Arethusa To Open Wine Bar in Bantam

As reported by the Litchfield County Times, the owners of Arethusa Dairy in Litchfield County received town approval to open a wine bar in a location adjacent to their retail operation at 822 Bantam Road in Bantam, CT.

The dairy was founded by Manolo Blanik owners George Malkemus and Anthony Yurgaitis who own and operate the dairy which produces milk and other dairy products such as yogurt and ice cream. According to the County Times:

"Approval was given to a proposal for a wine bar in a building adjacent to Arethusa’s creamery in the former Bantam Firehouse, where its farm-fresh milk, ice cream, cheeses, yogurts and more are sold. The wine bar is envisioned as a bistro-style operation that will serve the creamery’s signature cheeses and other light fare."

Read the full story at Litchfield County Times.

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A Taste of Litchfield Hills 2011

Advance tickets are now on sale for the 26th annual Taste of Litchfield Hills 2011 at Ski Sundown in New Hartford, CT during Labor Day weekend. The event will be held Saturday to Sunday from 12 noon to 8 p.m. and Monday from 12 noon to 5 p.m. Tickets are $8 purchased in advance or $10 at the door and kids under 12 are free, which does not include the cost of food or drink.

The Festival touts itself as Connecticut's oldest food and wine festival live entertainment and shopping in addition to food and wine from local restaurants and purveyors. Last year the festival, held at Lime Rock Park during the Rolex Vintage Festival, featured many Litchfield and Harftord County restaurants and local vineyards such as Hopkins Vineyard, Miranda Vineyard and White Silo Winery. Vendors are still signing on, so check with the Festival's site for the most up to date informaiton.

Although I'm sad to see it moved from Lime Rock Park, Ski Sundown looks to be a dedicated location and is a great opportunity for one-stop-shopping for those interesting in trekking north to experience food and wine from beyond Fairfield County.

Litchfield Saltwater Grille’s Farm to Table Wine Dinner

 Tis the season for farm-to-table dining as the CT farms are reaching peak harvesting. We've promised to keep you in the loop on these exciting events, so here is one dinner you might want to check out. 

On Sunday, August 8. starting @ 3:00PM, The Litchfield Saltwater Grille’s Farm to Table Inspired Wine Dinner Series will host “A Neighborhood Affair” at March Farms in Bethlehem Featuring Certified Biodynamic Benziger Wines. 

This dinner will feature local produce from March Farms, Windswept Farm, Beltane Farm Artisan Cheese, Urban Oaks, Gazy Brothers Farm, Mountaintop Mushrooms, Bantam Bread, local grass fed beef and more. 

Check out the menu:

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