LOCATION: Near Darby, Montana about 1.5 hours south of Missoula. In northwest part of state.
WEATHER: Very pleasant. High about 80. Some sun. Still smoky
We did a few errands in Missoula, then headed south toward our next Harvest Host stay. I had called the winery yesterday to make reservations. I had to leave a message. When the host called me back, he was very apologetic about not being there to answer my first call. He described in great detail how he had been out on the range, moving his cattle from one field to another.
On our way, we stopped in a brewpub for lunch. We shared a really good sandwich and each tried one of their beers.
Then, on to Darby, a quaint cowboy village of about 300 people. We were surprised to see that they have a nanobrewery (Bandit Brewery - the smallest in Montana) so we just had to stop by and check it out. It was interesting on the outside....
And, inside were several authentic-looking cowboys....
We found our Harvest Host site, a tiny winery called Trapper Peak Winery. The host welcomed us and got us parked. He invited us to a tasting at 4:30. It is a beautiful location. Nestled in a valley, surrounded by forests, his house is immaculately groomed with lovely flowers, freshly-mowed grass, wood stacked neatly ready for the winter, and mules in the barnyard.
The host grew up in California and his family has vineyards in Napa. He picks up the grapes each fall, then makes wine in his garage/winery in the winter. The wine was really good. (We had been curious about Montana wine).
We bought a bottle, then retired to the Airstream across the little pond.
We sat outside to eat since the evening was so nice.
The sun set was fabulous.....
DINNER: Beans and rice with sausage and vegetables stirred in. In a Mexican sauce.
Beans and rice and a nice bottle of Montana wine?
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