The Berkshires: the Anti-Hamptons

First I should confess that part of my family has lived full time in the Hamptons for over 10 years. I have spent birthdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas there. Ten years ago, I visited a friend at her home in the Berkshires and had not returned since…until last week.

When fellow journalist, Philip Kampe and his wife, Maria Reveley, invited me to spend three nights with them at their summer home in Lenox, Massachusetts, I gladly accepted and began putting together an itinerary. The public relations person representing the Old Inn on the Green in New Marlborough had invited me to stay over for a night at this restored stagecoach stop built in 1760 offering  only 11 rooms. But, being the high-season, all rooms were booked.

“What about dinner?” I asked? A done deal. Chef/owner Peter Platt was responsible for something I had never done before…I  asked for seconds of his beet amuse-bouche (a single, bite-sized hors d’oeuvre). If you are looking for romantic dining, this is the place since the restaurant is lighted only by candlelight. Sommelier James Stahl served us several great wines including Henriot Champagne, Puligny Montrachet and Echezeaux. Not a bad life!

Tanglewood

Tanglewood had a performance on the night I arrived: Jazz at Lincoln Center featuring Wynton Marsalis. My hosts already had outdoor lawn seating and a preferred parking pass so I applied for a press ticket. As luck would have it, the management converted it to a 13^th row inside seat that became available that day. www.tanglewood.org

Norman Rockwell Museum

Renoir collection at the Frelinghuysen-Morris in Lenox

How about museum visits? I inquired of my hosts. Philip and his wife belonged to the local library and membership allowed them two passes to world-renowned museums. I visited Arrowhead, which was Herman Melville’s home (Moby Dick). The Clark Museum in Williamstown was exhibiting the painting Whistlers Mother. The Williams College Museum of Art had an Andy Warhol exhibit (only free museum). Mass MOCA in North Adams was a bit too avant-garde for my tastes. The Frelinghuysen-Morris home and studio in Lenox had small conducted tours (only the two of us at 10AM). I loved their abstract art and their collection of other world famous artists (Picasso, Renoir). Also in Lenox the Mount was Edith Wharton’s house and featured outdoor sculptures (we never got into the house). Then there was the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, which was my favorite museum of this trip. It contains the largest collection of his work in the world. I did not have time to visit the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum in Adams nor the Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield. I heard wonderful things about the Canyon Ranch Health Resort in Lenox from both Philip and Maria who worked part time there. I insisted we stop at the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge,which started as a small tavern in 1773 and now has 125 rooms.

Maria Reveley, Ron Kapon and Phillip Kampe

Capitol Steps Show

I must mention that Philip is a superb cook. His breakfasts are legendary and the first night, before Tanglewood, we had dinner on his patio. You missed your true profession Chef Phil. I arranged for lunch at Blantyre in Lenox and a tour of their very large wine cellar  (Wine Spectator Grand Award) by wine director Cristelle Cotar whose husband Arnaud is the chef. We had a Marsannay, Kistler Sauvignon Blanc and Chablis with lunch. They are a member of Relais & Chateaux. There are 8 rooms in the main house, 5 cottages and 11 rooms in the Carriage House. www.blantyre.com. Drinks and a tour of the 8 room 22-acre Wheatleigh Resort in Lenox. Built in 1893 this Leading Hotels of the World property had their park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.

My last evening was spent with a tour, dinner and the show Capitol Steps (comedy/musical/political satire) at Cranwell Resort, Spa & Golf Club

in Lenox. The resort has 114 rooms and suites in eight buildings, including the 100-year-old Tudor-style mansion, built at the end of the 19^th Century. Frederick Law Olmsted also designed the 580-acre property. Dinner wines included a Chablis, Joel Gott Cabernet and Chateaux Carbonnieux. I could get used to this life.

Escape the crowds in the Hamptons and treat yourself to a relaxing life style in the Berkshires.

About the Author:

Ron Kapon has over 50 years of experience in the wine & spirit field, starting with his first drink (mixed with water) at age three. His family’s business, Acker, Merrall & Condit, was established in 1820 and is the oldest wine merchant in the United States as well as the largest wine auction company in the world.

Click www.ronkapon.com to check out Ron’s website or connect with him on Facebook: www.facebook.com/vinoron