Save the date for Wine on the Mountain in July

Save the date and plan to join us for our next Lehigh Valley Wine Trail event, Wine on the Mountain, July 28 and 29 at Penn’s Peak in nearby Jim Thorpe, Pa. It's the only time you will find our member wineries under one roof for wine samplings and sales.

Relax with a glass of wine on the panoramic outdoor deck with a view of Beltzville Lake and the Pocono Mountains. Or stay inside in air conditioned comfort while listening to live musical entertainment. Browse through the displays from local artisans and crafters selling handmade décor, accessories, and food items. Or purchase food to pair with your wine from the Penn’s Peak kitchens. Wine will be available for sale by the bottle and the case to take home with you.

Tickets are required for this event and will go on sale in June. Tickets are $14 in advance or $16 at the door the day of the event. The event is noon - 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For driving directions to Penn's Peak, click here.

Live musical entertainment will be provided by Billy Bauer Unplugged on Saturday and the Jake Kaligis Dynamic Duo on Sunday.

This year's arts and crafts vendors include:

•   Country Glo Soy Candles - Soy container candles and accessories (pictured above) - http://countrycandlespa.com/index.html
•   Top Shelf Specialties - Wine-themed gifts and wine accessories. - http://www.topshelfspecialties.com/
•   Princess and the Peony - Wine bottle hurricane lanterns and wind chimes that can be personalized for any occasion.
•   JD Gourmet - Balsamic vinegar & olive oil blends - www.Jdgourmet.com
•   Larona Jewelry and Gifts - Crafted jewelry and art umbrellas
•   Randi’s Gourmet - Kitchen cutlery, salad dressings, BBQ and hot sauces
•   Watermark Glass - Original designs etched/carved into wine glasses, glassware and vessels (vases/bowls) using a sandblast process. www.watermarkglassdesigns.com

Blue Mountain's wines to be featured at Mayfair

Sunday Blues

Join us this Sunday, May 27 from 2-5 p.m. for Jake Kaligis & Mike Rauscher's Dynamic Duo. Admission of $5 per person includes a wine tasting. Pack a picnic lunch, buy some wine, and unwind! (Adults only please.)

(We'd like to apologize that the event calendar on our website has been down for the past few weeks. Please don't hesitate to contact the winery to find out about upcoming events. Also, "like" our Facebook page for daily updates.)

May Specials

$1 off Pinot Noir - Bright fruit aromas of berry and cherry are complimented by a pleasant spice with underlying tones of toasty oak. Aged and fermented in French Oak.-

$1 off Vignoles - Intense fruity nose, refreshingly semi-sweet, with a long, lingering finish.-

Upcoming Special Event

May 26 ~ Annual Candlelight Barrel Tasting

Join us for this very special event from 5-9 p.m. Be the first to try our 2011 Petite Syrah & 2011 Pinot Noir, right from the wine cellar! We'll also be tasting older vintages of our Barrel Club wines, a real treat for the wine lover. Admission of $18.50 includes a wine glass and hor d'oeuvres. Valerie Borman will be performing. Reservations required.

Mayfair Festival of the Arts

Blue Mountain Vineyards will be the sole winery at Mayfair Festival of the Arts 2012!

Mayfair is a family arts festival which offers more than 1,000 local and national music acts, dancers, storytellers, artist market, art exhibits, hands-on crafts demonstrations, food vendors and culinary delights. Festival details posted at www.mayfairfestival.org. The festival is located at Ott & Hamilton Streets in west Allentown from May 24 - 28, rain or shine.

We're pleased that our award-winning wines will also be featured at Sommerfest in the Valley 2012's Euro Café at Mayfair Festival of the Arts. Tickets for Sommerfest/Mayfair: Gate purchase -$5/one day, $10/multi-day pass.

Wine specials and spring festivals on tap for Vynecrest

In The Vineyard

All of the buds are out and we have escaped some close calls with the recent frosty nights. It looks like Mother Nature is actually cooperating with us for once and providing some much needed water for our new plantings. We recently planted another two acres of vines including Pinot Grigio, Riesling and Chambourcin. It will be three more years until we can harvest fruit from these newly planted vines.

Great wine, green on the vines and great music in the Vyneskeller. It doesn't get much better than that. This is a great time of year to visit Vynecrest. As always, we have live music in the Vyneskeller every Saturday from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. We also have festivals coming up at Longwood Gardens & Split Rock.

May Specials
Wine of the Month - Vynecrest White - additional 10% off
Three Pack of the Month - three bottles of First Blush for $25
(offers valid at winery only; three-pack of the month cannot be combined with other discounts.)

Upcoming Events

• May 26 - Live music in the Vyneskeller, Brian Xander, 1:30-4:30 pm
• May 27 - Jazz Sunday: Live jazz music in the Vyneskeller with Andy & Dan, 12:30-3:30 pm
• June 2 - Live music in the Vyneskeller, Connie Edinger, 1:30-4:30 pm
• June 2 - Longwood Gardens Wine & Jazz Festival - Start your summer on the right note. Savor fine wines and sample fresh, local fare as you enjoy the sights and sounds of live jazz in our Gardens. Saturday only. Noon to 5:30 pm.
• June 9 - Live music in the Vyneskeller, Rob & Marty, 1:30-4:30 pm
• June 16 - Live music in the Vyneskeller, Arriane, 1:30-4:30 pm
• June 16 & 17 - Split Rock Wine & Food Festival, Noon - 6 pm both days. The two-day outdoor festival, held at Split Rock Resort is located in beautiful Lake Harmony and will feature continuous musical entertainment on three separate stages, 36 of Pennsylvania’s finest wineries, beautiful crafts of all kinds and a wide selection of food vendors. Educational seminars will also be held during the festival. Be sure to check them out and learn something new about wine. Each adult attendee will receive a commemorative wine-tasting glass. You must be over age 21 to participate in the tastings.

May is full of events for Franklin Hill Vineyards

This month, Franklin Hill Vineyards is supporting the community by participating in several Bethlehem-based events where its Christmas City wine shoppe is located. Which event will you be attending?

2012 Fine Art & Craft Show
Saturday, May 12 - 10 am-5 pm and Sunday, May 13 - 11 am-5 pm
Main Street - Downtown Historic Bethlehem
Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission presents the 47th Annual Bethlehem Fine Art and Craft Show - A Juried Exhibition

Visit our Bethlehem location during your stroll through the Mother's Day Weekend 2012 Fine Art & Craft Show on Main Street. During this weekend purchase one glass of Catawba and Mom can enjoy one on us!

Christmas City Wine Festival
May 19 ~ 1-7 pm
Historic Sun Inn Courtyard, 564 Main Street, Bethlehem

The Christmas City Wine Festival will feature PA wineries.  Entertainment is provided for your listening pleasure in the Historic Sun Inn Courtyard. Cooking demonstrations will take place in the side courtyard with pairings from participating wineries.

$10.00 - advanced ticket sales at Franklin Hill Vineyards - Bethlehem Location. $15.00 at the door
$5 - designated driver tickets. Proceeds benefit the Star of Bethlehem Festival, a 501(c)3 non-profit.

The Sun Inn Preservation Association presents its 3rd Annual Chocolate Fest 
May 20 ~ 2-5 pm at the 1758 Moravian Sun Inn
564 Main Street, Bethlehem

A chocolate event featuring tastings of savory dishes using chocolate from around the world, chocolate appetizers, entrees, desserts, cocktails, beer, martini bar & Franklin Hill Vineyards' very own Fainting Goat - a sweet Chambourcin wine with black cherry ~ a perfect pairing with chocolate! 

$35/person or $60/couple (Must be 21 years of age to attend this event.) For  more information, including ticket sales call:  610-866-1758 or visit:  www.SunInnBethlehem.org

Bethlehem Art Walk
May 26 at 4 pm

Stop by our Bethlehem location during the first Downtown Bethlehem Art Walk of the season. As usual, we will be participating in the annual Downtown Bethlehem Art Walk Wine Trail.
Upcoming Downtown Bethlehem Art Walk Series dates:

• June 30, 2012
• July 28, 2012
• August 25, 2012

From our grapes to your glass

Well, it's time to say goodbye to two of our oldies-but-goodies. Our Rose and Apple wines are selling out and will not be returning (at this point in time, anyway... you never know what the future holds...)  We're giving Rose and Apple fans a chance to grab 'em before they're gone - while supplies last! Here at Franklin Hill Vineyards we honor tradition and also love to keep things fresh and new. We can't wait to discover what's over the horizon and look forward to uncovering and sharing our new endeavors.   

Give Mom what she really wants this Mother's Day... Local Wine!

Looking to do something a little different with Mom this Mother's Day weekend? Then take her to a Lehigh Valley winery! Several of our wineries are offering specials, discounts or live music. Mom will love it!

Amore - Mother's Day is the time to combine the love of flowers and wine at Amore. Choose from over 30 wines and hundreds of flowers, garden plants and hanging baskets.

Blue Mountain - On Mother's Day, Valerie Borman will be performing from 2-5 p.m. ($5 admission, includes a wine tasting). All mothers that stay for music will receive a flower.

Clover Hill - Celebrate Mother’s Day at Clover Hill Winery with a special sparkling wine drink. We will be celebrating all the Mothers with a sampling of a drink called ‘A Mother’s Kiss’. Stop in the winery for your sample!

Franklin Hill - On Saturday, May 12, Robert Michaels, one of Franklin Hill's favorite acoustic guitarists and singers will be on the deck to entertain mom while she enjoys a glass of her favorite wine.  Our staff will be ready to spoil all moms with lots of snacks and treats featuring Robert Rothschild's Farm dips and sauces.  To add to the fun we will be introducing our brand new "Wine Sampler" for those of you who after your tasting still can't decide what you would like to enjoy a glass of on our deck...now you can choose any four wines to have in your own unique sampler tray.

Galen Glen - Ladies! We toast you Mother's Day Weekend with a complimentary Galen Glen tasting glass.  Our outdoor seating is waiting for you. Pack a picnic and watch the grapes grow. Hours are Saturday, May 12 from 10 am - 5 pm and Sunday, May 13 from noon - 5 pm.

Pinnacle Ridge - on Sunday, May 13 from noon - 6 p.m. show your mother how much you care by treating her to a lovely wine tasting at Pinnacle Ridge Winery. This is a fun and laid back activity for both you and Mom. Pinnacle Ridge is offering complimentary wine tastings and a free wine glass with a three-bottle purchase to all mothers on Mother's Day. Additionally, our Oasis (regularly priced at $12 a bottle) will be on special for $8 a bottle.  

Vynecrest - We have First Blush wine on sale three for $25 this month for Mother's Day, always a favorite wine with the ladies. Also available, cake pops in bloom - five cake pops in a decorative flower pot for $12.99 from Sweet Indulgence by Christiana in Bethlehem. On Mother's Day Saturday, the Large Flowerheads will perform in the Vyneskeller from 1:30-4:30 p.m. No admission charge. Complimentary tastings.

Mother's Day event and more at Pinnacle Ridge

MOTHER'S DAY EVENT
Sunday, May 13 from noon - 6 p.m.

Show your mother how much you care by treating her to a lovely wine tasting at Pinnacle Ridge Winery!  This is a fun and laid back activity for both you and Mom. 

Pinnacle Ridge is offering complimentary wine tastings and a free wine glass with a three bottle purchase to all mothers on Mother's Day! Additionally, our Oasis will be marked down to $8 a bottle (regularly $12 a bottle).  

2012 SUMMER CONCERT SERIES 

There is only one more month until our summer concert series begins. Celebrate the summer season at Pinnacle Ridge by sippin' on a cool glass of wine, enjoying the fresh air, and listening to great live music. We have an exceptional band list booked this season. Enjoy the tunes of Blues, Bluegrass, Jazz, and Rock.   Let's not forget that Blues in the Barn is right around the corner as well. Pinnacle Ridge will be providing food and wine for sale throughout.

Summer Schedule:

  June 16 - 2-5 pm - James Supra Blues Band
  www.jamessuprabluesband.com

  July 7 - 2-5 pm - The Wallace Brothers Band
  www.thewallacebrothersband.com

  August 4 - 2-5 pm - Hannah Violet Trio
  www.hannahviolet.com

  September 8th 12-5pm - BLUES IN THE BARN - The Wallace Brothers Band - Mighty Manatees
  themightymanatees.com

  September 9 - 12 - 5 pm - BLUES IN THE BARN - James Supra Blues Band - Kelchner Brothers Band
  www.kelchnerbrothers.com

  October 6 - 2-5 pm - Jack Murray and the Midnight Creeps http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jack-  Murray-the-Midnight-Creeps

 2012 FINGER LAKES WINE COMPETITION
 
  Silver:  Blanc de Blanc

  Bronze:  Brut Rose

  Bronze:  2011 Dry Vidal Blanc

Enjoy food and wine pairings during our Wine in Bloom event

Our next Lehigh Valley Wine Trail event, Wine in Bloom, is just three weeks away! Join us May 19 & 20 at our eight wineries to celebrate nature, bud burst, spring, and the importance that terroir (soil) plays in the development of wine grapes, their flavor and the resulting taste of the wine. Here's the list of what each winery will be doing for the event:

Amore - will serve Bourbon Chicken, assorted breads and dipping oils. Our featured wine will be Cabaret Amore.

Big Creek - will be making corn bread and pairing it with our Moonlight White - a breath of spring unto itself.

Blue Mountain - At 1 p.m. & 2 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday we will offer vineyard tours with the winemaker. There will be a complimentary tasting of the 2011 unoaked Chardonnay during the vineyard tour. There will be a $5 tasting fee which is credited towards the purchase of a bottle of wine if customers would like to sample our other award winning wines. Sunday we will offer live music by local favorite Billy Patrick from 2-5 p.m. $5 admission per person includes a wine tasting. Please arrive by 2:15 p.m. at the latest.

Clover Hill - No better way to celebrate Wine in Bloom than with the release of two new wines from Clover Hill.  Join us in sampling the big, bold 2010 Chambourcin and the playful, sweeter Strawberry Merlot.  In addition, on Saturday only Clover Hill will be teaming up with Martin Guitar for a ‘Martin Guitar & Clover Hill Wine Tasting.’  Full event details can be found at www.cloverhillwinery.com/events.  

Franklin Hill - Robert Michaels will be here once again to liven up the party singing and playing guitar acoustically. We will be featuring our newest wine "Three" which will pair perfectly with freshly prepared meatballs dipped in a Smoky Sweet Chipotle BBQ sauce. We also will have our newly awarded Pomegranate Peach wine paired with a Pomegranate Cherry Habanero Sauce over cream cheese.

Galen Glen Winery - Taste the green of spring in our herbed olive oil sampling with bread! One enlightening walking tour of the vineyard will be offered each day, departing at noon. Please wear sturdy foot gear. No reservations required and weather permitting.

Pinnacle Ridge – Pinnacle Ridge will be celebrating spring (and, hopefully, the escape of the last of spring frosts) by pairing asparagus soup with either our 2010 Riesling or 2011 Dry Vidal Blanc. We have grown asparagus at Pinnacle Ridge for over 20 years and have learned that the best way to deal with piles of asparagus is to transform it into soup.  Our recipe has been developed for the last 20 years.

Vynecrest - will be releasing our 2011 vintage of Lemberger wine, made from our estate-grown red vinifera grapes. We will be pairing it with Amish farmstead Goot Essa wood smoked cheddar cheese. There will be a winemaker’s tour both Saturday and Sunday of the vineyard and wine cellar at 1 p.m. On Saturday, there will be live music 1:30-4:30 p.m. by Art’s Acoustic Oldies in our Vyneskeller Wine Bar. Everything is open to the public at no charge.