Celebrate the official wine grape of the Lehigh Valley this weekend

The eight locally-owned and operated wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail will once again celebrate the region’s official wine grape during Chambourcin Weekend on Saturday, October 20 and Sunday, October 21. 

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

Each winery will feature its own activities such as wine tastings, live entertainment, tours, or food and wine pairings. 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.

CHAMBOURCIN WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS:

Amoré Vineyards & Winery, Nazareth - will feature four styles of Chambourcin and will be serving cheese tortellini in a fresh tomato basil sauce. Enjoy their porches and patios with autumn vistas. Family fun includes hayrides, pumpkin picking, corn maze, puzzle woods and straw pit.

Big Creek Vineyard and Winery, Kresgeville - will be slicing some of their family’s favorite cheeses for Chambourcin Weekend.

Blue Mountain Vineyards, New Tripoli - Saturday: Starting at noon there will be a cellar tour with owner Joe Greff. Enjoy music by Rob from 1:30-4:30 p.m. The featured food and wine pairing will be braised beef with tomatoes and herbs with 2010 Chambourcin. Or try Victoria's Passion with a chocolate dessert.

Sunday: The featured food and wine pairing will be kiffles by BabaNonna paired with 2010 Chambourcin. There will be cellar tours at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. There will be a supervised kids table so parents can enjoy some time to themselves. Hank Jones & Ellyot H. Ray will be the Sunday Blues entertainment from 2-5 p.m. - $5 admission for music includes a wine tasting.

Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery, Breinigsville - Chef Nathan Grube will make a return appearance to conduct cooking demonstrations to be paired with the new release, 2010 Chambourcin and Turtle Rock Red (also made with 100% Chambourcin grapes). Chef Nathan will be cooking up an eggplant and risotto baked with homemade tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella. Cooking demonstrations will take place at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. both days.

Franklin Hill Vineyards, Bangor - Chambourcin grapes are a standout variety whether you prefer dry oak-aged, medium smooth, or sweet fruity. They will be featuring baked ziti tossed with "Simply Red - Simply Delicious" marinara sauce and "Fainting Goat - Fainting Brownies" for dessert. Enjoy a glass of wine on the deck as Robert Michaels entertains with his music.  

Galen Glen Vineyard & Winery, Andreas - will pair Gary’s Gourmet Meatloaf drizzled with a Chambourcin bordelaise sauce and Stone Cellar Chambourcin or Cellar Red.

Pinnacle Ridge, Kutztown - will serve Filet Mignon Kabobs - beef tenderloin cubes with bacon, sweet onion, red pepper and portabellas on a bed of baby spinach. This dish will be paired with their 2010 Chambourcin Reserve or the 2011 Chambourcin Rose.

Vynecrest Winery, Breinigsville - will pair their 2011 Chambourcin Estate-Bottled wine with a Wild Rice & Chick Pea Salad with dried cranberries, a perfect autumn side dish. Recipes will be available. Art's Acoustic Oldies performs in the Vyneskeller on Saturday from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Music is free of charge.