| Much of Alabama's wine country is located in the | | | | delicious introduction to Montgomery! |
| central part of the state, where the hilly terrain is | | | | With just over 200,000 residents, Montogomery isn't |
| conducive to vineyards and grape growing. South of | | | | particularly large. It's easy to navigate, especially the |
| Birmingham, it's a downhill run to Montgomery, the | | | | walkable downtown area. The city is rich in history, |
| state capital, and Mobile, a lively port city hugging the | | | | with numerous civil rights landmark sites. The best |
| Gulf Coast. | | | | place to start is historic Union Station, an 1890's era |
| When you visit, you'll navigate Interstate 65, which | | | | building housing the Montgomery Visitors Center. We |
| cuts a north/south path through the heart of | | | | viewed a short video overview of the city and |
| Alabama. Travel is a breeze and most attractions are | | | | visited "The Depot", Montgomery's official gift shop. |
| easily accessible off the highway. Currently, there are | | | | You can also buy $1 all day passes to the |
| three wineries in the southern half of Alabama, so | | | | Montgomery Trolley System, which will transport you |
| when you combine winery visits with the friendly | | | | all around the downtown area. |
| cities of Montgomery and Mobile, you've got the | | | | From here, your choices are many. Visit and tour the |
| makings of an ideal 3-4 day getaway. | | | | Alabama Capitol, explore historical sites, or spend an |
| Planning The Route: Two I-65 Wineries | | | | afternoon amidst the speciality shops on Mulberry |
| Our plans called for a mid morning departure from | | | | Street. This is a government town, so the downtown |
| Birmingham with an overnight stay in Montgomery. | | | | is bustling, especially during the day. |
| Then, a half day's drive to Mobile and the subtropical | | | | We enjoyed meeting some local Montgomerians, who |
| climate of Mobile Bay and the Gulf Coast. Two | | | | were delighted we were spending some time in their |
| Alabama wineries sit along the I-65 corridor between | | | | city. They claim many tourists bypass Montgomery |
| Birmingham and Montgomery, which are 90 miles | | | | on their way to the Gulf Coast and never experience |
| apart. And so, after a light breakfast in Birmingham | | | | the city's charms. We enjoyed our visit very much, |
| we headed south on I-65 with our sights set on | | | | and recommend a day or two stay for anyone |
| Vizzini Famrs Winery. Located only 1/2 hour south of | | | | traveling through Alabama. |
| the city, Vizzini is open daily at 10 a.m. and is easy to | | | | On The Road To Perdido |
| find right off exit 234. | | | | Our next morning's agenda pointed us south on I-65 |
| Vizzini offers an onsite deli and outdoor patio where | | | | for the 170 mile ride to one of our favorite seaside |
| you can enjoy lunch overlooking the vineyards. We | | | | destinations, Mobile. About 30 miles outside of the |
| arrived at 10:30, too early for lunch, although we did | | | | city, you'll find Alabama's oldest and southernmost |
| snack on freshly baked bread and local cheese from | | | | farm winery, Perdido Vinyards. This was our first |
| the deli counter. | | | | stop of the late morning. |
| You'll have your choice of about a dozen Vizzini | | | | Since 1983, Perdido Vineyards has been a stalwart of |
| wines, made from a combination of west coast and | | | | the blossoming Alabama wine industry. Open six days |
| Alabama grapes. If you're familiar with our | | | | a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Perdido welcomes |
| travelogues, you know we like to "drink local" and | | | | visitors and offers winery and vineyard tours to |
| sample wines made with local grapes. At Vizzini Farms | | | | individuals and groups. They specialize in muscadine |
| Winery, that means a terrific Cabernet Franc, whose | | | | table wines but also produce a surprising array of |
| smooth flavor compared favorably to Virginia or | | | | other wine styles. |
| California wines of this style. | | | | Perdido is a great place to get acquainted with |
| Sensing how much we liked the Cabernet Franc, our | | | | muscadine wines. This prolific grape is common in |
| tasting guide suggested the Sangiovese, a red Italian | | | | southern states and is a traditional sipping wine |
| table style wine that had us thinking of a pairing with | | | | enjoyed by generations of southerners. If you like |
| barbeque. Among others we liked were a Pinot Noir, | | | | sweet wines, they're right up your alley. We found |
| Blush, and a pleasantly surprising Riesling that was | | | | Perdido's to be very well made. Muscadine wines are |
| right in our sweet spot. We aren't sure where the | | | | a bit too sweet for our liking, but that's not a knock |
| grapes originate for Vizzini Farms' Riesling, but we | | | | on them at all. After all, the best wine is the one you |
| recommend it as a "must try". Crisp and a bit | | | | enjoy the most! As our tastes trend toward semi |
| sweeter than many Rieslings, we wish we'd bought | | | | dry wines, we'll like some wines you won't, and vice |
| more than one bottle. | | | | versa. Taste, compare, enjoy, and tell your friends. |
| Less than 10 minutes away, only a mile off exit 228 | | | | That's what wine travel is all about, right? |
| near the town of Calera, is the beautiful and | | | | For our palate, Perdido's Demopolis Ecor Blanc was a |
| welcoming Ozan Vineyard and Cellars. If you're | | | | fine discovery. This semi dry white has mild tropical |
| pressed for time and can only visit one winery in | | | | fruit flavors and an extremely well balanced finish. |
| Alabama, Ozan is a good choice. Situated on a 24 | | | | This one came home with us, as did Delta Bouquet, |
| acre estate in the midst of Alabama wine country, | | | | an enjoyable blush wine with just a tinge of |
| this relatively new winery boasts a continually | | | | sweetness. And if you're headed out to the Gulf |
| expanding vineyard with emphasis on the Norton | | | | Coast beaches, don't pass up Perdido's Wine Coolers, |
| grape. | | | | the newest addition to their product line. |
| Ozan's Wine Train | | | | Mobile: Gateway To The Gulf Coast |
| One of Ozan Vineyard's more interesting projects is | | | | When describing Mobile to friends, we often compare |
| their monthly wine train excursion, which combines | | | | the city to its Gulf Coast neighbor, New Orleans. |
| wine tasting with a leisurely train ride through the | | | | There's a similar pace and a wonderful mix of cultures |
| countryside. Operating from April through November, | | | | in both cities. But as much as we enjoy New Orleans, |
| each trip offers a different environmental focus, | | | | we enjoy Mobile even more. Maybe it's the close |
| depending on the season. These Saturday journeys | | | | proximity to such natural attractions as Dauphin |
| last three hours and include wine tasting, gourmet | | | | Island. Maybe it's the safeness and walkability of the |
| box lunch, and theme narration. See Ozan's website | | | | downtown area. And maybe it's because Mobile is a |
| for more details. | | | | bit of the underdog, in the shadow of it's more |
| We settled in for a taste of Ozan's Norton Red Label. | | | | prominent neighbor. Whatever the reason, if you like |
| Norton wines are fast becoming our red wine | | | | all the good things about New Orleans, you'll love |
| favorite, having been introduced to the style in | | | | Mobile. |
| Missouri and southern Illinois. We weren't surprised to | | | | Here's another parallel ... did you know Mobile is the |
| see it here, as the countryside reminded us of central | | | | birthplace of Mardi Gras in North America? Mobile first |
| Missouri. This wine is big and bold, with an appealing | | | | celebrated the Mardi Gras tradition over 300 years |
| black cherry flavor and mildly oakey finish. Also try | | | | ago, in 1703. Every February, Mobile throws a huge |
| the Reserve Merlot, vinted from local grapes and | | | | two week party to celebrate the event, with |
| aged for 16 months. | | | | parades and all sorts of revelry. In fact, Mobile is |
| For something sweeter, there's Ozan Peach. Peach | | | | known as home to "America's Family Mardi Gras". |
| wines are big in Alabama and this one is really good! | | | | There's even a special store devoted to the event, |
| Very pleasant and well made, it's not overwhelmingly | | | | Toomey's Mardi Gras. |
| sweet and has the aroma and flavor of farm fresh | | | | The city itself hugs the western shore of Mobile Bay, |
| peaches. | | | | a large inlet that merges with the Gulf of Mexico 10 |
| There are almost a dozen wines to try here, with | | | | miles to the south. Ecotourism is big here, with all |
| special releases planned through 2009. Only minutes | | | | sorts of spectacular natural sights in this subtropical |
| off I-65, it's an ideal stop between Birmingham and | | | | climate. Even in January, we enjoyed temperatures |
| Montgomery. Ozan is a big supporter of the Alabama | | | | hovering right at 70 degrees with gentle breezes and |
| Wine Trail and helps enhance promotion of the | | | | flowers in bloom all around the city. Nature has truly |
| Alabama wine industry. They're open Fridays and | | | | blessed this area, making the Mobile area a |
| Saturdays, 11-6. | | | | one-of-a-kind waterfront destination. |
| Down I-65 To Montgomery | | | | Summing It All Up |
| Less than an hour from Ozan is Alabama's historic | | | | We chatted with one of the shopkeepers about our |
| state capital, Montgomery. Located in the heart of | | | | Alabama wine travels, and she responded "Alabama is |
| Montgomery's downtown a few short blocks from | | | | beautiful before a glass of wine, and after!". We |
| the Alabama River is a Montgomery landmark, Daisy's | | | | couldn't agree more. This is truly an underrated |
| Diner. Daisy's is southern cooking personified. There's | | | | vacation spot. If you're a foodie, you'll love the |
| a set menu at Daisy's, and daily specials, usually | | | | southern cooking, the barbecue, and of course the |
| focused around a "meat and three". This means you'll | | | | fresh seafood. If you're into history or the outdoors, |
| get one meat and three side dishes. From the | | | | Alabama has you covered with friendly cities, clean |
| moment we walked in, we were mesmerized by the | | | | and clear mountain areas, and the compelling Gulf |
| scent of fried chicken, which was nothing short of | | | | Coast. |
| outstanding. The outer breading was crisp and tasty, | | | | And finally, if you're a wine lover, hopefully we've |
| the chicken itself moist and tender. We also ordered | | | | given you a glimpse into the Alabama wine industry. |
| a plate of meatloaf, with buttered corn, squash | | | | May you enjoy your Alabama travels as much as we |
| casserole, and turnip greens on the side. What a | | | | did! |