The hot, dry summer has resulted in a bumper crop of wine grapes at the region’s nine family-owned and operated wineries that make up the non-profit Lehigh Valley Wine Trail. Several of our wineries began harvesting grapes over the last two weeks which means they will be in full swing for this weekend’s annual Harvest Weekend celebration.
On Saturday, Sept. 11 and Sunday, Sept. 12, the nine wineries will welcome guests for tastings, vineyard and winery tours, 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.
HARVEST WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS
Amoré Vineyards & Winery, Nazareth - will feature an array of homegrown fruits and vegetables from Amore Farms along with fresh breads and a selection of dipping oils.
Big Creek Vineyard and Winery, Kresgeville - will feature fresh local fruit from Heckman Orchards and cheese from their friends at Leraysville Cheese.
Blue Mountain Vineyards, New Tripoli - On Saturday, participate in the harvest of their 2010 Chardonnay crop which will be used for the upcoming vintage of Champagne. Sample products produced by Tait Farms including jams, chutneys & oils, the ingredients for which are organically grown on their farm in Centre Hill, PA. Their products will be used in various recipes and paired with their award-winning wines both days. Acoustic music on Saturday from 1 - 4 p.m. On Sunday, listen to the acoustic duo of Rob & Marty performing for the Fall Foliage Wine Tasting ($5 admission).
Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery, Breinigsville - will partner with BAD Farms located in Kempton, PA. They will be sampling and selling their cheeses, dips and other products fresh from the farm. Clover Hill will also be celebrating its 25th anniversary by offering a 25% discount off all wines.
Franklin Hill Vineyards, Bangor - will be celebrating a dual harvest with the traditional grape harvest and also the apple harvest as they release their new apple wine made exclusively from local Cortland, Granny Smith, Red and Yellow Delicious apples. They will also have a variety of Klein Farm’s homemade cheeses and Robert Rothschild dips.
Galen Glen Vineyard & Winery, Andreas - is excited to feature gourmet pizzas made with local ingredients from Beatrice’s Inferno which is an authentic wood-fired mobile Neapolitan pizzeria.
Galen Glen will also be giving free tractor and wagon tours departing hourly from 1 - 4 p.m. Bring a blanket and enjoy a bottle of wine, pizza and the mountainside autumn view.
Pinnacle Ridge, Kutztown - celebrates the 2010 harvest with its annual Blues in the Barn event. Enjoy the sounds of "Mr. Z and the NightShift," "The Blues Factor," and "Bluestone." Sunday features an open mic hosted by Ed Conover of Bluestone. Pinnacle Ridge will be serving wine by the glass and Tim will be selling mouth watering roast pork and savory vegetarian portabella mushroom sandwiches, both served with classic American side dishes. Admission is free.
Sorrenti Cherry Valley Vineyards, Saylorsburg - will have local Cherry Valley organic fruits and veggies in celebration of the area becoming a National Wildlife Refuge. Tomblers Bakery in Easton will have baked goods to sample and for sale. Mary Sorrenti will host a luncheon and grape stomp (tickets sold in advance).
Vynecrest Winery, Breinigsville - will pair its Estate Bottled Autumn Gold with Hereford Country Store's Pumpkin Roll, which is made from local long necked pumpkins from Nan's Produce. They will have a tour with the winemaker at 1p.m. each day and there will be music in the Vyneskeller from 1:30-4:30 p.m. by Rob & Marty on Saturday and Arianne on Sunday, free of charge.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Celebrating 25 Years at Clover Hill
Guest blog post from Kari Skrip of Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery in Breinigsville
I can’t even begin to describe this wild ride we have enjoyed over the last 25 years of business. Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery started as a ‘fun hobby’ and today has become more than our livelihood; it has become our lifestyle. On September 11, 2010 we will celebrate 25 years as a commercial winery. For me, I will celebrate my way of life that I share with my family and friends and countless fond memories that Clover Hill has given me.
Back in our early years when we sold grapes (prior to opening the winery; I was only 5 or 6 years old) customers would drive up to my parents' house and purchase the fruit by the pound. For 10 cents extra we would crush and press the grapes for customers by way of our little, wooden basket press.
My brother, sister and I would spend endless hours having grape battles and seed spitting contests in the vineyard. My parents, with the help of family and friends, would work around the clock to bring in the grape harvest and spent many long nights working with the wines. Neighbors and customers were very concerned what the ‘Hippies’ were doing making wine (no one believed you can make wine in PA!).
Of course today much has changed. Yes, you can make wine in PA (thank goodness!). Clover Hill has grown into PA’s largest producer of wines, but we rarely use that old basket press anymore. Customers have embraced local wines as a way of life and have supported our growth for 25 years. There are still many long nights of work, but we still consider it a labor of love. Some things do stay the same: just the other day my brother and I had a grape seed spitting contest on the crush pad (I won of course!).
We are most proud that in a global world our little corner in the Lehigh Valley is making wines that are unique and specific to our location. We take great pride that the grapes are grown and wine is made by family, sold by friends and we share the privilege of gracing your table at home. I will most definitely be drinking a glass of wine to celebrate 25 years of Clover Hill!
I can’t even begin to describe this wild ride we have enjoyed over the last 25 years of business. Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery started as a ‘fun hobby’ and today has become more than our livelihood; it has become our lifestyle. On September 11, 2010 we will celebrate 25 years as a commercial winery. For me, I will celebrate my way of life that I share with my family and friends and countless fond memories that Clover Hill has given me.
Back in our early years when we sold grapes (prior to opening the winery; I was only 5 or 6 years old) customers would drive up to my parents' house and purchase the fruit by the pound. For 10 cents extra we would crush and press the grapes for customers by way of our little, wooden basket press.
My brother, sister and I would spend endless hours having grape battles and seed spitting contests in the vineyard. My parents, with the help of family and friends, would work around the clock to bring in the grape harvest and spent many long nights working with the wines. Neighbors and customers were very concerned what the ‘Hippies’ were doing making wine (no one believed you can make wine in PA!).
Of course today much has changed. Yes, you can make wine in PA (thank goodness!). Clover Hill has grown into PA’s largest producer of wines, but we rarely use that old basket press anymore. Customers have embraced local wines as a way of life and have supported our growth for 25 years. There are still many long nights of work, but we still consider it a labor of love. Some things do stay the same: just the other day my brother and I had a grape seed spitting contest on the crush pad (I won of course!).
We are most proud that in a global world our little corner in the Lehigh Valley is making wines that are unique and specific to our location. We take great pride that the grapes are grown and wine is made by family, sold by friends and we share the privilege of gracing your table at home. I will most definitely be drinking a glass of wine to celebrate 25 years of Clover Hill!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Here's what's happening in September at Vynecrest Winery
The latest edition of the monthly Vynecrest Winery e-newsletter just arrived in inboxes all around the region. Did you get your copy? If not, here are the highlights:
Harvest is in full swing. We have about a quarter of the grapes off the vines already. The weather has been perfect this year for grapevines and the forecast looks just as good.
September Specials:
Upcoming Events
September 11 & 12 - Harvest Weekend
Vynecrest Winery is a vendor in the Macungie Farmers Market which is a Buy Fresh Buy Local Market. For Harvest Weekend, we will pair our Estate Bottled Autumn Gold with another vendor from the market, Hereford Country Store's Pumpkin Roll, which is made from local longnecked pumpkins from the other farmers at the market. We will have a tour with the Winemaker at 1 p.m. each day and there will be music in the Vyneskeller from 1:30-4:30 p.m. by Rob & Marty on Saturday and Arianne on Sunday. No charge.
September 18 - Music in the Vyneskeller, Art Tartara, 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
September 25 - Music in the Vyneskeller, Arianne Rox, 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
October 1 - Release of Spiced Winter Red
In The Vineyard
So far we have picked Cayuga, Traminette and Pinot Gris. We will picking Pinot Noir and Riesling in the next week or so. Cabernet Franc, Chambourcin, Lemberger & Vidal Blanc have a few weeks before they will be ready.
September Specials:
- Wine of the Month - First Blush, 10% off**
- 3 Pack of the Month - 3 Pinot Gris for $25.00**
Upcoming Events
September 11 & 12 - Harvest Weekend
Vynecrest Winery is a vendor in the Macungie Farmers Market which is a Buy Fresh Buy Local Market. For Harvest Weekend, we will pair our Estate Bottled Autumn Gold with another vendor from the market, Hereford Country Store's Pumpkin Roll, which is made from local longnecked pumpkins from the other farmers at the market. We will have a tour with the Winemaker at 1 p.m. each day and there will be music in the Vyneskeller from 1:30-4:30 p.m. by Rob & Marty on Saturday and Arianne on Sunday. No charge.
September 18 - Music in the Vyneskeller, Art Tartara, 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
September 25 - Music in the Vyneskeller, Arianne Rox, 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
October 1 - Release of Spiced Winter Red
In The Vineyard
So far we have picked Cayuga, Traminette and Pinot Gris. We will picking Pinot Noir and Riesling in the next week or so. Cabernet Franc, Chambourcin, Lemberger & Vidal Blanc have a few weeks before they will be ready.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Happenings at Galen Glen Winery
Holiday weekends are a great time to visit the wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail!
Galen Glen Winery in Andreas has the following hours for this weekend:
Labor Day Holiday Hours:
Sat. Sept. 4 - 10am - 5 pm
Sun. Sept. 5 - Noon - 5 pm
Mon. Sept. 6 - 10 am - 4 pm
And here's what's coming up next weekend at Galen Glen during Harvest Weekend:
Pizza & Tours - Sat. Sept. 11 and Sun. Sept. 12
Tractor and Wagon tours depart at 1, 2, 3, & 4 p.m. (FREE)
We are so excited to offer Gourmet Neapolitan Pizzas from an authentic wood fired oven to enjoy with our wines. Beatrice's Inferno has received rave reviews in the greater Philly area and now they will be at Galen Glen! Jason and his staff will offer a variety of spectacular pizzas to purchase. www.beatricesinferno.com
Bring a blanket, grab some cold wine and relax while gazing at our panoramic view of Pennsylvania's natural beauty.
Galen Glen Winery in Andreas has the following hours for this weekend:
Labor Day Holiday Hours:
Sat. Sept. 4 - 10am - 5 pm
Sun. Sept. 5 - Noon - 5 pm
Mon. Sept. 6 - 10 am - 4 pm
And here's what's coming up next weekend at Galen Glen during Harvest Weekend:
Pizza & Tours - Sat. Sept. 11 and Sun. Sept. 12
Tractor and Wagon tours depart at 1, 2, 3, & 4 p.m. (FREE)
We are so excited to offer Gourmet Neapolitan Pizzas from an authentic wood fired oven to enjoy with our wines. Beatrice's Inferno has received rave reviews in the greater Philly area and now they will be at Galen Glen! Jason and his staff will offer a variety of spectacular pizzas to purchase. www.beatricesinferno.com
Bring a blanket, grab some cold wine and relax while gazing at our panoramic view of Pennsylvania's natural beauty.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
A vineyard update from Pinnacle Ridge
Did you receive the September Pinnacle Ridge e-newsletter earlier this week? If not, check out the update below from Brad and Christy on what's going on in their vineyard.And sign up to receive the next edition of their e-newsletter here.
FROM THE VINEYARD
I have spoken many times about the 2010 vintage. It has the potential to be outstanding. We had an extremely early bud break caused by very warm weather in early April. The remainder of the summer was hot and dry – exactly what we want for the vineyard. The early fall has also cooperated as Danielle and Earl swept well East of us. As time progresses the vintage is shaping up exactly as we would hope.
We started our harvest on August 23 with Cayuga and Pinot Noir for our sparkling wines Blanc de Blanc and Brut Rose. This was the earliest that we have ever started harvesting since we started in 1993.
The grapes are looking beautiful. The forecast is hot and dry. We are continuing our harvest this week with Chardonnay and Cayuga and will continue next week with Pinot Noir. The sugar levels are going to be very high this year resulting in wines with more body and warmth than normal. I anticipate the reds could be spectacular with intense color and flavor.
FROM THE VINEYARD
We started our harvest on August 23 with Cayuga and Pinot Noir for our sparkling wines Blanc de Blanc and Brut Rose. This was the earliest that we have ever started harvesting since we started in 1993.
The grapes are looking beautiful. The forecast is hot and dry. We are continuing our harvest this week with Chardonnay and Cayuga and will continue next week with Pinot Noir. The sugar levels are going to be very high this year resulting in wines with more body and warmth than normal. I anticipate the reds could be spectacular with intense color and flavor.
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