OVER THE MOON

Just around the corner, Holli and Moses Thompson invited neighbors over for the second harvest at their private Maizemoor Vineyards where they are lovingly cultivating Viognier and Chardonnay grapes - both from Dijon grafted onto Napa root stock. "We produce all our own grapes, harvest, crush, press, bottle and label all our wine," said Moses, who frequently tiptoes out at dawn to tend to the vines.

The Thompsons began growing in 2004, when Moses was out fox hunting. "While at a check, after a long run, taking our breaths,

and giving the hounds a chance to catch theirs before casting off again, [Friend George Panariello] whispered words about the joys of working in his vineyard," Moses said.

"Sitting there on my horse, listening to George go on, I could imagine doing the same at my farm, Maizemoor," Moses continued. "Surely, this was Thomas Jefferson's dream: hunting Reynard the Fox in the vineyards that produce the wine on one's table.
"

PIMM'S CUP

On the other side of Paris Mountain in Berryville, guests were sipping a Pimm's Cup on the lawn of Sandy Johnston and Laurie Volk's Mansfield Farm as summer quietly faded into fall. The event was a British Picnic

Hamper Supper, a "Fun(d) raiser" to benefit the Blue Ridge Hunt. Bowties and garden hats were optional, yet encouraged.

There's a whisper down the field where the year has shot her yield,

And the ricks stand grey to the sun,

Singing: 'Over then come over, for the bee has quit

the clover,

And your English summer's done. ~Rudyard Kipling ISil