An End of Summer Reunion

Me, Momma Singleton and my friend, Keli

When I met Keli in 1997 in Bumstead Hall at Clark Atlanta University, I knew she would be a lifelong friend. She was a fellow DIIIIIVAAA and we really got to know each other on the Dorm Step Team. Here we are 21 years later – still one of my best friends.  When I am in the country we try to meet once a year.  Last year Mom and I went to St. Louis, where she is from, so this year Keli and her Mom blessed us with a visit to Virginia.  Mom and I could not wait to host these two and the weekend was FABULOUS! 

They say, “Virginia is For Lovers” because you truly can get everything you love in Virginia – and what we chose to love was history, wine, good food, amazing scenic views and moonshine.  (Well the moonshine was in Wild and Wonderful West Virginia, but more on that later).

Richmond, VA - Food and History 

Hundreds flock to Washington DC to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture but did you know in Richmond, VA there is a wonderful option:  Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia (122 W Leigh St, Richmond, VA 23220, http://blackhistorymuseum.org/).  It is less crowded, interactive and their gift store sells reasonably priced purses, shirts, shoes and earrings created with traditional African materials (kente, chitenge, etc) as well as  featuring art created by local Black artists! You can buy the tickets online or upon arrival for $10. Unfortunately, during our visit the second floor was closed as they prepare for a new exhibit which is set to start 28 September:  Fighting for the Right to Fight (http://blackhistorymuseum.org/event/fighting-for-the-right-to-fight/). I would highly recommend a visit!

Keli finds a plant in the corner and sees a photo op …

I clearly support this haha

After the museum, it was time to eat.  What better place to have a late lunch than Momma J’s Kitchen (http://mamajskitchen.com/)! The restaurant was a short walk from the museum.  We had a 40 minute wait as the location is small but the wait was worth it! The food was amazing!  Mom and I both enjoyed the fried pork chops.  I enjoyed mine with rice and collard greens while mom ordered a side of macaroni and cheese as well as collard greens.  The macaroni and cheese was AMAZING and I almost wish I ordered that instead but with my pork chops smothered in homemade gravy, the rice was perfect! For dessert, please request the homemade buttercream on buttercream cake – it was moist and amazing!  We were advised that their homemade coconut / pineapple cake is their #1 seller.  Now to figure out WHEN I can return to try a slice of that cake!  

I asked for the gravy on the side...trying to be responsible LOL

It's wine time!

Sip, sip away Saturday

The rain, rain, went away (thank you for skipping us Florence!) a\nd this meant we were ready for a beautiful day in Purceville, VA – it’s wine time! First vineyard up, Breaux Vineyard: https://www.breauxvineyards.com/!  The view at Breaux Vineyard is gorgeous! My friend and I enjoyed a standard wine tasting and we both really enjoyed a wine that was not on the tasting menu:  2013 Meritage.  It is a bold, big bodied wine.  Great for pairing with steak or simply sitting and catching up with friends.

Tasting Menu

Wine and a View

Meritage 2013

Hey ladies!

After enjoying a tasting, a bottle of the 2013 Meritage and catching up, we all decided it was time to move to the next vineyard which was less than a mile away – 868 Estate Vineyard: https://868estatevineyards.com/.  This vineyard was very accommodating when it came to the tasting options.  They allowed one of us to only do white wine, red wine as well as an Elevated tasting which included sweet and salty bites paired perfectly with their wine.  I would suggested the Elevated Tasting as the nibbles were delicious and paired very nicely with the wine.  My favorite pairing was the 2016 Merlot (what? MERLOT?? Yes, Merlot) with the red wine poached sackel pear, goat cheese and truffle oil.  So many flavors that compliment each other and the pear was perfectly crisp.

Elevated Tasting Bites

This tasting may or may not ruin your appetite but if it does not, please do yourself a favor and dine at the restaurant on the property – Grandale (https://868estatevineyards.com/grandale-restaurant/)!  Mom started the party by ordering the Prawn Charmoula.  The prawns were perfectly cooked and the sauce was spicy, buttery, perfect.  Keli enjoyed the Mesclin Salad.  The strawberries were sweet and this sweetness was perfectly joined by the saltiness of the goat cheese and pecans. Momma Singleton opted for a small meal so she chose the Short Rib Poutine and enjoyed every single bite! “These sweet potatoes remind me of my own… I have not had sweet potatoes this good outside of my house!” She was impressed!  For dinner my mother ordered and very much enjoyed the Duck Breast.  My friend Keli and I both enjoyed the 6oz Filet Mignon.  It was perfectly cooked and accompanied by fingerling potatoes and asparagus.  You would think we would not have room for dessert but we did!  The table shared the Three Berry Crème Brulee and the Cheesecake drizzled with fresh honey and granola.  Please skip the crème brulee and spoil yourself with the cheesecake.  It was the best cheesecake I have ever had! The honey provided just enough sweetness and the granola a special crunch with the crust.  Amazing!

The Prawn Charmoula

Mesclin Salad

Short Rib Poutine

6oz Filet Mignon 

Duck Breast

Thre Berry Crème Brulee

The Cheesecake.  Please save room for this!

OK now we are full and ready for one last tasting.  We cross state lines and enter Wild and Wonderful West Virginia.  Why?  Moonshine and Gambling ha Before checking into our hotel and going to the Casino, we stop at the Bloomery Distillery (http://bloomerysweetshine.com/).  The tasting is free and while the pours appear small, trust me, that is all you need.  We tasted 9 (yes, NINE) different moonshines and they were amazing!  I purchased my favorite three:  Cre (botanical goodness – think “will pair well with gin!”), Ginger Shine (sweet and spicy, like biting into fresh ginger) and Crema Lemma (reminds me of a creamy limoncello – a creamy after dinner option).

There really is not a reason to talk much about the casino haha (I did win my money back plus $160 so I left happy ha).  Keli learned (somewhat) how to play roulette and apparently I should bet on RED.  It was hard to find a poker table that was not overcrowded but next time she learns to play poker!

Spa Day Sunday

Finally, no vacation is complete with a little spa time.  The day before departing, Keli and I enjoyed 90 minute massages at Stafford Massage and Healing Arts (http://staffordvamassage.com/).  This is my regular go to for a massage as well as for facials.  Of course Keli really enjoyed her time there as well!  Not only are they reasonably priced ($105 for a 90 minute massage) but there are other services such as an oxygen bar, energy work, a meditation room and much more.  The energy is cleansing and they are here for your overall well-being.   This is also where I purchase my sage and other herbs to purify my home, bedroom and general space. After the spa we enjoyed wine, sake, sushi and girl chat.

Spa Time

Sushi Time

All in all it was an amazing long weekend, filled with love, great chats, hugs, food, wine and bonding. We are in talks about our next Mother/Daughter adventure, but it is looking like July in Chicago 2019! 

"Close friends are truly life's treasures". Vincent van Gogh

The Cocktail of the Weekend: The Snow White Bite Martini
 (2oz Vodka, 1oz Crown Apple, 1oz Sour Apple Pucker and a dash of orange bitters.
Shake with ice, serve straight up).  
**Just give me credit if you use recipe and photograph** XOXO 

Old Farms, New Experiences: A Day of Wine Tasting in Cape Town

Ingrid and I after amazing pedicures!

Upon arriving in Cape Town for a short girls weekend, my friend Ingrid and I enjoyed amazing pedicures at de'Vara Day Spa (http://www.devaradayspa.co.za/).  The view was spectacular - a clear day with a clear view of the ocean and Table Mountain. We spoiled ourselves and bought a bottle of bubbly to enjoy as we relaxed and enjoyed our pedicures.

Bubbly and a view

During this short girls weekend also on the itinerary was a wine tour to farms located in Paarl and Stellenbosch.  During a short girls weekend a day wine tasting was a MUST!  And as many times as I have sipped in Paarl and Stellenbosch it was nice to have some new memories made at four of my favorite farms!  

Stellenbosch is a little over 30 miles from Cape Town, while Paarl is almost 40 miles from Cape Town.  Both are a world renowned wine destination and a must visit!  As a frequent visitor to Cape Town I have visited quite a few wine farms in both Paarl and Stellenbosch and as always it was nice to visit again.

We started early - at 9am - and packed plenty of water as hydration would be key on a long day of wine tourin' and sippin'!  The first vineyard would be my favorite - Fairview! Fairview wine farm is located in Paarl and if you know me, you know this is by far my favorite wine farm in Cape Town!  I am a huge fan of their Master Tasting - the olive oil, the cheese and of course, the wine, their Pinotage being my favorite!

** See a previous entry of an experience at my favorite farm here:  Wine and Cheese of South Africa **

  

The Master tasting costs R80 per person (estimated $5.55) and includes the wine tasting displayed in the photos below.  As many times as I have frequented this farm, I have never tried their 2012 Brokken Barrel.  I was a fan and for the first time I left this farm NOT with a bottle of Pinotage but with a bottle of this wine and of course the sun dried tomato and herb goat cheese to go with it! Around the world you can find their amazing wines under the label, Goats do Roam.  If you are in Cape Town you must find your way to Fairview Wine Farm (http://www.fairview.co.za/tasting-room/)!

The next farm on our wine tour list was Simonsig (http://www.simonsig.co.za/). Known for their bubbly or Methode Cap Classique (MCC), the last time I was at the farm I only tried their bubbly variety.  We started this tasting off by cleansing our pallet with their Kaapse Vonkel Brut. Ashlee graciously opened the bottle with a sword! We poppin' bottles - literally!

Follow Ashlee on her blog:  http://www.willdrinkfortravel.com/

The tasting included their Chenin Blanc, Chenin avec Chene (a wooded Chenin Blanc), Pinotage and their Cape Blend. Surprisingly, as a red wine lover, I found myself a fan of the Chenin avec Chene! Ultimately, I left the farm with a bottle of the Chenin avec Chene and their Pinotage.

By this time we are all a bit tipsy and needing real food.  So our next stop was Tokara wine farm (http://www.tokara.co.za/).  The last time I was at this gorgeous farm was for their brandy and chocolate tasting.  I was looking forward to a new experience at this farm!  We were seated for lunch and wow the view! 

Our lunch view

We each enjoyed the view with an aperitif as we looked over the lunch menu to make a decision on what we should enjoy.  We all decided to enjoy one of three dishes and share a little with the group so we all could enjoy the amazing food! With lunch I enjoyed a glass of 2012 Tokara Cabernet Sauvignon.

How does one decide?!

I enjoyed the springbok - it was full of flavor
and tender!

We all enjoyed a bite of the miso beef!

The line fish was perfectly cooked and
full of flavor!

We were full but who could stop us from enjoying these amazing desserts?!  We also shared bites of this decadence!  Ultimately, I left the farm with a bottle of the wine that I enjoyed with lunch.  If you are in Stellenbosch and looking for amazing views, service and food - please stop to have lunch at Tokara wine farm!  You will not regret this decision!  Just be sure to make a reservation!

Olive oil cake with custard and meringue.

Chocolate mousse cake with coffee
ice cream.

The final farm on the tour was Waterford.  It was the perfect farm to end the day. The farm is beautiful and .. grand!  

Before the tasting we were given a short cellar tour.  After the cellar tour we were lead outside to where we would enjoy one of their unique tastings - the Chocolate and Wine Pairing (http://www.waterfordestate.co.za/unique-tasting-experience). This was a delectable experience! Dark, rich chocolate was paired with a Shiraz; salted, slightly sweeter dark chocolate was paired with their Estate Cabernet Sauvignon; and finally, smooth milk chocolate was paired their dessert wine, the Heatherleigh.  As a bonus they also provided a tasting of their 2010 Jem, a very spicy, bold red wine. I left the farm with a bottle of the 2010 Jem and the Heatherleigh. And of course, I had to buy a bar of the salted dark and milk chocolate!  My treat to myself hehehe

A MUST try wine pairing!

Their famous fountain on the farm.

We returned home at approximately 6pm - it was a FULL day of beautiful views, great wines, delicious chocolate, laughter and memories.  I now have new memories at these four farms and of course, would visit again!  

On the road back to reality from an amazing day on
the wine farms.

If you would have loved to experience these farms with me, please add me on snapchat: pmkenney79!  I make my return to Cape Town next month ... it will be my 24th visit to my second home and, as always, will be filled with fun, dancing, wine and great food!  Until then ...

Gorgeous sunset from Cape Town.
Until we meet again ...