Think about everything you have to do this week. Now, slowly, calmly, get up, gather your family together – and run away from it. This year’s 7th Annual Lavender & Wine Fest hosted by Chappell Hill Lavender Farm and Windy Winery demands only that its participants relax and enjoy the countryside on the short 45-minute drive over from Bryan/College Station. The two venues are located about 14 miles apart.
Activities are unique to each location with visitors’ first stop at Chappell Hill Lavender Farm to cut their own fresh lavender. Then come demonstrations of what can be done with freshly cut lavender.
“We also have a flower pounding station where you can bring your lavender or flowers from your own garden and Laurie Nelson will be demonstrating how to make lavender woven baskets,” says Debbie McDowell, co-founder of Chappell Hill Lavender Farm.
Who knew there was so much more to lavender than relaxing bath salts? Not to worry, they have that too at their onsite gift shop. Think of everything delicious, and add a hint of lavender: lavender lemonade, lavender cookies, lavender pasta, lavender coffee and even lavender margarita mix are all for sale in the gift shop.
During the festival, other vendors with lavender-related products will be onsite in cluding Bliss Candy Co. offering a white chocolate bark with lavender and lemon that was especially created for Lavender Hill Farm. “We have several vendors on the property, and they’re all unique because we don’t want the same thing in every booth,” McDowell explains.
When you’ve discovered all things lavender, the fun is only half begun. Just over the rolling hills, great memories and purple feet await, says Linda Meitzen, co-founder of Windy Winery. The “purple feet” are in reference to the grape stomp, Windy Winery’s most popular activity. It begins with a hayride that tours the vineyard. After the hayride, there will be barrels of grapes ready to be stomped to live music, including Mike Gallo, a Texas-based guitarist and singer-songwriter. Finally, as a keepsake, Windy Winery lays out a t-shirt to imprint with your purpled footprints.
Windy Winery created a wine especially for the festival called Lady Lavender. The purchase of grape stomp tickets for adults includes a glass of Windy Winery wine, and for children, a glass of sparkling grape juice. Windy Winery also offers wine tasting inside the winery. Though the festival is family friendly, many wine activities are exclusively for those over age 21.
For years, Chappell Hill Lavender Farm hosted the festival with Windy Winery partici pating as a vendor. Each venue realized what a unique complement they were to one another given the proximity. The Chappell Hill Lavender & Wine Fest asks only for a day where you and your family have fun in a beautiful part of Texas while enjoying lavender and wine.
WHAT
Chappell Hill Lavender & Wine Fest
WHEN
August 11, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WHERE
Chappell Hill Lavender Farm, 2250 Dillard Rd., Brenham, 77833. From Brenham on Hwy 290, travel approximately 6.5 miles to north to Chappell Hill. There will be a light on 290 at Chappell Hill.
HOW
Admission to the festival is free. However, the Grape Stomp and some other activities require a ticket. Attractions are 14 miles apart and basic directions will be set up by Lavender Farm and Windy Winery to reach each location.
For more information, visit www.chappellhilllavender.com
