Fourth Annual Wine and Chocolate Weekend

Vermont winemakers are hosting their statewide Wine and Chocolate Weekend on February 14 and 15, 2015 to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Fifteen wineries around Vermont open their doors to visitors and will feature samples of their wines with a chocolate confection or another dessert. Many have partnered with local chocolatiers to offer homegrown pairings—flavors only found in Vermont. For more details about the Wine and Chocolate Weekend, please visit the http://VermontGrapeAndWineCouncil.com.

Wineries participating in the Wine and Chocolate Weekend include:

Artesano Mead, Groton. Pairing their premier Sparkling Meads with Lily B's all new truffle cakes. The weekend will also feature local hand-made jewelry and valentines, and a make-your-own beaded earrings session on Sunday with local jewelry artisans. (802) 584-9000; www.artesanomead.com.

Boyden Valley Winery & Spirits, Cambridge. Free wine pairings with local chocolate truffles and chocolate fondue, featuring STiR Chocolates with truffles infused with Vermont Ice Maple Crème liqueur and Vermont Ice Apple Crème liqueur salted caramel. Meet the chocolatier and take home these beautifully crafted truffles to share! Free tours at 11:30am & 1:00pm. Additional promotional offers including Lake Champlain Chocolates while supplies last. (802) 644-8151; www.boydenvalley.com.

Also, Boyden Valley at their new location in Waterbury. Visit the NEW tasting room at Cold Hollow Cider Mill for free wine and local chocolate pairing samples featuring Laughing Moon Chocolate truffles infused with Big Barn Red wine and more. Purchase a heart shaped box filled with these rich, decadent local truffles to make your sweetheart smile. Additional promotional offers including Lake Champlain Chocolates while supplies last. (802) 241-3674; www.boydenvalley.com.

Champlain Orchards, Shoreham. (802) 897-2777; www.champlainorchards.com.

East Shore Vineyard, Burlington. East Shore is pairing their wines with fabulous delights from Laughing Moon Chocolates of Stowe, VT. (802) 859-9463; www.eastshorevineyard.com.

Eden Ice Cider, Newport. (802) 334-1808; www.edenicecider.com.

Fresh Tracks Farm, Berlin. Fresh Tracks Farm will be pairing 4 wines with chocolate made by Nutty Steph's of Middlesex. On Saturday 2-5 pm visitors can meet the chocolatiers, and on Sunday 1-3 pm visitors can enjoy live music by Karen Krajacic. Wine and chocolate specials will be available. (802) 223-1151; www.freshtracksfarm.com. 

Lincoln Peak Vineyard, Middlebury. Featuring wine pairings with three Addison County chocolatiers: Middlebury Chocolates, Daily Chocolate, and Farmhouse Truffles. (802) 388-7368; www.lincolnpeakvineyard.com.  

Shelburne Vineyard, Shelburne. Offering wine pairings with a different chocolatier each day. On Saturday, Good Comida will prepare samples of their VT-made cheesecakes, sauces and chocolates paired with or prepared with Shelburne Vineyard wines. On Sunday, Studio Cacao will be sampling their chocolates and special truffles paired or prepared with SV wines. The vineyard will also have regular wine tastings throughout the weekend. (802) 985-8222; www.shelburnevineyard.com.

Snow Farm Vineyard, South Hero. Snow Farm is pairing estate wines with Vermont Nut Free Chocolates—dark, milk, and white chocolates—and Birnn Chocolate Truffles with Late Harvest Vignoles Dessert Wine and Vidal Blanc Ice Wine. They’re featuring a special release of Maple Bubbles on Snow (a champagne -style wine for a romantic weekend), Rose Red whoopie pies made with Rose Red wine, and maple desserts on special all weekend. Take a romantic hike on Fox Hill for breath-taking views of Lake Champlain. (802) 372-9463; www.snowfarm.com.