Getting ready for the busy season!

By Kara Wilson, Wedding and Events Coordinator

Say good-bye April, hello May!

Last Friday, the staff and I spent time sampling local products. We tried Onion Creek Farm‘s Wing Nuts, Finger Lakes Farmstead Cheese, Laraia’s Handmade Mozzarella, Lively Run Goat Dairy and Organic Once Again Nut Butters. What a feast we had! Everything was absolutely delicious. Mike “Ollie” Oliver, Chef at Blue Heron Café, joined us in our tasting. We are looking to combine the local products in the Café as well as sell them in the gift shop. The Lively Run Goat Dairy products were amazing. The Chevre melted in your mouth. Ollie will be using Laria’s hand-made Mozzarella in his sample dishes in the up coming week.

As we were finishing our late morning snacks, Jeff from Food, Wine & Friends showed up with several gourmet hors d’oeuvres. He made bruschetta, cucumbers with salmon, tomatoes with basil and mozzarella, and taco dip with fresh guacamole. Everything was fabulous. We devoured every last parcel while sipping on the Classic Dry Riesling.

As we were finishing our late afternoon sampling, Crystal City Party Center started assembling our summer tents. I was finally able to see what I will be working with this summer. The wedding tent is huge. It will be perfect for our Bride and Groom’s Special Day! Soon we will be scrubbing chairs, cleaning the carpet and hanging the decorations. Wedding season kicks off June 27th this year!

The terrace furniture was set-up as well. The weather invited many visitors to share a bottle of wine on the terrace this past weekend. Two more months and our summer music series will start. We have a very talented line up this year. Be sure to stop up on Sunday’s from 12:30 to 4:30 and share in our summer fun.

The Café opens May 15th. Chef Ollie has done a fantastic job on the menu. Everything he has created is scrumptious. We are excited to open the Café for our summer visitors as well.


Also, I have been working hard to re-arrange the gift shop and bring in new products. We have many new local and wine related products to offer this year. We have everything you need for gifts, dinner parties as well as specialty foods.


I know it is only May but here at Heron Hill we are in full swing for summer. Help us welcome the season by stopping up and enjoying our fine wines, delicious food and spectacular view!