The eight wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail will present their next event, Wine in Bloom, on Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday, May 19 from noon – 5 p.m. It celebrates bud break on the vines and the start of the growing season, as well as the fifth anniversary of the Lehigh Valley American Viticultural Area designation.
Wine in Bloom highlights the importance that terroir (soil) plays in the development of the grapes, their flavor and the resulting taste of the wine, and stresses the importance of the A.V.A. designation in further legitimizing the Lehigh Valley for wine making. Each winery will offer its own variety of activities such as vineyard tours, food and wine pairings, and live entertainment.
New this year, each member winery will be handing out 25 colorful, 4 inch potted petunias each day of the event to the first 25 customers. The petunias are being grown by Amore Greenhouses in Nazareth which is owned by Amore Vineyards, a Wine Trail member. (Please note: supplies are limited.)
The Lehigh Valley region is an official American Viticultural Area as designated by the Federal Alcohol Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau in April 2008. The Lehigh Valley AVA includes portions of Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Schuylkill, Carbon and Monroe counties in Pennsylvania. In order to receive the designation a least 85% of the grapes used to make local wines must be grown within the region. Wineries in the region are permitted to list “Lehigh Valley” as the growing region on their labels.
• Amore Winery in Nazareth will pair Chardonnay-infused Sangria with an array of Mexican hors d'oeuvres.
• Big Creek Winery in Kresgeville will be slicing and serving their favorite cheeses.
• Blue Mountain Winery in New Tripoli will have complimentary live entertainment by Rob on Saturday from 1-4 p.m.
• Clover Hill Vineyards in Breinigsville - take part in their scavenger hunt. If you discover correct answers to all the questions they will reward your efforts with a gift.
• Franklin Hill Vineyards in Bangor will offer tours beginning in their new vineyard. They will serve Vidal and Chambourcin wines right next to the vines from which they harvest these grapes. After visiting the vines, tours continue into the winery and finish with an unexpected pairing with the award-winning Sir Walters Red. Robert Michaels will perform on the deck and light appetizers from the Broadway Pub will be available. (Tours available at noon, 2 and 4 p.m. Groups of 10 or more - please call ahead for reservations and more information.)
• Galen Glen Winery in Andreas will lead a Spring Tour of the vineyard and cellar. One enlightening walking tour will be offered each day, departing at noon. Please wear sturdy foot gear. No reservations required and weather permitting. Their panoramic setting is the perfect location for quiet conversation and contemplation.
- Saturday – BYOP (bring your own picnic)
- Sunday – the Love Hot Dogs cart will visit. Owner Jason will offer for purchase his gourmet sausages, toppings and more “for the love of dogs.”
• Pinnacle Ridge Winery in Kutztown is pairing up with Perfect Pairings who will be pairing Pinnacle Ridge wines with different items such as jewelry by Sally Rocks, blooming baskets, creative gift wrap, garden art and wall art. Perfect Pairings will be upstairs in the winery’s 1851 Pennsylvania Bank Barn and the tasting room will be open as well. Check out this new, unique concept in wine pairings.
• Vynecrest Winery in Breinigsville will have a winemaker's tour of the vineyard and winery both Saturday and Sunday, free of charge. Vynecrest will also be releasing their new Bear Naked Chardonnay (fermented in stainless steel) to be tried along side of their recently-released Oaked Chardonnay. Bear Naked Chardonnay has a label with the Kutztown University Golden Bear and $1 from the sale of every bottle will go to a scholarship fund at the University.
The Lehigh Valley Wine Trail is a 501c6 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. www.LehighValleyWineTrail.com
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