The Road to New Milton and Back Again

I said, "Stop! That's a cool house. I want to take a picture!"

He said, "There's a sign that says winery. Want to go?"

So we turned onto this one-lane road, seeking a winery that had no name. Here's what we found (besides Dale, the man I wrote about yesterday):

The home of the national marble champion, Ralphie Dillon. This young man lives off the beaten path, but found his way to Pittsburgh to become this year's champion shooter.

Beautiful still waters and crumbling old buildings provided food for thought. Who lived there? Why did they leave?

The road wound around curves, rocks and hills,

by an abandoned one-room schoolhouse,

and picturesque barns,

and more old ruins so hidden in the trees they looked like ghosts of the past.

But some older dwellings, like this one, were still being maintained and loved.

The detailed, tight dovetailing is one reason the cabin has lasted so well and so long,

but unless someone comes along soon to love it, this little place will soon be a memory.

At last, after abut eight ambling miles, we found the winery:

Notice the sign. Saturday and Sunday. We were there on Friday. How sad is that. Cascarelli's, you need to put a sign with your hours at the end of the road. Not nice to potential customers to have them drive 20 minutes or more out of their way to discover your hours.

But on the other hand, we would not have met Dale or had an interesting drive down yet another one-lane road in West Virginia that, like so many others, offered much for reflection. Will we go back? Maybe, although this is definitely off the usual route and not a place we are likely to go for any other reason. But if you'd like to know more about the winery, here's their contact information (note that it says call ahead!):

Cascarelli’s Old Country Wine
John R. Cascarelli
Rt. 3, Box 55A
Salem, WV 26426
304-782-2768
Hours:
Please call ahead.

Lambert's Winery

I visited Lambert's Vintage Wines for the first time about 6 years ago, with a group of storytellers. After tasting their wines, I've been a regular buyer, purchasing wherever I happened to find it. I have wanted to return to the winery to show it to my husband ever since.


Today was my chance. Since we were meandering home anyway, I suggested a stop at the winery. It was as beautiful as I remembered.

Stone lines the brick path to the patio and winery entrance to create a warm welcome.

Constructed of old cut sandstone collected over several years by owner Jim Lambert, the winery exudes welcome and comfort. An outdoor covered patio area includes a large stone fireplace. Inside, the warm atmosphere is complemented by the handmade pottery and other crafts for sale.

Mr. Lambert at the tasting counter. On the left is my box of three bottles of wine.

But it is the wine that is the star of this show. Mr. Lambert offered tastes of any variety we requested. Although his Niagara has been my favorite, I wanted to try others. We came away with Chardonnay, Fredonia, and Blackberry, along was a bottle of his superb sherry.

If you should happen to be traveling along interstate 79 in West Virginia, consider a stop at Lambert's. I think you'll be very glad you did.