We have taken care to make sure that the Winrhop Estate remains as clean, fresh, and allergen free as possible, at all times.  We know that one person’s beloved pet carries another person’s allergen.  Out of consideration for future guests who have allergies,  though we allow pets on the estate’s 45 acres, we do not allow pets in the mansion.  Additionally, we have filled the mansion with oriental rugs, custom drapery and genuine antiques.  One family’s heirloom furniture could very well serve as another cat’s scratching post.

In the interest of all, we can provide two reasonable, though imperfect solutions.  For people who wish to stay at the estate but not leave their pet at home, we hope you will consider the following:

For a nominal fee, your pet can stay at the nearby  Animal Inn of the Berkshires.  The Animal Inn is well regarded, and they will not only board your pet but they will provide grooming and even portrait services.  They will create a ‘vacation experience’ for your pet.   We can help make the arrangements and can have the pet visit the estate to go for walks or even a hike on our extensive trails.  While we do take pains to keep pets out of the mansion, we are happy to have them on the estate.

Family Vacation

In the Berkshires, we are enjoying warm summer weather this week and the garden is growing tall.  A full schedule of weddings and family events is ahead of us.  The busy summer season, which started in early May for us, always tends to go by fast.

Many of our guests have already inquired about repeat visits.  Though the estate is almost completely booked this year already, there are a few weekends still left.  Labor Day weekend is one of them and with the Tanglewood Wine and Food Classic September 1-4, and the Tanglewood Jazz Festival, it will be a great time to be in Lenox.  The Winthrop Estate is just about a mile from Tanglewood’s main gate and the Jazz Festival and the Wine and Food Classic are real treats, (if you like good jazz, wine and food)!

Labor Day weekend is a nice time to gather the family in Lenox, just before school starts for the young ones and as the trees are starting to turn.  There are so many things to do at that time if you want to venture off property; see a Shakespeare & Company production, visit the Mount or Chesterwood, enjoy a lazy day and a hike in Kennedy Park just a few minutes from the Winthrop Estate, or take the kids out for a sweet at Patisserie Lenox.  There’s plenty to do in this area. Here are more ideas for family fun in the Berkshires.

Photo credit to John Fitzpatrick of MomentsKept.com.

Lettuce from the Winthrop Estate Garden (photo from the summer of 2010)

Last summer when I was sitting on the verandah, savoring a Winthrop Estate salad that was picked moments earlier, I felt like I knew what heaven must be like.  I fell in love with that bite as it was such an intense, fully engaged, ‘all-senses on’ experience.  I can hardly wait for the harvest!

A farmer?  I never thought I’d be a farmer.  But, based on our bountiful harvest the last two years and our unbounded enthusiasm for organic, locally grown, high quality vegetables, and the fact that my kids eat them right off ‘the vine’, we have expanded the Winthrop Estate farm this year.  We added more space for beds and completed the cultivation in late May, and we are now a small CSA with a handful of lucky, near by families and one restaurant as members (the shares sold out within a few phone calls).

We have planted tomatoes, beans, peppers, lettuces, carrots, corn, parsley, basil, and more…  (the full list can be seen in this <Winthrop Estate’s Organic Farm> post) and just last week we completed the beds with some plants from Left Field Farm.  Within a few weeks we will be ready to harvest the new crops.  We already have plenty of chives, scallions (quite strong and flavorful), spearmint and chocolate mint, and all have wonderfully intense flavors unlike we find in most grocery stores. We distribute the produce each week to the participating farm members, the guests of the Winthrop Estate, and a wonderful local restaurant, Nudel.

Because I love the organic fresh vegetables, in addition to being an enthusiastic farmer, I am a fan of the farmer’s markets and CSAs and am always looking for places to eat locally-grown, organic produce.  I am so pleased that there are many opportunities to get Berkshire produce at local restaurants and stores. See the Berkshire Grown site for more information on the farm to table week they have created in early June.

It is starting to feel like spring here in the Berkshires!    Crocuses and daffodils – the perennial symbol of springtime–  are in full bloom here at Winthrop Estate.  Migratory birds are returning and we are awakening to the enchanting sounds of their morning chirping.

Planting Peas

Here at Winthrop our gardeners have planted the first crop of the season, and this year we will harvest green and red leaf lettuce, peas, spinach, kale, carrots, leaks, hungarian peppers, and plenty more.  This weekend, we are excited to be expanding our organic garden and are thrilled to be offering fresh, organic produce “farm to table” at Winthrop Estate.  Berkshire County is renowned for it’s farm to table philosophy and has played a leading role in it’s development.  Winthrop Estate is proud to be a part of this movement.  In addition to stocking our own kitchen with delicious, fresh produce, we supply local restaurants, such as Nudel, here in Lenox.

Just Arrived

Watch our new family photo montage: click here.

A young girl plays a game in the conservatory

Today a guest asked me what her kids could do in the way of entertainment while the adults enjoyed an executive retreat.Now as an employee who grew up in Lenox, I can tell you that there are tons of fun things for kids to do in Berkshire County. Apart from the pingpong, foosball, Wii, frisbee and other fun games available at the mansion, there are also several youth oriented venues nearby. Check out the following links for some ideas:

Bousquet Ski Resort

From great downhill skiing and tubing in the winter to devil carts and water slides in the summer, Bousquet offers a wide range of fun for kids of many ages.

The Beacon Cinema

Located in downtown Pittsfield, the Beacon is Berkshire County’s newest theater. They offer a wide selection of films, and have a 3D screen too.

The Berkshire Museum

This museum offers many youth friendly exhibits throughout the year including displays on dinosaurs, mammals, and ancient civilizations. The gift store also has loads of fun gifts for kids like rock candy kits and stuffed animals.

The Lenox Community Center

And for a bit of small town local flavor, check out the Lenox Community center for a playground, tennis courts, a basketball court, and even ice skating in the winter! Don’t miss out on the fun, kids, there’s enough to go around and more.

Relax and soak up the view

This picture was taken by our caretaker, Chris. I can understand why he likes to be outside so much. The chairs are placed near the crest of the hill. Almost every day, guests enjoy some time on these chairs, whether it’s for a drink, reading time, talking, writing or even napping.