When Silver Decoy Winery was named “Winery of the Year,” the partners were thrilled but not surprised. Since opening in 2001, they have focused all their efforts on producing top-quality wines that could compete with any of the best domestic wines.

From their 15 acres of vineyards (the property is 110 acres but right now they are working a smaller plot), they grow grapes for Cabernet franc, merlot, chambourcin, sangiovese, reisling, chardonnay, pinot grigio, and traminete. And being the sociable folks that they are, the partners are happy to have visitors.

On Fridays through Sundays, you can drop by to pick up your favorite vintage. Or better yet, call ahead and you can get a full-tour through the vineyards and into the wine-making facilities where you can watch the pressing, bottling, labeling or whatever is going on at the time. Figure on about half an hour for the tour and then it is off into the tasting room for a free tasting of about 12 different wines.

Some folks like the setting so much that they have held their weddings there and so Silver Decoy now hosts weddings on site. You provide the caterer, equipment and set ups and they’ll provide the ambience. And the wine, of course.

The Winery also conducts wine education classes for groups and more than a few corporations have conducted company workshops and team meetings at Silver Decoy and then in the afternoon, turn things over to the Winery staff for short course in wine education.