Lehigh Valley Wine Trail to be featured on "Arts in the Valley" TV program

Earlier today, Elaine Pivinski (left, above) from Franklin Hill Winery in Bangor and Vickie Greff (center, above) from Blue Mountain Winery in New Tripoli taped an upcoming segment of the local TV program "Arts in the Valley."

Produced by Bethlehem non-profit organization ArtsQuest, the show airs on channel 49 on RCN, Service Electric and Blue Ridge cable companies.

The winery owners were asked to speak to host Jon Lunger (right, above) about the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail and its upcoming event, Wine on the Mountain, July 24 & 25 at Penn's Peak in Jim Thorpe. They brought with them several bottles of wine for Jon to sample which he was ecstatic about.

The segment is expected to air on the program in late-June. Stay tuned to this blog, our Facebook fan page and Twitter account for the formal announcement of the air date.

Join Vynecrest for its first Chardonnay Weekend event

Vynecrest Winery in Breinigsville recently released their first vintage of oaked Chardonnay. They've also just released a very limited amount of unoaked or "naked" Chardonnay.

To celebrate, they've created Chardonnay Weekend on Saturday, June 5 & Sunday, June 6 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. There will be tastings of both Chardonnays along with a food pairing of Lemon-Chardonnay Goat Cheese from StoneCroft Farms in Macungie. Both the oaked and naked Chardonnays will be available for purchase all weekend. Wine lovers can vote on which one they like best and be entered into to a raffle to win a free night's stay at the Hyatt Place Bethlehem.

StoneCroft Farms is a local producer of goat cheese and a fellow member of the Buy Fresh Buy Local initiative. Their cheese is sold locally in only a few choice restaurants and markets. So be sure to drop in to Vynecrest for samples and the opportunity to buy some Lemon-Chardonnay, Dill and Garlic-Chive StoneCroft Farms cheese and the two Vynecrest Chardonnay wines.

There will also be live music in the Vyneskeller Wine Bar from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. both days. On Saturday is Arianne Rox and on Sunday is Art Tartara.

Chardonnay Weekend is free to attend and open to the public. For directions and more information, visit www.vynecrest.com or call 610-398-7525.

Clover Hill's Wine & Tappas with Music on the Patio

On Sunday, May 30 and Saturday, June 5 from 2 - 4:30 p.m., join Clover Hill Winery in Breinigsville for "Wine & Tappas with Music on the Patio." These free concerts feature the sounds of Margaret and Randy Ritter live on the patio.

Seasonal tapas plates will be available for purchase as will wine by the glass or by the bottle to enjoy on the property.

Tapas Menu - May 30:
- Asian Spring Rolls with Sweet Chili Sauce
- Warm Seasonal Vegetable Burrito with Green Chili Salsa
Tappas Menu - June 5:
- Grilled Trio of Kabobs made with local meats and seasonal vegetables.

If you are interested in tapas please send us a reservation email since supplies are limited  - info@cloverhillwinery.com. Become their fan on Facebook.

Stay connected with us, and our member wineries, on Facebook!

By now you probably know that we, the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail, have a fan page on Facebook where you can connect with us on a regular basis.We just surpassed 1,000 fans and couldn't be more pleased!

But did you also know that some of our member wineries also have fan pages or groups on Facebook? Here is where you can find them:

• Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery
• Pinnacle Ridge 
• Franklin Hill Vineyards
• Vynecrest
• Galen Glen Winery
• Blue Mountain Winery  

And don't forget to check us out on Twitter too!

BYOB in the Lehigh Valley

This post was written by guest blogger Sarah Troxell, co-owner of Galen Glen Vineyard & Winery in Andreas.

Every other month, I gather up the girls and head out for a night of gabbing, gossiping and good old fashioned giggling. Typically, we schedule our evening out early in the week, when restaurants are less busy and more inviting for small groups.

While we’ve tried various dining establishments with everything from belly dancing to hibachi, it’s the BYOBs that keep luring us back. Not only does BYOB make for a less expensive check, but it also allows everyone to bring a bottle of their newest find.

My gal pals come from all over the Lehigh Valley and often tote along bottles from their neighborhood winery. I like to bring our Vin Gris, it’s a crispy rosé blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Chambourcin and a splash in everyone’s glass starts the fun!

Here’s where we might be spotted next:

• The Mediterranean Café – Best gyros and arnabit (unusual fried cauliflower)
• Liu’s House – I now have Pad Thai cravings
• Paese Mio – Fried flounder that tasted like I was in NJ
• Cactus Blue – Rowdy spicy fun with a great waiter
• Antelao’s – Delaware Water Gap, far but worth the trip

We’re always looking to expand our list. We have one new must try, Bamboo, which is the latest establishment from Liu of Liu’s House. I look forward to hearing about your favorite recommendations for restaurants and Lehigh Valley wine selections. So gather up your group and get to it!

Weekend highlights on the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail

Here are just a few of the many things taking place this weekend at our member wineries:

• Galen Glen Winery in Andreas - Saturday, May 15 and Sunday, May 16 - Tractor and Wagon Tours of the Vineyard - depart at 1, 2, 3 & 4 pm. See their new vintage start to develop on the vines. Free. (See photo left of Galen on tour!)
• Pinnacle Ridge in Kutztown - Sunday, May 16 from 3 - 6 p.m. - Skip Moyer's Jazz Jam. Wine by the glass and light food available.
• Blue Mountain Winery in New Tripoli - Benefit for Sarah Ayers - May 15 from 1-6 p.m.
  One of their regular performers, Sarah Ayers, has been forced to take a leave from her singing career due to health issues involving her vocal chords. Admission is $20 and includes wine tasting, entertainment, food & silent auction. Ticket proceeds will go to Sarah. Please call for reservations.
• Also at Blue Mountain - Sangria Sunday Wine Tasting on May 16 from 2 to 5 p.m. Enjoy live acoustic entertainment from Leechboy on their glass-enclosed deck with views of the mountains and vineyards. Gourmet cheeses and fresh baked bread available for purchase or bring your own snacks. They will offer pitchers of fruit to make your own sangria for $1. Admission $5. Please call for reservations.

Mother's Day wine suggestions from the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail

Whether you are making mom a homemade meal for which you need a wine to pair, or need a great gift-giving idea, let the nine wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail help you out with the following suggestions for their own moms:

Amore - This Mother's Day, pair our lovely Red Rapture with one of our beautiful hanging baskets that Mom can enjoy all summer long.

Big Creek - Dominic's Mom likes big red wine, so it will be Frontenac - a big, dark, fruit-laden mother of a wine.

Blue Mountain - Vickie will be drinking our 2007 Merlot but of course our Victoria's Passions is amazing with dark chocolate!

Cherry Valley - Toast to mother with Raspberry Spumante and dark chocolate.

Clover Hill - owner and mom Pat Skrip will be drinking Turtle Rock Red (Gold Medal - PA Wine Competition) slightly chilled with her three children for Mother's Day.

Franklin Hill - Kiss, award-winning blush pairs well with appetizers, chicken, fruit, or just to enjoy on a spring day.

Galen Glen - We suggest trendy Comso-ritas made with our Vidal Blanc to glamorously celebrate all Ladies!

Pinnacle Ridge - For Mom we recommend some bubbly! Our Brut Rose’ and Blanc de Blanc, as well as a twist on a time-honored French drink, “Kir.” Our “Cir” is  made with half Concord and half Blanc de Blanc.

Vynecrest - Jan will be drinking Pinot Gris, recent Gold Medal winner at PA Wine Competition, which is estate-grown and pairs well with chicken and fish.

Sangria Sundays return to Blue Mountain Winery!

It's time once again for Sangria Sunday Wine Tastings at Blue Mountain Winery in New Tripoli!

Every Sunday in May from 2 - 5 p.m. enjoy live acoustic entertainment on their glass-enclosed deck with commanding views of the mountains and vineyards.

Gourmet cheeses and freshly baked bread are available for purchase, or bring your own snacks. They offer pitchers of fruit to make your own sangria for $1.

Admission is $5. Please call for reservations - (610) 298-3068 - or e-mail info@bluemountainwine.com.

Performers Schedule:

• 5/9 - The WOW Brothers
• 5/16 - Leechboy
• 5/23 - Rob & Marty
• 5/30 - Jake Kaligis & Mike Rauscher's Dynamic Duo

Final thoughts on LVWT's first A.V.A Weekend Celebration

This post was written by guest blogger Kari Skrip, co-owner of Clover Hill Vineyards and Winery in Breinigsville and features her thoughts on the Wine Trails' recent A.V.A. Weekend.

The Lehigh Valley Wine Trail was thrilled to celebrate our Lehigh Valley AVA in the end of April.  At the end of the day, after I finished work, I was sipping my glass of Pinot Grigio overlooking the vineyard thinking just how luck I am.  These grapes have given me so many opportunities and things to be thankful for.  To name a few…

Over the years I have learned intimately about the land and developed a real respect for farming.  The Lehigh Valley vineyards and wineries are doing wonderful things to preserve open spaces and maintain a local farming community.  In a global food world, I am most proud to be making a local product that is unique and specific to the Lehigh Valley.  We like to think of wine as a food. 

Our vineyards have also given me the opportunity to work with my family (which most days that is a wonderful thing) and my friends who own the other Lehigh Valley Wineries.  Like all of the nine wineries on the trail, Clover Hill is family owned and operated, and it is a pleasure to work with my mom, dad and brother everyday.  I value and appreciate all of the wine trail wineries, almost as if the wine trail is an extension of family.  It is exciting to see first and second generations working in the vineyards and wineries.  It is a joy witnessing the success and growth of the Lehigh Valley wineries and the acceptance of Lehigh Valley wines in our community. 

Lastly, these vineyards have given me wine!  In my opinion, a glass of wine is the best way to end your day!

Thank you for supporting the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail and choosing to drink wines grown within our precious Lehigh Valley AVA!