Chambourcin Weekend details announced!

The Lehigh Valley Wine Trail will once again celebrate the region’s official wine grape during Chambourcin Weekend on Saturday, October 15 and Sunday, October 16.  

The Chambourcin is the only wine grape grown by all eight area wineries. In the greater Lehigh Valley, there are more than 40 acres of Chambourcin, which ferment into 150,000 bottles of wine. Chambourcin is very versatile in the wine cellar and the wineries craft it into several styles of wine including Nouveau, Rosé, Semi- Sweet, Sweet, Dry Barrel Aged, Sparkling and Port.

Wineries will feature wine tastings, live entertainment, food and wine pairings, and other activities. Event hours at all of the wineries are Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon – 5 p.m. Chambourcin Weekend is a free event, however some wineries charge for wine tastings. Check the Wine Trail web site for details.

CHAMBOURCIN WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS

Amoré Vineyards & Winery, Nazareth - Amore will feature five styles of hand-crafted Chambourcin wine pared with an assortment of artisan breads, dipping oils and cheeses.

Big Creek Vineyard and Winery, Kresgeville - Big Creek Vineyard will pair a "Soupe Chanterelle," made with local Chanterelle mushrooms, with their 2010 Chambourcin.

Blue Mountain Vineyards, New Tripoli - Saturday: Di Bruno Brothers out of South Philadelphia will be sampling their cheeses to pair with Chambourcin. Rob will be playing as free entertainment from 1-4 p.m.

Sunday: They will offer winery tours every hour from 1-5 p.m. Join them for Sunday Blues from 2-5 p.m. featuring Scott Marshall & The Hillbilly Souls ($5 admission to Sunday Blues; includes wine tasting).

Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery, Breinigsville - Cheers to the Chambourcin grape! Chambourcin is known as the grape of the Lehigh Valley and if you’ve ever tasted it you will agree it makes a wonderful glass of wine. Chef Nathan Grube will make a return appearance to do cooking demonstrations to be paired with their 2009 Chambourcin and Turtle Rock Red (made with 100% Chambourcin grape). Cooking demonstrations will take place at 1, 2, 3, and 4 p.m. both days.

Franklin Hill Vineyards, Bangor - Beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday Franklin Hill will feature Pivinski's Premier Polish Prince's Pierogis for tasting paired with 2010 Chambourcin or Simply Red.  Guests may also purchase pierogis to eat at the winery or for sale by the dozen to take home with a bottle of their favorite wine.  While you enjoy the pierogis, enjoy the tunes as Robert Michaels entertains with great acoustic guitar.

Galen Glen Vineyard & Winery, Andreas - Fiesta for your taste buds. Zesty Taco soup prepared by charismatic Gary and Kathy, who are independent Pampered Chef consultants, will be paired with the winery’s Gold medal Chambourcin or Cellar Red.

Pinnacle Ridge, Kutztown - Pinnacle Ridge will be serving tender beef French dip with their Chambourcin wine reduction au jus. For vegetarians they'll be serving sautéed vegetable French dip with Chambourcin wine reduction vegetarian au jus. Pinnacle Ridge 2009 Chambourcin, 2008 Chambourcin Reserve and Sweet Seduction (100% Chambourcin) will be their featured wines.

Vynecrest Winery, Breinigsville - Vynecrest Winery will be partnering with The Farmhouse, a farm-to-table restaurant, to present the following tasting menu to pair with samples of the winery’s Gold Medal 2010 Chambourcin Wine. Chef Javin Small will be at the winery at 1 p.m. both days and will be conducting a cooking demonstration on Sunday.

Saturday’s Menu: Mediterranean herby hummus with Rip Rap artisan crackers. Assorted grilled pizzas with seasonal toppings and manchego cheese with red and black currant jam on French baguette slices. Connie Edinger performs live from 1-4:30 p.m.

Sunday’s Menu: Chinese five spice hummus with Rip Rap artisan crackers, seared herbed lamb lollipops with fire roasted poblano pepper walnut pesto and manchego cheese with red and black currant jam on French baguette slices.