Taste Pioneer Valley Vineyard

On a recent fall weekend I had the opportunity to taste some incredible fruit wines at Hatfield's Pioneer Valley Vineyard.



This small, family-owned winery tucked away off the beaten path in Hatfield is open weekends till December for tastings, and naturally your gift-shopping needs.




While their grape wines are decent, I recommend the fruit wines, such as apple, cranberry and raspberry. Pair your wine selections with chocolate, pistachio or fruit for the ultimate taste experience.



While the growing season is over, Casey Burt is busy racking and bottling this summer's grape and fruit harvest. Due to the wettest summer we've had in New England in a long time, this fall's grape harvest was not so hot.

Northampton voters return Higgins (suicide is an option)

So Northampton, you voted for more of Clare. Might I remind you voters what you inherit (again) from more of the same: disappearing vistas (Village Hill anyone?), closed-door policy ("we're sorry the Mayor is not "hearing" you, would you like to speak to her dog?"), downtown economic downturn (finally Main Street shoppers will get to choose from any number of "Dollar Stores"), and of course; the cult of Clare (whiny pseudo-libs who's only agenda is a personal one).
Then there's this puff-piece from the Gazette that makes me chuckle: