LEHIGH VALLEY WINERIES CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH OPEN HOUSES AND SPECIAL EVENTS

The eight wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail are encouraging wine lovers to buy local this holiday season by inviting them to festive events, offering specials on wine, and helping them pick the right wines for their holiday meals during tastings at convenient wine shoppe locations throughout the region.

March Madness 2013 passports are also on sale at all member wineries as well as online via EventBrite. Passports are $35 each and make a great gift for wine lovers. A limited supply of passports is printed and often sells out well in advance of the month-long event, so customers are encouraged to purchase them early.

Lehigh Valley Wine Trail Holiday Events and Specials

Amore - When you stop by their Nazareth winery for wine and gifts, also stop by the Amore Greenhouse next door to pick up your Christmas tree and other holiday greens for decorating.

Big Creek - Can't make it to the winery in Kresgeville? Don't forget about their wine shoppe in Jim Thorpe located at 27 Race Street in the historic stone row of houses while shopping in the charming and historic town.

Blue Mountain –

Annual Christmas Party - Saturday, December 1 from 5 - 9 p.m. Enjoy their wines along with tasty hors d'oeuvres. Bring along friends for some holiday cheer! Reservations are preferred. Event is free but there is a $5 fee for wine tastings.

And visit their newest location in the Lehigh Valley Mall. Stop by the kiosk located next to Santa’s village for wine tastings and to purchase your favorite Blue Mountain wine, as well as accessories that make great gifts for any wine lover.

Clover Hill –

Annual Coat Drive for The Caring Place in Allentown - December 3-9 from 10 a.m. -5 p.m.

For the third year in a row Clover Hill Vineyards and Winery will be collecting gently used coats of any size to donate to The Caring Place, a youth development center that reaches out to youth of the Lehigh Valley who are facing adversity. Throughout this week of giving, your donation of a coat will be rewarded with a 10 percent discount on your wine purchase and 20 percent on case purchases.

And save the date for the annual Holiday Open House on December 8 from noon - 5 p.m.

Franklin Hill - Visit any of their four locations December 14-16 and enjoy 15 percent off all merchandise as well as "Secret Santa Specials" each day.

Visit the Downtown Bethlehem wine shoppe on Thursday, December 20 when Franklin Hill Vineyards will sponsor the city’s Live Advent Calendar.  The event begins at 5p.m. outside the door of the Goundie House located at 505 Main Street. Join Franklin Hill Owner Elaine Pivinski and friends as they carol along the way guided by the merry sounds of the Lehigh Valley Harmonizers. When they reach the wine shoppe, everyone is invited to share a warm mulled cup of Sir Walters Red and cookies from Back Door Bakeshop.

Galen Glen - Holiday Open House - December 1 & 2, and December 8 & 9 -

For the fourth holiday season, Santa and Galen Glen Winery are teaming up to help the U.S. Marines with the Toys for Tots campaign. Santa will arrive at the winery on Saturday, December 1 and Sunday, December 2 at noon and will be available for photos with your family.

Bring a new, unwrapped toy or a monetary donation for Toys for Tots and Santa will add your name to the “Nice” list, also thanking you with a special treat. With your camera, the staff at Galen Glen will be happy to assist your family in capturing a lasting memory. They will also feature a complimentary pairing of their nationally and internationally-award winning Rieslings with their rendition of lobster macaroni and cheese.

Pinnacle Ridge - Customer Appreciation Weekends - December 1 and 2, and December 8 and 9 from noon to 5 p.m. both days. Chef Ben will create tasty morsels, each to be paired with one of the Pinnacle Ridge wines. Enjoy the complimentary food and wine pairings and check out their newest releases and old favorites. There are also winery gift cards, wine baskets, gourmet food items, fine stemware, and a selection of colorful gift bags. Or create a custom basket by picking out your favorite items and they'll put it together for you.

Vynecrest – December 8 and 9 - Vynecrest Open House. Taste samples of spice cookies paired with their warm Spiced Winter Red and Provencal dip, both from Hereford Country Store. Receive a 25 percent discount off all cases (12 bottles - mixed or all of one variety). Get 10 percent off Vynecrest Red, or Three Spiced Winter Red for $25. Or purchase Vynecrest wines at their wine booth inside Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem this holiday season.