When the Inn at Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards opened within the spring of 2022, it joined the already beloved standalone yurts that the Nicewonder household opened within the fall of 2021.
The extension was solely pure, given their 450 acres of countryside in Bristol, Virginia; 28 rooms and suites now have unparalleled entry to the award-winning vines and Appalachian farmland that the household positioned the property on the map with.
Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards
Although Nicewonder Farm dates again to 1990, when the Nicewonder household started creating the intensive plot of land, the additions to hospitality haven’t slowed. Kevin Sutherland, winery supervisor and winemaker at Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards, mentions the newly launched Tasting Room, the place company can join a winery tour and tasting flight on the bar then buy their favourite bottle of wine and comfortable up subsequent to the hearth pit on the brick patio to savor it amongst nature. Sutherland additionally teases wine-centric spa remedies to be added to the lineup this autumn.
The true expertise, although, is considerably immersive and ongoing, with company who at present test into the Inn instantly encompassed by 13 acres of grapevines. The vines that the rooms overlook develop the grapes that outcome within the proprietary wine, that are all obtainable to company all through their keep, whether or not on the new tasting room or ought to they need to wander by means of the winery in their very own time.
The primary wine obtainable to company was viognier, however the portfolio has since developed to additionally embrace chardonnay, merlot, cabernet franc, and petit verdot underneath the Nicewonder household label, derived from the Nicewonder household crest, explains Sutherland. Beneath, Sutherland discusses extra about Nicewonder’s growth over time, particularly because it pertains to evolving the wine program for inhouse company.
Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards
Jillian Dara: Who did you’re employed with to create this wine and the way did you resolve on these key companions?
Kevin Sutherland: Initially a customized crush, we partnered with winemaker Michael Shaps (a Virginia-based winemaker who has pioneered the modern Virginia wine trade, each underneath his personal label and in partnership with wineries all through the state). Now, the wine is produced and bottled on property on my own.
Dara: Why did you assume it was so vital to supply this sort of amenity to your company?
Sutherland: The winery provides an unique and distinctive expertise for our company. Tasting the wine whereas wanting on the winery is a really uncommon expertise. The winery provides a pastoral peace and calm that renders the visitor decompressed and relaxed.
Dara: Other than the wine, how have the bar choices on the resort modified since opening?
Sutherland: The evolution of the bar menu has adopted the seasons and enhances the flavour palate of the culinary program. We just lately opened the Tasting Room on property which permits company to not solely style however buy our wine by the bottles.
Dara: Do you see a shift in visitor’s demand in relation to bar choices?
Sutherland: Visitor’s demand is at all times altering and evolving, subsequently, bar menus should be numerous of their choices, with a gamut of flavors, a variety of sorts of liquor operating from alcohol ahead drinks to people who are extra floral or natural. We’re consistently working to alter and replace our choices relying on the visitor wants.
Dara: What are some wine experiences you may have on property?
Sutherland: We at present provide winery excursions and golden hour tastings (company can style our wine throughout sundown whereas touring the Winery and capturing Instagrammable content material) and our just lately opened Tasting Room. We additionally plan to launch Vineyard Excursions and Chef’s Tables Winery Experiences this fall in addition to incorporate wine into our spa remedies in our Wellness Village coming later this yr.
This interview has been edited for readability and size.
