Vynecrest returns to Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem for holiday season

The 2015 Harvest is over (except for our Late Harvest Vidal) and it feels good to take a breath before the busy holiday season begins. Just a reminder that our gift area has locally made products that make wonderful gifts for teachers, hostesses, family and friends. Soy candles, crackers, chocolate, dips, cheese. Remember we have make your own baskets ($5 for basket and wrapping) where you add whatever wine, candles, cheese, crackers, dips, wine gifts you want and we'll make it up for you.

Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem starts this Saturday, November 20 and runs through Dec 21.

▪ Thursday, Dec 3-17, 11am - 6pm
▪ Friday, Nov 20 - Dec 18, 11am - 8pm
▪ Saturday, Nov 21 - Dec 19, 11am - 8pm
▪ Sunday, Nov 22 - Dec 20, 11am - 6pm

November Specials:

* Wine of the Month - Spiced Winter Red 10% off
* 3 Pack of the Month - DiVyne Red, 3 for $25

(Wine of the month and 3 pack available at winery only. Three pack can't be combined with other discounts.)

Nov. 21 & 22 - Lehigh Valley Wine Trail Nouveau Weekend

The nine wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail debut the first wines from the new vintage during Nouveau Weekend, the last Wine Trail event of the year. Wineries will also feature food and wine pairings for visitors to sample. Nouveau wines are bottled very young without barrel aging, and exhibit lots of fruitiness. They are light, fruity and semi-dry to dry red wines.

Vynecrest Winery will feature the release of our 2015 Nouveau Beaujolais, the first wine from the 2015 harvest, made from the traditional Gamay Beaujolais grape, 100% Lehigh Valley Grown and Produced. Event hours at all of the wineries are Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon – 5 p.m.

Nov. 29 - Jazz Sunday, Live Jazz music in the Vyneskeller from 1 - 4 pm. Free.


Glass Half Empty by John Landis

November is the month when grape vines slowly shut down for the winter and Jan, Sam, Malachi and I all breathe a sigh of relief as harvest is over with no major disruptions like hurricanes, flocks of grape-eating birds, or early frost to impact the quality of our grape harvest.

A quality grape harvest requires a yearlong effort starting with pruning in late winter and early spring and continuous vineyard maintenance after bud break in early May. This year’s crop was exceptional. The growing season was warmer than the last two years and the fall was dry with cool nights and warm days.

We are excited about our 2015 vintage and you will be able to taste the first 2015 wine when we release our Nouveau Beaujolais on Tuesday, November 17. This month, we also will be introducing a new Vynecrest wine, our 2014 estate -bottled Seyval Blanc. We first planted Seyval Blanc in 1974 and typically we blend this French hybrid grape, but the 2014 Seyval was exceptional so we decide to make a varietal once again. November is the month to stock up for the holidays, so come on out and taste the wines.

Franklin Hill joins a farmers market, hosts a food truck and hits the road to a wine festival

Our Festival Crew is packing up and heading out to the Renaissance Faire in Manheim, Pa this weekend, May 23 & 24, for FlavorFEST, one of our favorite festivals of the year! Come enjoy samples from over 20 PA wineries.  Did we mention it's FREE? See you there!

Crepes & Mimosas
May 31 - noon - 4 pm

Full of Crepe is parking their Green Machine Crepe Truck here at FHV. They will offer sweet and savory crepes.

Can't make it that day? No worries; they'll be back on June 14 and June 28. The tasting room will be open and we'll be offering delicious mimosas as well. Sounds delicious doesn't it?

Wino Wednesdays
Blue Mountain Slopeside Pub & Grill

Join us every Wednesday from 5:30-8:30 pm for a night of fun, wine sampling and clams. All wine products are half price and clams are only $2.99 with any wine purchase. Grab a seat inside or outside on the deck. The views are amazing from anywhere.

Monroe Farmers Market
8 am - noon

We're so excited to be part of the Monroe Farmers Market starting this Saturday, May 23. It's located just off Main Street in Stroudsburg at the Courthouse Square. The market has been serving the community since 1979 offering farm fresh produce, eggs, plants, baked goods, homemade pastas, sauces, jams, jellies and of course, wine.

Happy Memorial Day!
FHV will be open Monday, May 25 as follows:

The Winery - 11 am - 3 pm
Tannersville - 11 am - 5 pm
Easton - 10 am - 4 pm
Historic Bethlehem - 10 am - 4 pm
(The wine shop at Social Still will be closed.)

New wine releases at Vynecrest this holiday season

New Wine Releases 

No. 36 - Vynecrest planted our first vines in the spring of 1974. No. 36 is a celebration of our 36th harvest and will be an ongoing series of dry red blends from the best of the best. Carefully choosing hand-picked vineyard sites and select barrels. A signature wine to showcase our terrior. 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 5% Noiret.

Spiced Winter White - A perfect bookend to our ever popular Spiced Winter Red, this wine captures the holidays in a bottle. Aromas of cinnamon and vanilla give way to a wine that will make any cold winter evening come to life. Serve warm.

December Specials 
* Three Pack of the Month - 3 Spiced Winter Red for $25.00
* Wine of the Month - Traminette 10% off

Vino in the Valley 2015 passports are still available for $35 at the winery or can be ordered online here (fees apply).

Shantz Road is now open, so no more back roads or detours to get to Vynecrest.

Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem -  12/11 - 12/21
Thursday and Sunday: 11 am - 6 pm; Friday and Saturday: 11 am - 8 pm

While you are visiting the winery don't forget to pick up a gift for the wine lover in your life. We have Cherry DiVyne packaged with Chocolate (makes a great hostess gift), wine scented candles and many more gifts.

Holiday Hours (Breinigsville)
* Dec 1 - 23: 11 am - 5 pm
* Dec 24: 10 am - 2 pm
* Dec 25: closed
* Dec 26 - 31: 11 am - 5 pm
* Jan 1 - 4: closed
* Reopening January 5: 11 am - 5 pm

Holiday Hours (Kutztown)
* Dec 1 - 23: noon - 6 pm
* Dec 24: 10 am - 2 pm
* Dec 25: closed
* Dec 26 - 31: noon - 6 pm
* Jan 1 - Jan 4: closed
* Reopening January 5: noon - 6pm

Glass Half Empty by Sam Landis

My wife and I are moving. After all of the initial congratulatory messages and well wishes there has been a recent shift in tone as the actual move date is becoming more eminent. We are now met with groans and commiseration on the aches and pains of "actually moving." Everyone has their own horror stories of this and that and the general consensus is that "moving sucks." Besides all the packing (my wife has done 99.9%) and the paperwork and the meetings, sometimes you think it's easier to just stay in same place.

Segue into our business here. Years ago we vowed "no more new wines." We said once we hit 22 wines, we were not going to make anything new unless a wine came off the list. Making a new wine "sucks." New bottles, new labels, new wine lists, new equipment not to mention the unknown of how to make it, and at the end of the day how it will be received. It's so much easier to just make the same wines and make small improvements on those year in year out. Why would we want to go through all of that if we are selling out of all of our product? And we just don't need to go through any of the headaches.

Well fast forward to today, we have three new wines - Late Harvest Vidal, Spiced Winter White and No.36. We did not take any wines off the list, so we now have 25 wines. It was a pain, it was a hassle....and it was fun. We learned so much about our vineyard, our wine cellar, and our customers that those lessons will transcend across all of our wines and make them all better.

So my wife and I are moving… and maybe it won't be so bad after all.

Yoga in the Vineyard, VegFest, a wine festival and more this month at Franklin Hill

Yoga in the Vineyard
August 17 at 10 am

Our last event in our summer series is here. If you haven't had a chance to come enjoy the peace and serenity the vineyard offers while practicing restorative yoga please consider joining us. Silver Kim from Kula Heart Yoga will again lead us in an hour long practice to restore and revive us in body and mind. As always, yoga will be followed by a light brunch complete with cocktails. Our tasting room will be open for complimentary tastings and a tour of our facility will be available at noon.

$20 per person. Please call 610-588-8708 for reservations.
BYOB (bring your own mat)

Bethlehem VegFest
August 23

Southside Bethlehem invites you to Vegfest! This festival offers all things vegan including top vegan chefs and foods as well as seminars on healthy living, and of course wine tastings all complimentary.

Seven Springs Wine Festival 
August 23 and 24
11 am - 5 pm

We're packing our bags and heading west for the weekend. Join us at Seven Springs Mountain Resort for two days of music, fun, food and wine tastings from over 30 Pennsylvania wineries.

Lehigh Valley Air Show
Come see some amazing acts in the air. Several of the vendors attending the show will be pouring Franklin Hill Vineyards wine. Stop by and enjoy the show while enjoying your favorite FHV wine.

Franklin Hill Vineyards brings back Where's Walter social media photo contest

OUR WHERE'S WALTER SUMMER COMPETITION IS BACK!

Take Sir Walter's Red on vacation with you for a chance to win a free case of wine. Take a picture of a bottle of Sir Walter's Red at your favorite vacation destination. Upload it to either our Twitter or Facebook page using the hashtag #FHVwhereswalter.

On September 22 we will select our favorite entry by commenting on the winning picture with instructions on how to redeem your prize. Good luck and enjoy your vacation!

YOGA IN THE VINEYARD
July 20 at 10 am

Our summer series continues with an hour of restorative and rejuvenating yoga led by Silver Kim of Kula Heart Yoga. Afterwards we invite you to join us on the deck for a light brunch complete with refreshing sangria. Our tasting room will be open for complimentary tastings and a tour of the winery will be offered at noon. This popular event sells out, so please contact the winery to reserve your patch of grass - 610-588-8708.

BYOM (Bring your own mat)
$20 per person
Can't make it? Join us on August 17 for our last event of the series.

RECIPE OF THE MONTH: SUMMERTIME SANGRIA 

To create this beautiful and tasty summertime crowd pleaser, take fresh limes, lemons, strawberries, raspberries and muddled mint, add in our Katie's Creek or Vidal Blanc, and then bubble it up
with seltzer. It's a perfect and refreshing sangria. (You can even add some blueberries to give it a festive look!)

Yoga in the Vineyard, wine festivals, and more for Franklin Hill Vineyards in June

Road Trip!
We hope you can take time this summer to come visit the vineyard. We've just finished planting over 1,200 new vines and our older vines have begun to bud. Things are always happening here at FHV and we want you to come be a part of it. Our deck overlooks one of the most beautiful views in the area and is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of your favorite Franklin Hill wine.

Taste of Kutztown
Saturday, June 7 - 11 am - 5 pm

This is our first time at this event and we couldn't be more excited. The Kutztown Rotary has invited over 21 wineries, meaderies, and breweries to bring samples for tasting all day long. Join us for a day of wine themed food and fun while Acoustic Roadshow provides live music all day.

Yoga in the Vineyard
Sunday, June 8 at 10 am
 
Our summer series continues with an hour of confidence building, core strengthening yoga led by Silver Kim of Kula Heart Yoga. Afterward we invite you to the deck for a light brunch and mimosas. This popular event does sell out so please contact the winery to reserve your patch of grass. BYOM (bring your own mat) $20 per person - Call today: 610-588-8708.
Can't make it? We're doing it again on July 20 and August 17.

Split Rock Wine Festival
June 21 & 22

Our Festival Crew is packing up and getting ready for the biggest, craziest wine festival of our season. This is a do not miss event held at the beautiful Split Rock Resort in the Poconos. Come join in on the fun, food, music, crafts and of course wine all weekend long from noon - 6 pm. While you're at our tent be sure to use our props at the #HashtagHangout and post some pics to our Facebook page for your chance to win free wine.

FHV Happy Hour Fridays
Haven't made it to one yet?  Stop by for yummy and creative cocktails all made using our wines.  Chocolate Caramel Martinis were featured this past week in Bethlehem and they were a huge hit. Want to re-create one of our drinks? Click here for all of our Happy Hour recipes.

Franklin Hill Vineyards introduces Carnival, its newest wine

Our newest wine will soon be one of your favorites. Carnival, a cotton candy infused wine, is now available at all of our locations including our web store. Stop in and try it today or buy online.

Upcoming events:

Wine in Bloom - a Lehigh Valley Wine Trail event
May 17 & 18
Wine in Bloom is an event that celebrates the land, most importantly the soil that supports and nourishes our beautiful vines. In honor of this we will be making Dirt Dessert and pairing it with one of our newest award-winning wines, RedHead. Vineyard and winery tours will be available at noon and 2 p.m.

Taste of Pennsylvania Wine & Music Festival
May 17 & 18
First stop... York, Pa. The Taste of Pa Wine and Music Festival is two days of food, fun, music and wine.

The Great Pennsylvania Flavor Fest
May 24 & 25
Next up, is FlavorFest in Mt. Hope, Pa. Free admission, free parking and free wine tastings from over 20 wineries are only a few of the things FlavorFest offers.

Join us every Friday Happy Hour
Easton, Tannersville, and Bethlehem locations from 4-6 pm
The Winery in Bangor from 3-5 pm

Yoga in the Vineyard, May wine dinner and more this spring at Franklin Hill Vineyards

Cupcake and Wine Tasting 
Saturday, May 3 from 1-3 p.m.
The Courtyard Marriott
2220 Emerick Blvd, Bethlehem

Wine, cupcakes and happiness. Experience a match made in heaven. You'll discover how perfectly our wines fuse with an array of fantastic Sugar Babe Cupcakes, and gain a little wine knowledge along the way.
Cost: $30 per person + tax. Reservations required. Call 610-332-WINE to make reservations.

Yoga in the Vineyard 
May 11, June 8, July 20, August 17
10 a.m.

"Wine-down" with an hour of yoga led by Silver Kim from Kula Heart Yoga in Bethlehem. Once you've found your zen we invite you to the tasting room for a picnic-style brunch on the deck complete with cocktails. Wine tastings will also be available. $20 per person. This very popular series sells out early, so call 610-588-8708 to reserve your patch of grass soon. BYOM (bring your own mat)

Touch of Spring Vineyard Dinner at Franklin Hill 
Friday, May 30 at 6 p.m.

Join us for the ultimate dining experience. You and your guest will dine in our vineyard, pairing each course with Franklin Hill Vineyard's exquisite wines. Enjoy a four-course catered meal prepared by North Star Catering Company.  Cost: $150 per couple + tax

First Course:
Caprese Salad
Fresh mozzarella & tomatoes atop a bed of field greens with a homemade balsamic vinaigrette

Second Course:
Pan Seared Seasoned Scallops

Third Course:
Chicken breast stuffed with fresh baby spinach, feta cheese, sundried tomatoes & kalamata olives, pan seared, finished in a light white wine sauce, accompanied with lemon marinated sautéed shrimp, over jasmine rice with carrots and green beans.

Dessert:
Strawberry Shortcake

(Please, no substitutions. This event is rain or shine.)

Wine Dinner, Happy Hour and more at Franklin Hill this winter

We hope you enjoyed your holidays and wish you the very best 2014 has to offer. We are grateful for your patronage throughout the past years and look forward to your continued support in the years to come.  e always strive to be our best and can honestly say "we love what we do."

Elaine, Adam and the Franklin Hill Vineyards Family

Wine and Dine at the Broadway Pub
62 Broadway, Bangor, PA 18013
January 22 at 7 p.m.

Franklin Hill Vineyards and the Broadway Pub are pairing up to offer you a spectacular dining experience. Each of the four courses have been created to complement one of our wines. From lobster to creme brûlée, it's a feast you won't want to miss. $50 per person. Call to reserve your table - 610-332-9463.

Introducing Happy Hour! (It's not just for bars anymore.)

Franklin Hill Vineyards is excited to announce Friday Night Happy Hour at all of our retail locations. From 4-6 p.m. we'll be handing out samples of creative cocktails made with our wines and a light snack to pair it with. Every week we'll feature a different combination of deliciousness so stop by and join the fun.

Restaurant Week in Downtown Bethlehem

Downtown Bethlehem presents the most delicious weeks of the year in Bethlehem's Historic District and South Side Shopping District. January 26 through February 1 over 30 restaurants will be offering fixed-price menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Reservations are strongly recommended and can made by contacting the restaurant directly.

Don't forget to swing by our Bethlehem's location on Main Street for a bottle to enjoy at any of the BYOB restaurants. Or dine at the Apollo Grill and ask for a glass of Trio.

March Passports now on sale

The Lehigh Valley Wine Trail 2014 March Passport Program is right around the corner. All eight of the wine trail wineries open their doors the first four weekends in March and invite you in for pairings, tastings and more. If you haven't purchased your passports yet stop in any of our locations today or buy online. $35 each. (cash only)

Live Advent Calendar, hashtag contest, extended holiday hours, and more from Franklin Hill

Downtown Bethlehem's Live Advent Calendar
A different Downtown Business is featured nightly in the Live Advent Calendar. The door of the 1810 Goundie House at 505 Main St. opens at 5:30 p.m. and guests are entertained in a unique and festive way.

Franklin Hill Vineyards will be opening the door TONIGHT, December 17. Warm up with some hot mulled wine while you enjoy the Lehigh Valley Harmonizers singing your favorite carols in the street.

TABLEWINE # COMP
Want to win a FREE CASE of wine? Include a bottle of our wine on your beautifully set holiday table, take a pic, and put it on a social media site with the hashtag #tablewine. We will be judging your pics on creativity, beauty, wine placement and maybe even on how good it all looks. Have fun and good luck.

We Need Your Vote!
It's that time of year again and Downtown Bethlehem's Doors and Windows of Bethlehem competition is in full force. Our Bethlehem crew has created a door worth your vote. Stop by, check it out and then submit your vote.

EXTENDED HOLIDAY HOURS
Short on time this holiday season? Let us help. Our retail stores will be opening earlier and closing later. So whether we're your first stop or your last, we'll be there for you.

Tannersville & Easton
Mondays - Saturdays: 10 am - 7 pm
Sundays: 11 am - 5 pm

Bethlehem
Mondays - Thursdays: 10 am - 8pm
Fridays & Saturdays: 10 am - 9 pm
Sundays: Noon - 6 pm

The Perfect Holiday Martini
We've got a tasty way to impress your holiday guests with this cocktail:

First chill your martini glass.
Then add 3 parts Passion to 1 part Vanilla Vodka.
Dip the rim of your favorite martini glass in green colored sugar and garnish with a strawberry.

December update from the Wine Trail

Here are a few highlights from our wineries on what they are up to this month.

Now that the holidays are officially here, several of our members have extended hours at their wineries and/or their wine shoppe locations. So be sure to check their web sites or call ahead before visiting. Also, several of the wineries offer custom wine labels for wine you plan to give as gifts, but the deadline for ordering labels is nearing. Be sure to ask about it soon if you are interested.

Galen Glen's Annual Holiday Open House

Saturday 12/14, 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday 12/15, noon - 5 pm

We welcome you to come in from the cold and warm up with some of Gary's Norwegian Shrimp Chowder. In Norway, fish, shrimp and potatoes are staples in a family's diet. Soup is great after a cold day of tree shopping, holiday shopping or decorating. Stop by the winery for our complimentary food and wine pairing. Let our staff help you make your holiday wine selections. We also will have gift cards, gift baskets, glass wear, dips, jellies, jewelry and candles available to help you with your holiday gift giving needs.

There's still time to visit Vynecrest's Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem booth for wine tastings and sales during your trip to Christmas in Bethlehem. 

Thursdays & Sundays: 11 am - 6 pm

Fridays & Saturdays: 11am - 8pm 

12/12 - 12/15 and 12/19 - 12/22

Clover Hill Wine & Food Inspiration

Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market

Saturday, December 14 from 11 am - 4 pm

Visit our Wine Shop for a special wine and food pairing. We will be showcasing some holiday entertaining ideas that will include: 

- Smoked turkey from Mr. Bill's Poultry paired with Oak Vidal

- 'Krab Salad' from Heckenberger's Seafood paired with Cayuga White

- English Cheddar with orange and chocolate from Wittman's World Cheeses paired with Vignoles

Pinnacle Ridge: Need a special gift for that wine lover in your life this holiday season?

Check out our gift baskets full of artisan dips, sauces and all other sorts of wine goodies. Complete with award winning Pinnacle Ridge Winery wines, of course.

4th Annual Christmas Blessings Toy & Gift Drive at Blue Mountain
Sunday 12/15 at 2 p.m.

It's that time of year to spread Christmas cheer to those who need it the most. Bring a new toy and donate it to the Christmas Blessings Toy & Gift Drive. All toys and gifts will be donated to the children's hospital. Put a smile on their face with your donation and enjoy live music with Scott Marshall & The Hillbilly Souls.

Franklin Hill Vineyards recently won 3 medals from the Grand Harvest Wine Competition in Sonoma County, CA. This competition is the only wine competition in North America that is based on terrior.

RedHead, our newest edition to our wine list, is a dry red with a high vanilla oak, was awarded a Bronze Medal.

White Jade, a dry, lightly oaken white, was awarded a Silver Medal.

Fiesta, a fun, sweet, red made with 100% concord grapes with a citrus blend added to it making it like a Red Sangria, was awarded a Silver Medal.

Don't forget to get your Lehigh Valley Wine Trail wine tote this holiday season.

When you purchase 6 bottles of wine or more at one of our 8 member wineries, you will receive this FREE wine tote! The bags are printed on both sides with pictures of our wine bottles. The bag is durable and able to securely hold 6 full bottles of wine. While supplies last.

Free shipping on online orders of 6 bottles or more from Vynecrest through Dec. 8

Free shipping on 6 or more bottles for online orders through December 8 at www.vynecrest.com. No coupon code is necessary; just be sure you have six or more bottles in your shopping cart.

Normal discounts still apply, 5% discount on 6 to 11 bottles, 10% discount on 12 or more bottles
This promotion is for online orders only. Phone-in orders will be subject to normal shipping fees
Free shipping does not apply if wine is sent to multiple locations. Order must be shipped to one location for free shipping offer to apply

Sorry, we can't ship to AL, AR, KY, MD, MA, MS, MT, NH, UT, HI, AK. Must be 21 or older to order. Adult signature required for delivery of wine. All wine will be shipped via FedEx.

December Specials
* Three Pack of the Month - 3 Spiced Winter Red for $25
* Wine of the Month - Vignoles 10% off

March Passports for the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail's 2014 event are still available at the winery for $35 each or can be ordered online.

Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem - visit our booth for wine tastings and sales during your trip to Christmas in Bethlehem. Thursdays & Sundays: 11 am - 6 pm, Fridays & Saturdays: 11am - 8pm

• 12/05 - 12/08 
• 12/12 - 12/15 
• 12/19 - 12/22

Holiday hours at the winery in Breinigsville
* Dec 1 - 23: 11 am - 5 pm
* Dec 24: 10 am - 2 pm
* Dec 25: Closed
* Dec 26 - 31: 11 am - 5 pm
* Jan 1 - 5: Closed
* Reopening January 6: 11 am - 5 pm

Holiday hours at the wine shoppe in Kutztown
* Dec 1 - 23: noon - 6 pm
* Dec 24: 10 am - 2 pm
* Dec 25: Closed
* Dec 26 - 31: noon - 6 pm
* Jan 1 - Jan 6: Closed
* Reopening January 7: noon - 6 pm

Glass Half Empty
by John Landis

When I reflect back on 2013, what I am most thankful for are all the wonderful people we get to interact with throughout the year.

The friendly farm vendors at the Macungie Farmers Market; the other winery staff who attend wine festivals; the Kutztown University staff who partnered with us on the label for Bear Naked Chardonnay; the volunteers at Christkindlmarkt; Lehigh Valley Wine Trail members; our terrific neighbors who are so supportive; the vineyard crew who helped us harvest the biggest crop in the history of Vynecrest; our family of Vynecrest tasting room staff who interact with our customers; and finally, the customers themselves whose support makes our existence possible.

Jan, Sam, and Malachi join me in thanking you for your support and wish you all Happy Holidays and a healthy 2014!

Franklin Hill Vineyards launches new social media hashtag contest for the holiday season

Doors and Windows of Bethlehem

It's that time of year again and we need your vote. The Downtown Bethlehem Association is holding their annual contest to see who can create the most beautiful and unique doors or window. Take a stroll through beautiful Downtown Bethlehem and be sure to vote for Franklin Hill Vineyards starting November 23.

Here we go again...

We know you're crafty. Your table decor is the talk of the holidays. Now we want to give you a free case of wine just for showing off.

Take a picture of your Thanksgiving table, Christmas table or any time you think your table is amazing. Make sure there is a bottle of Franklin Hill wine visible and post it to social media with the hashtag #tablewine. We are accepting submissions on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

We will judge entries based on creativity, beauty, wine placement and maybe even how delicious everything looks. The winner gets a free case of wine! Yes, you read that right, a FREE CASE OF WINE!

All submissions must be posted by January 1, 2014. We will pick the winner January 6. Good luck and Happy Holidays.

As the holiday's approach we hope you take the time to reflect, cherish and enjoy all the season has to offer.  We have so many loyal and valued customers, and for this we are truly thankful. Cheers!  Elaine, Adam and the Franklin Hill Vineyards family.

Featured Recipe - Apple Cider Sangria
We've found the perfect drink for your Thanksgiving Day guests.
Take a bottle of our Seyval Blanc and add in 2 1/2 cups of fresh apple cider, 1 cup of club soda and 1/2 cup of ginger brandy.  Chop up 3 apples and 3 pears and enjoy.

Extended Holiday Hours - starting November 25

Short on time this holiday season? Let us help. Our retail stores will be opening earlier and closing later,. So whether we're your first stop or your last, we'll be there for you.

Tannersville & Easton -
Mondays - Saturdays: 10am - 7pm
Sundays: 11am - 5pm

Bethlehem -
Mondays - Wednesdays: 10am - 7pm
Thursdays: 10am - 8pm
Friday & Saturdays: 10am - 9pm
Sundays: noon - 6pm

Tasting room hours at the winery in Bangor will remain the same.

Wine Trail customer shares his experience with us

We love hearing from customers who have discovered our wine trail and its member wineries. Below is an email we recently received:

"A few years ago my wife was introduced to wine tasting at Christkindlmarkt in Bethlehem, Pa. by Vynecrest Vineyards and Winery. Every year we try to get away for a few days to celebrate our wedding anniversary.  This year (our 36th) I planned a four-day excursion to nearby Berks and Lancaster counties to incorporate several of my wife's favorite things: chocolate, fabric and quilts, and, of course, beer and wine.

We started the weekend doing a wine tasting together at a winery not far from our home, the Manatawny Creek Winery in Douglassville. We were hooked.  We've also enjoyed the opportunity to sample local wines at a few growers markets in the area.

We enjoyed our anniversary weekend so much that we decided to focus our vacation this summer around the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail, and, of course, a few fabric and quilt stores, and chocolate shops. It was a great vacation! We visited all eight of the wineries on the wine trail plus three more. Not only did we get to taste some great wines, but we also saw some beautiful scenery!

One of the most heartwarming features of the winery visits was how all of the wineries support each other.  Final count: we purchased 86 bottles of wine. I think we're going to have a party!

Thanks for a great vacation!"

Joe Evans

Spring is here and the deck is open at Franklin Hill!

Spring is here,the deck is open, and we couldn't be happier. Here at Franklin Hill Vineyards we are excited to invite you to enjoy the beautiful views from our deck. Come have a complimentary tasting and enjoy a glass of your favorite wine.

In the Vineyard
The poles are here and soon 2,000 new vines will start their journey in our vineyard. We're excited to get started and invite you to come see the process of planting. The vineyard we planted in 2008 is getting a little help with the addition of it's own irrigation system fed by it's very own well.

Wine Tourism Day 
Saturday, May 11

We are so excited to be a part of the first Wine Tourism Day. Franklin Hill Vineyards will be one of many wineries, restaurants and hotels across the country celebrating the importance of wine tourism. Keep an eye out for the events we have planned for this special day!

Mother's Day
Sunday, May 12

Bring Mom to the winery for some relaxation and fun. We will be featuring frozen wine cocktails as well as light appetizers. Tours will also be offered at noon and 2 p.m. Stay tuned for more information.

Our friends at the Broadway Pub in downtown Bangor are carrying our wines. Our most popular Sir Walter's Red, Seyval Blanc, Trio,  Katie's Creek and more.  We even heard they've been mixing up our Fainting Goat into martinis and more! Stop in today or call for reservations. 610-452-9226

Catch Franklin Hill at festivals this spring and summer

On the Road Again...

Our Festival Crew is gearing up to hit the road and bring Franklin Hill Vineyards wine all over our state.  Here's where you can catch us this year:

• May 18 and 19 - Taste of PA Wine and Music Festival
• May 25 and 26  - PA FlavorFest
• June 1 -  Longwood Gardens Wine and Jazz Festival
• June 22 and 23 - Split Rock Wine Festival
• July 27 and 28  - Lehigh Valley Wine Trail's Wine on the Mountain at Penn's Peak
• August 24 and 25 - Seven Springs Wine Festival
• September 7 and 8 - Gettysburg Wine Festival

Keep your eye out for more announcements on festivals. You never know where we might show up!

Bethlehem happenings:

On any day of the week, March 9-17, you can enjoy Irish fare, music, events, and specials in the two downtowns of Bethlehem.  Then, on March 16, you may call it St. Patrick's Day; but the downtowns of Bethlehem like to call it "half way to Celtic Classic!"

Either way, get on your green and celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Historic Downtown Bethlehem with the Parade of Shamrocks. The streets will be filled with the sound of bagpipes and all things Irish!

Happy Easter!

Looking for a wine to pair with your Easter dinner? Our Kiss is a great choice to enjoy with the traditional ham dinner and Seyval is another terrific option to bring out the flavor of those pineapples on top. Ready for dessert? Sir Walter's Red and homemade peanut butter eggs are a match made in heaven... or the winery.

Reintroducing White Jade:

An everyday Chardonnay, White Jade is a dry, lightly oaked white.  We first released it in 2004
when Elaine's first granddaughter,  Jadelyn, was born. Almost 12 years later we introduce to you our new label design... unique, fun and beautiful just like our Jadie!

And the award goes to...

Congratulations to Bonnie and Maria.  It's only March and already 10 of our wines have received medals.  At the PA Farm Show, Seyval, Vidal, Chambourcin, Trio, Fainting Goat and Thin all took Bronze while Sir Walter's Red and Fiesta both won Silver. Thin and Evanswood also took a bronze at the PA Wine Competition. We are so proud of you both.  Keep up the good work ladies!

With this past weekend's beautiful weather we have already opened the deck at the winery. We put out our tables and chairs and invite you to enjoy a glass of wine as you take in the beautiful scenery FHV has to offer. So hope for some warm weather and sunshine and we'll see you soon.

Carol with Franklin Hill Vineyards at Bethlehem's Live Advent Calendar

Vote For Our Door!

Amanda and our Bethlehem crew have outdone themselves this year. Come shop our store in Downtown Bethlehem and see why you should vote for our door. Once you vote you'll be entered for a chance to win a $1,000 gift card to participating Bethlehem businesses!

Come Carol with Us!

Bethlehem's Live Advent Calendar is the only one of its kind in the country. This unique event runs through December and features a different business each night. Franklin Hill will be the Special Sponsor on December 20 at 5:30 p.m. outside the doors of the Goundie House located at 505 Main St.

We hope you will join us on this very special evening. We will sing along with The Lehigh Valley Harmonizers to some of our favorite holiday carols, warm up with some mulled Sir Walters Red and enjoy beautiful downtown Bethlehem.

Give the gift of local wine

Our retail stores have extended their hours to help you get your shopping done! Call our stores in Bethlehem, Easton and Tannersville for details.

Our holiday message to all of you

We've had one of the most amazing years in Franklin Hill Vineyards history. New wines, some incredible awards and the very best customers are just a few of the things we celebrate this year. We would like to extend our warmest wishes to you and yours this holiday season. We hope you take time to enjoy the things that really matter... Peace, Love and Wine! Cheers!

Vynecrest shares ideas for original food and wine pairings

It is going to be a busy month at Vynecrest. The power is back on and we are done cleaning up from the storm. The Winery lost power for a few days but other than that there was no damage. Have no fear, Nouveau Beaujolais was ready for release on time!

Christkindlmarkt in Bethlehem is now open and we have a wine booth there. The festival runs Thursday through Sunday until December 23 (closed Thanksgiving Day). It starts at 11 a.m. each day and closes at 6 p.m. on Thursdays & Sundays, and at 8 p.m. on Fridays & Saturdays.

November Specials:

Wine of the Month -Traminette, additional 10% off
3 Pack of the Month - All American Special, any combination of DiVyne Red or Niagara for $25**

**at winery only, 3 pack can't be combined with other discounts

Upcoming events:

November 24 - Live Music in the Vyneskeller, Brian Xander, 1:30 - 4:30 pm
November 25 - Jazz Sunday, Live jazz in the Vyneskeller, Body & Soul, 1-4 pm
December 1 - Live Music in the Vyneskeller, Rob & Marty , 1:30 - 4:30 pm
December 8 - Live Music in the Vyneskeller, Jake Kaligis, 1:30 - 4:30 pm
December 15 - Live Music in the Vyneskeller, Arianne, 1:30 - 4:30 pm
December 22 - Live Music in the Vyneskeller, Allison Goodin, 1:30 - 4:30 pm

Glass Half Empty 
by Jim Hutchings
Vynecrest Weekend Warrior

Jan's story in the August newsletter covered what some might think of as an 'unconventional' pairing of wine with chocolate, since many people only think of pairing red wine with red meat and white wine paired with chicken or fish. Being such an avid wine drinker, I enjoy wine with meals and even snacks on a regular basis and I've come up with some "interesting" pairings along the way. When I work in the tasting room and share some of these offbeat food pairings, people often think I'm kidding. You see for so many of us wine is not just a drink for a special occasion or nice meal. It's a passion we enjoy daily, so it's only natural to come up with some fantastic pairings from everyday meals and snacks.

When I first heard of wineries offering a pizza wine, even I thought it was a joke. Now I'm surprised when a winery doesn't offer a pizza wine! Ours, of course, is Vynecrest Red. It's great with pizza or anything else with a red sauce. Even though we're past the summer barbeque & picnic season, I still like to enjoy a glass of Cabernet Franc with an all-beef hot dog or cheeseburger from the grill. That's right - our rich and robust dry reds aren't only for drinking with a nice steak. They're good with just about anything that comes off of the grill!

Our sweet and silky Vignoles isn't just for dessert anymore. I think it's a fantastic breakfast wine - try a glass with pancakes and syrup this weekend. Sticking with the sweeter wines, there's no match to Spiced Winter Red and the gingersnap cookies we sometimes pair with at the winery. Also try a warm glass with a piece of cinnamon toast for another breakfast with a kick. Our tasting list says to pair Traminette with Asian cuisine, including Thai food or anything with a bit of spice. This suggestion can go even further, pairing Traminette with Mexican or Indian food. It's just as good with tacos and curry chicken. For my money, though, I think Traminette is at its best with Buffalo wings.

Even recently I've discovered some amazing new pairings. I still have a few bottles left of the Last Syrah from 2008 and it was delicious with homemade beef jerky. The salty, gamey jerky really brought out the ripe berry flavors in the Syrah. I think this year's Chambourcin would also go very well with jerky. Finally, and most surprisingly, I discovered the joy of Sparkling Chardonnay with potato chips. The salty crunch of the chips with the bubbles in the wine (which is perfectly balanced with a touch of sweetness and acidity) creates a pairing that must be experienced to be truly enjoyed.

I'm sure I'm not the only one out there with offbeat tastes for pairing wine and food. What other combinations are customers enjoying?

Spiced Winter Red is back at Vynecrest just in time for fall

The 2012 Harvest at Vynecrest should wrap up this week barring any unforeseen events. It's going to be another great vintage. It is now time to set our sights on the holidays. Christkindlmarkt in Bethlehem opens in just a few weeks on November 15. Be sure to visit our wine booth there!

October Specials

• Wine of the Month - Spiced Winter Red, additional 10% off
• 3 Pack of the Month - 3 Vignoles for $25**

**at winery only, 3 pack can't be combined with other discounts

Upcoming Events

• October 13 - Live Music in the Vyneskeller, Arianne , 1:30 - 4:30 pm
• October 20 & 21 - Chambourcin Weekend - We will be pairing our 2011 Chambourcin with a Wild Rice & Chick Pea Salad with dried cranberries. Its a perfect Autumn side dish, recipes will be available. Art's Acoustic Oldies performing in the Vyneskeller on Saturday from 1:30-4:30 pm. Public is welcome, free of charge.
• October 27 - Live Music in the Vyneskeller, Valerie Borman , 1:30 - 4:30 pm
• October 28 - Jazz Sunday, Live jazz in the Vyneskeller, Body & Soul, 1-4 pm
• November 3 - Live Music in the Vyneskeller, Connie Edinger , 1:30 - 4:30 pm

Glass Half Empty by Malachi Duffy

As we near the end of the 2012 harvest season, I thought some of our readers might like an inside look at what harvesting grapes is REALLY like.

Gone are the days of grape stomping a la "I Love Lucy." Our harvest days typically start at 7 a.m. Our vineyard crew immediately begins picking the grapes, placing them into the yellow lugs (bins) that we placed out in the vineyard the night before. John, Sam and I prep the equipment for the day which includes a press, crusher/destemmer, pumps, hoses, etc.

By 8 a.m. the first round of lugs are ready for pick up. After a quick round of rock, paper, scissors between Sam and I, one of us hops up onto the tractor (winner) while the other climbs onto the attached wagon eager to pick up the 30 pound lugs (loser). The wagon holds 72 lugs, so each trip nets us about one ton of grapes.

From there it's back to the crush pad, the concrete slab outside the wine cellar (it just sounds cooler to call it a crush pad) where we unload the grapes into the crusher/destemmer. This machine takes the grapes off the stems and uses rollers to lightly crush the grapes. The result of this process is a combination of juice and crushed skins known as must that gets pumped into the press.

Next comes round two of grape pick up (Sam does the heavy lifting this time) to again fill the wagon and take another one ton load back for processing. Once these grapes are crushed, the must is combined with the first batch to fill the press and we begin the hour-long process of pressing the must to extract as much pure juice as we can. (Notice, there are no bare feet involved in this process).

By the time the day is done, the above-mentioned tasks have been repeated over and over until all the lugs for the day have been collected and processed. On average, each day of harvest brings in about 500 lugs which yields about 1,000 gallons of wine once the juice has been fermented. Our day finishes with a marathon cleaning session to hose down all of the equipment and lugs in preparation for the next day of harvest. When all is said and done, Vynecrest will harvest just over 5,000 lugs of grapes during the 2012 season. That's a lot of rock, paper, scissors.

Franklin Hill celebrates fall with two new awards for Trio!

Celebrate the harvest and our newest award winning wine...TRIO! Winning Double Gold and Best in Class at California's International Woman's Wine Competition. Congratulations Bonnie and Maria!

From our grapes to your glass 

The start of October brings us close to the end of harvest here at Franklin Hill Vineyards. Our harvest crew worked rain and shine to get our grapes to Bonnie and Maria so they could start working their magic. Our red grapes are still resting, absorbing all those heart healthy benefits we love so much, and will be pressed in the next few days. All in all, 2012 was a good harvest for us, and for this we are thankful.

Talk about thankful, what a festival season we had. We want to thank everyone, and there were a lot of you, who took the time to come out to support us from Split Rock to Seven Springs. A special shout out to all those who braved the storm at Gettysburg! Our festival crew works hard and had a blast introducing our wines all throughout Pa.  Not to say they aren't happy to take a well deserved break from all that travel.
Way to go FHV Festival Crew! 

Stop by the vineyard soon and maybe you can catch the last bit of grapes coming in to our winery and eventually, your glass! We look forward to your visit and to showing you how much we love what we do.

Bethlehem Harvest Festival 

As always, Bethlehem is planning great things and we are excited to be a part of it! The 7th annual HarvestFest in Downtown Bethlehem is October 13. Main Street, Broad Street and the Sun Inn Courtyard will be the home to all the fall festivities, food, shopping and fun for the whole family. This terrific event will include beer tasting and a wine trail, but get your passports early in the day. They are available for $20 and will sell out quickly. Harvest Fest will also offer soup tastings, music, arts, dessert, food and even grape stomping from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m

Buy wine online 

Our Wine Shop is open for business! Now you can simply send our wine as a gift or have it shipped it directly to you.

Cheers to Elaine!

The YWCA of Bethlehem has awarded Franklin Hill Vineyards the Breaking the Glass Ceiling Non-Traditional Woman's Business Award. We are very honored.