when in upstate ny: westwind orchard in accord

For those outside the state, "New York" tends to evoke images of the city -- cabs and museums and crowds and, hopefully, delicious food and some of that amazing "energy" that everyone loves to talk about.

But the truth is, the state is enormous and nyc just a teeny corner of the whole that can sometimes feel like a world apart from the rest.

So when dear friends invited us to go upstate for the 4th of July weekend, we jumped at the chance to hang out with our favorite people, drink wine by the pool, and eat some homemade lobster rolls (...and did I mention this epic flag cake?).

every day is a ball upstate! or so I've heard. (photo c/o Erika Rose, best photographer ever)

The company was incredible, the wine copious, and our hosts had a surprise in store for us: Westwind Orchard.

In what might be the chicest upstate story for years, the pre-Civil War orchard and farm were found and restored by a fabulous Italian couple made up of a fashion photographer and stylist. Fabio (yes, really) and Laura bought the property in 2002 and have since meticulously brought its 32-acres back to life, now producing apples, squash, maple syrup and more.

If that wasn't picturesque enough, they've also had the brilliance to install a pizza oven and chef Chicco, the master pizzaiolo.

what's better than a man making pizza? how about two, wearing wes anderson hats!

Using his nonna's pizza dough recipe and whatever topping is on hand, Chicco churns out simple charred pies and a lot of Italian charm.

So in the dripping rain, we ordered up one of each: a simple margarita, one with a slices of cured meat and a sprinkle of garlic scapes, and possibly my favorite: scapes sprinkled over oozing caciocavallo. Totally lethal.

It was really, really good.

so many happy faces and one smart person sneaking a slice (c/o Erika Rose)

For good measure, Westwind also makes its own jams, vinegars, and honeys (of course). I couldn't resist and picked up a honey, which was unsurprisingly delicious. (More surprisingly: a day later discovering it at Steven Alan Home. Steve, why do you have such great taste?!)

And then sadly it was time to wave goodbye to Chicco and friends, and take one last look at the adorable heart logo and head back to the house. After all, that rose wouldn't drink itself.