Toast the new year with local sparkling wine

Not into champagne but still want to ring in the new year next week with something bubbly? Then try a local  sparkling wine instead. Here are a few suggestions for sparkling wines made by local Lehigh Valley Wine Trail wineries:

Amore Vineyards: White Mist - Slightly dry, tingly and sparkling. Celebration - Pink, sparkling, spicy fun. Blueberry Mist - Sweet and bubbly with natural blueberry flavor. Peach Mist - Sweet and bubbly with natural peach flavor. Blend it with orange juice to make a great mimosa. Strawberry Mist - Sweet and bubbly with natural strawberry flavor.

Blue Mountain: While they don't have any sparkling wines right now the winery recommends mixing their Mountain Frost wine with club soda and canned or fresh peaches for a fun wine cocktail instead.

Clover Hill Winery: Blackberry Sparkler - A sweet, sparkling wine made with blackberry.
Brut - Produced in the traditional method of making sparkling wine, Méthode Champenoise, our Brut has no perceivable sweetness, showcasing yeasty and fruity flavors.
Generations Sparkling Pinot Noir - Made in the Méthode Champenoise fashion, this sparkling wine is produced from 100% Pinot Noir grapes from their Broxspen vineyard. This dry sparkler shows delicate flavors of strawberry mingling with a classic yeasty flavor.

Pinnacle Ridge: Brut Rosé and Blanc de Blanc 

Franklin Hill: Brut (Methode Champenoise)

Vynecrest: Sparkling Chardonnay - A dry sparkling with great balance of acid and fruit, this 100% Chardonnay sparkling wine goes great with seafood and appetizers.

Keep in mind that at this time of year supplies may be limited for some sparkling wines. So we suggest calling ahead to the winery you plan to visit to verify they still have the one you want in stock.

Here are a few tips for your sparkling wine, courtesy of Clover Hill:

• Always have your bubbly well chilled prior to opening. We suggest putting the bottle in the refrigerator for a couple hours and then the freezer for 20 minutes prior to opening. 
• As much fun as it is to shake the bottle and shoot the cork, you do lose most of the wine when you do so! Remove the wire hood on the bottle and keep your thumb on top of the cork. Hold the cork in one hand and slowly twist the bottle. Always have a towel and a champagne flute close by. 
• Sparkling wines always add a festive feel to any celebration, but they are also great food wines. Some of our favorite bubbly pairings include a creamy brie with quince paste, steamed lobsters, crab stuffed mushrooms or smoked salmon. 

Happy Holidays from the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail

Christmas is almost here and we know that some of you might be behind on your shopping list. But no worries; our wineries can help. Many of them have extended holiday hours this weekend and some will even be open on Christmas Eve Day for a few hours. Be sure to call ahead to the winery or wineries that you plan to visit to make sure they will be there to greet you.

Local wine makes a great gift and requires little or no wrapping.  Several of our wineries sell gift bags, boxes and other holders in their gift shops to make the presentation perfect. Pair the wine with snacks, dips, wine glasses and other wine accessories to make it into a vino-themed present.

We'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued patronage of our eight family-owned and operated Lehigh Valley wineries. We are honored to have our wines served at your holiday parties and meals with family and friends.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

Carol with Franklin Hill Vineyards at Bethlehem's Live Advent Calendar

Vote For Our Door!

Amanda and our Bethlehem crew have outdone themselves this year. Come shop our store in Downtown Bethlehem and see why you should vote for our door. Once you vote you'll be entered for a chance to win a $1,000 gift card to participating Bethlehem businesses!

Come Carol with Us!

Bethlehem's Live Advent Calendar is the only one of its kind in the country. This unique event runs through December and features a different business each night. Franklin Hill will be the Special Sponsor on December 20 at 5:30 p.m. outside the doors of the Goundie House located at 505 Main St.

We hope you will join us on this very special evening. We will sing along with The Lehigh Valley Harmonizers to some of our favorite holiday carols, warm up with some mulled Sir Walters Red and enjoy beautiful downtown Bethlehem.

Give the gift of local wine

Our retail stores have extended their hours to help you get your shopping done! Call our stores in Bethlehem, Easton and Tannersville for details.

Our holiday message to all of you

We've had one of the most amazing years in Franklin Hill Vineyards history. New wines, some incredible awards and the very best customers are just a few of the things we celebrate this year. We would like to extend our warmest wishes to you and yours this holiday season. We hope you take time to enjoy the things that really matter... Peace, Love and Wine! Cheers!

What's happening this month at Blue Mountain Vineyards

Visit Blue Mountain Vineyards this month for wine specials, live music and a special event!

Sunday Blues from 2-5 p.m.:
$5 admission per person. Please call or email us to make your reservations.

12.16 - Scott Marshall & The Hillbilly Souls
12.23 - Valerie Borman
12.30 - Jake Kaligis & Mike Rauscher's Dynamic Duo

December Specials:

$1 off 2006 Blue Heron Meritage
$1 off 2011 Chardonnay

March Madness Passports

Stop by the winery to get yours today before they're gone! Passports are $35 each. If it's easier, you can also purchase passports online at www.lehighvalleywinetrail.com.

3rd Annual Christmas Blessings Toy Drive

Join us this Sunday, December 16 as Scott Marshall and The Hillbilly Souls host their 3rd Annual Christmas Blessings Toy Drive. All proceeds will be delivered to the Pediatric Units at Lehigh Valley Hospital. All gifts must be unwrapped and appropriate for children ages birth to 17. Gift cards and monetary donations will also be accepted. We're looking forward to what is sure to be a wonderful day of great music and holiday cheer!

All of us at Blue Mountain Vineyards would like to extend a very special thank you to each and every one of you for your patronage this past year. We wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year.

Holiday hours and Men's Shopping Night from Clover Hill Winery

The holidays are near and there is no better time to open a bottle of Clover Hill wine to enjoy with family and friends. Here are our favorite December selections:

~ Need something with a hint of sweetness and bright flavors to sip on while catching up with an old friend? Try the Vidal Blanc.

~ If you are looking for a full body, rich red wine to serve with your prime rib dinner, we suggest our Cabernet Sauvignon.

~ Heat up your holiday party by warming a bottle of Clover Hill’s Holiday wine.

~ Why not try replacing dessert with a glass of our new release, Chocolate Cabernet?

We wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Thank you for choosing Clover Hill wines, we appreciate your business. Cheers!

Holiday Hours:
All Clover Hill locations have extended hours for December.

The Winery in Breinigsville
December 1-31
Monday - Saturday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday: Noon - 5 p.m.
CLOSED: - Christmas Day, New Year's Day

Allentown Fairgrounds Farmer's Market
Special Christmas week hours:
Sunday, December 23: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Monday, December 24: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Owner's Selection - Niagra
A sweet, white dessert wine that is a great sensation for the nose. Just give it a good chill and sip away. An awesome smell and taste like the fresh grapes just popped out of their skin into the wine glass.

Enjoy a 10% discount on Niagara during December. Receive an additional 10% discount on the Owner's Selection when included in a case purchase.

Clover Hill Winery at Sorrelli Jewelry for Men’s Holiday Shopping Night
220 West Main Street
Kutztown, PA 19530
Thursday, December 13 - 5 - 9 p.m.

Calling all men: If you are looking for some sparkle for that special person be sure to visit Sorrelli Jewelry. They will have plenty of staff on site to assist you in finding that perfect piece of jewelry, while Clover Hill Winery staff will assist you in finding a locally produced premium bottle of wine. Clover Hill will have a sampling of wines to help you choose the right wine to enjoy during your holiday celebrations. Cheers!

Vynecrest Customer Appreciation Weekend is here!

Customer Appreciation Weekend

Another great year is coming to a close and as our way of saying thank you, Thursday, Dec. 6 - Sunday, Dec.9, Vynecrest will be offering 25% off 12 or more bottles. Just print out this coupon and bring it in to the winery to receive your discount. We will also have live music in the Vyneskeller on Saturday. This discount is valid at the winery only (Breinigsville or Kutztown locations) and cannot be combined with any other offers. For our customers who can't make it out to the winery this weekend, we are offering free shipping. See below for details.

While you are visiting the winery don't forget to pick up a gift for the wine lover in your life. We have Cherry DiVyne packaged with chocolate for $20 (hint: makes a great hostess gift), wine-scented candles and many more gifts. We also have a few March Madness passports left but they will sell out soon.

News and Events

December Specials:
* Three Pack of the Month - 3 Spiced Winter Red for $25.00
* Wine of the Month - Vynecrest Red 10% off

Events:
* December 1 - Live music in the Vyneskeller, Rob & Marty, 1:30-4:30 pm
* December 8 - Live music in the Vyneskeller, Jake Kaligis, 1:30-4:30 pm
* December 15 - Live music in the Vyneskeller, Arianne , 1:30-4:30 pm

Holiday Hours (Breinigsville):
* Dec 1 - 23: 11 am - 5 pm
* Dec 24: 10 am - 2 pm
* Dec 25: Closed
* Dec 26 - 30: 11 am - 5 pm
* Dec 31: 10 am - 2 pm
* Jan 1 - 11: Closed
* Reopen January 12: 11 am - 5 pm

Holiday Hours (Kutztown):
* Dec 1 - 23: Noon - 6 pm
* Dec 24 & 25: Closed
* Dec 26 - 30: Noon - 6 pm
* Dec 31 - Jan 11: Closed
* Reopen January 12: Noon - 6 pm

Glass Half Empty
By Sam Landis

I am sure all of you have heard about the five S's of Wine Tasting - See, Swirl, Sniff, Sip, Savor. They are designed to give both the novice wine taster the same ammunition to enjoy wine as the expert connoisseur. I am here to tell you that the five S's... S-S-S-S-Stink! More often than not, anyone re-enacting these five S's are either a novice trying to fit in and not stick out, or a pretentious faux expert trying to impress, both of which take away from the purpose of a winery visit which is fun.

I have come up with my own five S's of wine tasting based on my personal experiences of visiting wineries. I like to go to other wineries for two reasons - time with friends/family and the wine, in that order. I believe the combination of the company you are with and the wines that you taste make or break any winery visit. We are not a library, so get out, interact and have fun!

1. Solicit: Be inquisitive, ask the tasting room people questions such as What are you known for? or What kind of wines do you like? Get some history of the place and the people, and if most wineries are like ours they will have plenty to tell you.

2. Select: Think about the wines you're going to select; if you like sweet wines or dry wines, stick to what you know. Maybe work with the person you are visiting with to share tastings and expand your horizons. Sometimes maybe just try white wines at wineries one day and then just try red wines another time, but put some thought into what you want to taste.

3. Smell: In my opinion this is the most important of the original five S's. You can tell a lot of good and bad things from aroma of wine more so than any other sense. Talk to the people you are visiting with and have them smell your wine. Its fun to see if they pick up the same things that you might.

4. Swoosh: I know we have all done shots before... don't lie. And the reason we drink it like that is so we don't taste it! But instead expose the whole of your mouth and tongue for ideal exposure to wine. The tongue detects four distinct flavors: bitter, sour, salty and sweet. So get that wine in there and mix it like a cocktail in your mouth.

5. Share: Talk about what you liked or didn't like to both the people you are with and your tasting room server. Sometimes friends and family know each other's tastes better than we do. So if you find something that you think they will like, steer them in that direction. This can also apply to purchasing cases of wine and sharing them over the holidays.

There you have it - my revamped five S's. Wine tasting should not be a chore so get out there and enjoy it.

Pinnacle Ridge plans Customer Appreciation Weekend

CUSTOMER APPRECIATION WEEKEND
December 8 and 9

We can't believe it's that time of year already. Every December we set aside a couple a weekend to thank you, our loyal customers. We have Chef Ben working overtime, creating some tasty morsels, each to be paired with one of the Pinnacle Ridge wines. We would love to see you at the winery from noon to 5 p.m. on December 8 and 9 to check out our food and wine pairings and also our new releases and old favorites.
 
JOIN PINNACLE RIDGE TO CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS

The holidays are nearly here. Are you ready? We can help! We have more than wine. Check out our gift cards, wine baskets, gourmet food items, fine stemware, a huge selection of colorful gift bags for this wonderful time of year. Create a custom basket by picking out your favorite items and we'll put it together for you. In regards to our wine, inventory is getting low on several varieties so stop by before they disappear for good.

2012 HARVEST UPDATE

After a couple of extreme years, 2010 being exceptionally hot and dry and 2011 being exceptionally wet, we had a "normal" year in 2012. Notice that "normal" is in quotes. The reality is that no two vintages are the same; there are always twists and turns that are unique to each vintage and 2012 was no exception.

March and April were exceptionally warm leading to a record early bud break. Early bud break is wonderful from the standpoint that it usually leads to an early harvest (resulting in riper fruit and a better chance of harvest beating the fall hurricanes). The downside of the early bud break is that there is risk of frost damage.  The general rule of thumb is that May 15 is the last day of frost in our area.

The estate vineyard escaped frosts but our friends at Round Ridge Farms were not so lucky and had significant frost damage to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Merlot in late April. May and June were fairly normal with regard to rain. Temperatures started rising at the end of June and early July to record levels with over a week straight over 90 degrees. It got to the point that after 22 years of living in a home without air conditioning I finally called a contractor to install air conditioning. At this point we were thinking that we had another 2010 on our hands with the exception that we had more rain in 2012 than in 2010.

July and August provided continued warm temperatures and also normal rainfalls. The generally warm conditions throughout the summer coupled with the early bud break did result in a record early harvest for us. We commenced harvest with our Cayuga for our Blanc de Blanc and Pinot Noir for our Brut Rose on August 31. September brought cloudy weather for the first week and normal rainfall and temperatures. We avoided hurricane weather but it wasn't exceptionally dry. October continued the same trend with normal temperatures and rainfall. We missed an exceptional vintage due to normal rainfall in August and September but we did end up with a "normal" vintage!

Watch for the first 2012's to start coming out in February.      

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. 

SANTA COMES TO GALEN GLEN WINERY THIS WEEKEND TO HELP THE MARINES TOYS FOR TOTS CAMPAIGN

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 friendly staff at Galen Glen will be happy to assist your family in capturing a lasting memory. To excite your taste buds, they will feature a complimentary pairing of their nationally and internationally-award winning Rieslings with their rendition of lobster mac ‘n cheese.

The Marines Toys for Tots foundation is a not-for-profit charity that has been assisting the U.S. Marine Corps in providing a tangible sign of hope to economically disadvantaged children at Christmas. The goal of the foundation is to provide, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them into becoming responsible, productive and patriotic citizens.

Galen Glen Winery is located at 255 Winter Mountain Drive in the beautiful rolling hills of Andreas, Pa. The vineyard is on the family’s double-century farm and is full of history. The tasting room’s knowledgeable and engaging staff  makes every visit enjoyable. During December the tasting room is open Monday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m as well as Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. to help with your holiday entertaining and gift-giving needs. Plan to spend an afternoon enjoying exceptional views and award-winning wines with some locally-made cheeses or your own picnic lunch.

For more information about our Toys for Tots campaign and other upcoming events, please visit our website www.galenglen.com or “Like” us on Facebook. Contact the winery at 570-386-3682.

Clover Hill welcomes the holidays with its annual coat drive and open house events

2012 Grape Harvest Update -

Each year we get another opportunity to grow better grapes and, in turn, make a better wine. The 2012 grape harvest was our 36th opportunity as grape growers and we were blessed with a relatively easy harvest. Clover Hill had the earliest grape harvest start date of August 20, and completed our picking on October 10. The early spring, followed by a warm summer, really paid off as we approached August. We were fortunate and surprised to find such high sugar levels and well-developed flavors so early in the season. Winemaker, John Skrip III, kept reminding us that we need to pick by the numbers and flavors and not by the date we traditionally pick.

We got to work and harvested more than 80 acres of grapes by hand. We managed to complete our harvest prior to the frosts and heavy rains of late October. John is now in the winery working with the wines from the harvest. He has a smile on his face because the fruit is so delicious! Good things will be coming from this grape harvest.

Owner's Selection - Cabernet Sauvignon 

The king of our red wines! Big, flavorful and ready to knock your socks off. Rich oak flavors of vanilla and spice mingle with ripe fruit flavors of raspberry, blackberry, and cherry. This is a big flavored, dry, toasty oaked, red wine that pairs perfectly with a hearty grilled steak or winter stews.

Enjoy a 10% discount on Cabernet Sauvignon the entire month of November. Receive an additional 10% discount on the Owner's Selection when included in a case purchase. View great recipes using our Cabernet.

Upcoming Events -

Annual Coat Drive for The Caring Place
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 in Allentown. The Caring Place is a youth development center that reaches out to youth of the Lehigh Valley who may be facing adversity. Throughout this week of giving your donation of a coat will be rewarded with a 10% discount on your wine purchase (20% on case purchases). Thank you for your generosity!

Holiday Open House
December 8 from noon - 5 p.m.

Be sure to save the date for our annual Holiday Open House. As always, there will be plenty of fun to be had so be sure to check back closer to the date for details as they unfold. Happy Holidays!

Vynecrest shares ideas for original food and wine pairings

It is going to be a busy month at Vynecrest. The power is back on and we are done cleaning up from the storm. The Winery lost power for a few days but other than that there was no damage. Have no fear, Nouveau Beaujolais was ready for release on time!

Christkindlmarkt in Bethlehem is now open and we have a wine booth there. The festival runs Thursday through Sunday until December 23 (closed Thanksgiving Day). It starts at 11 a.m. each day and closes at 6 p.m. on Thursdays & Sundays, and at 8 p.m. on Fridays & Saturdays.

November Specials:

Wine of the Month -Traminette, additional 10% off
3 Pack of the Month - All American Special, any combination of DiVyne Red or Niagara for $25**

**at winery only, 3 pack can't be combined with other discounts

Upcoming events:

November 24 - Live Music in the Vyneskeller, Brian Xander, 1:30 - 4:30 pm
November 25 - Jazz Sunday, Live jazz in the Vyneskeller, Body & Soul, 1-4 pm
December 1 - Live Music in the Vyneskeller, Rob & Marty , 1:30 - 4:30 pm
December 8 - Live Music in the Vyneskeller, Jake Kaligis, 1:30 - 4:30 pm
December 15 - Live Music in the Vyneskeller, Arianne, 1:30 - 4:30 pm
December 22 - Live Music in the Vyneskeller, Allison Goodin, 1:30 - 4:30 pm

Glass Half Empty 
by Jim Hutchings
Vynecrest Weekend Warrior

Jan's story in the August newsletter covered what some might think of as an 'unconventional' pairing of wine with chocolate, since many people only think of pairing red wine with red meat and white wine paired with chicken or fish. Being such an avid wine drinker, I enjoy wine with meals and even snacks on a regular basis and I've come up with some "interesting" pairings along the way. When I work in the tasting room and share some of these offbeat food pairings, people often think I'm kidding. You see for so many of us wine is not just a drink for a special occasion or nice meal. It's a passion we enjoy daily, so it's only natural to come up with some fantastic pairings from everyday meals and snacks.

When I first heard of wineries offering a pizza wine, even I thought it was a joke. Now I'm surprised when a winery doesn't offer a pizza wine! Ours, of course, is Vynecrest Red. It's great with pizza or anything else with a red sauce. Even though we're past the summer barbeque & picnic season, I still like to enjoy a glass of Cabernet Franc with an all-beef hot dog or cheeseburger from the grill. That's right - our rich and robust dry reds aren't only for drinking with a nice steak. They're good with just about anything that comes off of the grill!

Our sweet and silky Vignoles isn't just for dessert anymore. I think it's a fantastic breakfast wine - try a glass with pancakes and syrup this weekend. Sticking with the sweeter wines, there's no match to Spiced Winter Red and the gingersnap cookies we sometimes pair with at the winery. Also try a warm glass with a piece of cinnamon toast for another breakfast with a kick. Our tasting list says to pair Traminette with Asian cuisine, including Thai food or anything with a bit of spice. This suggestion can go even further, pairing Traminette with Mexican or Indian food. It's just as good with tacos and curry chicken. For my money, though, I think Traminette is at its best with Buffalo wings.

Even recently I've discovered some amazing new pairings. I still have a few bottles left of the Last Syrah from 2008 and it was delicious with homemade beef jerky. The salty, gamey jerky really brought out the ripe berry flavors in the Syrah. I think this year's Chambourcin would also go very well with jerky. Finally, and most surprisingly, I discovered the joy of Sparkling Chardonnay with potato chips. The salty crunch of the chips with the bubbles in the wine (which is perfectly balanced with a touch of sweetness and acidity) creates a pairing that must be experienced to be truly enjoyed.

I'm sure I'm not the only one out there with offbeat tastes for pairing wine and food. What other combinations are customers enjoying?

Pinnacle Ridge preps for Nouveau Weekend

LEHIGH VALLEY WINE TRAIL'S NOUVEAU WEEKEND
             
Saturday, November 17 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday, November 18 from noon - 5 p.m.

This Lehigh Valley Wine Trail event celebrates the first vintage of the new harvest! Nouveau refers to a French wine which is created and sold the same year that the grapes are harvested. These wines are typically red, light in body, and fruity. Pinnacle Ridge will not be making a Nouveau wine this year, but we will be serving our Vidal Blanc and Merlot to be paired with another delectable creation by Chef Ben Underwood - cherry smoked pork and white bean soup.

Travel the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail the weekend before Thanksgiving for a fabulous opportunity to meet with friends and family before the holidays. This is also a great time to get a head start on your holiday gift shopping. March Madness 2013 passports will be going on sale Nouveau Weekend. These passports are great gifts for the holidays. Get them while they last because they sell out very quickly.

SUPERSTORM SANDY

It is a few weeks after Superstorm Sandy hit the region and we are glad to say we weathered the storm with little damage. We, like many others, were without power until late Friday. The tasting room was closed until Wednesday but we were able to obtain a generator to light the winery Thursday and Friday. There was a real romantic feel with the low lighting that was kind of nice. 

That being said, there is nothing like that slight pop and burst of light when the power comes back on. Hopefully everyone made it through the worst of Sandy and are getting back into that normal routine one can appreciate after such events. 

NOUVEAU WEEKEND LETS WINE LOVERS TASTE THE FIRST VINTAGES OF THE RECENT HARVEST

The eight wineries of the LehighValley Wine Trail will debut the first vintages from their most recent harvest this weekend, November 17 and 18, during Nouveau Weekend, the last Wine Trail event of the year. Wineries will also feature food and wine pairings for visitors to sample.

Nouveau Weekend is a great opportunity to purchase wine to give as holiday gifts or to complement holiday meals. Event hours at all of the wineries are Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon – 5 p.m. Nouveau Weekend is a free event, however some wineries charge for wine tastings.

Passports for the 2013 March Passport Program will go on sale this weekend. Passports are $35 each. A limited supply of passports is printed and often sells out well in advance of the month-long event, so event-goers are encouraged to purchase them early.

The Lehigh Valley Wine Trail is a non-profit organization of wineries whose mission is to promote agri-tourism and to create a premiere wine destination and grape growing region while promoting Pennsylvania wines from the region. All of the member wineries have won numerous awards at state, national and international levels.

For more information on the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail, visit www.LehighValleyWineTrail.com, and connect with them on Twitter and their Facebook fan page.

NOUVEAU WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS

Amore - will feature their signature blend of Cabaret Amore paired with meat lasagna.

Big Creek - will introduce two new wines for Nouveau Weekend.  The first is Ebon Foch, a big hearty red, and the second is a semi-dry, aromatic white wine called Joi. Quantities will be very limited. They will pair both wines with Millie's Chili - the Santo Variation. 

Blue Mountain - Saturday: They'll feature their 2012 Nouveau paired with cranberry stuffing. They'll also sample warmed cranberry-spiced Sangria. Rob will be playing from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Sunday: They'll feature the 2012 Nouveau paired with cranberry stuffing, and they'll sample warmed cranberry-spiced Sangria. Sunday Blues entertainment from 2 - 5 p.m. will be by The Wow Brothers. The $5 admission fee for live music includes a wine tasting. Outside food is welcome.

Clover Hill - Nouveau Weekend is a time to celebrate the first release from the current year’s harvest. Not only will Clover Hill be releasing a new wine, but they will be taking an intimate look at the 2012 Grape Harvest. Internationally recognized photographer Jim Gavenus has documented their 2012 Grape Harvest (www.gavenusphoto.com).

Visit the Winery in Breinigsville to sample their new release and view the 2012 Grape Harvest exhibit from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday and noon – 5 p.m. on Sunday. Wine will be available by the glass to sip and artist prints will be available for purchase.

Franklin Hill - will debut their 2012 Seyval Blanc, just in time for the Thanksgiving dinner table. They will also be pairing Seyval with freshly baked lemon bars and pumpkin bread from Back Door Bakeshop in Bethlehem, with plenty of baked goods available for purchase.

On the outdoor deck they will be presenting (weather permitting) Robert Michaels on guitar and vocals. Enjoy a warm glass of Sir Walter's Red, served warmed with mulled spices.

Galen Glen - will pair Riesling and A-Maize-ing Corn Chowder garnished with jalapeno or turkey.

Pinnacle Ridge - will pair their new 2010 Merlot and 2011 Vidal Blanc with a soup made from white beans and cherry wood-smoked pork.

Vynecrest - Vynecrest Winery will be serving their Nouveau Beaujolais 2012, made from the Gamay grape grown in their vineyard. There will be Hereford Country Store Provencal dip with Rip Rap artisan crackers for tasting and purchase - all Buy Fresh Buy Local products. Art's Acoustics Oldies will play live in the Vyneskeller from 1:30-4:30 p.m., open to the public and free of charge.

November events and specials at Blue Mountain Vineyards

Sunday Blues Schedule at Blue Mountain Vineyards:
11/11 ~ Scott Marshall & The Hillbilly Souls
11/18 ~ The Wow Brothers
11/25 ~ Jake Kaligis and Mike Rauscher's Dynamic Duo

Music is from 2 - 5 p.m. $5 admission includes a wine tasting. Outside food is permitted, outside alcohol is not. Call us today to make a reservation!

Monthly Wine Specials:

• $1 off Merlot
• $1 off Sauvignon Blanc

Annual German Night:

Join us this Saturday, November 10 from 5-9 p.m. for our celebration of German heritage! Admission is $19.50 and includes wine tasting, a BMV wine glass, German food, German dancers and music. Check our website or give us a call for menu details. Reservations preferred. 610.298.3068

Upcoming Events:

November 17 and 18 ~ Lehigh Valley Wine Trail's Nouveau Weekend
Each day enjoy cranberry stuffing paired with our 2012 Nouveau. We will also be sampling warmed cranberry spiced Sangria. On Saturday, Rob will be playing from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday, the Wow Brothers will be our Sunday Blues entertainment from 2-5 p.m.

November 17 ~ Holiday Wine Expo at Spring Brook
11 a.m. -5 p.m.
Visit their website for more details!
www.upstatewinecountry.com

Taste the first vintages of the recent harvest during Nouveau Weekend

The eight wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail will debut the first vintages from the most recent harvest Saturday, November 17 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday, November 18 from noon – 5 p.m. during the annual Nouveau Weekend event. 

Wineries will feature food and wine pairings for visitors to sample. This is the last Wine Trail event for 2012.

March Madness 2012 passports will also go on sale this weekend at each winery. The limited-supply passports are $35 each.

The Lehigh Valley Wine Trail is a non-profit organization of wineries whose mission is to promote agri-tourism and to create a premiere wine destination and grape growing region while promoting Pennsylvania wines from the region. All of the member wineries have won numerous awards at state, national and international levels.

It's Muller Time this weekend at Galen Glen Winery

It's Muller Time! (Our wine slang for warm, spiced wine.)
November 3 and 4

Wishing you a safe return to everyday life after the storm. Visit us for a taste of mulled Claret wine, which has been transformed into a warm, spicy and sweet delight, and you'll leave warm and smiling!

Upcoming Events:

Love Hot Dog
November 11
Lobster rolls, sausages & dogs

Thanksgiving Weekend
November 17 and 18
Amazing corn chowder with Riesling

Black Friday Sale
November 23 from 10 am - 5 pm
Once a year, we put the winery on sale. 15% off case sales only. Custom label orders and shipped orders are not included. All wine must be purchased at the Winery day of sale. ONE DAY ONLY. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Regular winery hours:
Friday: Noon - 5 pm
Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday: Noon - 5 pm

Winery hours for the holiday season:
Open every day from Friday, November 16 through Monday, December 31
Sunday through Friday: Noon - 5 pm  and Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm
Closed: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Years Day (Special exceptions: Christmas Eve and New Years Eve - 10 am - 3 pm)

Franklin Hill Vineyards celebrates the launch of its newest wine - THIN!

 
Franklin Hill Vineyards has the skinny on the newest thing in wine... and we wanted you to be the first to know... THIN is here! 

Our new wine, THIN, is like nothing else you have ever tried before. We know you have a sweet tooth, so we found a way to offer all the sweet, without the guilt. THIN has about the same calories as a glass of dry red wine, but it is sweet to taste.

Not only do you get to indulge yourself in a great sweet treat, but you are also benefiting your body. Made from premium red grapes blended with Acai berry, it has all the benefits of drinking red wine. Red wines contain resveratrol, a polyphenol that reduces bad cholesterol and many other health benefits.

Now available at all of our locations and stop in and give it a try! We think you'll love it!

Franklin Hill Vineyards Locations:

The Winery
7833 Franklin Hill Rd
(888) 887-2839
Mon-Sat 11-5 and Sundays 12-4

Bethlehem
Main St. Commons Building
567 Main St.
610-332-9463
Mon-Wed 11-6; Thurs-Sat 11-8; Sundays 12-5

Easton
3625 Nazareth Rd.
610-559-8966
Mon-Thurs 11-6; Fri & Sat 10-7; Sundays 12-4

Tannersville
2942 Route 611
Mon-Thurs 11-6; Fri & Sat 10:30-7; Sunday 11-4

Celebrate the official wine grape of the Lehigh Valley this weekend

The eight locally-owned and operated wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail will once again celebrate the region’s official wine grape during Chambourcin Weekend on Saturday, October 20 and Sunday, October 21. 

The Chambourcin is the only wine grape that is grown by all eight wineries. In the greater Lehigh Valley, there are more than 40 acres of Chambourcin which ferment into approximately 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.

Each winery will feature its own activities such as wine tastings, live entertainment, tours, or food and wine pairings. 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.

CHAMBOURCIN WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS:

Amoré Vineyards & Winery, Nazareth - will feature four styles of Chambourcin and will be serving cheese tortellini in a fresh tomato basil sauce. Enjoy their porches and patios with autumn vistas. Family fun includes hayrides, pumpkin picking, corn maze, puzzle woods and straw pit.

Big Creek Vineyard and Winery, Kresgeville - will be slicing some of their family’s favorite cheeses for Chambourcin Weekend.

Blue Mountain Vineyards, New Tripoli - Saturday: Starting at noon there will be a cellar tour with owner Joe Greff. Enjoy music by Rob from 1:30-4:30 p.m. The featured food and wine pairing will be braised beef with tomatoes and herbs with 2010 Chambourcin. Or try Victoria's Passion with a chocolate dessert.

Sunday: The featured food and wine pairing will be kiffles by BabaNonna paired with 2010 Chambourcin. There will be cellar tours at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. There will be a supervised kids table so parents can enjoy some time to themselves. Hank Jones & Ellyot H. Ray will be the Sunday Blues entertainment from 2-5 p.m. - $5 admission for music includes a wine tasting.

Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery, Breinigsville - Chef Nathan Grube will make a return appearance to conduct cooking demonstrations to be paired with the new release, 2010 Chambourcin and Turtle Rock Red (also made with 100% Chambourcin grapes). Chef Nathan will be cooking up an eggplant and risotto baked with homemade tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella. Cooking demonstrations will take place at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. both days.

Franklin Hill Vineyards, Bangor - Chambourcin grapes are a standout variety whether you prefer dry oak-aged, medium smooth, or sweet fruity. They will be featuring baked ziti tossed with "Simply Red - Simply Delicious" marinara sauce and "Fainting Goat - Fainting Brownies" for dessert. Enjoy a glass of wine on the deck as Robert Michaels entertains with his music.  

Galen Glen Vineyard & Winery, Andreas - will pair Gary’s Gourmet Meatloaf drizzled with a Chambourcin bordelaise sauce and Stone Cellar Chambourcin or Cellar Red.

Pinnacle Ridge, Kutztown - will serve Filet Mignon Kabobs - beef tenderloin cubes with bacon, sweet onion, red pepper and portabellas on a bed of baby spinach. This dish will be paired with their 2010 Chambourcin Reserve or the 2011 Chambourcin Rose.

Vynecrest Winery, Breinigsville - will pair their 2011 Chambourcin Estate-Bottled wine with a Wild Rice & Chick Pea Salad with dried cranberries, a perfect autumn side dish. Recipes will be available. Art's Acoustic Oldies performs in the Vyneskeller on Saturday from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Music is free of charge.

Concord is the October Owner's Selection at Clover Hill

2012 Grape Harvest Update

Every year’s grape harvest is exciting and brings a new set of challenges, but some years are certainly easier than others. 2012 has been a harvest full of smooth sailing. Clover Hill's grape harvest commenced on August 20 which is one of the earliest starts we have ever had. Harvesting is done by hand to retain the best quality fruit. Sugar levels in the fruit have been very high and the flavors and complexity have been intense. Currently we only have Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc left to harvest. Stay current with our 2012 grape harvest by being our Facebook fan!

We have some wonderful events scheduled for the rest of 2012! Keep reading below for a listing of our October happenings. Enjoy the lovely fall season and we look forward to your next Clover Hill Winery visit.
 
Owner's Selection - Concord

Undoubtably a taste of the region. A sweet grapey wine that most people associate with backyard grapes. Try it with your favorite spicy chili or Concordian Meatballs, or just sip it on its own. Blend it with your favorite fruit juices for a refreshing sangria. Receive an additional 10% discount on the Owner's Selection when included in a case purchase. Try some great recipes using our Concord.

Chambourcin Weekend
October 20 and 21, Saturday 10 am - 5 pm and Sunday Noon - 5 pm

Join us as we applaud the Chambourcin grape! All the wineries on the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail will celebrate the Chambourcin grape, which is known as the grape of the Lehigh Valley. Chef Nathan Grube will conduct cooking demonstrations featuring locally grown foods from Hedrick Family Farms to be paired with the new release, 2010 Chambourcin. Chef Nathan will be cooking up eggplant and risotto baked with homemade tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella. Cooking demonstrations will take place at 1, 2, 3 and 4 pm both days.

During this event Clover Hill will donate $1 for every bottle of Chambourcin and Turtle Rock Red (also made from 100% Chambourcin grapes) sold to the Angel 34 Foundation. Angel 34 is a local, but nationally recognized, organization united in the fight against childhood cancer and dedicated to finding a cure. 100% of the funds raised by Angel 34 go directly to providing services and support for children battling cancer. Doug and Linda Sheriff, of Angel 34, will be at Clover Hill sharing their mission. You can learn more about the dedication and caring work of the Angel 34 Foundation at www.angel34.org. Cheers to the Chambourcin grape!

Sorrelli Jewelry Trunk Show for a Women’s Pampering Day
Saturday, October 27 from 10 am - 5 pm

Clover Hill and Sorrelli will partner to encourage women to take care of themselves in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Sorrelli will offer a Trunk Show of beautiful jewelry, which will include their Cancer Ribbon Charm and Breast Cancer Awareness Earrings. Sorrelli will offer a portion of their sales from their breast cancer awareness pieces to Breast Cancer Support Service of Berks County. In turn, Clover Hill will donate $1 for every bottle of Clover Hill Rose` sold to Breast Cancer Support Service of Berks County.

A harvest update from Pinnacle Ridge

HARVEST 2012 - ALMOST FINISHED!

So far so good! With our 2012 harvest over half way finished, we can say that this has been a very solid vintage. We had a little too much rain at the end of August and September but there was no tropical activity like we had last year, which we are thankful for.

The amount of birds this year was also greatly reduced due to migratory patterns. In the past we have had larger issues with the birds eating the grapes. So far we have picked the Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cayuga, Traminette, Syrah and Merlot. In the next couple of weeks we plan on harvesting the Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chambourcin and Vidal Blanc. We plan on finishing our harvest by mid-to-late October.

THE LEHIGH VALLEY WINE TRAIL'S CHAMBOURCIN WEEKEND

Saturday, October 20 and Sunday, October 21 from noon - 5 p.m.

This Lehigh Valley Wine Trail event will take place after our 2012 harvest celebrating the famous grape of the Lehigh Valley: Chambourcin. We are very happy to have such an adaptable grape growing in our region, giving us the opportunity to make many different styles of wine. During this free event weekend, each winery in the Lehigh Valley will be showcasing a wine made with the Chambourcin grape and pair it with a delectable dish to compliment its flavors. 

Pinnacle Ridge will be unveiling our 2010 Chambourcin Reserve. We have a lot of eager customers ready for this wine and we're happy to say the wait is over. Pinnacle Ridge will be pairing the 2010 Chambourcin Reserve or the Chambourcin Rose with filet mignon kabobs, beef tenderloin cubes with bacon, sweet onion, red pepper and portabellas on a bed of baby spinach. This is a beautiful time of year to tour the Lehigh Valley as the seasons change and to sample our renown Chambourcin from your local wineries. Be sure to mark your calendars for this very special event.

Spiced Winter Red is back at Vynecrest just in time for fall

The 2012 Harvest at Vynecrest should wrap up this week barring any unforeseen events. It's going to be another great vintage. It is now time to set our sights on the holidays. Christkindlmarkt in Bethlehem opens in just a few weeks on November 15. Be sure to visit our wine booth there!

October Specials

• Wine of the Month - Spiced Winter Red, additional 10% off
• 3 Pack of the Month - 3 Vignoles for $25**

**at winery only, 3 pack can't be combined with other discounts

Upcoming Events

• October 13 - Live Music in the Vyneskeller, Arianne , 1:30 - 4:30 pm
• October 20 & 21 - Chambourcin Weekend - We will be pairing our 2011 Chambourcin with a Wild Rice & Chick Pea Salad with dried cranberries. Its a perfect Autumn side dish, recipes will be available. Art's Acoustic Oldies performing in the Vyneskeller on Saturday from 1:30-4:30 pm. Public is welcome, free of charge.
• October 27 - Live Music in the Vyneskeller, Valerie Borman , 1:30 - 4:30 pm
• October 28 - Jazz Sunday, Live jazz in the Vyneskeller, Body & Soul, 1-4 pm
• November 3 - Live Music in the Vyneskeller, Connie Edinger , 1:30 - 4:30 pm

Glass Half Empty by Malachi Duffy

As we near the end of the 2012 harvest season, I thought some of our readers might like an inside look at what harvesting grapes is REALLY like.

Gone are the days of grape stomping a la "I Love Lucy." Our harvest days typically start at 7 a.m. Our vineyard crew immediately begins picking the grapes, placing them into the yellow lugs (bins) that we placed out in the vineyard the night before. John, Sam and I prep the equipment for the day which includes a press, crusher/destemmer, pumps, hoses, etc.

By 8 a.m. the first round of lugs are ready for pick up. After a quick round of rock, paper, scissors between Sam and I, one of us hops up onto the tractor (winner) while the other climbs onto the attached wagon eager to pick up the 30 pound lugs (loser). The wagon holds 72 lugs, so each trip nets us about one ton of grapes.

From there it's back to the crush pad, the concrete slab outside the wine cellar (it just sounds cooler to call it a crush pad) where we unload the grapes into the crusher/destemmer. This machine takes the grapes off the stems and uses rollers to lightly crush the grapes. The result of this process is a combination of juice and crushed skins known as must that gets pumped into the press.

Next comes round two of grape pick up (Sam does the heavy lifting this time) to again fill the wagon and take another one ton load back for processing. Once these grapes are crushed, the must is combined with the first batch to fill the press and we begin the hour-long process of pressing the must to extract as much pure juice as we can. (Notice, there are no bare feet involved in this process).

By the time the day is done, the above-mentioned tasks have been repeated over and over until all the lugs for the day have been collected and processed. On average, each day of harvest brings in about 500 lugs which yields about 1,000 gallons of wine once the juice has been fermented. Our day finishes with a marathon cleaning session to hose down all of the equipment and lugs in preparation for the next day of harvest. When all is said and done, Vynecrest will harvest just over 5,000 lugs of grapes during the 2012 season. That's a lot of rock, paper, scissors.

Blue Mountain Vineyards to celebrate HalloWine this month

October Specials at Blue Mountain Vineyards:

• $1 off 2008 Pinot Noir
• $1 off 2011 Chardonnay (unoaked)

Sunday Blues Lineup:

• October 7 - Wow Brothers
• October 14 - Valerie Borman
• October 21 - Hank Jones & Ellyot H Ray
• October 28 - Jake Kaligis & Mike Rauscher's Dynamic Duo

Call or email us for reservations. $5 admission includes a wine tasting. Adults 21 and older only for music please.

Upcoming Events:

October 6 & 7 - Ottsville Fall Festival
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Linden Hill Gardens
www.lindenhillgardens.com

October 13 - Fall Foliage event
11 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Sno Mountain
www.upstatewinecountry.com

October 13 - Winetober Fest
1 - 6 p.m. @ Skippack, PA
www.winetoberfest.eventbrite.com

October 20 & 21 - Lehigh Valley Wine Trail's Chambourcin Weekend
Stop by each winery to celebrate the official grape of the Lehigh Valley!
www.lehighvalleywinetrail.com

HalloWine!

It's that time of year again! Join us Saturday, October 27 from 5-9 p.m. for our annual HalloWine event. Come in costume to add to the fun, and maybe your costume will win a prize! Admission is $7.50 and includes a Blue Mountain wine glass. Music will be provided by the Wow Brothers. Outside snacks are welcome. Grab your friends, put that costume on, and come out for what is sure to be a fun night! Advanced paid reservations preferred. Adults 21+ only please. Costumes optional.

Franklin Hill celebrates fall with two new awards for Trio!

Celebrate the harvest and our newest award winning wine...TRIO! Winning Double Gold and Best in Class at California's International Woman's Wine Competition. Congratulations Bonnie and Maria!

From our grapes to your glass 

The start of October brings us close to the end of harvest here at Franklin Hill Vineyards. Our harvest crew worked rain and shine to get our grapes to Bonnie and Maria so they could start working their magic. Our red grapes are still resting, absorbing all those heart healthy benefits we love so much, and will be pressed in the next few days. All in all, 2012 was a good harvest for us, and for this we are thankful.

Talk about thankful, what a festival season we had. We want to thank everyone, and there were a lot of you, who took the time to come out to support us from Split Rock to Seven Springs. A special shout out to all those who braved the storm at Gettysburg! Our festival crew works hard and had a blast introducing our wines all throughout Pa.  Not to say they aren't happy to take a well deserved break from all that travel.
Way to go FHV Festival Crew! 

Stop by the vineyard soon and maybe you can catch the last bit of grapes coming in to our winery and eventually, your glass! We look forward to your visit and to showing you how much we love what we do.

Bethlehem Harvest Festival 

As always, Bethlehem is planning great things and we are excited to be a part of it! The 7th annual HarvestFest in Downtown Bethlehem is October 13. Main Street, Broad Street and the Sun Inn Courtyard will be the home to all the fall festivities, food, shopping and fun for the whole family. This terrific event will include beer tasting and a wine trail, but get your passports early in the day. They are available for $20 and will sell out quickly. Harvest Fest will also offer soup tastings, music, arts, dessert, food and even grape stomping from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m

Buy wine online 

Our Wine Shop is open for business! Now you can simply send our wine as a gift or have it shipped it directly to you.

Cheers to Elaine!

The YWCA of Bethlehem has awarded Franklin Hill Vineyards the Breaking the Glass Ceiling Non-Traditional Woman's Business Award. We are very honored.

Harvest is under way at Franklin Hill Vineyards

From our grapes to your glass

Harvest has started at Franklin Hill! We brought in four tons of Cayuga and eight tons of Seyval Blanc. The fruit looks very good-ripe and sweet. We are harvesting a little early for the summer since we had some incredible warm days that helped ripen the fruit ahead of schedule.

A shout out to our wonderful pickers! All were eager to help harvest the 2012 vintage. Some of our loyal workers have been with us for over 25 years. Could it be the wine in the end that keeps them coming back?

The winery is still bottling in order to empty all of the tanks in preparation for all of the new juices. Meanwhile, Adam and Scott are busily bringing in the fresh ripened fruit. We're definitely looking forward to a wonderful 2012 Vintage.

Now ship wine from our online Wine Store

Now you can simply send our wine as a gift or easily ship it home! Check out our new Online Wine Store! Click here to buy now.  

2012 Celtic Classic
September 28, 29, 30 in Historic Downtown Bethlehem

The 25th Annual Celtic Classic is presented by Celtic Cultural Alliance, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the Celtic heritage through education, musical presentations, and traditional competitions in athletics, piping and dance. The Celtic Classic is a celebration of Celtic culture and heritage." 

Be sure to stop by Franklin Hill Vineyards' Bethlehem Location for a complimentary wine tasting to toast to your favorite Highland Games winner. Visit www.CelticFest.org for more festival info!

Franklin Hill Vineyards store locations

Winery
7833 Franklin Hill Road
Bangor, PA 18013
(610)-588-8708

Bethlehem
Main St. Commons, 
567 Main St.
Bethlehem, PA 18018
(610)-332-9463

Easton
3625 Nazareth Rd.
Easton, PA 18043
(610)-559-8966

Tannersville
2942 Route 611  #101
Tannersville, PA 18372
(570)-619-7260

Vynecrest owners introduce new chocolate bars to pair with their wines

The grapes are starting to come in. We picked our earlier ripening varieties like Pinot Grigio and Traminette over the last two weeks. Next week we will pick our mid-season varieties starting with Pinot Noir. Knock on wood, so far this year has been perfect for grape growing.

September Specials:

Wine of the Month - Pinot Noir, additional 10% off
Three pack of the month - 3 Vynecrest White for $25**
**at winery only, 3 pack can't be combined with other discounts

Upcoming Events:

September 15 - Live music in the Vyneskeller, Jake Kaligis, 1:30-4:30 pm
September 20 - Macungie Farmer's Market, Memorial Park, 4 - 7 pm
September 22 - Live music in the Vyneskeller, Brian Xander, 1:30-4:30 pm
September 27 - Macungie Farmer's Market, Memorial Park, 4 - 7 pm
September 29 - Live music in the Vyneskeller, Arianne, 1:30-4:30 pm
September 30
* Jazz Sunday, Live jazz music in the Vyneskeller with Andy and Dan, 1-4 pm
* Winemaker Tour, 1pm, $5 per person, reservation recommended
*Lehigh Valley Harvest: A Celebration of Local Food and Farms
(Formerly Taste of the Lehigh Valley)
We are a member of Buy Fresh Buy Local Greater Lehigh Valley and will be participating in their Harvest Fest fundraiser at Lutron Electronics in Center Valley on September 30 from 1-4 pm. We have been a part of this event since its inception. Tickets and information call 610-703-6954 or visit www.BuyLocalGreaterLehighValley.org
October 6 - Live music in the Vyneskeller, Billy Bauer, 1:30-4:30 pm

Glass Half Empty
by John Landis

I like chocolate. It started when I was a kid and walked to school and could smell the chocolate being made at the Wilbur Chocolate Company in Lititz, Pa. Every Christmas brought Wilbur buds under the tree.

When Jan and I started Vynecrest in 1989, I always wanted to make a wine to pair with chocolate. In 2004, we made Cherry DiVyne, which is a wine made from Montmorency sour cherries from Peter's Orchard in Adams County. The wine has won a PA Governor's Cup and boy does it pair well with dark chocolate Wilbur buds!

Then Jan got the idea of instead of creating wines to pair with chocolate, why not create chocolates that pair with wines? Hence, we now have five different chocolate bars from Sweet Indulgence by Christina which are designed to pair with specific Vynecrest wines.

Finally a chocolate lover's dream, to be a judge at the chocolate cake contest at the Great Allentown Fair and then to judge cakes at the Pa. State Farm Show in January. I sure do like chocolate!

Clover Hill celebrates 27 years in business with a sale!

Clover Hill is turning 27!

Celebrate 27 years of Clover Hill Vineyards and Winery by saving 27% off all wine purchases!

We are proud to be a family-owned and operated vineyards and winery and are appreciative of our staff and customers who have chosen to enjoy Clover Hill wines. Thank you for the many years of fun, support, growth and plenty of wine!

To show our appreciation, from September 13-16 at any Clover Hill location you will receive a 27% discount on your wine purchase. Cheers too many more years of Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery to come.

(*27% is the greatest discount available during the sale days.)

Upcoming events:

Chambourcin Weekend
October 20 and 21; Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm and Sunday: Noon - 5 pm

Join us as we applaud the Chambourcin grape! All the wineries on the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail will celebrate the Chambourcin grape, which is known as the grape of the Lehigh Valley, and one taste of it will have you coming back for more. Chef Nathan Grube will make a return appearance to conduct cooking demonstrations to be paired with our 2009 Chambourcin and Turtle Rock Red (also made with 100% Chambourcin grapes).

Cooking demonstrations will take place at 1, 2, 3 and 4 pm both days. Cheers to the Chambourcin grape! Revisit our website soon for more details on the cooking demonstrations or visit www.lehighvalleywinetrail.com for information on all the wineries on the trail.

Nouveau Weekend
November 17 and 18; Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm and Sunday: Noon - 5 pm

Nouveau Weekend is a time to celebrate the first release from the current year’s harvest. Visit Clover Hill and all the wineries on the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail for this exciting new release wine. Revisit our website soon for our weekend plans or visit www.lehighvalleywinetrail.com for information on all the wineries on the trail.

Jam at Blues in the Barn this weekend at Pinnacle Ridge

2012 BLUES IN THE BARN

Saturday, September 8 - noon - 7 p.m.
Sunday, September 9 - noon - 7 p.m.

Pinnacle Ridge is celebrating the harvest weekend with a bang! Live music, good eats, great vibes, and wonderful people. Our annual Blues in the Barn event is finally here. Our favorite chef, Ben Underwood, will offer some of his famous savory pulled pork sandwiches for sale as well as other delicious munchies. Wine will be available for purchase both by the bottle and the glass.

On Saturday, The Wallace Brothers will kick off the event at noon and play until 3 p.m.  We had the pleasure of jamming with The Wallace Brothers in July and can't wait to hear their set list this month. The Mighty Manatees will take the stage from 3:30 -7 p.m. We will be staying open later than usual to enjoy the festivities.

We are excited for the return of the James Supra Blues Band who will be performing on Sunday.  We had a blast the first time they played at Pinnacle Ridge back in June and can't wait for this Sunday's rockin' performance. We also welcome the Kelchner Brothers back who have performed at previous Blues in the Barn events.

Summer is nearing an end which also means an end to our summer concert series. We thank all who have joined us the past two months and encourage those who have missed the last shows to swing in for the final performance on Saturday, October 6 from 2 - 5 p.m. with Jack Murray and the Midnight Creeps.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jack-Murray-the-Midnight-Creeps

HARVEST 2012 - HERE WE GO AGAIN!

Harvest commenced on Thursday, August 30, much earlier than normal. This is only the second time that we have picked fruit in August in our 20-year harvest history (the other year was 2010). We started with Cayuga for our Blanc de Blanc sparkling wine and we picked Pinot Noir for our Brut Rose on Friday, August 31.

The early harvest was caused by an early bud break in April caused by warm weather in March and April, and also by continued warm weather in June and July (remember those beastly hot days in early July?).  All of this heat promotes the early ripening of the grapes resulting in an early harvest. Early harvests generally provide riper fruit than later harvests with riper flavors, lower acids and higher sugars, with higher alcohol in the finished wine. The wines tend to be softer, fatter and fuller than cooler years. We especially like the red wines from these warmer, earlier harvests (think 2010, 2007 and 2001).

We are set up for a beautiful harvest and now our main concern is weather and pests, most notably birds.  Hurricanes are the single biggest weather concerns. The remnants of Isaac are scheduled to slide through the area in early September so we'll see what that brings and, as of right now, no other serious threats are in the forecast. Keep your fingers crossed, and with a little luck we'll have another fabulous vintage like 2010 or 2007.

Stomp grapes like Lucy at Blue Mountain Vineyards

Calling all grape pickers and stompers!

The tentative dates for the annual Blue Mountain Vineyards picking parties are September 22, 23, 29 and 30.

We'll start the day promptly at 9 a.m. with danish and coffee inside the winery. After you're fueled up, you'll go outside and pick grapes for a few hours. To thank you for all your hard work we invite you to stay for a BBQ style lunch on the deck and the grape stomp!

Please wear comfortable clothing and bring gloves. Adults ages 21 and older only (no exceptions). Call or email us to make your reservation.

September Events

• 9/9 - Large Flowerheads
• 9/16 - Billy Patrick
• 9/23 - Scott Marshall and The Hillbilly Souls
• 9/30 - Jake Kaligis and Mike Rauscher's Dynamic Duo
• 9/8 - Lehigh Valley Wine Trail's Harvest Weekend - Stop by for a self-guided vineyard tour, music by Rob from 1:30-4:30 p.m. and enjoy homemade kiffles by BabaNonna!
• 9/9 - Lehigh Valley Wine Trail's Harvest Weekend - Stop by for a self-guided vineyard tour and enjoy homemade kiffles by BabaNonna!
• 9/15 - Wayne County Wine & Cheese Festival - Wayne County Fairgrounds 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. www.upstatewinecountry.com

Visit us at these farmers markets

• Bala Cynwyd - Thursdays 2:30 PM - 6:30 PM
• Ottsville - Fridays 4 PM - 8 PM
• Rittenhouse - Saturdays 9 AM - 3 PM
• Saucon Valley - Sundays 9 AM - 1 PM
• Emmaus - Sundays 10 AM - 2 PM

Vineyard Tours, Wine Tastings and PA Preferred Partners Highlight Our Annual Harvest Weekend Celebration

On Saturday, Sept. 8 and Sunday, Sept. 9, the members of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail will celebrate the grape harvest with its annual Harvest Weekend event. The eight wineries will welcome wine lovers for tastings, vineyard and winery tours, food and wine pairings, and live entertainment.

The wineries will also proudly promote the state’s “Pennsylvania Preferred” program by partnering with manufacturers of other Pennsylvania products to showcase their high level of quality. Event hours are Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon - 5 p.m.

*Please note: Harvest Weekend is a free event; however, each winery sets its own wine tasting fee policy. Please refer to the Wine Trail’s web site or each winery’s web site for details.

The Lehigh Valley Wine Trail is a non-profit organization of wineries whose mission is to promote agri-tourism and to create a premier wine destination and grape growing region while promoting Pennsylvania wines from the region.

For more information on the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail, visit www.LehighValleyWineTrail.com.

HARVEST WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS

Amoré Vineyards & Winery, Nazareth - Will pair asiago and risotto bites with Cabaret Amore as well as assorted quiche with Chardonnay. In addition, their fall hardy mums and fresh home grown fruits and vegetables will be available at the roadside market as well as sweet corn, tomatoes, melons and peaches.

Big Creek Vineyard and Winery, Kresgeville - Will offer fresh, tree-ripened fruit from nearby Heckman Orchards.

Blue Mountain Vineyards, New Tripoli – On Saturday enjoy free live music from 1-4 p.m. and take a self-guided vineyard tour. On Sunday, take a self-guided vineyard tour, and join them for Sunday Blues from 2-5 p.m. ($5 admission) with The Large Flowerheads. Reservations are recommended for Sunday Blues.

Both days, try samples of kiffles and rolls including walnut, raspberry, apricot, Nutella, peanut butter and chocolate, and strawberry and chocolate. The samples of rolls will be walnut, apricot, and poppy seed.

Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery, Breinigsville – Will partner with Unique Pretzel Bakery, Inc., of Reading. Just as the winery is a family-owned and operated business, Unique Pretzel Bakery is family owned since the late 1800’s. Since Unique Pretzel Bakery’s last visit to Clover Hill they have grown and are producing new products that they will be sharing. Pair a Unique chocolate covered pretzel with a glass of Clover Hill Turtle Rock Red. 

Franklin Hill Vineyards, Bangor – Will celebrate the beauty of their rolling countryside and the delectable fruits of their labors along with local favorites McCollian’s Pure Honey, Kachline's apples, Klein’s cheese and an array of snacks and wine. Take a leisurely tour of the winery at noon and 2 p.m., or kick back on the deck or picnic area and enjoy the sounds of Robert Michaels as he serenades guests.

Galen Glen Vineyard & Winery, Andreas – Will feature tractor and wagon tours of the vineyard and cellar, departing each day at 1, 2, 3, & 4 p.m. (weather permitting).  Enjoy lunch or a snack from Love Hot Dog Co (http://lovehotdogco.com) who will be selling gourmet sausages, dogs and chocolate-covered cheesecake on a stick from their mobile restaurant.

Pinnacle Ridge, Kutztown - Will hold its annual Blues in the Barn event. On Saturday, the Wallace Brothers Band will perform at 12:30 pm and the Mighty Manatees from Montgomery County will take the stage at 4 p.m.  On Sunday, the James Supra Blues Band entertains at 1 p.m., with the Kelchner Brothers taking the stage at 4:30 p.m.  Chef Ben will have pulled pork sandwiches and other goodies available for sale.

Vynecrest Winery, Breinigsville - Has invited their fellow PA Preferred Macungie Farmers Market vendors to set up booths in the winery’s parking lot both days from noon to 4 p.m. They include Bleiler's Produce Patch (organic produce), Mrs. McNabb’s Baked Beans (beans, macaroni salad, pierogies), and Hereford Country Store (quiches, cakes).

The winery will offer samples of Hereford Country Store’s lemon poppy seed pound cake paired with Blueberry Wine. Art’s Acoustic Oldies will be playing live in the Vyneskeller from 1:30-4:30 p.m. on Saturday. Go on a guided Winemaker’s Tour at 1 p.m. both days. Tours are open to the public and free of charge.

Try a wine cocktail this Labor Day Weekend

If you're a wine lover then you probably already cook with wine. But have you ever used wine to make a cocktail? Maybe all you need is the right recipe in order to give it a try. Here are a few favorites from Clover Hill Winery in Breinigsville and Franklin Hill Vineyards in Bangor to try this Labor Day Weekend.

Clover Hill:

Wicked Turtle
~2 oz. Turtle Rock Red
~1 oz. Passion fruit rum
~2 oz. lemon-lime soda

Pour into a chilled glass for a single serving, or for a crowd pleaser, pour it in your favorite pitcher.

Peach Sangria
~1 bottle Clover Hill Rose
~1/2 cup peach Schnapps
~1/4-1/2 cup pineapple juice
~6 oz. peach nectar
~Lemon lime soda

Sliced:
~1 lemon
~1 lime
~1 orange
~1/4-1/3 cup orange liqueur (optional)

Cut lemon, lime and orange into think 1/4' slices. Mix together wine, schnapps, pineapple juice, peach nectar, and orange liqueur (optional). Add lemon lime soda to desired taste. Add sliced fruit and enjoy!

Franklin Hill:

Mango Tango Martini
3 parts Franklin Hill Vineyards Desire
1 part vodka
Triple Sec Liqueur (splash)
1/4 lime
Tang drink mix

Rim martini glass with Tang. Pour Desire, vodka, and a splash of Triple Sec liqueur into glass with ice. Squeeze lime into glass. Stir and strain into rimmed martini glass then garnish with an orange slice.


White Sangria Punch
1 bottle Franklin Hill Vineyards White Sangria
1 2 liter bottle of Sprite
1 64 oz container orange pineapple juice
1 can of frozen orange juice concentrate
oranges and cherries for garnish

Pour all ingredients into a large punch bowl, add ice. Add sliced oranges and maraschino cherries. Float frozen orange juice concentrate in big scoops in bowl. Invite plenty of friends over and enjoy!

Ya gotta have friends!

Everyone needs friends to help support them, and our Lehigh Valley Wine Trail wineries are no different. We have partners throughout the region that work with us to promote and sell our wines. We consider them to be our Trail Friends. We are happy to be associated with them and encourage you to support them as well.

You can find a complete list on our web site here.

Here is a list of area restaurants that serve some of our wines:

Spectator’s Bar & Grille, Kutztown
John Jeffries, Lancaster
Iron Horse Inn, Strasburg
La Cocina Mexicana, Kutztown
Camillo's, Kutztown
Gibraltar, Lancaster
Kempton Hotel, Kempton
The Farmhouse, Emmaus
Villa Lentini, Coplay
Bricco, Harrisburg
Romano’s Restaurant & Bar, Andreas
Curious Goods at Bake Oven Inn, Germansville
Brew Works on the Green, Allentown
Restaurant at the Station, Tamaqua
Blue Monkey, North Catasauqua
Olde Homestead Golf Course, New Tripoli
West Reading Tavern, West Reading
Allentown Brew Works, Allentown
Bethlehem Brew Works, Bethlehem
Broadway Pub, Bangor
Woody’s, Gaston
Apollo Grill, Bethlehem
Carr's Restaurant, Lancaster

Here is the list of area farmers' markets that some of our wineries participate in:

Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers’ Market
Amore Farms and Greenhouses
Bala Cynwyd Farmers’ Market
Emmaus Farmers’ Market
Macungie Farmers’ Market
Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia
Rittenhouse Farmers’ Market

Clover Hill releases its "Naked" Chardonnay

Grape harvest is just around the corner!

August is one of our favorite times of the year. The vineyards are in great shape and are going through veraison which is the transition from berry growth to berry ripening. This is the final step before harvest. Keep up to date on the 2012 vintage by liking us on Facebook.

We have released the 2010 Generations N~Chard. This is a limited edition of unoaked Chardonnay (naked Chardonnay) and a favorite of our winemaker, John Skrip III. Of course he is bias because the Chardonnay grapes came from Clover Hill’s Sunset Vineyard, which happens to be where his house is located. The wine is rich in flavors of cantaloupe, melon and apricot and bright with fresh, clean acidity. Also, the very popular Strawberry Merlot is nearly sold out, so get it while you can!

Our event schedule features wonderful ways to enjoy your visit to Clover Hill Winery or you can come on a quieter weekday and enjoy a glass of wine on the patio with a picnic. Our Robesonia location in Berks County is now open seven days a week: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. and Sunday noon - 5 p.m.

Thank you for choosing Clover Hill wines. There is no better month to enjoy locally grown foods with a glass of our locally produced wine than the month of August!

Owner's Selection - Vidal Blanc

A haven of fruit and tropical flavors such as lemon, melon, and pineapple, there is a slight sweetness in this wine that balances the bright, fresh acidity. Vidal Blanc pairs nicely with Mexican, Thai or Asian foods.
Here are our favorite recipes for Vidal Blanc. Receive an additional 10% discount on the Owner's Selection when included in a case purchase.

Dan's Camera City Photo Shoot at Clover Hill Winery - Shoot to Learn
Sunday, August 19 from 10 a.m. - noon

Clover Hill is again partnering with Dan’s Camera City to help broaden your experience and become a well-rounded photographer. Dan's Camera City’s new class series titled “Shoot to Learn” offers many photo shoot opportunities. This series of on-location photo outings are led by knowledgeable and experienced Dan's Camera experts.

So that every student gets plenty of personal attention, each session has a limited number of tickets available. Tickets are $64.99. To learn more about this exciting experience or to register for the class please visit http://www.danscamera.com/shoot-to-learn/.


Cooking with Wine Main Dish Salad Contest
The Great Allentown Fair

Live judging - August 31 at 7 pm

Show off your ability to cook with wine at the Clover Hill sponsored 'Cooking with Wine Main Dish Salad Contest'. With wine moving to the forefront as America's beverage choice use your imagination, and your choice of Clover Hill Wine to create your favorite main dish salad. The competition is judged on: 60% taste appeal, 20% appearance and 20% originality of the recipe.