 |
| Neolithic Man |
Archaeologists
trace wine back to the Stone Age when Neolithic humans imbibed in the juice of
naturally fermented honey, wild grapes and fruits.
 |
| Mesopotamia |
The roots of winemaking go back as far as ancient Mesopotamia, so it’s
no wonder we have an interest in the history, viticulture, and crafting of grapes
and wine. Some say fermented beverages were a primary reason Western
civilization developed! And the
story of wine is still being told today in numerous wine museums in the U.S, and around the
world.
1)
Arkansas Historic Wine Museum – Paris,
Arkansas
 |
| Joseph Bachman |
 |
| Cooperage |
It’s
true! Arkansas has a rich history in winemaking as this museum shows. Home to
numerous exhibits, the museum houses a wine press, fermentation tanks, barrels,
testing equipment, plus government records, and photos, along with diaries and
correspondence from the father of Arkansas wine, Professor Joseph Bachman. In fact, the museum now has a second location in Hot Springs, Arkansas that opened in 2006.
2)
Wine Museum of Greyton H. Taylor – Hammondsport,
New York
 |
| Bully Hill |
 |
| Taylor's Goat |
Not
your typical wine museum but then Bully Hill Winery is not your typical
winery. Established in 1972 on the
original Taylor Winery site, the museum is composed of two buildings; the
Cooper Shop with an amazing collection of barrels and cooperage from the early
days of New York’s blossoming wine industry. The second building contains the
artwork of Walter S. Taylor; paintings that went on to become several of Bully Hill’s
famous wine labels. And don’t miss touring the winery itself. The
Bully Hill story is uniquely American, the tours are fun, and the wines will "get your goat."
3)
Kelowna Museums:
BC Wine Museum – British Columbia, Canada
 |
| VQA Wine Shop |
The
BC Wine Museum is a part of the Kelowna Museums and opened several years ago
to focus on the history of wine production in the Okanagan Valley. The VQA
(Vintners Quality Alliance) Wine Shop located at the museum offers only wines produced from 100% BC grapes, and many that are available here cannot be found anywhere else outside of their home wineries.
4)
Vinopolis Wine Centre – London,
England
 |
| Drinking and Displays |
This
is the adult Disney World of wine! Vinopolis is a wine museum and a wine
tasting bar with five restaurants, eight event spaces and several shops located
on the 2.5 acre site. The focus of the museum is wine history, wine culture and how to enjoy it. Choose from several tours starting with a
basic self-guided tour to a wine and dine experience, and all tours include wine
tastings. Or select a tour package that delves into select wine
regions around the world; either way you’ll have a great time sipping and studing
wine.
5)
Desmond Castle
and International
Museum of Wine – Kinsale,
Ireland
 |
| Desmond Castle |
 |
| Wine Museum Exhibit |
The
International Museum of Wine is housed in a 16th century urban tower
house with a sinister history. The “castle” was built around 1500 by the Earl
of Desmond and used as a Customs house. In the 1700s it served as a prison for French
and American seamen before becoming a jail and then a workhouse. The
museum opened in 1997 and tells the story of Irish families who moved to
France, Spain, Australia and California to make their livings exporting wine back to the Emerald Isle.
6)
Weinmuseum – Spires, Germany
 |
| Weinmuseum Exhibits |
 |
| Wine Vessel |
Located
in the Historical Museum of the Palatinate, the exhibits at the Wine Museum focus on
the cultural history of viniculture over the past 2,000 years. Displays include
old bottling equipment, a large wine press from 1727, and 5,000 liter (1,321
gallon) barrels that are handcrafted and have been housed in the museum for
over 100 years. Built in 1910, the weinmuseum was the first
public museum devoted to vino.
7)
Musee du Vin – Paris, France
 |
| Wine Tunnel |
 |
| Order of Minims |
This
Museum of Wine is located under the hills of Passy in what once were limestone quarries dug to build the city. By the 16thcentury these vaulted rooms were used by the Brothers of the Order of Minims as
wine cellars for the monastery. The Museum of Wine opened in 1984 and has a
collection of over 2,000 artifacts highlighting viticulture, winemaking, cooperage, and
items used to serve and taste wine.
8)
Museo del Vino Vernaccia - San
Gimignano, Italy
 |
| Museum Wine Press |
This
museum is dedicated to the history of one local white grape – Vernaccia – and
the wines produced from it. Those wines include Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG, San
Gimignano Rosso DOC, San Gimignano Rosato DOC, and San Gimignano Vinsanto.
Overall production of Vernaccia wine is about 9 million bottles a year. The museum tour describes
the origins of the grape and has displays of wine equipment from local Italian
winemakers who have crafted Vernaccia wine. After the tour, visitors can sample
several versions of Vernaccia to discover why this region is so proud.
9)
Cyprus Wine Museum – Cyprus, Greece
 |
| Museum Display |
The
Cyprus Wine Museum began in 2004 but it’s roots stretch back to 1933 when
pottery fragments were discovered in the city. Tested in 2005, the pottery was dated
back to 3500 BC and deposits found inside the vessels indicated that wine had
been produced in this region for over 5,500 years, thus making Cyprus the
birthplace of wine in Europe. The tour includes the museum, St.
Ilarion Hall, the Wine Trails, which tells the story of wine around the world, and
a tasting of two local varieties of grapes, along with bread and cheese.
10)
Vinseum – Catalan Wine Cultures
Museum, Penedès, Spain
 |
| Museum Courtyard |
This
museum has a diverse collection of over 17,00 items relating to all things
wine. What began as the Vilafranca del Penedès Museum in 1945 (the first wine
museum in Spain), has evolved into the Vinseum, which showcases wine’s cultural
affects on the country and the world. And when you’re done with the tour, enjoy
a complimentary glass of Spanish wine.
And coming soon:
*
California Wine Museum - Santa Rosa,
California
 |
| James McCormick |
The
proposed California Wine Museum is slated to open in 2015 in Santa Rosa,
California. The museum will contain over 4,500 artifacts
from the collection of James McCormick, all relating to California’s wine
heritage including art work, advertising, wine equipment, vineyard tools and ephemera.
The tour will end with tastings of selected California wines. Learn more about the museum's displays and preparations at
Cheers!
~
Joy
The summer wedding season is here with June considered the most fortunate month to wed. And for a spectacular and romantic wedding, look no farther than the vineyard!
1)
Check with different wineries on the types of bridal packages offered. Many have dedicated staff in charge of such events. If you want
something a vineyard doesn’t offer, ask. Many will
consider and accommodate, if the request is reasonable.
2)
Find out what the winery supplies in the package price and what can be rented
for an additional charge. Arbors, gazebos, wine barrels, chairs, tables, china,
stemware, silverware and linens are just some items that may be included in the
package, or may need to be rented. 
3)
Arrange for the vineyard site to be available during the wedding
rehearsal. Vineyards need to be mowed,
sprayed and harvested, so make sure you have access when you need it.
4) Ask about the exact times when you are allowed to decorate the wedding site and reception area.
5)
Be sure you and your party have access to changing rooms and restrooms before and after the wedding.
6)
Decide where the wedding photos will be taken and have access and
transportation to the site lined up, if needed.
7)
Discuss your wine needs and let the winery assist in selecting wines
to pair with the food chosen; or offer a variety of wines that will
appeal to most guests. Many wineries offer discounts to wedding
parties that purchase a certain number of cases or bottles of wine. Also,
find out if other alcoholic beverages can legally be brought onto the winery grounds. 
8)
Check the winery restaurant for custom menus and
in-house catering for weddings and rehearsal dinners. Many will prepare
different dishes for consideration and selection.
10)
Check on alternatives in case of bad weather. Most wineries have an event center, barrel room, cellar or meeting room that will work in a
pinch. Have a back-up plan. (Keep in mind; you can get special
event weather insurance.)
And
an added tip: Make sure the marriage license is valid in the county you’re
getting married in.
A
vineyard wedding offers the perfect touch of Old World ambience and modern
flair. Make it a stress-free event with a little planning, and enjoy a beautiful
wedding with lasting memories.
