Wines & Wagons: A Birthday Winery Crawl

May 14

4 Wineries. 1 Covered Wagon. Countless memories.

For my birthday this year, we decided to trade candles for corks and celebrate with a wine-filled weekend getaway. With live music, delicious food, and a cozy stay in a covered wagon (yes, you read that right). It was the kind of trip that’s best told in photos, but I here are some highlights along the way.

Our Wagon Awaits — Isinglass Estate Winery, Lacygne, KS

We kicked things off at Isinglass Winery, where we stayed in one of their glamping-style covered wagons. It was charming, comfortable, and such a fun twist on a typical wine weekend. We arrived on my birthday—Friday—and just in time for music bingo, which we may have dominated. We ended up winning a whole collection of goodies: a tumbler, a charcuterie board, a wine gift set, and two bottles of wine. Not a bad start to the weekend!

We both enjoyed flights of their wines (a few favorites made it into our stash to take home), and the food was just as satisfying. Kyle even surprised me with chocolate-covered strawberries from a local baker near the wineries—sweet in every way.

Saturday: Four Wineries, One Fabulous Day

The next morning, my best friend Jerzee and her fiancé Nathan joined us for a full day of winery hopping. Here’s the rundown of our tasting tour:

1. Somerset Ridge Vineyard & Winery - Paola, KS

We started at Somerset Ridge and it was a VIBE. Live music and a taco food truck. Their outdoor space is great for lounging with a glass in hand, and we soaked up the sun while sampling their wines. Plus a winery dog to great you!

2. Fossil Springs Winery - Paola, KS

Next up was Fossil Springs, known for their fruit wines. The flavors were fresh, fun, and perfect for spring. This stop felt like a hidden gem and gave us that small-town Kansas charm I always love.

3. Nighthawk Vineyard & Winery (My Favorite!) - Paola, KS

This was the standout of the trip for me. Nighthawk had it all: live music, my favorite wine of the weekend, a gorgeous setting, and best of all dogs to pet. It was peaceful, welcoming, and the kind of place you want to hang out just a little longer.