Wine Adventures

Welcome to our outdoorsy community! We’ve had a great first 3 months of Wine Adventures with a variety of activities including Vineyard wine tasting events, hikes, gala and silent auctions and horseback riding. I, personally truly enjoy horsebackriding with Nina or Duke from Freedom Hills as I regularly take horseback riding lessons there. I, also, regularly ride my e-bike all Spring/Summer long 20-30 miles or more. If you have an e-bike, you get to avoid the misery of hills and traffic (ask me about this) and can enjoy actually getting somewhere with moderate exercise. E-bikes are like riding on a flat road all the time. Anyone can do that, right?, and you are still powering the bike for moderate exercise.

But, with warmer weather approaching, let’s fully enjoy the outdoors (with wine, too)! Now that we have had 3 months of easy hiking under our belt, let’s move on to more challenging hikes and some bike rides too. As a new organizer, I would be happy to take tips from more seasoned MeetUp members regarding what the next event(s) should be. I hesitate to post too many events because I still do not know what most want to do.

A lot of vineyards are interested in our group coming to check out their wines, so I will continue to post Vineyard events. Some ideas I have been kicking around are a trip to Portland, Maine for a wine-tasting class aboard a 73-foot yacht taught & hosted by the 2023 Sommelier of the Year ($150 for yacht class); another horseback riding event with wine-tasting afterwards at a local restaurant; Orioles Opening Day; Wine Festivals (including curating our own first Wine Festival), and more. Let me know what you think. I, also, do not have much experience with social media, but if anyone can take over posting for our group on Social Media, we would all be truly grateful and it would make our events even more fun! Our description: If you have an interest in wine, hiking, biking, horseback riding, walking, vineyards, fellowship/friendship, and simply enjoying good company and positive people then this group is perfect for you! Our gatherings revolve around the delightful combination of invigorating outdoor adventures/exercise and visits to local vineyards//restaurants that feature wine. Regardless of your experience level or age, you are warmly invited to join us.

Wine Adventures offers a unique blend of rejuvenating outdoor exercise and engaging social connections. Our diverse group comprises individuals from different generations, genders, backgrounds, and cultures, all united by a shared passion for the outdoors, and the pleasures of wine, food, chocolate, and more.
Becoming a part of this group promises an outdoorsy experience with emphasis on good health! Take a moment to consider your skill level when selecting the activities you'd like to participate in. Our members have a variety of physical skill levels from beginner to intermediate to advanced hardcore. We always plan our activities with this in mind and will let you know the minimum skill level required so you can decide if an activity is appropriate for you to attend. Activities should always be well within your own comfort and skill level.
 Good fitting hiking shoes or hiking boots are recommended as cotton tennis shoes will leave you damp and sliding. Boots with a small heel are great for stirrups when horseback riding. Remember to always bring an ample supply of drinking water to stay hydrated during our adventures. Keep in mind to bring a snack if you experience low blood sugar during exercise. As a NP, I have attended to and seen adventurers bottom out & fall due to this. Sling packs or waist fanny packs are great for carrying your water 💦 , snacks🍬, keys🔑 , headlamp or flashlight 🔦

Our activities will be monthly activities on a Friday or Saturday of every month, alternating between early in the daytime activities to after work wine tastings (5pm-ish). The evening winter hikes will be short 30-45 minute hikes to avoid being in the cold and darkness for too long. We will have 1 hour and longer activities when the days get longer during the year or if necessary while touring a winery.

We will occasionally sprinkle in additional activities depending on the time/occasion of the year and member interests/suggestions. A recent highlight was a guided horseback ride on known trails with members from all skill levels learning and attending. The horses’ gentle, calm, patient nature added to our enjoyment of this outdoor experience, exercise was included (surprisingly) with horseback riding.

Our organizers are not professionals and all hiking, biking, horseback riding, and other outdoor activities are always at your own risk and responsibility. Dogs on a leash are permitted at your own risk on Meetups when the venue allows dogs.
 Our number one goal is to have fun, enjoy the great outdoors while observing safety at all times, and learn about and enjoy wine anywhere from vineyards to restaurants to festivals.
Do We Charge Anything?
 Meet Up charges a fee to maintain the website and all groups need to pay this to continue to post activities for their group. I, alone, happily pay this fee to post but welcome any donations on the MeetUp platform called Pledge.
We don't charge our members but anyone can feel free to "Chip In" voluntary contributions. This is NOT a membership fee but a voluntary donation to keep the group going.
If you are unable to make a donation, no worries; you are still welcome to join our group and any activities we embark upon.
Other than that, if a planned event requires a cost to conduct it (i.e., lodging, travel, permits, equipment, supplies, etc.) then we do charge the appropriate funds to cover those costs. I will occasionally organize a wine-tasting event that may include music of which I will secure the DJ music. We don't charge admission or mark up any costs and we don't make a profit off any events.
So, What Do You Want To Do? Where Do You Want To Go?
 We are open to the suggestions of our members. Let us know! Our activities are only limited by imagination! We love to hike, bike, horseback ride, snow tube, ice skate and anything else that includes the great outdoors. But let's keep it safe. Maybe no jumping out of helicopters. But that does sound fun!

FYI, I also love biking and when warmer weather returns, we will have bicycle (e-bikes, hybrid bikes, or regular bikes) scenic trips. The highlight will be the end of biking season 38th annual Amish Country Bike Tour in September, 2024 starting in Dover, DE for all bike levels (16 mi, 25 mi, 60 mi, and 100 mi) that winds through Amish country with a halfway stop where Amish present home baked pies, fruits, and company-sponsored drinks like Gatorade and Pickle Juice. The half way point is a great place to meet all rider levels from the 16 milers to the 100 milers in a joyous community event. The end of the ride for all levels ends with free lunch, wine/beer, and a live band to celebrate our accomplishment! It truly is a memorable event you will not want to miss.
Come and join us among the trees, on nature-loving, breeze-in-your-face, exercise activities. Let's create lasting memories together in the great outdoors!
Lisa