Published September 3, 2023

With the ocean air still on my mind from July, August rolled in with a whisper of fall, bringing cool mornings and blistering afternoons.

My focus for August was one of connection. I wanted to recover from my stressful work weeks and reconnect with friends and family. We had several events scheduled in August, including summer vacation. I was excited for the adventure surrounding these activities, and the chance to enjoy the last of the warm summer weather.

2023 Brook Hollow Winery Clambake

The first foodie event to kick off August was the 2023 clambake at the Brook Hollow Winery.

A good family friend introduced us to Brook Hollow Winery many years ago. Early in their operation, Brook Hollow Winery hosted a few yearly events. I first visited the Brook Hollow Winery for their 2019 clambake.

Today, Brook Hollow Winery has grown their offerings to host comedy nights, paint and sips, live music, pig roasts, and other events for the community throughout the year.

I was excited to visit Brook Hollow Winery again and see how the event has evolved. Plus, this year we had one of our largest groups attending the events, and I was excited to spend an afternoon relaxing and having good food with friends and family.

Outdoor Seating

We had a table of 20 this year, and were lucky enough to have a prime location for the outdoor seating. I preferred the outdoor seating because it was quieter and you could enjoy the cool summer breeze.

Our table looked out on the vineyards at the bottom of the hill. Different sections of games were scattered across the grass — like large wooden Jenga, cornhole, and more. I thought this was a nice addition to the event and a good way to get everyone mingling.

Our group kicked off the games with a few rounds of cornhole, before we rotated out for an elderly couple to play. Eventually everyone mingled in the grass — families with children, college students, and older groups of friends.

Food at the 2023 Brook Hollow Winery Clambake

Each guest at the event receives a wristband and booklet of tickets. This ensures that only Clambake attendees have access to the food, and manages the distribution of the seafood throughout the day.

Our booklet had one ticket for fish and chips, one for shrimp, two for clams, and unlimited access to the grilled food, like burgers, hot dogs, and salads.

Fish and Chips

The winery partners with a restaurant (I believe named “Argyle”) who cooks the fish and chips for the event. Typically, I would wait until the end of the event to have my fish and chips. This year, we mixed it up and decided to start our courses with the fish and chips.

There was already a long line throughout the barn by the time the stand opened. I was glad to get a plate that was hot from the fryer.

The fish was unbelievably crisp. The breading to fish ratio was perfect, and the fish itself was tender and flakey. I also feel like the portion this year was extra large compared to what I had in the past. I could barely finish this amount!

Steamed Clams

The star of the clambake, of course, are the bags of steamed clams. They are portioned and served in red twine bags, which are surprisingly easy to pull open. I also took a knob of steamed corn and a cup of clarified butter for my clams.

Perfectly sized, tender, and dunked in the rich butter — these clams were a light summertime snack.

Steamed Cocktail

Families, groups, and couples milled throughout the property. Babies with chunky legs teetered around the grass. Couples took photos in front of the vineyard, where you could see the green grapes dangling down past the leaves. Music played from the gazebo and raffles were drawn every hour, where bottles of wine and tote bags were given (our table won twice).

We had lemonade, soda, red wine, and wine slushies. Eventually I got up to claim my last ticket.

The chilled shrimp came in a white cloth bag. They ranged in size and came with a side of cocktail sauce. I also tried them dunked in butter, but I think the cocktail sauce offered more flavor.

Dessert

The Brook Hollow Winery staff was efficient with their timing, restocking, and set up throughout the event. As the tables with corn, burgers, and hot dogs became low, they grilled fresh food and consolidated it in a single location.

Shortly after I finished my shrimp and a final raffle was awarded, the savory foods were moved to one side of the barn, while a new table was set with dessert.

Metal tins full of watermelon slices framed three large sheet cakes. One could self-serve from a selection of vanilla, chocolate, or marble cake with buttercream icing. I opted for a corner piece of vanilla cake.

Metal pots of coffee waited at the far end of the table alongside a selection of coffee syrups. I thought the syrups were a great idea. They offered mocha, caramel, butterscotch, hazelnut, or vanilla.

Families cleared out shortly after dessert, packing away their toys and strollers and making their way to the parking lot. The event was only three hours long and we knew they would start breaking down the tables and chairs by 4pm. Half of our group left around 3:45, stopping by the vineyards and visiting the bar and store across the street, where live music entertained guests sitting out on the lawn.

Overall, the Brook Hollow Winery hosted another successful event. I enjoyed the 2023 clambake and I noticed the improvements and organization that they’ve added, to make it an even better experience. We also had a sunny, warm summer day to enjoy the beautiful location, which made the food and company that much better.

Summer Vacation

My boyfriend and I spent most of the summer planning for our yearly vacation. Last year, we went to Massachusetts. This year, we went north again to Maine.

It was a fantastic adventure and the biggest highlight from August. You can check out the first post of this travel series, starting with our visit to the Mark Twain House in Hartford, Connecticut!

What was your August Highlight?

Did you travel somewhere new, host an event, or spend time with family? Leave a comment below with your favorite August memory.