A few weeks ago I received an invitation to lunch from Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards. A few miles down Highway 29, Pippin Hill is nestled in the rolling hills of beautiful Virginia. I think it’s one of the most scenic vineyards in the state. This was my second visit for lunch – I spent my 30th birthday here too!
I took my good friend Meg with me, as we moms don’t get to dress up and eat an uninterrupted lunch very often. Or sip wine on a Tuesday at noon!
Pippin Hill is not only a winery, but there is a full-service farm-to-table restaurant inside too. The fare is seasonal, gourmet and creative and dishes pair perfectly with wine, of course. There is also a beautiful front porch where you can sip wine in the fresh air, if that air is warm enough!
Meg and I created the ideal tasting lunch, complete with wine flights and more food than two women could ever dream of.
My flight went in order of our courses. I loved them all.
SummerFarm Sparkling Rose // crisp and fizzy with a hint of strawberry.
Chardonnay Reserve 2012 // delightfully buttery and oaked – just how I love them. hints of butterscotch.
Winemaker’s Select Red 2011 // a soft yet balanced red blend.
2012 Cabernet Sauvignon // my favorite of the bunch – structured and full bodied. a great all around red.
Petit Manseng – Vin Doux Naturale // sweet, complex, fulfilling.
For lunch we decided to share a bunch of small plates. This is what I would recommend you do if you visit. The portions are on the small side for those with a heartier appetite, but sharing meant tasting more flavors and filling up at the same time, so we loved this approach.
The first dish to arrive was an oyster chowder featuring Rappahannock oysters, panchetta, sauvignon blanc and tarragon.
Maybe it was because hunger is the best sauce, but this was my favorite of the whole lunch! It was slightly smoky and spicy and had incredible flavor depth.
Right when we walked in I saw a kale caesar salad on the special chalkboard. Stop there, I’ll take one please! This one featured polenta croutons, oven-dried tomatoes, shaved Red Row cheese and poached quail egg. I need to reinvent this in my own kitchen.
Next up we enjoyed hand-made tortellini with Asian pears, Caromont goat cheese, roasted delicata squash and brown butter sage flowers. Meg described it as the ultimate “autumnal” dish. It was everything you’d want on a chilly day.
I really liked the flavors in the curried quinoa salad, which included roasted sweet potatoes, currants, mint and crème fraiche. The curry was subtle and the mint and crème fraiche really made this dish unique.
These Nelson County oyster mushrooms, which were grilled and topped with toasted pine nuts, chimichurri herbs and parmesan, were incredible!
Last but not least, we shared the classic croque monsieur, which was packed with Virginia country ham, gruyere and a merlot jam. I have never had such a perfectly crispy sandwich!
Believe it or not, we saved room for dessert – a taste of these mini chocolate cupcakes with a lemon thyme cream cheese frosting drizzled in a red wine reduction.
Everything about this lunch was wonderful. Thank you to Pippin Hill for treating us to such a memorable day.
While Meg and I were wining and dining, Matt won the father of the year award by watching both of the kiddos. They had a great time playing, snacking and not-napping : )
Clare @ fitting it all in says
Love Pippin Hill but haven’t eaten there yet! Will have to try it.
Julie Rosene says
Oh my gosh! That meal!! I wish I lived near vineyards for this reason! Those cupcakes sound like something I would absolutely love!
laura says
awesome looking food.. wish this place was just down the road.. love that you had mom time with a good friend.
Tracy says
Sounds like a fun outing! Dad of the year award…love it!
Becki @ Bites 'n Brews says
Everything looks absolutely amazing! And I love the last picture of your hubby and the kiddos!
Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs says
Oh man, all of that food looks & sounds delicious! And what a lovely venue!
And props to Matt for watching the kiddos 🙂
@simple green moms says
This looks like such a beautiful place to visit (and drink wine!)
jodea @ chillichocolatelove.com says
All of the food looks stunning but there’s just something so good about a cheese and ham sandwich. I love the sound of the chutney.
Shel@PeachyPalate says
Food looks divine! Love the idea of the mushrooms; I’ve been a mushroom nut of late and after shiitakes oysters are my fav! Hope you all had a great day yesterday!
robin says
Loved the pic of Matt and the babes!!
Livi says
that curried quinoa salad looks so amazing!!
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
What a breathtaking view! Perfect location! The presentation of the food is incredible, and the croque monsieur sounds so good!
Adorable photo of Matt with the kids too 😉
Sanaz@Run for Cake says
EVERYTHING LOOKS GREAT! I thought it was Napa for a second. It has the Napa feel. Love it!
Lisa says
Wow, this place looks amazing, and the food too.
Amelia says
That kale salad looks to-die-for!
Alex @ Kenzie Life says
Wow the scenery looks so beautiful there!! And the food and the wine look fantastic and really creative. I love the idea of farm fresh food. I’m glad you had a nice getaway with a friend! And I love the picture of Matt and the kids at the end!
Melissa says
Wow, I’d love to visit a vineyard like this someday, it looks so beautiful, relaxing and peaceful!
Ellie@Fit for the soul says
Kath, you always get to try the BESSSTTT looking places! It sounds like a fabulous time with great company and the food looks too yummy. I also love variety so I would love sharing tiny bites of everything.
Anna @ Fitness à la Anna says
Wow, this looks out-of-this-world delicious! I will def have to check this out whenever I’m in the area. Also, that photo at the end – adorable!
Maria Tadic says
My girlfriends and I visited that winery this year – it was so beautiful! We didn’t eat there…but we will be sure to do so next time! The food looks awesome!
Robyn @thereallife_RD says
Pippin Hill is my favorite vineyard but I’ve never eaten there, it all looks amazing!
Ha, and I’m dying at the pictures of Matt and the kiddos. Too cute!
Jeannine @ Small and Chic says
We got married at Pippin Hill last year. It’s amazing to see how far they’ve come in just a few, short years. Chef Amalia is incredible! We’ve been big fans of hers since her Keswick Hall days. 🙂