We rented a cabin at Chateau de Havres, also right on the river and overlooking the Northumberland Straight. It was breezy and cool, but also beautiful - and the cabins were modern with every convenience.  Although it was too cold to swim, they have a pretty and well appointed pool area and even provide firewood for each cabin's private fire pit! It was a lovely weekend!

Entering the winery

Row after well tended row of beautiful varieties of grapes.

Biker Chick - that's hubs driving and me in the rearview mirror.

This winery even hosts a UPick in the fall for those who want to pick their own
grapes for eating or jam making.

The gang

The owner's daughter preparing for the tasting.
In our travels, we've seen another sign for a winery in Cambridge Narrows - this may be our next trip!

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