"Simply Charming"

Have you ever been in a European bar/pub/cantina?

Our private “La Cantina” was inspired by our many visits to Europe. We wanted to capture that special atmosphere for our guests that we’ve only found in the authentic settings of a German “Stube” or a Tuscan “Cantina”!

 “La Cantina” was christened during our first Riddle Family Reunion in January 2006. The room was filled with family from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Virginia, Georgia, Alabama and Florida. 

The Cantina can be reserved for no additional charge upon request. It offers guests a unique private space where they can gather and socialize without the space limitations of the private cabins.

What You’ll Find in the Cantina:

In the corner you will find an Austrian corner table that was originally owned by our German Aunt who lived for many years in the “Karnten” region of the Austrian Alps. This typical “Eck Tisch” once stood on the ground floor of an Austrian Villa in the Alpine town of Millstatt, Austria.

In a German “Stube” this type of table would have been host to the “Stamm Tisch” – where only favorite local customers get to sit!

A photo of our favorite “La Cantina” is placed near the entrance door. This photo was taken by us in Chianti, Italy, and was the inspiration for the room. Throughout, you will find numerous pictures and posters that were collected mostly in Tuscany, Italy.

The light hanging over the table is an authentic German light made from a European Red Deer antler. The light above the bar is also from Germany – a typical style German light found in many homes throughout the German country-side.

The Bar is made from African mahogany from a local mill - the burgundy wine barrels in the Cantina are from Virginia’s first winery, Farfelu.

Large Italian bottles assist in capturing the ambience of a true Italian Cantina. Some of the bottles are empty as we believe in enjoying the moment! However, there is still a Chianti wine bottle filled which is from the late 1970’s – at this point, we believe it is better to look at than to drink! The “wine cellar” keeps our personal selection of choice wines – mostly red wines from Italy.

All the wooden walls are of solid oak – cut by the same timber framing company that built our structures. The large red “barn-like” doors were included in “La Cantina’s” design to represent typical local Virginia country barn door designs. The “Terra Cotta” type floor tiles are typical of Tuscan “Cantinas.”