What could be more intoxicating in the spring than the smell of wild flowers highlighted by the sweet aromas of freshly harvested strawberries; whiffs of divine milk chocolate fudge from the boiling pot your mom stirs as you watch; and sipping on an aged tannic red wine while your palate aches to put it all together?
If that stirs some deep primordial emotions, then you are in for a really special afternoon! Bernhardt Winery, located in Plantersville, is hosting their third annual Chocolate, Strawberry, and Wine festival on Saturday, April 27. The festival features a stroll through five local chocolatier’s booths tasting the subtle creamy nuances of their delicate white chocolates along with the lively bold tones of their dark chocolates, perfectly paired with Bernhardt’s award-winning wines. For your dipping pleasure, a decadent chocolate fountain with assorted fresh strawberries and fruits, and other delights is included in the adult ticket.
The afternoon is dedicated to all your chocolate, strawberry, and wine cravings. Experience hands-on chocolate making demonstrations, live music throughout the day, train rides, vineyard tours, and shop local artisan vendor’s specialties. The vineyard tours this year will be conducted hourly by Texas’s award-winning wine journalist, Ron Saikowski. The winery is adding a new component to this year’s festival to those that would like to become part of the experience. You can enter their First Annual Strawberry Pie Making contest.
One of the highlights of the festival is their vendor fair, which spotlights locally grown produce including loads of strawberries and artisan products. A wide variety of vendors includes custom, one-of-a–kind winery furniture, jewelry, paintings, specialty soaps and natural beauty products, cheeses, honey, Texas made olive oils, and more. Also, local food trucks will be on hand with plenty of food choices to satisfy your snack, lunch, and dinner needs! The live music, vendor fair, and food trucks will be open to the public at no cost.
One of the fun activities for chocolate lovers will be demonstrations hosted by owners Jerry and Jerri Bernhardt featuring local chocolatiers. The Bernhardt’s will join Big Little Fudge Company, located in Montgomery, who has been on national TV; Macaw Confections, located in Spring, who makes unique and exotic 3D printed chocolates as well as their signature clusters; and The Toffee Cellar, located in Magnolia, specializing in specialty chocolate taffy, gourmet toffee, and more. Also, Chocolate Passion, located in Conroe, creates handcrafted truffles from authentic Venezuela Criollo chocolate, and Schakolad Chocolate Factory, located in The Woodlands, crafts handmade European-style chocolates, unique molded items, sugar free chocolates, and more.
As part of the day’s events, there will be a unique wine tasting, available for purchase, in Bernhardt’s barrel room of two of their award-winning Ports, drawn directly from the barrels paired with chocolate truffles.
General admission for adults includes a commemorative wine glass, a chocolate tasting stroll of five wine tastings divinely paired with chocolates at each chocolatier’s station, a visit to the chocolate fountain, train ride, and vineyard tour. Children tickets for the chocolate fountain and train rides are also available. Discounts are available for advance ticket purchases.
Ticket information and Strawberry Pie competition registration can all be found online at www.bernhardtwinery.com or by calling (936) 894-9829.
