A had a perfect Saturday. After preparing a picnic, we left the city behind and set off for Sandcastle Winery in Buck’s County. Normally, the car is not my friend. I tend to act like a bratty child and annoy all passengers with cliche statements like “I have to pee” and “Are we there yet”. This drive is different though; after 40 minutes of highway you enter River Rd. Its small towns, nature, and a large dose of yearning for the serenity of country life. After you’ve swore up and down that you are moving to Bucks County to everyone in the car, you arrive at Sandcastle Winery. I had no expectations for Pennsylvania grown grapes, but the tasting is one of the best I’ve ever experienced (Including Napa and Mendoza)! Each wine was paired with a different spice or chocolate and we were instructed to take a taste then to chew on the food pairing, everything from rosemary twigs to white chocolate, than have another taste. The wine changed drastically with the pairings, so much so that we were shocked.
Sand Castle Winery
After the tasting, we selected a bottle of rose and enjoyed a picnic:
- White Bean, Asparagus and Basil Hummus with Veggies and Pita Chips
- Sundried Tomato Dip with Prairie Bread
- Cheese from DiBruno’s
- Wraps
Spread of Goodness
DiBruno's Cheese - never disappoints
Post picnic we headed to a Pick Your Own farm to collect strawberries and passed by a Polo game. Couldn’t help but stop and watch…really this Bucks County place is another world.
The strawberries were in full bloom, about 2 weeks ahead of schedule to the unseasonable hotness, and were incredibly easy to collect. I filled a 4 quart basket in about 15 minutes with perfectly ripe strawberries. They are so fresh and make me realize that somethings are better enjoyed in season.
Strawberry Fields
All in all, a perfect day!
June 7, 2010 at 4:11 pm
ooo that does look like a great day!!!
as for your question… pie crust is the one thing I can’t seem to get healthy and have it taste good
you need the butter for it to work hehe. Only suggestion would be to put it in a graham cracker crust using crushed crackers and honey… but other than cutting some of the sugar from the filling… that’s all I got 
June 9, 2010 at 2:21 am
I just made a strawberry rhubarb crisp with the strawberries we picked on Saturday. It was kind of thrown together with hints from a couple of different recipes I found online. Oh, it is soooo tasty. Since a crisp is basically baked fruit with a crumble topping (for topping, you can use oil instead of butter, oatmeal and nuts in place of some of the flour), it is a somewhat healthier alternative to pie. But it’s still dessert.