A unique getaway for someone who loves chocolate, romantic inns and wine might be tickets to the sixth annual St. Croix Valley Chocolate March! A tour of inns in the St. Croix River Valley will be highlighted with chocolate tastings Sundays in March, 2008.
A group of innkeepers who market their inns together (Inns of the Scenic St. Croix Valley) have teamed again with area chocolatiers and wineries to produce The Sixth Annual Chocolate March. The area from Osceola and Taylors Falls on the north, to Hastings on the south, boast a unique collection of inns ranging from cottage to prairie to Victorian style. This year a few historic sites are added. They are the Historic LeDuc Estate in Hastings; the Octagon House in Hudson; Afton Historic Society in Afton and the Warden’s House in Stillwater. Many of the inns are offering special weekend packages that will include tickets to the Chocolate March. The chocolate tastings will range from truffles to mousse to tortes to chocolate chai tea. Tickets are $21 each if purchased in advance or $25 at the door. (A portion of the proceeds benefit Second Harvest Food Shelf. March is Minnesota Food Share Month!)
“This is a natural combination – inns, chocolate and wine” said Kathy Jarvis, innkeeper/owner of Afton House Inn in Afton. “As innkeepers we have such a great time getting together and sharing potluck and recipes. The recipes guests ask for most often involve chocolate and we are very proud of the products produced right here in the valley!”
Each Sunday in March (except Easter) a region in the valley offers a tour of the inns and sampling of decadent chocolate at each. Some inns will be serving their own chocolate specialties while others will be offering area chocolatiers a chance to promote their fine products, made fresh locally. Participating chocolatiers are Knoke Confections from Hudson, Creative Confectionaire from Hastings, Delightful Edibles from Woodbury and River Chocolates from River Falls. The wineries participating are Alexis Bailly in Hastings, St. Croix Vineyard in Stillwater and Northern Vineyard in St. Croix Falls.
( The Sunday Tours remaining are March 16: Osceola, Taylors Falls and Center City and March 30:Afton and Hastings. Tickets may be purchased through www.uptowntix.com or more information is available at www.innsofthevalley.com. Discounts and incentives are offered when purchasing tickets for groups. Group tours may be scheduled for weekdays other than the Sundays throughout the year. Call 651-998-0185 for more information.
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