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.

October events and harvest update from Pinnacle Ridge

FROM THE VINEYARD: HARVEST 2011

Every year we anxiously await the moment when the harvest starts. We check all our equipment to make sure everything is working. We order yeast and the various supplies we need to get us through the busy  season. We plan to make sure we have enough barrels and tank space and help to get through the busiest season in the winery year. 

When the decision is made to start picking the fruits of our labor its off to the races. This year the harvest started on September 12 with Cayuga for our Blanc de Blanc sparkling wine. Sparkling wine grapes are always the first to be picked. We look for a crisp, less alcoholic wine as the base for sparkling wines. We also picked Chardonnay for sparkling wine. Pinnacle Ridge has not produced a sparkling chardonnay for a number of years. This year we are making the Cuvee again instead of the Brut Rose. Patience! In a couple of years you’ll be able to taste our Cuvee Chardonnay.

Chardonnay for Naked Chardonnay and our barrel-fermented Chardonnay has been harvested as well Riesling, Syrah and Pinot Noir for our Quaff.  We’re fully in the middle of harvest at this point and it will continue for another four weeks or so.

For those of you “tuned” into the local grape scene, you may have noticed that it has rained a bit this year. Grape growers are not very fond of rain during pre-harvest and harvest. Rain can cause a number of issues with grapes, including increased disease pressure, more difficulty in scheduling harvest activities and bloated fruit.

2010 was a really great vintage with hot dry weather throughout most of the harvest period.  However, we face less than ideal conditions pretty regularly. 2009 was an example of a very cool, wet year that ended up
producing some very nice wines.

The good news for the 2011 vintage is that it has been warm. I’m sitting here writing in my living room on September 29 in shorts and t-shirt.  The windows are open and it is warm and muggy. Much like a late August day. The warm weather has kept the acidity in the grapes at a good level and has allowed flavor
development. I think we will get some balanced and very pretty aromatic wines!

PINNACLE RIDGE'S JAZZ IN THE BARN
    
Sunday, October 9 from 3-6 p.m.

Our last live music of the 2011 summer season! Musicians Andy Warren on guitar, Nimrod Speaks on upright bass, Alan Gaumer on drums and Pete Souder on saxophone. They’ll be playing great jazz standards. You can sit and relax with a glass of wine. Light fare will be available for purchase.

LEHIGH VALLEY WINE TRAIL'S CHAMBOURCIN WEEKEND

Saturday October, 15 & Sunday, October, 16 - Noon to 5 p.m. both days

Celebrate the harvest of the 2011 Lehigh Valley’s Chambourcin. Pinnacle Ridge will be serving samples of Tender Beef French Dip with our Chambourcin wine reduction au jus. For vegetarians we'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 our featured wines.