Plus, until Patrick and The Professor send me photos and news to write about, I am going to start writing about whatever I feel like. =)

Our latest label at the printer as we speak, and I have to be honest that when Robert Foley (Co-Founder of Neshobe River Winery, and he who will henceforth be referred to simply as “The Professor”) told me that they were going to make a wine called “Purple Haze,” I didn’t want to admit that I wasn’t sure which song that was. I am a bit embarrassed to admit it, because Purple Haze is one of those songs that you always hear people referring to, and until now, I just nodded along like I knew what people were talking about when they spoke about that song. In the interest of making a label that had some sort of relevance to it’s namesake, I did what people do when they are unsure about something…I googled it.

As per usual, Google and YouTube both came through…

As it turns out, I knew the song the whole time. Anyway, with the 40th Anniversary of Woodstock coming up this year, Patrick (the winemaker) and The Professor have come up with a tribute wine in honor of the event. Needless to say, it is called “Purple Haze.”

My approach to label design is mainly based around photos. I tried and tried to come up with something that would convey the feeling of both the song and Woodstock. I made labels with guitars, birds, peace signs, Jimi Hendrix, and every other Woodstocky cliche thing that I could think of, and they were all crap. Finally, after hours of frustration, and more caffeine than any human should ever have at one time, I came up with something.

In addition to being a killer winemaker, Patrick is also a really talented photographer. This past winter, I watched him put on waterproof waders, get into Neshobe River (when it was like negative 300 degrees outsude) and take this photo of the reflections on the river…

I thought that if I turned the picture purple it would look kind of like tye-dye or something (what can I say, I had trouble fully letting go of the cliches), but I think it worked out. So, we have the tye-dye for Woodstock and the River to represent Brandon and the Winery. Im a genius, Yay (sort of…not really).

Anyway, come by the winery, soon Purple Haze will be available to try (and because of the new Vermont wine law, you can do more than try it, you can buy it one glass at a time!), The Professor can tell you why he has that nickname, and Patrick can show you some photos from Vermont, Africa and Hawaii. And while you are there, make sure you tell those two how awesome you think the label is so that I don't get fired. =)

http://www.fox44.net/global/video/popup/pop_playerLaunch.asp?vt1=v&clipFormat=flv&clipId1=3727889&at1=News&h1=New VT Law Helps State Wineries

Vermont Winemakers will now have an expanded ability to sample and sell their own and other manufacturer’s products at their vineyards.  In addition, the new law…

• Allows wineries to sell products produced by other manufacturers at their manufacturing premises;
• Allows wineries to hold events on their licensed premises or vineyard property and in addition to sales by the bottle, allows them to sell wine and beer by the glass or give a small amount for free for tasting purposes;
• Allows wineries to rent their locations for events such as weddings and allow the tasting of their wines and sale of wine and beer at such events; Allows wineries to taste and sell fortified wines such as port, that they have produced, by the bottle or by the glass at the licensed premises or at a farmers’ market;
• Allows manufacturers or rectifiers of spirits to sell their products by the glass or bottle and offer tastings at the manufacturing premises;
• Allows in-state manufacturers to taste, in addition to sell by the glass or bottle, products they have produced (malt, vinous or spirits) at a special event open to the public; and
• Changes residency requirements for liquor license applicants, by removing the Vermont and municipal residency requirements for individuals whether alone, in a partnership, or directors of a corporation.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?id=1762137090&ref=nf

We will be updating our profile frequently with information about the winery as well as locations and dates for events that we will be attending.  Our facebook friends will also receive special offers that are only available through facebook.

As an added bonus, as one of our friends, you will have the opportunity to see rare photos of the talented, but rarely photographed Foley Men, who are the backbone of Neshobe River Winery.  Exciting.

See you on facebook!

We are a small, family run winery,  located at the Old Mill Inn Bed and Breakfast in the town of Brandon, Vermont. The property is backed by the 5th hole of the Neshobe Golf Course and the Neshobe River runs through the front of the property. We have a small vineyard and a suppliment of grapes obtained from Vermont, California, and the Finger Lakes.

The tasting room will operate weekends (Friday-Sunday) starting in May through to October. During the month of October, we will be open every day, and will close on October 31st. In addition, throughout the week of July 4th we will be open every day. Wine products and tastings will be available at the Inn during November and December.

The winery and grounds are available for functions and parties during the operational season.

For more information, you can reach us at 802.247.8002, or through our website

http://www.neshoberiverwinery.com