June 10-16, 2004

food

Hanging at Chadds

by A.D. Amorosi

Know what I've never warmed up to in my life? Picnics. All the idleness and lolling about, trying to eat food that grows incrementally colder while neighboring families wear shorts and make disturbing gnashing noises. Not for me. That is, until I discovered what it meant to loll productively among cooler crowds of peeps. That'd be the Chaddsford Winery's annual Vineyard Picnic. Set across the green acres and pristine pastoral environment of the Miller Estate in northern Chester County is Eric Miller's Estate Vineyard; an eight-mile-wide area where the grapes are grown for use by the vintner in Chaddsford Wineries' goods.

"Most people never get a chance to get out and see vineyards, so we host this annual picnic so they can see more than is available when they come to the winery," says partner/co-founder Lee Miller about the presentation of vines, from Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay to Merlot and Syrah, showing grape growth and what makes each one unique. "Most people love to see grapes on the vine, and it makes them realize that we are truly in the agricultural business." Established in 1982, the Brandywine Valley's premier winery has become a destination spot not unlike a mini-tour of the Napa Valley. There's a peek into winemaking and barrel-aging facilities with tours of Chaddsford's cellars, and wine tastings to boot. At the same time as opening up the vineyards, the Millers have also opened picnic grounds and hang spaces, with live country music fests to go with the guzzling and sipping of their wines.

"This is a once-a-year opportunity for the public to see where the wines really begin," says Eric Miller of the picnic. His family's grounds include the converted 17th-century colonial barn where it all started for the Millers, going from selling 3,000 cases locally in '82 to its current status of 30,000 cases throughout the U.S.

"They can tour our estate vineyard with our vineyard manager and hear about how the season's going, the effects of last year's tough winter, and what we're expecting this year," says Eric. "Once you see the vines growing, and realize that they are a product of site, soil, climate and day-to-day weather, you have a much better understanding of what makes each wine unique and different each vintage. The French call this terroire!"

This is what you'll call magnifique!

Vineyard Picnic, presented by Chaddsford Winery at the Miller Estate, Sat., June 12, $10. Reservations required. Chaddsford Winery, 632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, 610-388-6221.