Vynecrest owners introduce new chocolate bars to pair with their wines

The grapes are starting to come in. We picked our earlier ripening varieties like Pinot Grigio and Traminette over the last two weeks. Next week we will pick our mid-season varieties starting with Pinot Noir. Knock on wood, so far this year has been perfect for grape growing.

September Specials:

Wine of the Month - Pinot Noir, additional 10% off
Three pack of the month - 3 Vynecrest White for $25**
**at winery only, 3 pack can't be combined with other discounts

Upcoming Events:

September 15 - Live music in the Vyneskeller, Jake Kaligis, 1:30-4:30 pm
September 20 - Macungie Farmer's Market, Memorial Park, 4 - 7 pm
September 22 - Live music in the Vyneskeller, Brian Xander, 1:30-4:30 pm
September 27 - Macungie Farmer's Market, Memorial Park, 4 - 7 pm
September 29 - Live music in the Vyneskeller, Arianne, 1:30-4:30 pm
September 30
* Jazz Sunday, Live jazz music in the Vyneskeller with Andy and Dan, 1-4 pm
* Winemaker Tour, 1pm, $5 per person, reservation recommended
*Lehigh Valley Harvest: A Celebration of Local Food and Farms
(Formerly Taste of the Lehigh Valley)
We are a member of Buy Fresh Buy Local Greater Lehigh Valley and will be participating in their Harvest Fest fundraiser at Lutron Electronics in Center Valley on September 30 from 1-4 pm. We have been a part of this event since its inception. Tickets and information call 610-703-6954 or visit www.BuyLocalGreaterLehighValley.org
October 6 - Live music in the Vyneskeller, Billy Bauer, 1:30-4:30 pm

Glass Half Empty
by John Landis

I like chocolate. It started when I was a kid and walked to school and could smell the chocolate being made at the Wilbur Chocolate Company in Lititz, Pa. Every Christmas brought Wilbur buds under the tree.

When Jan and I started Vynecrest in 1989, I always wanted to make a wine to pair with chocolate. In 2004, we made Cherry DiVyne, which is a wine made from Montmorency sour cherries from Peter's Orchard in Adams County. The wine has won a PA Governor's Cup and boy does it pair well with dark chocolate Wilbur buds!

Then Jan got the idea of instead of creating wines to pair with chocolate, why not create chocolates that pair with wines? Hence, we now have five different chocolate bars from Sweet Indulgence by Christina which are designed to pair with specific Vynecrest wines.

Finally a chocolate lover's dream, to be a judge at the chocolate cake contest at the Great Allentown Fair and then to judge cakes at the Pa. State Farm Show in January. I sure do like chocolate!