Sparkling wines for New Year's Eve

This year, leave the champagne behind and try a fun, and sometimes fruity, sparkling wine for your New Year's Eve celebration 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.

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 our Broxspen Vineyard. This dry sparkler shows delicate flavors of strawberry mingling with a classic yeasty flavor.

Pinnacle Ridge

• Brut Rosé
• Blanc de Blanc 

Franklin Hill

• Brut (Methode Champenoise)

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 Cape Cod lobsters, crab stuffed mushrooms or smoked salmon.
 
Happy New Year!

Holiday wines at Clover Hill Vineyards

The holidays are upon us and there is no better time of year to enjoy a glass of Clover Hill wine with friends and family.  Here are a few suggestions to put you in the Holiday spirit.

2010 Pinot Noir
This new vintage is just released and we think it is an amazing wine! 2010 was the best growing season Clover Hill ever experienced and as a result this Pinot Noir is full of the classic flavors of strawberry, leather and berry. Pairs perfectly with your holiday ham or turkey.

Holiday
Of course this is our favorite wine to help you spread holiday cheer. "Holiday" is a spin off of German Glühwein with its sweet flavor. It is spiced with cinnamon, clove and citrus. Pull the cork, set the bottle in a crockpot on low heat and celebrate the holidays! 

Boysenberry
This is the newest limited addition to the Clover Hill line up. Boysenberry is a sweet dessert wine made from both boysenberries and grapes. Decadently delicious served chilled after dinner or add a splash of Boysenberry to a glass of sparkling wine for a festive champagne drink. 

December Owner's Selection
With Clover Hill's 2009 Chardonnay you will initially notice strong aromas of toasty oak. On the palate there is a tickle of pear and apple. The finish is lingering with a persistent butter flavor. Enjoy a 10% discount on Chardonnay the entire month of December. When included in a case purchase, we will take an additional 10% off.

Beginners Wine Tasting Class
Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 2 p.m.
At the winery in Breinigsville

TICKETS REQUIRED- $25 per person
Learn how to taste and talk wine. Join Clover Hill Winery for a fun 1 & 1/2 hour tasting class. We will teach you the basics of how to taste wine, learn what style you like, how to describe what you taste, and learn to talk like a wine pro. Tickets make great holiday gifts for any wine lover or wine enthusiast. For tickets call 610.395.2468.

Food and wine pairing suggestions for holiday meals

Several of our wineries wanted to share their suggestions for food and wine pairings for your holiday meals. All are open for business this week and ready to help you select the right wines to go with your dinners or to give as gifts.

Vynecrest Winery - our holiday favorite is Cherry DiVyne paired with chocolate and gift wrapped at the winery.  It makes a great hostess or grab bag gift for anyone. For a special food and wine pairing, try Vynecrest Spiced Winter Red served warm with homemade Christmas cookies!

Blue Mountain Winery - Our 2011 Nouveau will taste great with your holiday turkey and ham. Our 2009 International Award Winning Petite Syrah pairs nicely with a beef entree. Victoria's Passion is a wonderful semi-sweet red wine that would taste delicious with a chocolate dessert. If you plan on making brownies, try substituting the wine instead of water in the recipe.

Stop by one of our locations and pick up a mulling spice packet to mix with our 2004 Chambourcin to make spiced wine. We also have our apple wine called Mountain Spice that is best warmed up with a 1/2 cup of brown sugar mixed in (per bottle). Add club soda to our Mountain Frost with some sliced peaches for a sweet cocktail.

Galen Glen Winery recommends the following for your holiday feasts:
•    Vin Gris with Honey Glazed Ham
•    Riesling with Roasted Turkey, Shrimp and other seafood delights
•    Wine cocktails – Bring a taste of summer to the holiday season with a Wine-a-Rita. One kit and a bottle of our wine will make two pitchers of icy wine slushies. Our favorites are Peach Bellini and Berry Pom-a-Rita.

Amore Vineyards – Our pairing recommendations include:
•    Turkey or seafood: Gregg's Gregio, Chardonnay or Vidal Blanc
•    Pork/Ham: Cayuga or Rosé Amore 
•    Beef: Chambourcin or Cabaret Amore   
•    After dinner: Rapport or Vidal Blanc Dessert    
•    Bubbly:  Celebration or White Mist for toasting; Peach Mist for morning mimosa
 
Pinnacle Ridge Winery - What better way to celebrate the holidays than with a glass of local sparkling wine.  We recommend either our Brut Rose or Blanc de Blanc as a great way to welcome guests to your home.  Just pair some savory appetizers with the sparkling wine for a winning combination.

For the rich holiday meals we suggest "bigger" wines.  Try our Veritas with lamb or beef dishes, Pinot Noir with roast pork, Chardonnay with roast turkey or chicken and our Oasis with ham.  For dessert try our Late Harvest Vidal Blanc with pumpkin roll, creme brulee or cheesecake.

Clover Hill Vineyards - Make a holiday ham glaze using 1 cup of Clover Hill Holiday Rosé and one cup brown sugar.  Dissolve and use this glaze to baste your holiday ham. We love to serve this with our Riesling.  Our Holiday Wine is a sweet rosé that is spiced with cinnamon, cloves and citrus flavor. 

For sparkling wines, a favorite is the Generations Sparkling Pinot Noir. It is a dry sparkling wine made from 100% Pinot Noir fruit.  Festively pink in color with fresh strawberries and a yeasty characteristic. We have also been whipping up a wine cocktail called a Wicked Turtle. It is 2oz. Turtle Rock Red, 1oz. passion fruit rum, and 2oz. lemon/lime soda. Try it!

Franklin Hill Vineyards recommends the following food and wine pairings -
•    Kiss, Vidal, Chardonnay, Seyval Blanc and White Jade are all wonderful whites to pair with ham, turkey or fish.
•    Chambourcin and Simply Red go well with lasagna.
•    For anyone intrigued by black cherry, our Fainting Goat added to Chambourcin or Evanswood is a great pairing. There is no sweetness but the hint of black cherries with chocolates or try it with barbecued ribs is fantastic.
•    For dessert, Harvest Berry is great with cheesecake or anything chocolate. This effervescent wine is perfect with cranberry juice instead of a mimosa.

For a wine cocktail, mix Pomegranate Peach with cranberry juice, lots of ice, and seltzer or lemon-lime soda to make it bubbly. Or try Bliss with vodka for a martini, or Bliss with lemon-lime soda for a festive spritzer.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Franklin Hill Vineyards celebrates Christmas in Bethlehem

In addition to its winery in Bangor, Franklin Hill also has a wine shoppe in historic Downtown Bethlehem on Main Street inside the Main Street Commons. Check out what they have going on there this holiday season.

Vote for our door in the Doors of Bethlehem contest!

Vote for our "Door of Bethlehem" and be entered to win the $1,000 shopping spree in Downtown Bethlehem! Click here to vote! Voting ends Dec. 24.

Live Advent Calendar

Franklin Hill presents on Friday, Dec. 16 at 5 p.m.
On the steps of the 1810 Goundie House in Downtown Bethlehem

Come to Downtown Bethlehem and see us at the Live Advent Calendar. We will be presenting on December 16 as our very own Vineyard Manager, Scott Sandt will be performing live holiday music.

There will also be complimentary mulled Sir Walters Red tastings for the adults, goodies for the kids and prizes for 10 lucky adult audience members! Free Admission. For more Live Advent Calendar information, click here.

Visit the Weihnachtsmarkt

Our mulled Sir Walter's Red is being featured as the Gluhwine at Downtown Bethlehem's new Christmas City Village. Christmas City Village is an open-air Christmas market, fashioned after the traditional German Weihnachtsmarkt (pronounced vy-naukts-markt). It features 20 wooden huts, where vendors will sell a variety of holiday crafts and gifts.

Enjoy traditional German fare, or our hot mulled Sir Walter's Red every weekend in December as you meander through the market. No admission fee!

Vynecrest Winery offers free shipping for online orders

This holiday season, don't forget to pick up a gift for the wine lover in your life. Vynecrest Winery has Cherry DiVyne packaged with chocolate for $20 (makes a great hostess gift), wine scented candles, and much more. They also have a few March Madness passports left ($35 each), but they will sell out soon.

They are also offering free shipping on three or more bottles of wine for online orders at www.vynecrest.com. No coupon code is necessary; just select three or more bottles in your shopping cart to get free shipping offer. Free shipping runs through next Monday, December 12.

• 5% discount on 6 to 11 bottles; 10% discount on 12 or more bottles
• This promotion is for online orders only. Phone-in order will be subject to normal shipping fees.
• Sorry, but we can't ship to AL, AR, KY, MD, MA, MS, MT, NH, UT.
• Must be 21 or older to order. Adult signature required for delivery of wine. All wine will be shipped via FedEx.

News & Events

December Specials

• Three Pack of the Month - All American 3 Pack, DiVyne Red or Niagara, any combination, $25.00
• Wine of the Month - Blueberry 10% off

Events

• December 10 - Live music in the Vyneskeller, Billy Bauer, 1 - 4:30 p.m.
• December 17 - Live music in the Vyneskeller, Arianne, 1 - 4:30 p.m.

Holiday Hours

• Dec 1 - 24: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Dec 25: closed
• Dec 26 - 31: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Jan 1 - 13: closed
• Reopening January 14: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Galen Glen's holiday open house continues this weekend

Last weekend's Holiday Open House at Galen Glen Winery in Andreas continues this weekend too!

December 10 & 11 - the food and wine pairing is Galen's treat. Surprise!

Visit with Santa!  - December 11 from 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Take your photo with Santa for charity. Bring a new, unwrapped toy or make a monetary donation for Toys for Tots. Please bring your own camera.

Give wine as a gift this holiday season

There's still plenty of time to order custom labels for wine bottles. Minimum purchase of one case (12 bottles) - up to four wines per case. Email Sarah (sarah@galenglen.com) for label selections or use your own photo.

Check out our December Facebook promotion

We are giving away one bottle of wine a week through our Facebook page for the month of December.

1. "Like" us - Galen Glen Vineyard & Winery - on Facebook.
2. Post a comment for the week you wish to enter, or comment every week!

Our elves will select one person at random (must be over 21) from everyone who comments that week to pick up a free bottle at the winery. (Reminder - there are four weeks in December.)

Lehigh Valley wineries to hold holiday events this weekend

Several Lehigh Valley Wine Trail wineries are hosting holiday events or open houses this weekend and you are invited to attend!

Pinnacle Ridge's Annual Case Club Casual - Two weekends in December
December 3 & 4 and December 10 & 11
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday: Noon - 5 p.m.

Pinnacle Ridge owner and winemaker Brad Knapp, his wife Christy and the Pinnacle Ridge staff invite all to sample wine and shop for the holidays. We’ll be serving an array of savory and sweet delicacies and making wine pairing recommendations for your holiday meals. This event is free for Case Club members or $5 per person if you’re not a case club member. Buy a case of wine on the day of the event and the food is free.
 
Clover Hill's Holiday Open House at the Winery in Breinigsville
December 3 from noon - 5 p.m.

Let Clover Hill help you get into the holiday spirit with our annual holiday open house.

Craig Thatcher will be playing from noon - 5 p.m. and Chef Nathan Grube will be preparing tapas style small plates for $6 each. Making a return appearance will be Unique Pretzel Bakery of Reading. Plus, not new to Clover Hill but new to our Breinigsville location will be Lori Savidge of Lorilee Baskets. Lori has been weaving very beautiful and unique baskets for about 20 years.

We will also feature a new holiday punch which we will sample and sell by the glass. There will be a featured wine of the day for which Clover Hill will donate $1 of every bottle sold to the Mason Shaffer Foundation.

Blue Mountain Winery's Christmas Open House
Saturday, December 3 from 5 - 9 p.m.

Join Blue Mountain for some holiday cheer! Enjoy a wine tasting ($5, which is credited towards the purchase of a bottle of wine), music by Rob & Marty, and hors d'oeuvres. Reservations are preferred, so call us today: 610.298.3068.

Galen Glen's Holiday Open House - Two Weekends
December 3 & 4 - Raspberry wine with locally made cannoli dessert
December 10 & 11 - Galen's treat   

Also at Galen Glen on December 3 & 11  from 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. visit with Santa! Take your photo with Santa for charity. Bring a new, unwrapped toy or monetary donation for Toys for Tots. Please bring your own camera.

Winery Hours: Sunday - Friday: Noon - 5 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m. -5 p.m.

Pinnacle Ridge's holiday news and announcements

NEW RELEASES 

We've been getting lots of questions about these two wines and we have finally released our 2009 Chambourcin Reserve and our 2010 Cabernet Franc.  To keep up with everything going on at Pinnacle Ridge please visit our Facebook page.

GREAT REVIEW FOR OUR 2010 PINOT NOIR 

See this link for a review of our 2010 Pinot Noir by Vino Vic. He really liked it. 

PINNACLE RIDGE'S ANNUAL CASE CLUB CHRISTMAS CASUAL - TWO WEEKENDS IN DECEMBER
                          
December 3 & 4 and December 10 & 11
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday: Noon - 5 p.m.

‘Tis the season! Pinnacle Ridge owner and winemaker Brad Knapp, his wife Christy and the Pinnacle Ridge staff invite all to sample wine and shop for the holidays. We’ll be serving an array of savory and sweet delicacies and making wine pairing recommendations for your holiday meals. This event is free for Case Club members or $5 per person if you’re not a case club member. Buy a case of wine on the day of the event and the food is free.

WINE FOR THE HOLIDAYS

The winter holidays are a time of year when folks get a little more creative with their wine choices. At Pinnacle Ridge we have several wines that you might want to consider for your holiday celebrations. Our Brut Rosé or Blanc de Blanc sparkling wines are a great choice to have with appetizers before a special
meal. If you are having a casual gathering with munchies, these wines will add a special elegance to the occasion.

But don’t wait to long to pick up your bubbly as we may sell out near the end of December. Another specialty wine to consider for that special meal is our 2010 Late Harvest Vidal Blanc. This is a classic dessert wine that pairs beautifully with fruit desserts, crème brulee, or cheesecake. Your guests will be impressed.

Clover Hill Winery hosts a coat drive and holiday open house

Coat Drive for The Caring Place at Clover Hill Winery in Breinigsville
Monday, November 28 thru Sunday, December 4

So often we go to our closet and try to decide which coat we are going to wear for the day. Did you know there are many people, young and old, in our own back yards that do not have any coat to reach for to keep themselves warm? 

Clover Hill be collecting gently used coats of any size (from babies to adults) to be donated to The Caring Place in Allentown. Last year The Caring Place supplied over 2,000 coats to those in need, so let's work together to replenish their stock.

The Caring Place is a youth development center that reaches out to youths in the Lehigh Valley who may be facing adversity. It enables young people to overcome the pressures and disadvantages of their environment. 

For your donation of a coat, Clover Hill will offer you a toasty warm 10% discount on your wine purchase (20% on case purchases) throughout this week of giving.


Holiday Open House at the Winery in Breinigsville
December 3 from noon - 5 p.m.

Let Clover Hill help you get into the holiday spirit with our annual holiday open house.

Craig Thatcher will be playing from noon - 5 p.m. and Chef Nathan Grube will be preparing tapas style small plates for $6 each. Making a return appearance will be Unique Pretzel Bakery of Reading. Plus, not new to Clover Hill but new to our Breinigsville location will be Lori Savidge of Lorilee Baskets. Lori has been weaving very beautiful and unique baskets for about 20 years.

We will also feature a new holiday punch which we will sample and sell by the glass. There will be a featured wine of the day for which Clover Hill will donate $1 of every bottle sold to the Mason Shaffer Foundation.

So come out spend a little time shopping and the rest of your afternoon relaxing with us!

Thanksgiving food and wine pairing recommendations

Thanksgiving is a great time to buy local by serving Lehigh Valley wines with your family's meal. Here are some food and wine pairing suggestions from our wineries, as well as their Wednesday business hours for last minute wine sales. All wineries are closed on Thanksgiving Day.

Vynecrest - Young and fruity Vynecrest Nouveau Beaujolais is a great wine to serve with turkey. Vynecrest is open from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

Galen Glen - Try their semi-dry Riesling, dry Vidal Blanc or - if you’re looking for the WOW – the 2010 Gewurztraminer, which is the Best White Wine by a woman winemaker. They are open on Wednesday from noon - 5 p.m.

Clover Hill -

• Riesling ~ whether you choose the dry Generations Riesling or the semi-sweet Riesling the bright peach and apricot flavors with strong acidity is a classic white wine to pair with your Thanksgiving foods.
• Pinot Noir ~ The Generations Sparkling Pinot Noir will be sure to make your holiday table sparkle. The dry, red Pinot Noir is the classic red wine pairing with the turkey, stuffing and more.
• Vignoles ~ Serving this sweet, late harvest wine is the perfect accompaniment to your pumpkin pies and other desserts. 

They are open Wednesday from 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Amore - For pairing with white meat go with Gregg's Gregio and Vidal Blanc. With dark meat, try Blushing Beauty or Rose Amore.

Franklin Hill - Try the 2011 Seyval Blanc, White Jade (which is slightly dryer with a hint of oak) or their Kiss wine to pair with your Thanksgiving turkey. Serve their Pomegranate Peach wine as a martini with appetizers. It was just awarded a Gold medal at the 5th Annual International Women's Competition.
The winery is open until 5 p.m. Wednesday evening, and the Easton and Tannersville locations until 7 p.m.

Pinnacle Ridge - Traminette is a great pairing for the traditional holiday meal since it has enough structure and "stuffing" to hold up to the bold flavors of stuffing and cranberry relish.  Alternatively, a light red like their 2009 Chambourcin would work perfectly well. They will be open from noon - 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

Blue Mountain - Their 2011 Nouveau is very soft on the pallet with hints of strawberry and cherry and will be a great compliment to Thanksgiving meals. Mountain Spice (an apple wine) is wonderful this time of year. Heat it up slowly in a crock pot or on the stove and add half cup of brown sugar per bottle. They are open 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

Big Creek Winery - will be open on Wednesday from noon - 5 p.m.

Taste the vintages of the harvest during Nouveau Weekend, 11/19 & 20

The eight wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail will debut vintages from their recent harvest this weekend, November 19 and 20, during Nouveau Weekend, their 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.

March Madness 2012 passports 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

Amoré Vineyards & Winery, Nazareth will feature our new release Cabaret Amore with homemade barbecue.

Big Creek Vineyard and Winery, Kresgeville will pair its Nouveau Marquette with Millie's Chili.

Blue Mountain Vineyards, New Tripoli will serve authentic Nouveau made from Pinot Noir grapes paired with roasted ham glazed with Tait Farms cranberry chutney. Sample other products produced locally by Tait Farms as well. They will also be releasing their 2008 Merlot and 2010 Chambourcin. On Saturday, Rob will be performing from 1 - 4 p.m. On Sunday from 2 - 5 p.m. will be Sunday Blues featuring Billy Patrick ($5 admission for live music).

Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery, Breinigsville will have the first release from this year’s harvest of Boysenberry. Boysenberry is a sweet wine which is a marriage of grapes and Boysenberries in every bottle. Boysenberry displays a very upfront and intense Boysenberry aroma and finishes sweet and crisp. Their partner will be Sorrelli Jewelry from Kutztown who will be onsite Saturday and Sunday hosting a trunk show. Sorrelli will offer a 10% discount on jewelry purchases during the event.  

Franklin Hill Vineyards, Bangor will release their 2011 Seyval Blanc paired with Ginger Butternut Squash soup. Delices Europeennes will be giving samples of her European treats. They will also be releasing their 2010 Evanswood. Try it with Robert Rothchild's Chipotle sauce over meatballs for a perfect pairing.

Galen Glen Vineyard & Winery, Andreas will feature the Troxell family Thanksgiving favorite, potato filling with their Riesling. Potato filling is a Pennsylvania Dutch tradition, and every family has their own version. Galen and Sarah learned to make theirs under the tutelage of Galen’s mother.

Pinnacle Ridge, Kutztown will serve salmon chowder made with fresh fennel and dill, potatoes, cream and salmon fillet. They will be pairing the soft and fruit-forward 2010 Naked Chardonnay or their crisp and slightly sweet 2010 Riesling with the chowder.

Vynecrest Winery, Breinigsville will pair their Nouveau Beaujolais 2011 wine made from the Gamay Beaujolais grape with Hereford Country Store Provencal basil dip and Rip Rap artisan whole grain crackers, both of which will be available for sale. Smooth jazz sounds in the Vyneskeller from Dan Harakal and Andy Warren on Saturday from 1 - 4:30 pm. No charge.

Galen Glen Winery makes it into final round of Pennsylvania Wine Stories contest

The stories have been submitted to the Pennsylvania Wine Stories contest by the Pennsylvania Winery Association and one of our eight Lehigh Valley wineries has made it to the final round of competition!

A story about Galen Glen Winery in Andreas is competing against seven other stories about wineries from across the state. Go to this page http://www.pennsylvaniawine.com/WineStories/Voting.aspx and scroll to the bottom to see the following Galen Glen story:

A Beautiful Escape

Shawn E

Galen Glen Winery - Lehigh Valley and Berks County

My friends and I often go to Galen Glen on a Sunday afternoon to get away from life for a few hours. Over the past several years, my friends and I have shared many laughs, and stories, and have made many unforgettable memories over bottles of their wine. The thing we love the most about this location is sitting out back and looking over the winery grounds. It’s so relaxing, and makes us feel so far away from reality. We love the fact that we have such a beautiful escape only a few miles away.


Then be sure to give it your vote! You can vote as many times as you want between now and December 11. Help us win by voting frequently.

Read more of the wine stories that were submitted about other Lehigh Valley wineries here.

Celebrate German heritage at Blue Mountain Winery this weekend

Join Blue Mountain Vineyards in New Tripoli this Saturday, November 12 for their annual German Night event from 5 - 9 p.m.

It will be a celebration of German heritage offering authentic German food, music and dancing. Reservations are preferred.

Admission is $18.50 in advance or $19.50 at the door and includes a souvenir glass. Call 610-298-3068 or email info@bluemountainwine.com to make a reservation.

November & December events at Pinnacle Ridge Winery

LEHIGH VALLEY WINE TRAIL - ANNUAL NOUVEAU WEEKEND
            
Saturday, November 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, November 20 from noon to 5 p.m.
 
Come celebrate Nouveau Weekend at Pinnacle Ridge. We will be serving delicious Salmon Chowder with chunks of French bread. Our chowder is made with fennel bulb and dill, fresh cream, potatoes and salmon fillet and is sure to warm the spirit on a chilly November day!

We will be pairing our soft and fruit forward 2010 Naked Chardonnay or our crisp and slightly sweet 2010 Riesling with our homemade chowder.

PINNACLE RIDGE'S ANNUAL CASE CLUB CHRISTMAS CASUAL

Two Weekends in December:
December 3 and 4, and December 10 and 11
Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. & Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

‘Tis the season! Pinnacle Ridge owner and winemaker Brad Knapp, his wife Christy and the Pinnacle Ridge staff invite all to come and sample wine and shop for the holidays. We’ll be serving an array of savory and sweet delicacies and making wine pairing recommendations for your holiday meals.  

This event is free for Case Club members or $4 per person if you’re not a case club member. Buy a case of wine on the day of the event and the food is free.

Pinnacle Ridge Case Club Members do have more fun!

Franklin Hill Vineyards hosts wine dinner and charity fundraisers

From our grapes to your glass

Nouveau Weekend at the winery is coming up on November 19 and 20. Franklin Hill Vineyards will be releasing our 2011 Seyval Blanc paired with Ginger Butternut Squash soup (just perfect for these chilly days). For an extra treat Delices Europeennes will be giving samples of her amazing European treats, you'll definitely want to bring some home.

We will also be releasing our 2010 Evanswood, a vintage we are so proud of. Try it with Robert Rothchild's chipotle sauce over meatballs for a perfect pairing. And, don't forget, Lehigh Valley Wine Trail March Madness passports go on sale Nouveau Weekend. They sell out quickly so get yours soon. Passports are available at all four Franklin Hill Locations.  
 

Franklin Hill Vineyards hosts Mount Airy Casino Resort wine dinner

November 4 with seatings at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. 
  
Hosted by Franklin Hill Vineyards. Join us in this delightful culinary event. We will be pairing our wine with the wonderful cuisine from La Sorelle Cucina. Reserve tickets and see the preview menu here. 
Reservations Required

Charity for Children Monte Carlo Night Gala

November 5 from 6-9:30 p.m.

Join us while we toast to a good cause! Franklin Hill Vineyards will be serving our wine during this fun casino-themed night. Dinner, dessert, coffee, and playing chips included. $75.00/person.

For tickets and more info, contact: Janet Cimino 610-767-9138   

Blue Mountain Winery to host HalloWine tasting this Satuday

Visit Vickie and Joe at Blue Mountain Winery in New Tripoli  this Saturday, October 29 for their annual HalloWine Tasting event from 5 - 9 p.m.

Come in costume to add to the fun! There will be prizes for best costumes in several categories (costumes are optional).

Enjoy their delicious wines while listening to live acoustic music by Billy Patrick. They'll have chili, nachos, cheeses and fresh baked bread available for purchase or feel free to bring your own snacks.

Reservations are preferred. Admission is $7.50 and includes a souvenir glass. Call 610-298-3068 or email info@bluemountainwine.com to reserve your space.

Galen Glen Winery plans HalloWine Weekend promotion

HalloWine Weekend is this weekend at Galen Glen Winery in Andreas, Pa.! Saturday, October 29 - 10 am - 5 pm  and Sunday, October 30 - Noon - 5 pm

"Booty in a Bottle" t-shirts!
Our most requested t-shirt has been redesigned just in time for Halloween! $10 each

Mulled wine season is here
With cooler weather arriving, we're tasting our famous mulled wine. The recipe is simple: one packet of our free mulling spices and a bottle of our Claret warmed on the stove with sugar and a bit of water. After 30 minutes your house smells inviting and you'll be toasting away the chill of autumn or winter.

Upcoming Event
2010 Chambourcin Release - November 5 & 6
Already collecting rave reviews from California and Pennsylvania wine critics, we're ready to officially debut this wine and let you be the judge.

WE NEED YOU:
Help us decide what to serve Nouveau Weekend. Vote for your Thanksgiving favorite on our Facebook fan page.

Our winery hours year round:

• Friday: Noon - 5 PM
• Saturday: 10 AM - 5 PM
• Sunday:  Noon - 5 PM
• Closed: Monday - Thursday

Winery hours for the Holiday Season 2011:

• Open every day beginning Friday, November 18 through December 31
• Sunday through Friday, Noon - 5 pm, and Saturday 10 am-  5 pm
• Closed: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day
• Special exceptions: Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve both 10 am - 3 pm

Live in PA? You can now order wine anytime at galenglen.com.

Save the Date for Nouveau Weekend

Save the date for the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail's next event, Nouveau Weekend, Saturday, November 19 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday, November 20 from noon – 5 p.m. This is also our last event for 2011.

The eight wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail will debut the first vintages from their most recent harvest at this popular annual event. Wineries will feature food and wine pairings for visitors to sample.

March Madness 2012 passports will also go on sale this weekend. Passports are $35 each.Saturday,

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.

The eight wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail are:

• Amoré Vineyards & Winery, Nazareth
• Big Creek Vineyard and Winery, Kresgeville
• Blue Mountain Vineyards, New Tripoli
• Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery, Breinigsville
• Franklin Hill Vineyards, Bangor
• Galen Glen Vineyard & Winery, Andreas
• Pinnacle Ridge, Kutztown
• Vynecrest Winery, Breinigsville

Vynecrest heads into fall with events and specials

The grapes are all in and the 2011 harvest is officially complete for Vynecrest. Time to start making some wine! We have some great upcoming events at the winery as well as a one day festival at Bear Creek this month. We are now taking reservations for March Madness Passports. Send an email to wine@vynecrest.com to reserve your tickets.

New Releases:

• 2010 Spiced Winter Red

October Specials:

• Wine of the Month - Lemberger, additional 10% off**
• Three Pack of the Month - 3 Blueberry for $30**

**at winery only, 3 pack cannot be combined with other offers

Upcoming Events:

• October 22 - Live Music in the Vyneskeller, Billy Bauer, 1 - 4:30 pm
• October 23 - Bear Creek Harvest Wine Festival - If you love great wine and good food, don't miss Bear Creek's Harvest Wine Festival on Sunday, October 23 from 1-5pm. Guest can taste and select wine from a variety of regional vineyards and sample fine foods while being entertained by live music. Each guest will receive a commemorative wine-tasting glass, an event program, and will have access to our Wine Check service. Festival accommodations are available at The Hotel at Bear Creek. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Click here for more information.
• October 28 - Live Music in the Vyneskeller, Peter Scapegrace, 1 - 4:30 pm
• November 5 - Live Music in the Vyneskeller, Connie Edinger, 1 - 4:30 pm

In The Vineyard

It's a nice feeling to have all of the grapes in, even if we had to pry the last few out of the birds mouths. We will be finishing up fermentation over the next couple of weeks and starting to work on the early release wines.

This vintage was a roller coaster. The summer started dry and hot and as we moved into August the rain started. We were able to pick between the rain drops and got everything in. We are looking forward to our first release, the 2011 Nouveau Beaujolais, released the third Thursday in November.

Cheers,

John, Jan, Sam Landis & Malachi Duffy

For more information, visit www.vynecrest.com

Open seven days a week, 11 am - 5 pm

Clover Hill Vineyards celebrates the completion of harvest season

The 2011 grape harvest at Clover Hill’s six vineyards is complete and what a year it has been. This harvest we battled the rain, wind, birds, bees and some days we battled each other, but we did survive!

The growing season was going picture perfect. We had dry, warm heat with brilliant sunshine day after day in mid to late summer. Then Mother Nature changed her tune and gave us wet, humid conditions day after day. We worked exceptionally hard to continue to ripen our fruit and keep it clean and clear of any disease. We finally made the decision to continue picking as quickly as possible in order to harvest the fruit intact. On September 30 we picked the last grape from our vineyards and celebrated the end of a difficult season with a glass of Sparkling Pinot Noir! Right now we are going to now catch our breathe from harvest, but we promise to write a detailed summary of the 2011 grape harvest and post it to our website in the very near future. 

The fall feeling is in the air and it is the perfect time of year to enjoy Spiced Apple warmed!  We also have posted some delicious fall recipes for you to enjoy.  Let us know on our Facebook page what your favorite fall wine is – we will email you a present for sharing! 

Enjoy the season and we would like to thank you for your support and choosing to drink locally grown and produced wines!  We look forward to your next visit.

Owner's Selection
Catawba lets you sip on the sweet, grapey, and candied flavors of this wine. Don't forget to sniff first to best enjoy the sweet aromas of grapes in the glass.

Enjoy a 10% discount on Catawba the entire month of October. Receive a 20% discount on the Owner's Selection when included in a case purchase.

Chambourcin Weekend
At the winery in Breinigsville, PA
Saturday, October 15 and Sunday, October 16 from noon - 5 p.m.

Cheers to the Chambourcin grape! Chambourcin is known as the grape of the Lehigh Valley and if you’ve ever tasted it you will agree it makes a wonderful glass of wine. Chef Nathan Grube will make a return appearance to do cooking demonstrations to be paired with our 2009 Chambourcin and Turtle Rock Red (made with 100% Chambourcin grape). Cooking demonstrations will take place at 1, 2, 3, and 4 p.m. both days.

The harvest at Franklin Hill Vineyards and fall events

From Our Grapes to your Glass: Harvest continues at the Winery!   
 
Fruit is still rollin' on in at Franklin Hill Vineyards! Now is a great time to visit us at the winery since our equipment is still out and in use. Come on over and see the beginnings of the wine-making process. Meet our winery staff, have a conversation with our winemaker, Bonnie, or our assistant winemaker, Maria, and watch as the magic happens! Experience the cool crisp fall weather and the beautiful leaves changing color on our trees here at Franklin Hill. Now is a perfect time to visit us at the winery so you can see just how your favorite wine is made!

On the Road Again... Surprise! 

Our Festival Crew loves what they do so much that they are heading out to one more festival. See you at Bear Creek Mountain Resort in Macungie for the Bear Creek Harvest Wine Festival on Sunday, October 23. 

Winery Events:

Chambourcin Weekend
Oct. 15 from 11 a.m. -5 p.m. and Oct. 16 from noon - 4 p.m.

Beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday we will be featuring Pivinski's Premier Polish Prince's Pierogis for tasting, paired with our outstanding 2010 Chambourcin or Simply Red. You may also purchase Pierogis to eat at the winery or, better yet, we will have them for sale by the dozen to take home with a bottle of your favorite wine! While you enjoy the Pierogis, also enjoy the tunes as Penn's Peak performer Robert Michaels entertains with great acoustic guitar...maybe he'll even play a polka for us!  Come and enjoy the day!     

Yoga+Wine Fall Festival  (RESCHEDULED!)
Sunday, October 30 at the Winery    

Due to rainy weather, we have rescheduled the Yoga+Wine Fall Festival! Dalien from Kula Heart Yoga will return and take us on a journey into our hearts as we celebrate the Harvest with music, sound, yoga followed by wine and cheese at Franklin Hill Vineyards.

This event will fill fast, please call to register and reserve your space. 610-746-5852 (kula). Visit  www.kulaheartyoga.com to find out more!          

Pennsylvania Wine Stories: "There's a Story Behind Every Cork"

Do you love us? Let the Pennsylvania Winery Association know!  Send them your favorite story about visiting Franklin Hill Vineyards and enter a chance to win!

Win a Pennsylvania Wine Weekend Getaway or prize package. A story from each of Pennsylvania's seven wine regions will be selected as the finalists, and the grand-prize winner will be selected online via voting.
For every story submitted, $1 will be donated to the National Center for Family Literacy and a cork will be added to a sculpture created by a Pennsylvania based artist.

Submit your story here. 

Chambourcin Weekend details announced!

The Lehigh Valley Wine Trail will once again celebrate the region’s official wine grape during Chambourcin Weekend on Saturday, October 15 and Sunday, October 16.  

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

Wineries will feature wine tastings, live entertainment, food and wine pairings, and other activities. 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. Check the Wine Trail web site for details.

CHAMBOURCIN WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS

Amoré Vineyards & Winery, Nazareth - Amore will feature five styles of hand-crafted Chambourcin wine pared with an assortment of artisan breads, dipping oils and cheeses.

Big Creek Vineyard and Winery, Kresgeville - Big Creek Vineyard will pair a "Soupe Chanterelle," made with local Chanterelle mushrooms, with their 2010 Chambourcin.

Blue Mountain Vineyards, New Tripoli - Saturday: Di Bruno Brothers out of South Philadelphia will be sampling their cheeses to pair with Chambourcin. Rob will be playing as free entertainment from 1-4 p.m.

Sunday: They will offer winery tours every hour from 1-5 p.m. Join them for Sunday Blues from 2-5 p.m. featuring Scott Marshall & The Hillbilly Souls ($5 admission to Sunday Blues; includes wine tasting).

Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery, Breinigsville - Cheers to the Chambourcin grape! Chambourcin is known as the grape of the Lehigh Valley and if you’ve ever tasted it you will agree it makes a wonderful glass of wine. Chef Nathan Grube will make a return appearance to do cooking demonstrations to be paired with their 2009 Chambourcin and Turtle Rock Red (made with 100% Chambourcin grape). Cooking demonstrations will take place at 1, 2, 3, and 4 p.m. both days.

Franklin Hill Vineyards, Bangor - Beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday Franklin Hill will feature Pivinski's Premier Polish Prince's Pierogis for tasting paired with 2010 Chambourcin or Simply Red.  Guests may also purchase pierogis to eat at the winery or for sale by the dozen to take home with a bottle of their favorite wine.  While you enjoy the pierogis, enjoy the tunes as Robert Michaels entertains with great acoustic guitar.

Galen Glen Vineyard & Winery, Andreas - Fiesta for your taste buds. Zesty Taco soup prepared by charismatic Gary and Kathy, who are independent Pampered Chef consultants, will be paired with the winery’s Gold medal Chambourcin or Cellar Red.

Pinnacle Ridge, Kutztown - Pinnacle Ridge will be serving tender beef French dip with their Chambourcin wine reduction au jus. For vegetarians they'll be serving sautéed vegetable French dip with Chambourcin wine reduction vegetarian au jus. Pinnacle Ridge 2009 Chambourcin, 2008 Chambourcin Reserve and Sweet Seduction (100% Chambourcin) will be their featured wines.

Vynecrest Winery, Breinigsville - Vynecrest Winery will be partnering with The Farmhouse, a farm-to-table restaurant, to present the following tasting menu to pair with samples of the winery’s Gold Medal 2010 Chambourcin Wine. Chef Javin Small will be at the winery at 1 p.m. both days and will be conducting a cooking demonstration on Sunday.

Saturday’s Menu: Mediterranean herby hummus with Rip Rap artisan crackers. Assorted grilled pizzas with seasonal toppings and manchego cheese with red and black currant jam on French baguette slices. Connie Edinger performs live from 1-4:30 p.m.

Sunday’s Menu: Chinese five spice hummus with Rip Rap artisan crackers, seared herbed lamb lollipops with fire roasted poblano pepper walnut pesto and manchego cheese with red and black currant jam on French baguette slices.