Blue Mountain celebrates fall with three themed events

FALL IS IN THE AIR!

October is, in our opinion, one of the most spectacular months of the year. Nature provides a fiery display of color. The greens and vivid colors of summer have been replaced with the rusts and orange hues of autumn. The vineyard is a beautiful place to visit in the fall months. There are plenty of activities to take part in or just relax and enjoy this cool, crisp, and beautiful month.

CHAMBOURCIN WEEKEND
October 18 and 19

Celebrate Chambourcin Weekend, the grape known as the "Jewel of the Lehigh Valley," starting with a Chili Contest at noon on October 18. Come have lunch with us and judge the chilis while enjoying live acoustic entertainment with Adam Motto. Think your chili is the best? Call us at 610-298-3068 to enter your chili (details will be provided when you call).

On Sunday, October 19, enjoy our Sunday Blues with Billy Patrick from 2-5 p.m. ($5 Admission, includes tasting. Reservations preferred.) It's also the Lehigh County Open Gate Farm Tour on Sunday. There will be crafts available for the children and guided tours with the winemaker from noon - 5 p.m., every half hour on the hour.

HALLOWINE TASTING
October 25 from 5-9 p.m.

Everyone is invited to our Annual Hallowine Tasting. Come in costume to add to your fun. Prizes for best costumes and more. Enjoy our delicious wines while listening to live acoustic entertainment. Food such as chili, nachos, cheese, fresh baked bread and more will be available for purchase or bring your own snacks. Admission is $7.50 per person and includes a souvenir glass. Reservations are preferred.

ANNUAL GERMAN NIGHT
November 15 from 6-9 p.m.

Blue Mountain is alive with the sound of Germany! Join us in the celebration of German heritage. There will be authentic German food, music and dancing. Whether you can trace your family heritage back to Germany or you are looking for a fun night out, this event is sure to be a hit. Admission is $21.50 per person in advance or $25 at the door, and includes food and a souvenir glass. Reservations are preferred.

Spiced Winter Red is back at Vynecrest; fall can now officially begin!

It's back! Spiced Winter Red is now available at Vynecrest.

The 2014 harvest is going great. We've picked Riesling, Chardonnay and Chambourcin so far. Just a few more weeks and all of the grapes will be in (we just need this great weather to hold out until then).

It is just about time to set our sights on the holidays. Christkindlmarkt opens in just a few weeks on November 21.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Vynecrest is donating $1 for every bottle of First Blush sold to the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition.

October Specials 

- Wine of the Month - First Blush, additional 10% off 

- 3 Pack of the Month - 3 Autumn Gold for $25

(offers available at winery only; 3 pack can't be combined with other discounts.)

Upcoming Events

October 16 - Macungie Farmer's Market, Memorial Park, 4 - 7 pm

October 18 and 19 - Lehigh Valley Wine Trail Chambourcin Weekend
Vynecrest will be pairing our 2013 Chambourcin estate-grown wine with wild rice and chickpea salad. This healthy big grain and bean filled salad virtually works anywhere - at a picnic, dinner party, on a buffet table - from Hereford Country Store at the Macungie Farmers Market.

October 23 - Macungie Farmer's Market, Memorial Park, 4 - 7 pm

October 26 - Jazz Sunday, Live Jazz music in the Vyneskeller, 1 - 4 pm

October 30 - Macungie Farmer's Market, Memorial Park, 4 - 7 pm


Glass Half Empty 
2014 Harvest/cellar update by Malachi Duffy

We are about halfway through harvest with most of the white varieties picked and we are moving on to the reds. What looked to be a difficult vintage a few weeks ago has completely turned around with the recent sunny, warm, dry weather.

The weather usually favors white varieties or red varieties any given year but not both. This year is unique in that so far it looks great for both. The lower temperatures and really low night time temps are great for whites but don't do much to produce that ripe red fruit we look for in reds. That last few weeks have been warm and sunny enough to really ripen the remaining red grapes so things are looking good for 2014.

In the cellar we are bottling the remainder of the 2013 wines to make room for the incoming fruit. We are also putting the finishing touches on a new dry red wine to be released in November.

Harvest 2014 winds down at Clover Hill

For 39 years, we have eagerly awaited harvest, the culmination of our work in the vineyard. During those 39 harvests we have witnessed all sorts of weather - rain, drought, hurricanes, thunderstorms, windstorms - but this year fickle Mother Nature has been kind.

The vineyards came through a very cold winter without any major issues. Spring and summer, though seeming cool, were actually normal with enough rain when needed and temperatures warm but not excessively hot.

The weather during harvest has been perfect - stretches of dry, sunny days with enough rain when needed. The vineyard predators, particularly the starlings, have been kept at bay thanks to netting all the red grapes.

The grape varieties still on the vines are the reds - Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Chambourcin. Soon the 2014 harvest will be history. In the meantime, here's hoping for a little more sunshine and warmth to bring it all together for the reds.

Harvest is a great time to visit Clover Hill. Enjoy a glass of wine outside on the patio... and watch us work. Additionally we have a number of fun specials and upcoming events during October. Keep reading for more details. Hope to see you at the winery. - Pat Skrip

Please note: If you are traveling to the winery in Breinigsville, Schantz Road will be partially closed until July 2015. Click here for available detours.

Owner’s Selection for October 
Turtle Rock Red is a flagship wine for Clover Hill Winery. It is produced 100% from Chambourcin, the grape of the Lehigh Valley. The deep purple color, fresh berry flavors, a hint of sweetness and a touch of acidity are characteristics of this wine. This wine pairs nicely with grilled salmon & spicy chili. (Find recipes here.) Now only $12.15.

Wine and Food Pairing 
Boscov’s Fairgrounds Farmer's Market
October 16th - 18th

Stop in the Clover Hill Wine Shop at the Boscovs’ Fairgrounds Farmer's Market anytime during this week for a sampling of a Wicked Turtle made with our Turtle Rock Red. Recipes will be available.

Pumpkin Carving Contest
The Winery in Breinigsville
Entries must be received by October 17. Judging takes place October 18 and 19

How to enter: Carve a pumpkin and deliver it to the Winery in Breinigsville on October 15, 16 or 17 between 10 am - 5:30 pm. Must be 21 to enter.

The Judging: All pumpkins will be on display during Chambourcin Weekend, October 18 and 19 at the Winery in Breinigsville. Visitors at the Winery will be encouraged to vote for their favorite carved pumpkins with any spare change. The pumpkins’ change will be counted on Sunday, October 19 at 4 pm. Winners will be announced at 4:30 pm. All money raised will be donated to Angel 34; a national organization united in the fight against childhood cancer and dedicated to finding a cure.

The Winners:    

• 1st Place ~ $200 Clover Hill gift card
• 2nd Place ~ $75 Clover Hill gift card
• 3rd Place ~ $50 Clover Hill gift card
• All contestants will receive a free Clover Hill t-shirt for entering. 

Tolino plans Halloween Happy Hour; white wine sale continues

It's that time of year again. The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting cooler, and we are busy harvesting those glorious grapes. Pinot Grigio grapes were the first to be harvested this year.

We are now on Groupon offering discounted premier tastings and tours of the winery and vineyard. Learning how we grow the grapes and make the wine makes it taste even better. Purchase a groupon here.

Stop in to see us any day of the week. We are open Monday through Friday from 3 - 7 pm, and Saturday and Sunday noon - 6 pm. Visit us online at www.tolinovineyards.com or call us at 610.588.9463 for more information and to inquire about hosting your next event at Tolino Vineyards.

Harvest Season is here!
Harvest is by far the favorite time of year for the staff here at the winery. The weather has been cooperating and the grapes look, smell, and taste delicious. Harvest is the culmination after a long summer of pruning, and the satisfaction of cutting the vine to free the fruit, and watching it get pressed is unbeatable.

Upcoming Events

Northampton County Open Gate Farm Tour -  October 11 and 12, noon - 5 pm
Agriculture in Northampton County has many faces. Take advantage of this once-a-year opportunity to learn about local agriculture.  Bring your family, dress casually and enjoy the day talking with us and learning how your wine is produced. We will have  a small craft tent for the kids. 


"We love our School Staff Happy Hour"- October 17 from 3 - 6 pm
Join us in the tasting room and on the patio for school staff happy hour. 10% off bottles, $1 off glasses and light snacks with school employee ID. You can still join us if you don't work for a school, but you won't be eligible for the discount. 


Chambourcin Weekend - October 18 and 19

Stop by the winery on Saturday from 10 am - 5 pm and Sunday from noon - 5 pm to celebrate the annual Lehigh Valley Wine Trail's Chambourcin Weekend. We welcome wine lovers for tastings, vineyard  tours, food and wine pairings, and live entertainment. The Chambourcin grape is the official wine grape of the Lehigh Valley and will be celebrated all weekend. We will be offering food pairing with our Chambourcin, live music, cheese for sale from Klein's Farm in Easton, and tours at 2 pm and 4 pm.  


Halloween Happy Hour - October 24
Join us for some Halloween fun. We will be offering wine and candy pairings, bloody wine labels, spooky decor, and a fire pit.  Come in costume for a discount.          

White Sale

Our sale continues on 2010 and 2011 White and Rosé wines. Purchase 1 bottle for 15% off, 6 bottles for 25% off, and a case is 50% off. What a great deal on delicious wine.

LOCAL WINERIES TO CELEBRATE THE OFFICIAL WINE GRAPE OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY DURING CHAMBOURCIN WEEKEND EVENT

The nine locally-owned and operated wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail will introduce wine lovers to the region’s official wine grape during Chambourcin Weekend on Saturday, October 18 and Sunday, October 19.  

Chambourcin is the only wine grape that is grown by all nine wineries. In the greater Lehigh Valley, there are more than 40 acres of Chambourcin that ferments into approximately 150,000 bottles of wine. Chambourcin is very versatile 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, vineyard tours, or food and wine pairings (see detailed list below). 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.

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.

CHAMBOURCIN WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS

Amore will pair beef ravioli with two styles of Chambourcin. Also, there will be family fun with hay rides to the pumpkin patch, a corn maze, puzzle woods, straw pit with swings, and an array of fall fruits, vegetables and decorations for sale.

Big Creek will offer a taste of Milli's Famous Chili.

Blue Mountain - Celebrate Chambourcin Weekend, the grape known as the "Jewel of the Lehigh Valley" starting with a Chili Contest at noon on October 18. Have lunch and judge the chilis while enjoying live acoustic entertainment with Adam Motto. Think your chili is the best? Call 610-298-3068 to enter your chili (details will be provided when you call).

On Sunday, October 19, enjoy Sunday Blues with Billy Patrick from 2-5 pm ($5 admission includes tasting. Reservations are preferred.). It's also the Open Gate County Farm Tour on Sunday. There will be crafts available for the children and guided tours with the winemaker from noon – 5 pm, every half-hour on the hour.

Clover Hill will feature hourly wine and food pairing seminars at noon, 1, 2, 3, and 4 pm both days. Join them in sampling an assortment of foods perfectly paired with our 2012 Chambourcin and Turtle Rock Red (100% Chambourcin). Reservations are required for groups of 12+. Seminars will last approximately 20 minutes and samples are included.

Franklin Hill - Enjoy the beautiful colors and fresh crisp air of fall at their outdoor mulled wine bar. Wrap your hands around a glass of simmered and spiced wine on their deck while warming up with a bowl of chili from The Widow’s Tavern in Stockertown.  As always, complimentary wine tastings will be available in the tasting room. Tours of the facility will be offered at noon and 2 pm both days.  

Galen Glen - Join Galen Glen us as they commemorate the wines fermented from the Chambourcin grape. Enjoy a complimentary pairing of the 2014 Chili Contest Winner, Todd Keller’s recipe, with your choice of Chambourcin or Cellar Red. The recipe will be available so customers can recreate this winning recipe at home. Do you make a great chili? Throw your hat into the ring of fire and ask for an application to enter our Second Annual Chili Cook Off to be held in January 2015.  Information will be available at the winery during Chambourcin Weekend.

Pinnacle Ridge will feature a rich portabella mushroom stew made with a Chambourcin-based stock with your choice of their award-winning 2012 Chambourcin OR their newly-released 2013 Sweet Seduction.

Tolino will have live music from 1 to 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday by Tom Vicario. They will offer tours of the vineyard at 2 and 4 pm. They will pair their Chambourcin with cheese from Klein’s Farm in Easton and will also offer small plates of Klein’s cheeses and crackers for sale.

  

Vynecrest will pair their 2013 Chambourcin estate-grown wine with wild rice and chickpea salad. This healthy big grain and bean-filled salad is made by Hereford Country Store at the Macungie Farmers Market.

In addition, the wine of the month for October is First Blush (10% off). During October, they will be donating to the PA Breast Cancer Coalition $1 for every bottle of First Blush sold.