Friday, August 30, 2013

Labor Day weekend hours at our wineries

All of our wineries will be open this holiday weekend, and some of them will be open on the holiday itself.
Here's a quick summary:

Clover Hill - All of our locations are open today and Saturday. Sunday the Winery in Breinigsville and the Vineyard in Robesonia is open from noon-5 pm. Monday we are closed so we can enjoy some wine.

Galen Glen - Sunday 9/1 we'll be at the Schuylkill Count Wine Festival www.schuylkillwinefestival.com. The winery is open Friday noon - 5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m; Sunday noon - 5 p.m., and Labor Day 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Pinnacle Ridge - We will have normal hours this weekend  - Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday noon to 6 p.m., and Labor Day noon to 6 p.m.

Vynecrest - Last weekend serving our Vynecrest Sangria in the Vyneskeller as we bid farewell to summer. Open Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Labor Day 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Lehigh Valley Wine Trail announces Harvest Weekend plans

The next Lehigh Valley Wine Trail event is just a few short weeks away. Harvest Weekend takes place September 14 & 15 at all eight of our member wineries. Each one has something different planned for you to enjoy. This is a free event but some wineries charge for wine tastings. Be sure to check each winery's web site for their wine tasting policy before heading out. 

Amore - will pair chicken Caesar wraps with Cayuga White.

Big Creek - The winery’s owner recently attended a very informative cheese and wine pairing demonstration using their current offerings and moderated by Tenaya Darlington (a.k.a. Madame Fromage) author of “The Di Bruno Bros. House of Cheese: A Guide to Wedges, Recipes, and Pairings” and hosted by Kinsley’s Shoprite of Brodheadsville. Inspired by the event, they will showcase their favorite pairings of Big Creek wine and BellaVitano cheese.

Blue Mountain - will partner on Saturday and Sunday with Crystal Spring Farm.  A representative from Crystal Spring Farm will offer samples of their delicious ice cream and offer hand-dipped ice cream for purchase.  Also, on Saturday they will have complimentary live entertainment from 1-4 p.m.

They will also partner with Louie’s Sauces on Sunday only.  Louie himself will be cooking up something special with his delicious sauces.  They will have live entertainment provided by Billy Patrick on Sunday from 2- 5 p.m.; admission is $5. A self-guided tour of the vineyards will be offered both days.

Clover Hill - will partner with Klein’s Creamery of Easton and offer samples of a few of their delicious cheeses paired with Clover Hill wines. Also, for the third consecutive year they will have samples of pretzels from Unique Pretzel Bakery, Inc., of Reading. 

In addition, visit Clover Hill September 12, 13, 14 or 15 to take advantage of the Anniversary Sale. During these four days Clover Hill will say thank you for your dedication to Clover Hill wines and offer a 28% discount on your wine purchase for its 28 years of business as a winery. This is the best time ever to stock your wine cellar with Clover Hill wine. 

Franklin Hill - This year they will feature "Cruisin Cuisine by Christine." Christine will offer fried ravioli amongst other tasty treats for purchase, and several vendors will be set up to satisfy your urge to splurge and shop. They will offer walking tours of the vineyard and winery at noon and 2 p.m., where you'll learn everything you ever wanted to know from vine to vin and more. They will provide complimentary tastings and offer wine by the glass.  Please contact the winery for groups over 10 to make a reservation.

Galen Glen
Pit Boss Wes, owner of Smoky Mutts Barbeque, will be selling authentic southern style BBQ. The winery’s mascot, Clemens the dog, gives Wes, his wife Lan, and all their mouth wateringly tender BBQ cuisine two paws up.  http://www.smokymutts.com/

Tractor and Wagon Tours will be offered departing at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. through the vineyards and down to the wine cellar. Tours are weather permitting and free.

Pinnacle Ridge - will be celebrating Harvest Weekend with our annual "Blues in the Barn."  This year on Saturday we will feature Mike Dugan and the Blues Mission from noon - 3 p.m. and The James Supra Blues Band from 3:30 - 6:30 p.m. On Sunday the Sarah Ayers Band will perform from 2 - 5 p.m.  Both days they will have barbecue prepared by Maison Blanc. Wine by the glass or bottle will be available along with soda and water. Come early to get a seat.

Vynecrest - will partner with Pappy’s Orchard of Coopersburg, a fellow PA Preferred vendor from Macungie Farmers Market and pair their Gala apples with a Sugar ‘n Spice Caramel Apple Dip mix (locally made and sold at the winery) with their semi-sweet Riesling. Riesling is their Wine of the Month for September and priced at 10% off. They will offer free Winemaker Tours of the vineyard and wine cellar Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m.


Friday, August 23, 2013

Wine Trail Weekend Highlights

Our wineries sure do have a lot going on. Here's what events, specials and promotions you can take advantage of this weekend along the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail:

Love Hot Dog Company returns to Galen Glen Winery this Sunday
August 25 from noon - 5 p.m.

If you haven't been to the winery when Jason and the crew from Love Hot Dog Company have been there, you've been missing out. Plan to come for some of the most spectacular sausage and dogs you will ever get on a bun. There's everything from 100% beef for the traditionalists, but the adventuresome folks will want to try some of his wild-game treats too.

Plus two words - Bacon Jam. Have you tried it? It's a Galen Glen staff favorite. Jason has some awesome gourmet toppings for your dogs, including bacon jam.

August 25 at Vynecrest:

Jazz Sunday - Live Jazz music in the Vyneskeller, 1 - 4 pm and
Vineyard and Winery Tour with the winemaker, 1 pm, $5 per person.

Sangria Sunday at Blue Mountain Vineyards 

Summer is winding down and that means the last Sangria Sunday is this coming Sunday 8/25, featuring Jake Kalegis and Mike Rauscher's Dynamic Duo. 2 p.m. $5 per person, includes wine tasting.

Seven Springs Wine and Food Festival - August 24 and 25
featuring Franklin Hill, Clover Hill and Blue Mountain at the

The Seven Springs Wine and Food Festival is a celebration of Pennsylvania wine and food. Thirty wineries from all over the state will attend this event. Guests can sample from hundreds of different tastes, combinations and vintages, as well as purchase their favorites to take home.

Wear your Clover Hill t-shirt to show your LOVE and they will give you a 10% discount off your purchase.

Clover Hill August Owner's Selection
Save 10% on your purchase of 2012 Chambourcin. Now only $13.95. Receive an additional 10% discount when included in a case purchase.

Chambourcin is considered the grape of the Lehigh Valley. Clover Hill’s 2012 Chambourcin is a fantastic example of the rich flavors this grape can produce, such as blackberries and black raspberries. We have aged this wine in PA oak barrels for nearly a year adding flavors of toast and dark chocolate. The big flavors in this wine will be a perfect compliment to grilled steaks or grilled marinated portabellas.

We'd also like to say congratulations to Elaine, Bonnie and Maria of Franklin Hill Vineyards who won the following medals/honors:

International Women's Wine Competition:
Pomegranate - Double Gold and Best of Class
Evanswood and Fainting Goat - Silver medals

Amenti del Vino:
Sir Walter's Red - Bronze

Blue Valley Farm Show:
Kiss - First Place
Seyval - First Place
Trio - Second Place and Best Label

Monday, August 19, 2013

Blue Mountain Vineyards wraps up summer with festivals, Sangria Sundays and farmers markets

News from the vineyard

August is a very busy month in the vineyard. We have been hard at work spraying, tying and leaf pulling the vines. Also, due to the loss of crop the last three years we have decided to net our vines. It is a huge expense and a tremendous amount of labor, but it will make a huge difference in our yield, especially in the red grapes. The birds won't be happy but we will. Of course, we can not afford to net the entire 50 acres, so they may get some. Hopefully they don't develop a taste for white grapes!

Upcoming Events

Seven Springs Wine and Food Festival
August 24 and 25
Seven Springs Mountain Resort

Bear Creek Cheese and Garlic Festival
August 25
Bear Creek Mountain Resort
www.bcmountainresort.com/events

Kipona Festival
August 31-September 2
Riverfront Park, Harrisburg

Happenings at BMV

Picking Party Grape Stomp
Pick grapes and stomp them like Lucy! We offer a complimentary barbecue lunch, wine tasting and a lot of fun. Call the winery for a reservation and more details.

Sangria Sundays
August
 4    Ziggy Isaacs
11    Second Chance
18    Rob and Marty
25    Jake Kalegis and Mike Rauscher's Dynamic Duo

Fall Foliage Sundays
September
 1    Tim Harakal
 8    Brosky and Meyer Duo
15    Billy Patrick
22    Scott Marshall
29    Jake Kalegis and Mike Rauscher's Dynamic Duo

VISIT US AT THESE FARMERS MARKETS

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


Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Clover Hill owners complete Pan-Mass Challenge to raise money for cancer rsearch

It has been a wetter than normal growing season. We can’t help but wish for drier, warmer weather for the few weeks left prior to grape harvest. We are pleased to report that the vineyards look clean and the fruit is in good condition but we are working hard in the vineyard. In fact, we can barely keep up with mowing the grass! Typically Niagara is the first grape we harvest during the last week of August. We do anticipate the harvest being later than normal this year based on the cooler temperatures and wetter conditions. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to hear more about our 2013 grape harvest!

Pan-Mass Challenge 2013

My brother, John Skrip III, and I, Kari Skrip, would like to extend a special thank you to the many that supported ‘Team Four Leaf Clovers’ in the Pan-Mass Challenge. On August 3 and 4 we participated in a 192 mile bike ride across the state of Massachusetts to raise money for the Jimmy Fund to fight cancer. Together we raised nearly $10,000, of which 100% of every fundraising dollar goes to the Jimmy Fund.

Thank you to the many that supported and encouraged us on this ride. It was a wonderful experience for us and we rode in honor of our Dad, John Skrip Jr., who is a cancer survivor, and in remembrance of the many people whose names were given to us by friends and family members and were written on the handlebars of our bikes. At the completion of the ride, we celebrated the Pan-Mass Challenge with a large, cold glass of Sparkling Pinot Noir!

Owner's Selection
Save 10% on your purchase of 2012 Chambourcin! Now only $13.95. Receive an additional 10% discount when included in a case purchase.

Chambourcin is considered the grape of the Lehigh Valley. Clover Hill’s 2012 Chambourcin is a fantastic example of the rich flavors this grape can produce, such as blackberries and black raspberries. We have aged this wine in PA oak barrels for nearly a year adding flavors of toast and dark chocolate. The big flavors in this wine will be a perfect compliment to grilled steaks or grilled marinated portabellas.

Upcoming Events

We look forward to your visit to Clover Hill Vineyards and Winery. Please take a look at our house policies to help you best plan your trip.

Generations Wine Tasting
August 15-18
All Clover Hill locations

Visit any Clover Hill location for a sample of our newly released Generations wines. Generations is a reserve label of Clover Hill wines that are produced in limited quantities.
The new releases are:
- Riesling
- N-Chard
- Three

Bowers Hotel Wine Dinner
The Bowers Hotel; 298 Bowers Road, Bowers, PA
Thursday, August 22 at 6:30 pm; reservations required

Reserve your seat now for a fantastic four-course dinner paired with the area’s finest wines (including Clover Hill wines). Each course, created by executive chef and Mertztown native, Cody Musser, will be paired with local wines. Reservations are required – please contact Bonnie at the Bowers Hotel 610.899.0183. $55 per person. For more information please visit www.bowershotel.com.

Seven Springs Wine and Food Festival
August 24 and 25
Seven Springs Mountain Resort
777 Waterwheel Drive, Seven Springs, PA
800-452-2223

The Seven Springs Wine and Food Festival is a celebration of Pennsylvania wine and food. Thirty wineries from all over the state, including Clover Hill Winery, will attend this event. Guests can sample from hundreds of different tastes, combinations and vintages, as well as purchase their favorites to take home.Wear your Clover Hill t-shirt to show your LOVE and we will give you a 10% discount off your purchase. For more information and tickets, please visit http://www.7springs.com.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Find Pinnacle Ridge wines throughout eastern Pa.

BLUES IN THE BARN

Our annual Blues in The Barn event will be held September 14 and 15. On Saturday we will have Mike Dugan and the Blues Mission and the James Supra Blues Band. On Sunday we will have The Sarah Ayers Band. And on October 12 Steve Brosky and Jimmy Meyer will be returning to the barn to close out the season.      
                
Maison Blanc's Deliciously Wicked BBQ will be joining us throughout the Blues in The Barn Weekend. Enjoy the smells and tastes of the pit smoker as they serve pulled pork sandwiches with special sauces and smoked sausage sandwiches with roasted peppers and onions plus all the fixings to complete a deliciously wicked pig roast.
     
FIND PINNACLE RIDGE WINES THROUGHOUT EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA

Did you know Pinnacle Ridge Wines are served at the following locations:

The Accomac Inn in York
Bowers Hotel in Bowers
Bricco in Harrisburg
Building 24 in Reading
Camillo's Italian Restaurant in Kutztown
Carr's Restaurant in Lancaster
Devon Seafood Grill in Philadelphia
Emeril's Restaurants (Sands Casino) in Bethlehem
Glasbern Inn in Fogelsville
Greenfield Inn in Lancaster
Hotel Fauchere in Milford
John J. Jeffries Restaurant in Lancaster
Judy's on Cherry in Reading
Lancaster Dispensing Company in Lancaster
London Grill in Philadelphia
Spectator's Bar and Grill in Kutztown
West Reading Tavern in Reading

Our wines are now available at Pinot Boutique in Old City Philadelphia. Visit their website http://www.pinotboutique.com to learn more.

And of course all of our wines are available for sampling at the winery. The 2012 vintage Quaff, Concord, Cayuga and Sweet Seduction are now available. We will be releasing the 2012 Pinot Noir, 2012 Cabernet Franc and 2012 Syrah later in the year, so our selection of dry reds will be a bit broader for the 2013 holiday season.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Franklin Hill lines up August and September events and wine festivals

Franklin Hill Vineyards' 2nd Annual Friends Helping Friends Fundraiser
August 16 from 6-8 p.m.

Each year Franklin Hill Vineyards hosts a fundraiser to help a family in our community. This year we will be donating 100% of the proceeds of this event to a past employee, Karen Greggo and her family. Earlier this year the Greggo's lost everything in a house fire. We hope you'll join us in our efforts to help Karen, Joe and their two daughters recover from this loss. We will have a pasta and salad bar, raffles and of course, wine.

Please call 610-588-8708 or email cheryl@franklinhillvineyards.com to make your reservations. $40 per person

Where's Walter?
 
Going on vacation? Don't forget a bottle of Sir Walter's Red. Take a photo of Walter anywhere you go this summer and  hashtag it #whereswalter.  It could win you a free case of wine! Photos will be judged on 
uniqueness and originality. The winner will be announced on September 20 on our Facebook page (so be sure to be our friend!)

Seven Springs Wine and Food Festival
August 24 and 25 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The Seven Springs Food and Wine Festival offers tastings from over 30 PA wineries. This two-day festival offers entertainment and seminars on various wines, how to pair them and cooking techniques using wine.

Sensory Overload
Saturday, August 31 at 2 p.m.

Come enlighten your senses!  This fun and informative class will be led by one of our winemakers, Maria Sebastionelli.  Samples and aromas will be provided to help us identify characteristics unique to wine.  
Light appetizers and wine by the glass will be available. $35 per person. Please call to reserve your spot - 610-332-WINE

Gettysburg Wine and Music Festival
September 7 and 8 from noon - 6 p.m.

Enjoy a fantastic fall weekend in Adams County while you savor the tastes of hundreds of Pa. wines.
Click here for more information and for a chance to win FREE tickets!

Cupcakes and Wine

Cupcakes and wine = nirvana. Join us at the winery on Saturday, September 21 at 3 p.m. for a unique pairing of Franklin Hill Vineyards wine with the biggest thing in desserts: cupcakes! You'll discover how perfectly our wines fuse with an array of incredible cupcakes and gain a little wine knowledge along the way.
Call 610-332-WINE to make your reservations today. $20 per person.


Monday, August 5, 2013

Two big announcements from Galen Glen

Galen Glen Winery in Andreas recently shared two big announcements:

Galen Glen Winery's Stone Cellar Riesling wine was featured in a lecture with Stuart Piggot, famed wine critic, during the Riesling Rendezvous at Chateau Ste. Michelle in Washington on Monday, July 15. This was a three-day conference that featured wines from all over the world.

Stuart Piggot is a British wine critic and author who has resided in Berlin, Germany since 1993.  He is an expert in the area of German wines. Chateau Ste. Michelle is the largest American producer of Riesling wine. The three-day event celebrates the Riesling grape and Riesling wines from around the country and world. In the program for the event Piggot stated; "2011 Stone Cellar Riesling - Galen Glen/Lehigh Valley/Pennsylvania Eastern Kingdom: I am a great admirer of this small Eastern Pennsylvania winery that (just a two hour drive due west of NYC) is one of the United States' best interpreters of Austrian style Riesling & Grüner Veltliner."

Galen Glen's winemaker, Sarah Troxell stated, "The greatest Riesling winemakers of the world gather every few years to discuss, drink and dream about the future of this magnificent variety. Having our Riesling poured to attendees during Stuart's 'Riesling from Unexpected Places' was a humbling honor."

Galen Glen Winery has been invited to participate in the Six Nations Wine Challenge for the title of the New World Champions. This is the only wine show in the world where the wines are exclusively invited by the judges. A mere 100 wines from the US have been selected to compete and will be judged with wines from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile and Argentina totaling 600 wines.

Galen Glen will be entering the 2012 vintage Stone Cellar Grüner Veltliner. This wine most recently took a bronze medal in the Riverside International Wine Competition, where several other Galen Glen wines took silver, gold and double-gold. It is truly an honor to be invited to participate in a competition of this level.

Dan Berger, author, wine critic, and judge at Riverside stated of the Stone Cellar Grüner Veltliner, "Mineral/slate notes, hints of dried wildflowers and star anise, and a succulent but totally dry entry. This is one of America's most dramatic wines, one that will never be discovered by the number scorers. And it's from a place you would never guess could make a wine this superb. But Sarah Troxell has a deft touch with this Austrian grape and the result is worth ordering from the winery."

This award-winning wine is currently available for tasting at the Galen Glen winery.

Friday, August 2, 2013

August means grapes ripening on the vine... and birds ... at Vynecrest

August is a great time of year to come out, taste some wine, and enjoy the view of the vineyard at Vynecrest. The grapes are just about ready to go through veraison, where they stop growing and start ripening. The red grapes will turn from green to red and the sugar levels start to rise. This change in color is also a signal for the birds the grapes are about ready to eat (more on that later).

Just a reminder, the Vyneskeller is open seven days a week so after you are done tasting you can grab a glass of wine and relax downstairs.

August Specials 
* Wine of the Month - Pinot Noir - 10% off
* 3 Pack of the Month - Autumn Gold - $25.
*available at winery only

Upcoming Events


  • August 8 and 15 - Macungie Farmer's Market, Memorial Park, 4 - 7 pm
  • August 22 - Local Wine Pairing Dinner at the Historic Bower’s Hotel, 7 pm.
    • Reserve your seat now for a fantastic four-course dinner paired with the area's finest wines. Each course, created by executive chef and Mertztown native Cody Musser will be paired with local wines carefully selected by a representative of a Tastings and Tours, the areas premiere VIP winery and brewery touring company. Prepare your palate for a combination of fresh, local ingredients and allow your taste buds to be transported to wine and food paradise! Please make your reservations today by contacting Bonnie at the Bowers Hotel at (610) 899-0183 or Rich with Tastings and Tours at (484) 274-2517.
  • August 25 
    • Jazz Sunday - Live Jazz music in the Vyneskeller, 1 - 4 pm 
    • Vineyard and Winery Tour with the winemaker, 1 pm, $5 per person
  • August 29 - Macungie Farmer's Market, Memorial Park, 4 - 7pm
  • Sept 2 - Labor Day - winery open 10 am - 2 pm
Glass Half Empty 
Birds and grapes - by John Landis

As Vynecrest prepares for harvest the word "bird" slips into our memory. The season has progressed nicely and our vineyard is in great shape. Fruit quality and quantity are excellent. In a couple of weeks the grapes will start to ripen and then the birds will arrive.

I like most birds. Who cannot admire cardinals, bluejays, mockingbirds, and hummingbirds. However flocks of starlings and grackles remind me of Alfred Hitchcock's famous movie “The Birds." These birds are ugly, smart, aggressive, have no natural enemies, and can devour a vineyard of grapes in an afternoon. Vineyards utilize firing blanks, cannons, falcons, balloons, fireworks, bird distress calls, and netting to help keep them at bay, but nothing is foolproof. Each year it's a challenge to outsmart these birds. Let's hope this year it's Vynecrest 1, Birds 0!