Special offer

Rosen Vineyards for the Holidays!

By
Real Estate Agent with Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty #30RO0980081
 

I love to give at the Holidays, and made wine back in the early ’90s. My thought was to make a nice wine with less sulphites just as they do in Italy, and delved into making a cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, merlot…but it ended up being the worst wine….Oh well, I tried….It was fun stomping on the grapes, and using all of the fun equipment. Over the years, I would make raspberry liqueurs, peach wine, cherry brandy….. all given to my friends with my silly tongue-in-cheek labels.

I sold a home this year at 103 Mount Tom Road in New Rochelle, and the owner and I became friends. I noticed that she would have the most wonderful displays of a cherry liqueur on her counter in wonderful jars that looked both rustic and interesting. So, I asked her for the recipe…which was simple. She hails from Poland, and would buy the 100 proof alcohol from stores in Brooklyn… I opted out on that and bought a qood guality 80 proof vodka. She would then layer a large jar with cherries (some pitted, some not), and sugar… After three weeks or so of fermenting, a juice would take the place of the sugar, and then it was time to add the vodka, seal tightly, and let it ‘age’ in a cool dark place. Since I wanted to hand it out to my friends for this Holiday, I could only allow it 4-5 months of aging… I would have preferred a year….. but I still felt good in handing out my gifts to friends and customers alike! I do not even drink cherry liqueurs but it was just fun to make and then give!

Wishing you all a wonderful Holiday season.

New Rochelle is Great!

 

 

Comments (16)

Jeana Cowie
RE/MAX Real Estate Limited - Paramus, NJ
Broker Associate, ABR, CRS, GRI, SRES

Gay, What a nice and very special gift. Sounds delicious too.

Dec 17, 2010 12:59 AM
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

It is always festing in New York. Happy Holidays from fellow NYer here.

Dec 17, 2010 12:59 AM
Ann Allen Hoover
RE/MAX Advantage South - Hoover, AL
CDPE SRES ASP e-PRO Realtor - Homes for Sale - AL

Hi Gay!  This brought back a memory of me making a batch of wine when I was a teenager.  I had a gallon milk jug, some aquarium tubing and I don't remember much else about it......

Dec 17, 2010 12:59 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

OMG, that sounds like so much fun - just like Lucy in I Love Lucy.  Way cool.

Dec 17, 2010 01:09 AM
Craig Rutman
Helping people in transition - Cary, NC
Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

Aside from the fact that you're the consumate professional in your area, I want to buy a home utilizing your services just for the closing gift!!!!

Dec 17, 2010 02:52 AM
Steve and Jan Bachman
RE/MAX Gateway, Reston, Herndon, Ashburn, Sterling, Fairfax - Herndon, VA
Realtors - Northern Virginia

Hmmmm....I think I need to do this! Great idea. I have done home brewing so adding wine and bath tub gin to my repertoire should be next! I have seen countertop still that look REALLY EASY!

Dec 17, 2010 08:42 AM
Gay E. Rosen
Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty - Larchmont, NY
As Real as Real Estate Gets!

Hi Jeana: It is a lot of fun - as long as they do not drink and drive!  Best, Gay

Dec 18, 2010 04:11 AM
Gay E. Rosen
Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty - Larchmont, NY
As Real as Real Estate Gets!

Hi Harry: It is colkd so a good time to fest! Best, Gay

Dec 18, 2010 04:11 AM
Gay E. Rosen
Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty - Larchmont, NY
As Real as Real Estate Gets!

Hi Ann: I really enjoy doing it.... the older it sits the better.... it turns out to be expensive between the vodka, fruit, bottles, etc... but I do like it..  I was disappointed to see all of the flavored vodkas in the stores as that what mine has been over the years..  Best, Gay

Dec 18, 2010 04:13 AM
Gay E. Rosen
Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty - Larchmont, NY
As Real as Real Estate Gets!

Hi Debbie: lots of fun....  I don't drink liqueurs but I love to do this. Best, Gay

Dec 18, 2010 04:14 AM
Gay E. Rosen
Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty - Larchmont, NY
As Real as Real Estate Gets!

Hi Craig: the devil in me wrote to a customer who hasn't mad eup her mind and I wrote that I woudl love to make her a gingerbread next eyar for her new house..... hint hint... We are going out again next week!  Ha! Best, Gay

Dec 18, 2010 04:15 AM
Gay E. Rosen
Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty - Larchmont, NY
As Real as Real Estate Gets!

Steve and Jan - SO easy.. you can add more sugar if you wish (by making a syrup from sugar and water and bringing to a boil -  if it doesn't come out to your taste... so you can play around with it. Best, Gay

Dec 18, 2010 04:16 AM
Joshua Zargari
MJ Decorators Workshop LI staging and home decorating - Lynbrook, NY
MJ Decorators Workshop

A great post Gay!

Don't drink and drive...Now go and enjoy the wine with a healthy meal.

Dec 18, 2010 05:00 AM
David Popoff
DMK Real Estate - Darien, CT
Realtor®,SRS, Green ~ Fairfield County, Ct

I am a big fan of the NY wines, and some Ct. wines, makes a fun gift and something to talk about. Merry Christmas

Dec 20, 2010 08:45 AM
Gay E. Rosen
Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty - Larchmont, NY
As Real as Real Estate Gets!

Hi Joshua: NEVER! hic! hic!  I happened to call that client yesterday tot hank her once again for the recipe.. she didn't make any this year - has a large jar(vat) from the year before...and she was leaving for Poland today! Happy Holidays. Gay

Dec 21, 2010 01:43 AM
Gay E. Rosen
Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty - Larchmont, NY
As Real as Real Estate Gets!

Hi David: There are some very nice local wines..... some with silly labels too... What's an added bonus with this is you can place some of the liqueur soaked cherries onto icecream... instant dessert. Happy Holidays. Gay

Dec 21, 2010 01:45 AM