Dinner by Design & Four For Dinner

The Williams family, owners and managers of The Inn at Sawmill Farm in West Dover, Vermont, have created the ultimate gastronomic packages for food and wine lovers: Dinner by Design and Four for Dinner.

Both packages include accommodations for two nights at this historical, award-winning country inn, and a special dinner created just for you in conjunction with the Inn’s Chef-owner.  The Dinner by Design package is for the couple celebrating a special occasion, such as an anniversary or special birthday, while Four for Dinner is for small groups of two, three or four couples who want to celebrate their friendship at a relaxed country inn with superlative food. 

Both packages marry the Inn’s prepared-to-order cuisine with wines from its 22,000-bottle wine cellar, winner of Wine Spectator’s Grand Award every year since 1992. 

After settling into their room or suite, guests retire to the Inn’s barn wood paneled living room to sit with Brill Williams, Sawmill’s Chef-owner.  In front of the huge, walk-in fireplace, the Chef leads them through the possibilities for their special dinner.

The menu is just the starting-off point.  Using that as a base, they consider variations in preparation of meats, game and fish, and in the organically-grown vegetables special-ordered by the Chef.  Before long, a menu is created that fits the unique preferences of the guests. 

Once the menu is decided upon, it’s off to the wine cellar.  For those who know their wines, the visit is an amazing treat; for those who do not, it is an education.  In two, literally cavernous rooms, there are 22,000 bottles neatly stacked and carefully categorized.  There are vintages like Bordeaux’s Latour from 1955, Chateaux Margaux from the great 1982 vintage, Cheval Blanc back to 1966 and Burgundies like Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet Clavoillon, 1983. Selections from California, France, Italy, Spain, Australia and still other areas are mind-boggling. With Chef William’s guidance, there is no doubt that the perfect wine will be found to go with the guests’ special meal. 

With the Four for Dinner package, the special meal is a six-course tasting menu.  A different wine can be selected to accompany each of the courses.  If the guests so choose, Chef Williams can help them find a different Burgundy for each course. Or perhaps a theme of wines from small French vintners, or different wines from the Sonoma region of California, or wines that are all mature Bordeaux.  Whites, reds, champagnes, ports…. there are almost endless combinations.

When not dining at Sawmill, the beautiful Green Mountains are there to explore.  The quaint village of Wilmington is only ten minutes away, and Bennington and Manchester Village are less than an hour away.  Then, there are cross-country and downhill skiing – or always one’s cozy room for a book or nap.

The rates for the Dinner by Design and Four for Dinner packages begin at $825 Sunday through Thursday.  Package includes full country breakfast, 5-course dinner, private tour of the wine cellar and consultation with the chef. A souvenir photograph taken in our award winning wine cellar is also included. Room upgrades are available upon request.  Wines, taxes and gratuities are not included.  Weekend rates are slightly higher.  

Reservations can be made directly at the inn number 802-464-8131, 800-493-1133, Fax 802-464-1130, e-mail address sawmill@sover.net.