Vintners enjoy fruits of their laborDate: 11/7/2014 WESTFIELD – For more than a decade, Gene and Susan Kosinski of Kosinski Farms on Russellville Road had dreamed of opening a winery.
Their dream came to fruition in July when they officially opened Raven Hollow Winery on a picturesque plot with Montgomery Mountain as a backdrop.
On a recent rainy Saturday afternoon, Susan Kosinski was delighted to share the vision they both had for so many years during an interview with Reminder Publications.
“Our winery is unique because it is run by family and friends of our family,” she said, adding their children are interested in the farm and winery so she sees longevity of their businesses.
“Our apple, strawberry and blueberry wines in particular feature the fruits we grow,” she added.
The winery also offers a Raspberry Wine, Orange Wine, Pineapple Wine, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Merlot and a Petite Verdot. Melanie Carter is the tasting server who works behind the wine bar and explains each wine and its unique flavors. Jason Baade is the winery’s vintner.
“Starting in 2015 we will offer tours of the process and will once again host entertainment on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays,” said Kosinski.
The knotty pine tasting room boasts a wide assortment of gift ideas for the wine connoisseur, ranging from delightful plaques and wine bottle holders to coasters, carafes, cheese trays and colorful corks.
The cost is $7 for a wine glass and a sampling of four wines. Wines range in price from $18 to $24.
Dr. Paul Taylor and his wife Gail of Feeding Hills were on hand enjoying a tasting and both gave their choices a “two thumbs up.”
Over the years the couple noted they’ve traveled to the Finger Lakes, Long Island, California and Oregon enjoying wineries along the way, and always come back to those wineries close to home.
“You don’t have to travel thousands of miles for wine because we have wineries in our backyard,” said Paul Taylor, adding, “We’ll be back.”
The tasting and sales room is open Fridays, 4 to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 1 to 8 p.m., and Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m. IDs are checked by Carter.
In addition to the wine-related gift ideas, Kosinski noted that the farm’s own chili sauce, Screaming Hornets BBQ Sauce, cherry salsa, peach and apple pie preserves, cranberry orange marmalade, and grape and red currant jellies are also available for sale. Additionally, North Hadley Sugar Shack maple syrup is offered, as well as Wine Country Kitchens Garlic Parmesan and Barrel-Aged Balsamic dipping oils. A cooler in the back of the tasting room also features trays of cheese and crackers and wine that can be purchased and sipped outside on the expansive porch or in the back on picnic tables overlooking the mountain.
For the holiday season, Kosinski will offer gift baskets and bags that can be tailored to one’s own tastes, as well as baked goods including garlic breads, cheese breads, pumpkin bread, zucchini bread and cranberry nut bread. Apple cider, doughnuts and cookie platters will also be available.
Kosinski said she sees the winery already poised for expansion, and looks forward to its 2015 Tropical Series wine launch, a Pumpkin Spice wine set to debut next fall, and unique cooking wines including garlic, onion, and pepper.
Also, the family has plans for several reserve wines, and new wine flavors include peach, strawberry rhubarb, nectarine, cherry and plum.
“We will also extend our grape wines to include Riesling, cabernet sauvignon, and sauvignon blanc,” she said.
The grapes are currently purchased from the Napa Valley in California.
“We are very pleased with Napa Valley so for consistency we will continue to use those grapes,” she added.
For more information, call 562-0259. The winery’s website, www.ravenhollowinery.com, is expected to be operational by Nov. 11.
|
