big cork vineyards

On a boring Friday, my sister invited me to join her for a little shopping (errands) and then lunch at the newly opened Big Cork Vineyards. She had also invited friends (who are also local Real Estate agents) to sample the wines, the locally sourced foods, and the elegant ambiance of the tasting room. For a brand new venue that is working hard to provide an upscale experience, the customer service, the freshness and artistry of the food preparation, and the variety of wines to be experienced has been fine-tuned. I had their tomato and cucumber salad and mushroom and truffle oil bruschetta--simple, bright, filling, complex tastes but uncomplicated. We also did a wine tasting--a mix of whites and reds--and there was not one I didn't like. Definitely will return!

Visiting Big Cork Vineyards during their Fall Festival wasn't a typical wine tasting experience. Along with live music, they hosted a local creamery (selling ice cream and cheeses), someone selling avocado-based foods, and an outfit with bar-b-que sandwiches. There were activities for the kids (bouncy castle, if I recall), a pumpkin patch, and probably a few other diversions. The environment was fun, and Big Cork obviously went to a lot of effort to plan and host the event. We made a beeline for the wine tasting tables when we arrived late in the afternoon. Maybe the folks pouring were just exhausted, but they were not welcoming or chatty in the least. That's a HUGE mistake, especially for a new winery. The pourers influence your opinions and impressions of the wine tremendously. They offered very little information about the wines, the vineyard, or the winemaker. Again, not smart business. We paid $5 each for sampling 7 wines from the list. Of the 7 I tried, I rate the rose and the dessert wines good. But the others were just average. We did not buy a bottle, which for us is rare. I wouldn't mind trying Big Cork again after they fine tune their wine tasting program. Although I was disappointed in the wines, I don't think it's fair to judge them harshly on a festival day---and before they have had a few seasons of production.