BTI Whitewater

BTI Whitewater
Harper's Ferry, WV
Pouring Fabbioli Cellars Wines

Saturday, July 24, 2010

My journey started with a homemade meatless egg McMuffin and coffee then once in the car Lady Gaga started my drive in the "Ra Ra" direction. Temperature was set to reach a record high of 102 degrees, not including the humidity!

First stop, the winery to load up my Honda with Fabb-wine. By the time I reached the winery I was still buzzing on caffeine. The ladies packed up my car in minutes, while I stood in hesitation like a kid on their first day of kindergarten as I was about to embark on running my first event on my own! No packed lunch this time, or wearing purple hearts on my shirt (wait, come to think of it, my black tank had hearts on the back? Oh symbolism:)

Back in the car and watched as the winery grew smaller in my rearview mirror. Excitement rose within at the thought of another Fabb-weekend! I had no idea what to expect, maybe I should have asked more questions? Would there be other winery's? Am I going to be stuck outside under a tent in this heat? Being up for adventure, I reveled in not knowing what to expect....

The drive was mesmerizing! Wishing to put my car on "auto-driver," roll the passenger side window down, wrap my fingers over the door, letting my hair blow into a frenzy of tangles and breath in the sights and fresh mountain air. Instead, I tried taking sneak peaks as my car zoomed up, down, and around a windy tree-lined country road.

What was this place going to be like? What are the people like? Will I faint from heat exhaustion outside? Why are there so many commercials on Slacker Radio, click, back to Pandora. Ah yes, time for Guster! Ok, eyes back on the road missy!

As I neared the location, my car wrapped around a high road that overlooked the heavenly sight below of trees, hills, and farmland. The road twisted down like a natural roller coaster to the bottom level as I drove past the farmland I saw from above. Not before long, Gigi, my GPS, said take a left into BTI Whitewater.

Once I pulled up to the parking director, a tall seemingly former football player type named Jim, told me to back into the rock lot beside this "house." He guided me back, I climbed out of my SUV and shook his hand. He said to bring the wine into the house. He hadn't seen Bernard whom I was suppose to report to...doors were locked. Next I hear Jim yell for Bernard that I was here for him.

The house was clearly recently renovated with the smell of new paint. The outdoor patio was incredible with these tall Alice in Wonderland oversize dark wooden chairs and tables. Double glass doors led into the wine tasting bar. I pushed a snaking water hose out of my path as opened the doors and stepped inside, my jaw dropped...I sure as hell wasn't in Kansas anymore or DC, or, where was I?

A tall granite bar was along the far left wall, on the right two long black leather couches faced each other, a deer head who we will call "Buck" stood proud on the far right wall between the wall of windows and above a flat screen TV. In the far left corner were more tall wooden chairs and tables. There was an area to the right and behind the bar with four steps leading to a smaller room with a foosball table and restrooms.

Bernard was right there helping me move in box after box of wine behind the bar. He was a bartenders dream! I liked him instantly, pleasure to work with, fun and assisted me with anything I needed. The first day somewhere new always feels a little odd, but there I felt so comfortable.

JR Heffner, one of the heads of the company, was also very accommodating. Later I met his mother, Faye, who fell in love with our Chambourcin wine! Throughout the day, I met a few other friends of the owners, family and employees who popped in to taste our wine.

Tonight, the winery was having their annual summer party, so I planned to leave as soon as I could. We ended up getting so much business right at 7:00 p.m. when we were set to close. Bernard and I stayed, poured, chatted and sold. Since I was working there the following day, I could leave the wine behind. Once our customers were happy, I flew out the door and back onto the county roads to Fabbioli Cellars.

Once I arrived, hugs all around, and Melanie poured me a glass of Cab-Franc Reserve. The food was all homemade and delicious! I caught up with Melanie, Suzanne and met a few Fabb-wine-loving people. The night air was perfect as the humidity lowered to a tolerable breathing level.

We heard word of fireworks and went outside to find a log to sit on as we eagerly waited for the display. Sadly, this was the second 4th of July I didn't celebrate in a row, which meant no fireworks, so as you can imagine I kept my childlike excitement inside as I starred up at the starry night sky. Doug Fabbioli's kids set the fireworks off, and I was thoroughly impressed with the show!

By the time everyone was giving their goodbyes, I jumped in to help clean up and steady this wine induced mind before heading back on the road to DC, so I could sleep, wake up and start Sunday all over again at BTI......