No.  It’s not that funny weed.  It’s a progressive form of bluegrass called New Grass.  That’s right folks.  New Grass is one of two major sub-genres of bluegrass music.   Join us on Saturday for an afternoon with Old Truck Revival from 4-8pm.  You don’t just tap your foot, your whole body taps.  It’s lively, it’s fun, and it wakes up every one of your sleeping bluegrass cells and invites your body, heart, and soul to join the party.  These guys take that old generations-past style bluegrass and bridge the gap to generation-now.

Join Best Vineyards and the other wineries along Indiana Uplands Wine Trail for celebration of Indiana food and wine.  Enjoy an evening of delectable bites from three area chefs during a food and wine challenge where you pick the winner.  Sip mouthwatering cocktails from an award winning mixologist featuring Indiana grown wines.  Learn about the exciting new Indiana Uplands AVA and what it means to Indiana.  Taste foods prepared by local artisans.  And, sample a selection of the award winning wines from the wineries of the Uplands Wine Trail.

Proceeds from the silent auction will benefit the “Local Growers Guild.”  The Guild serves to strengthen the local food economy and raise awareness of local food and the farm-to-table philosophy by promoting Indiana food producers and farms among retailers and patrons, providing grower education, and advocating for small farms on a state and national level.  Our contribution to the silent auction is based on the theme, “What are little boys made of?  It includes an over-sized baby quilt, a mini Radio Flyer wagon, a fold’n’store Radio Flyer tricycle, a framed print, and a hand crafted stuffed puppy.

As the Full House band began to set up their equipment and start their  sound checks before their performance on Saturday, the neighborhood gators started crawling in.  Even the brief shower couldn’t stop this group from having fun.  A big thanks to all the folks who came out to enjoy the music.  If you missed them this past weekend, be sure to check them out again on October 12.

The Chosen 6ix rocked the lawn on Saturday, June 22.  This group of youngsters did an awesome job.  A crowd of family, friends and dedicated wine connoisseurs were on hand to cheer the band on during their first official performance at the winery.  Their set list even included an original song written by their teacher/director, Marty Hublar.  

If you missed the group, don’t worry.  They will be back on September 28th.

The Best family donated 10% of the days proceeds to the American Cancer Society in memory of their cousin, Cassie Jean Haggard-Gill, who passed away on June 19th.

Nothing says summer more than ice cold, sweet, juicy watermelon.  Enjoy this wonderful Sangria recipe this holiday weekend with family and friends.

Watermelon Sangria

2 cups watermelon, balled or cubed, reserve juice
1 cup strawberries, quartered
2 cups white grapes

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 pkg unsweetened Watermelon Kool Aid drink mix**
1 1/2 cups water

1/3 cup Strawberry Flame
1 750ml bottle Hummingbird Red 2010
1 liter club soda, chilled

Watermelon slices w/ rind for garnish

Remove stems from strawberries and slice into 4 pieces.  Pluck grapes from stem.  Place grapes and strawberries in freezer.  Mix Kool Aid, water and sugar in a pitcher to make a simply syrup.  Stir until sugar is dissolved completely.  Add watermelon pieces, reserved juice, Strawberry Flame and Hummingbird Red.  Chill 2 – 24 hours.  To serve, pour Sangria mixture into a large bowl and blend with club soda.  Add frozen grapes and strawberries. Serve in tall glasses (with or without ice).  Garnish with watermelon wedge.

Enjoy!

Great concert on Saturday.  The Concrete Canyon Cowboys entertained the crowd from 4-8pm with a little Skynyrd, a little Hank, and a whole lot of good ol’ boy music.  Thanks to Hugh, Marty and the rest of the band for a great afternoon.  (Forgot to check the batteries in the camera before leaving home so there’s only one picture from Saturday.)

Our next musical group, The Chosen 6ix, was on hand at various times throughout the concert to support their teacher (and CCC drummer), Marty Hublar.  This youthful group will perform in the gazebo on Saturday, June 22.  The concert will also be a MDS fundraiser.  The “Jonesin’ for a Cure” team will be cooking up burgers, chicken, and more.  A portion of the wine sales for the day will also be donated to MDS.

So, even if you’re not a wine drinker, stop by for some good music and help support a great cause.  Remember to bring you chairs to sit on the lawn and as always children are welcome when accompanied by a responsible adult.

Concrete Canyon Cowboys – In Concert 4-8pm

Join us on Saturday from 4-8pm as Hugh Bir and his band start off our concert season with a bang.  Bring a picnic basket and sit on the lawn for an enjoyable afternoon of great music.  Children & young adults under 21 are welcome when accompanied by a responsible adult.   We’ll have our small ($7) and large ($12) cheese trays back along with our signature Chocolate Cream Cheese ($5).  Plenty of cold wine and Sangria will also be on hand for those over 21 to enjoy and we’ll have soft drinks and water available for the younger crowd.

Vintage Indiana

Thank you to everyone who defied Mother Nature last Saturday and ventured forth in Indianapolis at the Vintage Indiana Wine Festival.  There were a few sprinkles in the afternoon but otherwise, you couldn’t have asked for better weather.  The volunteers helping us to pour wine were great.  We hope everyone had an opportunity to try out the Strawberry Cupcakes in the Yours Truly Foods tent with Diana and Betty.  Those scrumptious pink treats were made with our own Best Vineyards Strawberry wine.

Thank you to everyone who visited out booths at the Newburgh Wine & Jazz festival, the Nicholasville Wines & Vines, and the New Albany Farmer’s Market on Saturday, May 18th.    If you missed us last weekend, don’t worry.  We’ll be out and about again on Saturday, May 25, at the New Albany Farmer’s Market from 8-1pm and at the Southern Indiana Uncorked Festival in Corydon from 3-9pm.  Be sure to stop by at Uncorked and check out some of the spectacular savings available during our “Event Only Wine Sale.”

Here are a few pictures of the bud break in the vineyard from a few weeks ago. Everything is greening up nicely.

April 13th, 14th, 20th & 21st are the dates for another 2 weekends of fabulous food and wine on the Indiana Uplands Wine Trail.  This year Best Vineyards is doing Japan.  So come on out and see what you think of our selection of tasty goodies this year. 

Tickets are on sale now at http://aroundtheworld2013.eventbrite.com/ or you can buy them at any winery on the trail. 

Check out http://www.indianauplands.com/events/around-the-world-in-the-indiana-uplands/ for the complete details.

Hope to see you there!