A Visit to Mountain View

 

After a not so fun Thursday (https://bfthsboringblog.blogspot.com/2026/04/water.html), I decided to wrap up the day by doing something fun.  And what could be more fun than visiting a local(ish) winery?  (Especially now that Lent is over.)

Mountain View Vineyard had been closed for several months due to burst pipes.  (It was a particularly cold and cruel winter as I think I have written numerous times.)  I had wanted to go visit them because they are in Stroudsburg which is not too far away.  Although I have to say that while their address is Stroudsburg, it's really not in Stroudsburg (at least as far as I can tell) but it was still a reasonable drive.  (Just over 30 minutes.)  

Anyway, after being closed for far too long (I know they would agree with that), they reopened on Thursday.  It seemed like the perfect day to go; especially as they were offering a FREE glass of their Poppin Pearl sparkling red wine.  That screams Bfth to me.  So after work, we hit the road.  (Even though my husband doesn't drink, he was willing to take the road trip with me.)

It is definitely a very pretty ride once you finally get off the highways Also, I can understand why the winery closes at 6:00. The back roads that take you there are very windy and could be dangerous in the dark. (Or after a couple of glasses of wine.)

We arrived around 5:00 which left us with an hour before they closed. As it is early spring, the vineyards are not as beautiful as I'm sure they are during the warmer months. I can see that this would be a very busy place during the summer months when everything is warm and blossoming. (So as a “local” I will probably visit on the weekdays to avoid the weekend crowds.)

We went inside and were quickly greeted.  We were invited to sit outside on the covered porch.  I was anxious to check out their wine menu.  (Oh, who am I kidding I did look at it online!)  I definitely wanted to try some before I bought.  I let our server know that I was there to drink and my husband might be there to eat. We sat at a lovely little table which gave us a view of the vineyards. Again I am sure it is gorgeous when everything is blooming.

I got my free glass of wine while my husband debated what he might want to eat. While I sipped he perused a small menu which has been modified due to their long closure. I'm sure it will expand as renovations are completed and the weather makes for more people coming out and enjoying food and wine. 

Even though it was a little early for dinner, my husband eventually decided that he would try the Caesar salad. I then ordered a flight tasting which consists of four 2 oz. pores of any of the wines that they have. I asked the server what she might suggest based on the fact that I like sweeter wines. As a result I was able to enjoy the Mountain Goat White, the First Blush, the strawberry, and the Mountain Goat Red.  I liked all of them, but I'd say the white was my least favorite and would definitely try the Niagara next time. The strawberry-based wine is all strawberry with no grapes, just as their raspberry and peach wines are. It was almost like drinking strawberry jam. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. Especially if you like sweet wines which I do. I think that the Mountain Goat Red was my favorite. 

While my husband was enjoying his salad and I was enjoying my wine, the owner of the winery came over to thank us for coming by. I told her that I had wanted to come for a while and was so sorry to hear about their burst pipe issues.  I knew it was something that could have completely closed them down forever, but they persevered and survived.

I also inquired about their annual Easter cork hunt. (Yes, you read that right.) I had been tempted to give it a try but it was during Lent and I was trying not to drink. I also wondered if it might get a little bit crazy and competitive. She said they had been doing it for 15 out of their 16 years in business and that it was always a lot of fun. (Later on my server said that everyone walks away with the prize. Because that is the kind of people that the owners are.). I will definitely need to find a pal and go next year to check it out. I can't imagine what it's like to search for corks instead of Easter eggs in a vineyard, but I am very anxious to try it. 

She had to leave us to take care of a few things but it was so nice to meet her. Actually it was to meet all of the staff there.  It was obvious that they were happy to be working again. Again I can't imagine how difficult the months of not being open must have been for all of them. Not just because of the money (although I’m sure that was part of it), but because it is so hard not to do something that you love. 

As it got close to 6:00 p.m., we paid our bill via debit card because they do charge a fee if you use a credit card and then went back inside to check out some of the merchandise they have for sale as well as bottles of wine.

 I have to say they have a lot of fun merchandise like cute little signs that would look wonderful in my kitchen and adorable wine glasses. I had to remind myself I didn't need any of that. But what I did need for several bottles of wine. (Need is such an interesting word as my husband would point out.). I picked out the (white) Niagara, the bottle of Mountain Goat Red, the blush, the peach and raspberry. As I went up to pay we encountered the owner again and she mentioned that I had five bottles and that if I bought a six I would get a 5% discount. That's good enough for me so another bottle of Mountain Goat Red was grabbed.  

As we went out to our car I noticed that most of the lot was now empty and admired the grounds. Again, I can see this would be a lovely place to spend the day when everything is in bloom and it's a little bit warmer. I would love to spend an afternoon sipping wine and taking it all in.  (I WILL do this, I WILL do this!)

Upon writing this, I think Friday would have been a better day to do this.  It was warmer and sunnier, but I'm betting a lot of people would have had this idea.  However, I have lots of vacation time and no plans to go anywhere.  Maybe this is the year that I explore the wineries of the area?  There's lots of check out, but I'll be returning to Mountain View first...because there are more wines to try and events to enjoy.  And I’m always ready for that!