A lovely note from a summer bride:

Words cannot describe how pleased I am with our wedding weekend at The Winthrop Estate. From the moment we arrived, we knew that we were being taken care of by a staff that seemed to truly care about our experience. From the decor, to the staff, to the homemade snacks that were provided throughout our visit, to the lovely manicured estate, everything was simply perfect! It was as though we were in the comfort of our own home. Another benefit to hosting our rehearsal dinner and staying at the estate for our wedding weekend was the personal connection that you had with all of the local vendors. It made things so much easier for everyone involved. I can honestly say that our wedding would not have been even close to as wonderful as it was had we decided no to stay with you! There was a true connection that was made by so many of our guests that I believe would not have been possible without this central location for everyone to convene at various times throughout the weekend. My only wish is that we could go back and do it all over again. I cannot thank you and your team enough.  I would recommend The Winthrop Estate to anyone and everyone for a wedding and a variety of events! It truly was the best wedding weekend ever!

Thanks for everything and best of luck to you and your family.

Ben and Andrea

Sun Salutation on the yoga platform

Photo by Dave Donato of ModernArtistry

A lovely note from a fall guest who had their wedding at The Mount.  I really enjoy having guests at the mansion!

“As the ‘kids’ were planning their wedding, we joked that it was the ‘royal wedding.’  And in the end,  it was a royal wedding in so many ways.  The Winthrop Estate was the perfect home base for friends and family to make personal connections during the wedding weekend.  Our guests had extended time together in a homey atmosphere.  You were so accommodating throughout our stay, setting up an environment that was perfect for each gathering we held.  Our guests boasted that it was the ‘best wedding ever’  and we believe it was because of the shared time at the Winthrop Estate which was our central meeting place. North connected to South,  old to young, friends to family,  and the bride’s  people connecting to the groom’s people..

“Thank you for your true hospitality and for all of the little things you did for us this past weekend.  We  also loved your staff who  reached out to us in kind and caring ways throughout our stay.

“So many of my family members and friends said that these past few days were among the best days of their lives.  That atmosphere of pure joy was fostered under your care.  So a million thanks.  MD

This autumn we built a sandbox under the shady maples for kids to play in while they visit the Mansion on family vacation.  It’s been quite a hit.  The kids usually discover the sandbox before their parents have even finished unloading the car.   Fresh air, imaginary play, and sunshine mixed with a good dose of sand and laughter can be just the ticket for hours of fun.

Tomatoes and basil grown at the estate

Dear Jamie,

It was a pleasure to  prepare dinner at the Winthrop Estate.

I can only imagine how exciting it has been over the past few years to have transformed the Estate to its former glory.

Your impeccable taste and warm inviting hospitality is reflected throughout the home, it really is a masterpiece and something to be very proud of.

Also, your staff was extremely helpful, professional and generous, and a pleasure to work with.

I do hope I get a chance to visit again.

Thank You,

M.S.

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.

Please enjoy this short video of a summer wedding celebration that took place last year at the Winthrop Estate.

Winthrop Estate Fountain, photo by Kevin Sprague

The weather in Lenox has been glorious this week.  The summer-like days bring warming sun to the daffodils and trees and they are blooming everywhere.  We uncovered our fountain, taking off the heavy winter tent, and we are into spring cleaning on the grounds, and getting tan too. We are looking forward to the families who will be coming for their vacations or special occasions this season and have been busy on email, being in touch with the guests to answer questions, and make plans and reservations.  Spring time brings a flurry of activity from everyone thinking about the summer.    Happy Spring!

Skiing in the Berkshires

Imagine the possibilities…after a day of skiing at one of the local ski resorts such as Butternut, Catamount or Jiminey Peak, you are mesmerized by the Berkshires beautiful mountain scenery.  You experience the excitement that comes with shushing down the mountainside with the snap of brisk air-  its a dream ski day.

After the invigorating day outdoors, there’s nothing more luxurious and inviting then returning to the Winthrop Estate where you options include slipping away into the sanctuary of a warm bath with candles softly glowing, a glass of your favorite wine and classical music in the background, a good book by the library fire and hot chocolate, a massage scheduled for eight o’clock to soothe your muscles– an hour of bliss.

A winter weekend at the Winthrop Estate, enjoying friends and family, is a magical, wonderful getaway… .you’ll remember it always.

Library at the Winthrop Estate

On every weekend the estate is used, whether it’s a destination wedding, a family vacation, a retreat or a concert, people find their way to the Library, which is just off the foyer, to play board games, read by the fire, or enjoy a conversation.  Sometimes they listen to the tube-amplified MacIntosh radio with AudioResearch amps on AudioPhysic speakers, sitting in the soft leather chairs and sometimes they just watch their child enjoy himself.  Photo by Konrad Brattke

Winthrop Estate Foyer, ready for the party

This foyer picture looks South, through the French doors to the verandah and Great Lawn. This room stays quite cool in the summer, and was lovely on hot days even before we added the a/c. The building is mostly a stone façade on the first floor, and this room does not get much passive solar hear and it is the coolest place in the whole house. I remember hanging out with friends in the foyer the first year we were at the estate, before we did any restoration, one summer evening marveling at the heat outside. Now the estate is fully air-conditioned and we revealed the wood floor you see here a few years ago. This space is very popular for mingling and socializing. It’s ready for you. Photo by Konrad Brattke