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away as China and India and developed the 96 acres of formal gardens,
many of which retain their original
early-20th-century landscape design.
A 45-room Tudor Revival mansion is
the central structure snuggled on this
property surrounded by an expanse
of woodlands—part of Ringwood
State Park—and sliced by a net work
of sheltered trails.
But it’s the elegant gardens—
actually 13 garden rooms—that are
the showpiece. On the Sunday afternoon garden tours, docents point
out particularly notable specimens,
including the extensive lilac collection
that is at its height in early June. Stroll
the terraces behind the manor and
you’ll easily lose track of time as you
wander beside placid reflecting pools
with diminutive waterfalls, past giant
rhododendrons, and along the fragrant
Magnolia Walk. The Wildflower Garden,
set in a shaded woodland, is “one of
my favorite areas in the garden,” says
landscaper Rich Flynn. (In late May,
the Japanese primroses are the showiest.) Each summer, guides lead a walk
on one of the surrounding trails, such
as the short Mount Defiance path that
switch backs up to a panoramic view
above the garden.
Four Sisters Winery
783 County Route 519, Belvidere;
908-475-3671; foursisterswinery.com
Nestled on a 250-acre farm growing
pumpkins, apples, soybeans, corn
and nine varieties of grapes, the Four
Sisters Winery provides everyone
from the wine novice to the aficionado
with a viticultural education. The
7@C@=D 170C4-70 >?,D three-hour Vine to Wine event held in
1@=94>30/ ,;,=?809?> May and July takes you through every
step of the process—so much so that,
according to owner Matty Matarazzo,
90B D:= 6 “with this information you can make
%'064#. 2#4- ¶ 576610 2.#%' your own wine at home.” In August,
6+/' 5 537#4' ¶ 70+ 6'& 0#6+105
9*+ 6' 2.#+05
;347,/07; 34,
4+ 66'0*175' 537#4'
B,>3492?: 9 /.
9*+ 6' *175'
S
#4.+0)610 ¶ & 7..' 5 Some of the herbs at Well
Sweep Herb Farm. Top to
>?,D , 6, .: 8 bottom: milk thistle, feverfew
, 6, and horehound flowers.
