Running Hare. What do I have to say about Running Hare
except:
WOW.
This is what I’ve started to call a Rock Star Vineyard.
Although Amy doesn’t really agree with me on this, but bear with me. From the
road in Southern Maryland, Running Hare doesn’t look like much. You drive down
a VERY long gravel road, past farm buildings, a lovely lake complete with
drool-worthy lakeside house, and if it weren’t for the signs indicating
otherwise you’d wonder if you were in the right place at all.
Then you see it.
Acres of grape vines.
A HUGE Italian villa atop a small hill.
You’d think you’d landed in Tuscany. Or at least Vegas.
Amy: I would say I felt like I left the United States briefly and not in a Disneyized way but in a truly romantic notion of consciously inhabiting/imagining a place that was foreign to my senses but very welcome and longed for.
Amy: I would say I felt like I left the United States briefly and not in a Disneyized way but in a truly romantic notion of consciously inhabiting/imagining a place that was foreign to my senses but very welcome and longed for.
This was easily one of the nicest PLACES I’d ever seen,
let alone vineyards. It was a lovely
summer day, they have a very nice outdoor tasting pavilion complete with picnic
tables and a stage for local bands.
While they don’t sell food, there are more than a few
restaurants and shops to buy a picnic lunch. I would HIGHLY recommend Nick’s Market, which is right along the way. They’re a gourmet supermarket with plenty
of fixings for sandwiches, pastries and drinks for all tastes.
Amy: Nicks and Running Hare are an excellent pairing. We
enjoyed rosemary focaccia bread with pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and olives.
For dessert, we split a giant chocolate mouse and coconut cupcake. I was in
heaven. The music, the wine, and the delicious food. I was in sensory overload!
What Running Hare DOES sell, apart from wine, are some
really clever gifts made from wine used wine barrels: candle holders, magazine
racks, lounge chairs and end tables, I like to think I made a decent impression
on Amy’s Mom with the wine barrel cheese board we got her for her birthday.
Amy: Forget Mom, Amy wants one too!
But now for the wine. While Running Hare’s dry wines are
perfectly good, they really shine with their semi-sweet ones. In particular,
their Jackrabbit Red and Jackrabbit White. Both are absolutely spectacular.
While they probably won’t be to the tastes of those who love dry wines
exclusively, both of these wines are absolutely perfect for summer. Just the
right hint of sweet, but still light and refreshing, not heavy and syrupy as
sweet wines have an occasional tendency towards.
Now guys, put all these components together: nice wines,
beautiful scenery, a nice romantic venue, this is a great place for dates. Well
worth the trip. You will more than likely win a few boyfriend points.
Wine: 8 out of 10: Nice variety of both whites and reds,
sweet and dry. Some of their wines are made from imported grapes and juices, so
purists be warned. But they do a great job with what they have.
Tasting Room: 9 out of 10: Running Hare’s tasting room is
top notch. The outdoor tasting room shuts down during the winter and moves up
to the villa, which can be rented for events. All in all, this alone is worth
the trip.
Location: 10 out of 10: While there isn’t much in the
nearby towns other than stores and strip malls, the vineyard itself is location
enough.
Amy: If you make it this far down route 4, you should
continue on to Solomon's Island and Anne Marie Gardens. That's a nice pairing
for an afternoon. Here's a link. http://www.annmariegarden.org
Experience: 10 out of 10: Running Hare is more than just
worth the experience. It IS an experience.
Why go?: Good wine, beautiful venue, nice, friendly
people, enough said.
Let you keep the glass? Yes, the glass is included in a
very reasonable price of tasting.
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