Fall at Vynecrest means events, a fundraiser, and the return of two popular wines

Spiced Winter Red and Spiced Winter White are now available. Last year Spiced Winter White sold out in three weeks. We made a little more this year but you better get it early if you want it.

It is just about time to set our sights on the holidays. Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem opens in just a few weeks on November 20.

October is national breast cancer awareness month. Vynecrest is donating $1 for every bottle of First Blush sold to the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition.

October Specials

* Wine of the Month - First Blush, additional 10% off
* 3 Pack of the Month - 3 Spiced Winter White for $35

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

Upcoming Events

October 16 - Wine Glass Painting, Vynecrest on Main

Friday from 6-8 pm, join us at Vynecrest on Main in Kutztown for "Painting with Wine."The cost is $15 per person which includes a glass to paint, a glass to drink, and all painting supplies. Appetizers are available for a nominal charge. Reservations required. For reservations 484-641-5149.

October 17 & 18 - Lehigh Valley Wine Trail Chambourcin Weekend

Vynecrest will be partnering with Vince’s Cheesesteaks, a Lehigh Valley tradition. We will be pairing our 2013 Estate-Bottled Chambourcin wine with a taste of “Mini Vinnies” steak sandwich. The meat in these steak sandwiches will be marinated in our Chambourcin wine before they are grilled. The Vince’s Cheesesteak Food Truck will be at Vynecrest all day both Saturday and Sunday with their full menu of chicken and beef cheesesteaks and other items for purchase.

October 24 - Lehigh Valley Cider & Wine Festival at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown

The Lehigh Valley Cider and Wine Festival – an on-field event featuring hard cider and wine tastings from local and regional cideries and wineries – makes its debut on Sat., Oct. 24 from noon to 5 p.m. at Coca-Cola Park. Attendees each receive a collector’s stemless glass to enjoy their cider and wine tastings and can also purchase a variety of food and crafts from local food trucks, vendors and artisans. The festival – which takes place during Pennsylvania Wine Month -- also includes live entertainment, panel discussions describing the process of making both cider and wine, the ability to purchase wine by the glass, bottle or case and other fun activities such as an apple launch competition.

October 25 - Jazz Sunday, Live Music in the Vyneskeller, 1-4 pm

Glass Half Empty by Jan Landis

Everyone knows what my three partners do at Vynecrest. Don’t get me wrong, in a small business such as ours we all do a little of everything, including cleaning toilets and changing light bulbs. But mainly Malachi is the winemaker, John oversees the vineyard, and Sam’s the boss. Boss sounds good, doesn’t it? But in the small print that means the buck stops with Sam and that’s a tough job. He has to be on top of everything.

So me, what do I do? I do the books, write the checks, do payroll, the nerdy stuff, which actually I love doing. On weekends, I’m the kitchen wench, doing cheese plates and pretzel bowls, helping in the Vyneskeller. However, my new fun job is Engagement Facilitator. Yes, a new job description to add to my resume!

We’ve had a flurry of marriage proposals over the past few years and setting the scene for the Popping of the Question has been a hoot. With the help of Dana we’ve managed to successfully cement a number of romantic relationships. And the scenario has been different for them all! Mostly the gentleman comes up with a rough idea of how he’d like to propose and we simply provide the ways and means to make it happen.

There have been a couple of rough spots, like the young man who when he came in with his intended turned to me and said: “Hi Jan.” I froze and didn’t acknowledge his greeting; after all, he was supposed to be a complete stranger! Luckily, the lovely young lady remained clueless, or so she said. One time we were asked to freeze an engagement ring in an ice cube tray since the lady in question liked ice cubes in her wine. We were petrified that the ring (which they crazily entrusted to us) would get damaged or that once frozen she would somehow swallow it, but we managed to make it through that engagement without incident.

I never used to think that wine was particular romantic; after all my earlier jobs in building up this business mainly consisted of pruning vines, picking grapes, and bottling the wine. But now that I’ve been elevated to Engagement Facilitator, yes, wine is very romantic!

Lehigh Valley Cider and Wine Festival set for October 24 at Coca-Cola Park

On-Field Event Features Hard Cider and Wine Tastings; 

Save $5 with Early-Bird Ticket Special at www.LVCiderandWine.com

The Lehigh Valley Cider and Wine Festival – an on-field event featuring hard cider and wine tastings from local and regional cideries and wineries – makes its debut on Sat., Oct. 24 from noon - 5 p.m. at Coca-Cola Park. Attendees each receive a collector’s stemless glass to enjoy their cider and wine tastings and can also purchase a variety of food and crafts from local food trucks, vendors and artisans.

The festival – which takes place during Pennsylvania Wine Month -- also includes live entertainment, panel discussions describing the process of making both cider and wine, the ability to purchase wine by the glass, bottle or case and other fun activities such as an apple launch competition.

  

Lehigh Valley Cider and Wine Festival tickets are on sale now starting at $35 per person for a four-hour tasting from 1 - 5 p.m. VIP tickets are $45 per person and include a noon entrance time and a five-hour tasting. 

From now through Wednesday, Aug. 19, save $5 on all tasting tickets with a special early-bird ticket offer. For just $5, tickets are available for designated drivers who will receive complimentary soda or for those just wishing to visit the various food vendors and artisans. Interested parties are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance as there will be an additional $5 charge on all tickets purchased on the day of the festival. To purchase your discounted early-bird tickets or for more information, visit www.LVCiderandWine.com, call (610) 841-PIGS (7447) or visit the Coca-Cola Park ticket office during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.).

  

The Lehigh Valley Cider and Wine Festival will include 15-20 participating cideries, including local favorites Hardball Cider and Frecon’s Cidery, each offering multiple cider selections. The festival also includes wine tastings and sales by the glass, bottle and case from Lehigh Valley Wine Trail members. 

The Lehigh Valley Wine Trail is a 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 its member wineries have won numerous awards at state, national and international levels.

  

Participating wineries include:

  

• Amoré Vineyards & Winery, Nazareth

• Blue Mountain Vineyards, New Tripoli

• Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery, Breinigsville

• Franklin Hill Vineyards, Bangor

• Galen Glen Vineyard & Winery, Andreas

• Pinnacle Ridge, Kutztown

• Tolino Vineyards, Bangor

• Vynecrest Winery, Breinigsville

  

Please note that you must be 21 or older to attend. Vendors looking to participate in the Lehigh Valley Cider and Wine Festival should visit www.LVCiderandWine.com/contact. Parking is complimentary for the festival. 

  

Coca-Cola Park will offer a unique backdrop for this on-field festival as the ballpark was named Ballpark Digest’s “Ballpark of the Year” during the IronPigs’ debut season in 2008 and has since drawn unparalleled marks for its unique intimacy, family-friendly atmosphere and architectural design. 

  

Attendees are reminded that there are three entry points for parking and are encouraged to use the Dauphin Street entrance when traveling from downtown Allentown.  In addition to the Dauphin Street entrance, entry to Coca-Cola Park can be gained off American Parkway and Union Boulevard. Preferred/Handicapped Parking access is available via American Parkway only.

  

Join Blue Mountain this summer for Sangria Sundays

Sangria Sundays
Every Sunday from 2 - 5 pm

Enjoy live entertainment on our outdoor or glass-enclosed deck with commanding views of the mountains and our vineyards. Gourmet cheeses, fresh baked bread, dips, pretzels/chips, and pitchers of fruit and ice for sangria are available for purchase or bring your own snacks. Reserve a table bring a picnic lunch, do a wine tasting, and enjoy! $5 cover charge. Reservations required. (No outside alcohol permitted.)

June
7 - Sarah Ayers and James Supra Quartet
14 - Connie Edinger
21 - Mike Dugan and Jenn McCracken (Cheek2Cheek)
28 - Jake Kalegis and Mike Rauscher (Dynamic Duo)

What's Happening in The Vineyard

Bud break was early this year due to unseasonably warmer weather early spring. The vines will start to flower in a couple of weeks. During the stages of flowering, pollination and fertilization takes place, which results in grapes.

Despite the lack of rain in May, the vines are doing well and it hasn't affected us so far. If it continues, though, it could affect the resulting harvest in the fall.

We've also been hard at work putting tubes on the vines which help protect them, train them to trellis, and encourage faster growth. We've replaced all the Merlot, Vidal, and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes that we lost during the harsh winter of 2013, as well as adding more vines to increase our production. It will take at least five years to have a full, quality harvest from the new vines.

Upcoming Events

June 5-7 - Wine Me Up! Tapas & Wine Festival
Blue Mountain Ski Resort
To buy tickets:  http://www.skibluemt.com/ 

June 6 - Longwood Gardens Jazz & Wine Festival
Longwood Gardens
More info: http://www.longwoodgardens.org/events-and-performances/events/wine-jazz-festival 

June 20-21 - The Great Tastes of Pennsylvania Wine & Food Festival
Split Rock Resort
For more info: http://www.splitrockresort.com/events/wine-festival/

June 27-28 - Hamburg Wine & Food Festival
Hamburg, PA
For more info: http://www.crossfirefitness.net/wine--food-fests.html 

Franklin Hill makes plans to celebrate Earth Day, plus Yoga in the Vineyard

EARTH DAY 3K HIKE & WINERY TOUR - April 25

This Earth Day we invite you to join us on a 3K hike around the vineyard. As we walk we'll tell you all about the land, the vines, the grapes and all the ways we love the earth so it will continue to love us back. We'll end the tour in the winery and chat about the winemaking process and the benefits of drinking wine. You'll see that every step of the way, we put our planet first.

The hike will begin in the parking area at 2 pm. Each hiker will receive a six-bottle reusable wine tote to fill up with Franklin Hill wine. Wine tastings will of course be available all day as will some special Earth Day pairings and cocktails.

The $8 per person fee includes hike, wine tasting, reusable wine tote, winery tour, pairings, and a FHV logoed tasting glass. Call 610-588-8708 to register. Space is limited.

YOGA IN THE VINEYARD

We are proud to once again begin our Yoga in the Vineyards Series with Kula Heart Yoga's Silver Kim. As always we'll kick off the series on Mother's Day. Come celebrate and honor yourself and mom with an hour of relaxing and rejuvenating yoga. Afterward, we invite you to the deck to enjoy a light brunch and of course a cocktail.

The $20 per person fee includes yoga, brunch, cocktail, and winery tour at noon. Call us to register.

Crepes & Mimosa Sunday - May 17

Full of Crepe, located in Bethlehem, is pulling their "Green Machine Crepe Truck" into our parking lot. They'll be offering sweet and savory crepes for you to enjoy with a Harvest Berry Mimosa if you choose.

FRANKLIN HILL VINEYARDS - 2015 FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

May 16 & 17
Taste of PA, York, Pa.

May 23 & 24
FlavorFest, Manheim, Pa.

June 6
Taste of Kutztown, Kutztown, Pa.

June 6 & 7
Blue Mountain WineFest, Palmerton, Pa.

June 20 & 21
Split Rock,  Lake Harmony, Pa.

July 25 & 26
Wine on the Mountain at Penn's Peak, Jim Thorpe, Pa.

August 1
Martin on Main, Nazareth, Pa.

August 29 & 30
Seven Springs, Seven Springs, Pa.

September 12& 13
Gettysburg Wine Fest, Gettysburg, Pa.

Vynecrest converting bottling line to screw caps this summer

Bread is now available on the weekends in the Vyneskeller from The Daily Loaf, a fellow vendor from the Macungie Farmers Market. Demi-baguette loaves with dipping oil and spices for $3 in the Vyneskeller and regular-sized baguettes for sale upstairs in the tasting room for $4 to take home. Made with 100% organic flour and delivered fresh every Saturday morning to us. More varieties will be available as the summer goes on.

The Vyneskeller is open seven days a week from 1 - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday it is be self service - you can buy everything you need upstairs in the tasting room (wine, cheese, crackers) and take it with you downstairs to the patio or out to the picnic tables. Saturday and Sunday is business as usual with our full staff.

June Specials:
Wine of the Month - Blueberry, additional 10% off 

3 Pack of the Month - 3 DiVyne Red for $25.
*available at winery only; 3 pack cannot be combined with other offers

Upcoming Events and Farmers Markets

Happy Hour at Vynecrest on Main - every Friday from 4 - 6 pm. 10% off wine purchases and a free appetizer per couple.

June 12 and 19 - Macungie Farmer's Market, 4-7pm

June 21 & 22 - Split Rock Wine Festival
The Great Tastes of Pennsylvania Wine & Food Festival is held annually on resort grounds during the beautifully inviting summertime. This two-day, outdoor festival features musical entertainment, many of Pennsylvania's finest wineries, and a wide selection of food and craft vendors. Educational seminars are held during festival hours. Come experience everything you loved about wine fest past and all the great new things happening this year. Noon to 6 pm both days.

June 25 - Wine and Wholesome Food Cafe Event
Join us Wednesday evening in Kutztown for a wine and pairing from Wholesome Food Cafe from 5- 7 pm. $10 per person

June 26 - Macungie Farmer's Market, 4-7 pm

June 29 - Vineyard & Winery Tour
Jazz Sunday - Vineyard & Winery tour begins at noon. $5 per person. Tour should wrap up just in time to enjoy some live Jazz music in the Vyneskeller from 1 - 4 pm.

Glass Half Empty
by Malachi Duffy

I was just rereading the Glass Half Empty column I wrote for last June and it was about some of the projects we had recently completed or were underway. It ended with the last big project to be completed for the year, a new bottling line that would hopefully be twice as fast and use screw caps.

Well, 12 months later the new bottling line is in. We now have four wines under screw cap and have an aggressive bottling schedule in place to try to get the 2013 wines in the bottle before the 2012 vintage sells out.

We have had a lot of questions about why we chose to switch from a synthetic cork to screw caps. The answer is pretty simple. It is THE BEST closure for us and the style of wine we make. Every closure has its weakness. Natural cork can be tainted with TCA, so a certain percentage of your wine may be bad and there isn't anything you can do about it. To combat this inconsistency, we switched to a synthetic cork many years ago. Synthetic cork has been great for us but is does have a downside. It lets a little bit of oxygen into the bottle and over time the wine will oxidize. With synthetic corks we are able to guarantee our white wines for two-to-three years and our reds for five years (because red wines are better at protecting themselves against oxygen).

We wanted to have a longer shelf life for both our red and white wines. Screw caps solve all the above problems and offer an easier way to open the bottle of wine. While screw caps do let in some oxygen, it is MUCH less than that of a natural or synthetic cork. This will allow us to guarantee our whites for up to five years and reds up to 10 years (probably much longer).

Screw caps may diminish the drama and romance opening a bottle but it is well worth the sacrifice to ensure a taint-free wine that offers consistent aging, maintained flavor and freshness with optimum quality control. Quality is Vynecrest's number one concern when producing a wine and the switch to screw caps is another example of of that pursuit.

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

Franklin Hill Vineyards fills September with special events and festivals

Dinner in the Vineyard
October 11 at 6 p.m.

We are proud to be partnering with Valenca to bring you this extraordinary dining event. Valenca's top chef will be preparing a four course, candle-lit dinner for you to enjoy while surrounded by our beautiful vineyards. When you arrive you'll enjoy cocktails and light appetizers on the deck before entering the vineyard for an evening you'll never forget. $120 per couple. Call 610-332-WINE to make your reservations. Tables are limited. Call today.

Vegfest
September 7 from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Calling all Vegans, Vegetarians and anyone else who is looking for healthy and delicious food options. Vegfest offers free admission, free food sampling, free presentations, and a great family friendly environment. Franklin Hill Vineyards will be there too selling wine by the glass.

Gettysburg Wine and Music Festival
September 7 and 8 from noon - 6 p.m.

We're all packed up and heading out to Gettysburg for one of our favorite festivals. Join us and over 25 other PA wineries, local artisans and musicians for a weekend of fun.

Cupcakes and Wine
September 21 at 3 p.m.

Come savor the flavor of these sweet and sinful pairings. Sugar Babe Cupcakes will be bringing their sweet treats to pair with our wines and we can't wait for you to experience how well they match up! Call 610-332-WINE to make you reservations today!

Practice for Peace
10-11 a.m.

September 22 is known as Global Mala. On this day people around the globe will practice together for a cause.  Please join us, and the world, as we practice Yoga in the Vineyard. The proceeds will be donated to "KulaCares", a non-profit group created by the amazing Silver Kim to provide yoga and wellness free of charge for those less fortunate in our community. $15 per person includes light snacks and an hour of Yoga led by Silver Kim

Franklin Hill lines up August and September events and wine festivals

Franklin Hill Vineyards' 2nd Annual Friends Helping Friends Fundraiser
August 16 from 6-8 p.m.

Each year Franklin Hill Vineyards hosts a fundraiser to help a family in our community. This year we will be donating 100% of the proceeds of this event to a past employee, Karen Greggo and her family. Earlier this year the Greggo's lost everything in a house fire. We hope you'll join us in our efforts to help Karen, Joe and their two daughters recover from this loss. We will have a pasta and salad bar, raffles and of course, wine.

Please call 610-588-8708 or email cheryl@franklinhillvineyards.com to make your reservations. $40 per person

Where's Walter?
 

Going on vacation? Don't forget a bottle of Sir Walter's Red. Take a photo of Walter anywhere you go this summer and  hashtag it #whereswalter.  It could win you a free case of wine! Photos will be judged on 

uniqueness and originality. The winner will be announced on September 20 on our Facebook page (so be sure to be our friend!)

Seven Springs Wine and Food Festival
August 24 and 25 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The Seven Springs Food and Wine Festival offers tastings from over 30 PA wineries. This two-day festival offers entertainment and seminars on various wines, how to pair them and cooking techniques using wine.

Sensory Overload
Saturday, August 31 at 2 p.m.

Come enlighten your senses!  This fun and informative class will be led by one of our winemakers, Maria Sebastionelli.  Samples and aromas will be provided to help us identify characteristics unique to wine.  
Light appetizers and wine by the glass will be available. $35 per person. Please call to reserve your spot - 610-332-WINE

Gettysburg Wine and Music Festival
September 7 and 8 from noon - 6 p.m.

Enjoy a fantastic fall weekend in Adams County while you savor the tastes of hundreds of Pa. wines.
Click here for more information and for a chance to win FREE tickets!

Cupcakes and Wine

Cupcakes and wine = nirvana. Join us at the winery on Saturday, September 21 at 3 p.m. for a unique pairing of Franklin Hill Vineyards wine with the biggest thing in desserts: cupcakes! You'll discover how perfectly our wines fuse with an array of incredible cupcakes and gain a little wine knowledge along the way.
Call 610-332-WINE to make your reservations today. $20 per person.

WINE LOVERS TO CELEBRATE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF WINE ON THE MOUNTAIN EVENT AT PENN’S PEAK

The Lehigh Valley Wine Trail will celebrate the 10^th anniversary of its popular Wine on the Mountain festival on Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28 from noon to 5 p.m. both days at Penn’s Peak in Jim Thorpe.

Wine on the Mountain features wine samplings and sales from Lehigh Valley wineries, local artisans displaying their arts and crafts, and light fare available for purchase from Roadies Restaurant. There is also live musical entertainment with the Billy Bauer Duo performing on Saturday and the Jake Kaligis Dynamic Duo performing on Sunday. The well-known venue offers panoramic views of Beltzville Lake and the surrounding Appalachian mountainside from its large open-air deck.

Vendors will feature everything from gourmet foods and dipping oils, to hand-made jewelry and scented candles. This year’s artisans include:

·  Country Glo Soy Candles - Soy container candles and accessories

·  Top Shelf Specialties - Wine-themed gifts and wine accessories

·  Princess and the Peony- Wine bottle hurricane lanterns and wind chimes that can be personalized for any occasion

·  JD Gourmet - Balsamic vinegar and olive oil blends

·  Larona Jewelry & 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

Tickets are required for this event and are $15 in advance or $20 at the door the weekend of the event. They are on sale now at all Lehigh Valley Wine Trail member wineries as well as online: http://wineonthemountain2013.eventbrite.com/. Admission includes a commemorative tasting glass. Designated driver tickets are $8 each and will be sold at-the-door only the weekend of the event. Wine on the Mountain is an adults-only event and attendees must be 21 years of age or older. It is a rain or shine event since it is held inside Penn’s Peak in air-conditioned comfort. For driving directions to Penn’s Peak, visit their web site – www.pennspeak.com. 

The Lehigh Valley Wine Trail is a 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.

For more information on the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail, visit the organization’s web site www.LehighValleyWineTrail.com, connect with them on Twitter and their Facebook fan page, and read their “Taste of the Trail” blog.

New bottling line and upgrades to the wine cellar and winery entrance on tap this summer at Vynecrest

We had a close call a couple of weeks ago when the temperature dropped to 28 degrees, but it looks like all of the vines made it. The temperature only dropped for a short time and not long enough to cause any damage.

The Vyneskeller is now open seven days a week from 1 - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday it is self service and you can buy everything you need upstairs in the tasting room (wine, cheese, crackers) and take it with you downstairs to the patio or out to the picnic tables. Saturday and Sunday is business as usual with our full staff.

June Specials at Vynecrest:

* Wine of the Month - Lemberger, additional 10% off 

* 3 Pack of the Month - 3 First Blush for $25

*available at winery only, 3 pack cannot be combined with other offers

Upcoming Events

June 22 and 23 - Split Rock Wine Festival

The Great Tastes of Pennsylvania Wine and Food Festival takes place June 22 and 23 at Split Rock Resort located in beautiful Lake Harmony, Pa. This two-day outdoor festival, located on resort grounds in the Poconos, features continuous musical entertainment on three separate stages, over 30 of Pennsylvania's finest wineries, and a wide selection of food vendors to tempt your taste buds.

June 30 - Jazz Sunday and Vineyard Tour

July 27 and 28 - Wine on the Mountain

Hit the road and head to Penn’s Peak in nearby Jim Thorpe for this festival which includes wine samplings from our wineries in your own commemorative glass. 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. Live musical entertainment will be provided by the Billy Bauer Duo on Saturday and Jake Kaligis Dynamic Duo on Sunday.

Tickets are required for this event and are $15 in advance or $20 at the door the weekend of the event. The event is noon - 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.  Advance tickets are now for sale online as well as at all 8 wineries. 

*Wine on the Mountain is an adults-only event. Attendees must be 21 years of age or older to attend. Designated Driver tickets will be sold for $8 each at the door only the weekend of the event and not in advance.

July 28 - Jazz Sunday

Glass Half Empty

While we stay busy with the day-to-day stuff in the vineyard, wine cellar and tasting room, we are always asking ourselves what can we do to make it better. Better experience for our customers, better equipment or processes in the vineyard or cellar to increase efficiency and increase wine quality.

This question ultimately leads to buying more stuff and projects. I thought I would share a couple of our more recent projects.

My favorite project so far this year is the addition of a mezzanine in our wine cellar. The mezzanine holds 1 pallet (64 cases) of each wine and has a door leading to the tasting room. This solved a couple of problems. First, it opened up some much needed space in the cellar by moving 22 pallets of wine up and out of the way. Second, it allows easy access to wine to keep the shelves stocked. Prior to the mezzanine we would do an inventory see how many cases of each wine we needed in the tasting room, load up a pallet of wine and use a forklift to drive it around to the front door to be unloaded. This was done every Friday and Sunday of busy weekends, usually by Sam and myself. Now the shelves are stocked everyday by whoever is working. My future self's back is thankful for the mezzanine.

The next big project of the year was the widening of the front entrance. We have finished phase 1 of the project. The road is widened and a retaining wall is in that matches the retaining wall at the picnic area. We also added stairs to get from the front entrance to the Vyneskeller patio without having to walk on the road. We have gravel in the widened area for now. Phase 2 will be completed over the next month or so. We will rip up all of the pavers in front of the winery and remove the black top driveway. We will bring the grade up to match the front door. That means no more tripping into the winery and a much easier experience trying to wheel a case of wine out of the door and to your car. Once started, the work should only take a few days so the winery will be open as always.

The last last big thing we have planned for the year is a new bottling line. Hopefully it will be up and running for the next vintage. We will be able to bottle twice as fast. We will also switch to screw caps instead of synthetic cork. Screw caps have come a long way in recent years. Not only are they easier to use, but they now offer the same oxygen diffusion as a synthetic closure, allowing the same "ageability" as our current synthetic cork.

Wine specials and live music at Blue Mountain Vineyards this month

March Passports:

They are still available at the winery and our location in the Lehigh Valley Mall.
$35 each. Cash or check only.
You can also purchase Passports online. Visit the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail website for more details

Sunday Blues Line Up:

2/17 Scott Marshall & The Hillbilly Souls
2/24 Jake Kaligis & Mike Rauscher's Dynamic Duo

Join us every Sunday from 2-5 p.m. $5 admission includes a wine tasting. Reservations are recommended. Outside food welcome.

Monthly Wine Specials:

$1 off Bri's Blush
$1 off Vignoles

Festival:

PA Garden Expo
February 22 - 24
PA Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg

View beautiful gardens, water features, and more while tasting our award winning wines.

Wine lovers will unite at 9th Annual Wine on the Mountain festival this weekend at Penn’s Peak

The wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail take a road trip north to the Pocono Mountains this weekend for the ninth installment of its popular Wine on the Mountain festival. The event takes place on Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29 from noon to 5 p.m. both days at Penn’s Peak in Jim Thorpe. The well-known venue offers breathtaking, panoramic views of Beltzville Lake and the surrounding Appalachian mountainside from its large open-air deck.

Wine on the Mountain features wine samplings and sales from Lehigh Valley wineries, local artisans displaying their arts and crafts, and light fare available for purchase from Roadies Restaurant. There is also live musical entertainment with Billy Bauer performing on Saturday and the Jake Kaligis Dynamic Duo performing on Sunday.

Vendors will feature everything from gourmet foods and dipping oils, to hand-made jewelry and scented candles. This year’s artisans include:

·  Country Glo Soy Candles - Soy container candles & accessories

·  Top Shelf Specialties - Wine-themed gifts and wine accessories

·  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

·  Larona Jewelry & Gifts - Crafted jewelry and art umbrellas

·  Randi’s Gourmet - Kitchen cutlery, salad dressings, BBQ & hot sauces

·  Watermark Glass - Original designs etched/carved into wine glasses, glassware and vessels (vases/bowls) using a sandblast process

Tickets are required for this event and are $14 in advance or $16 at the door the weekend of the event. They are on sale now at all Lehigh Valley Wine Trail member wineries as well as online: http://wineonthemountain.eventbrite.com/.  Admission includes a commemorative tasting glass. Designated driver tickets are $8 each and will be sold at-the-door only the weekend of the event. Wine on the Mountain is an adults-only event and attendees must be 21 years of age or older. It is also a rain or shine event since it is held inside Penn’s Peak in air-conditioned comfort.

The Lehigh Valley Wine Trail is a 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.

For driving directions to Penn’s Peak, visit their web site - www.pennspeak.com. 

Save the date for Wine on the Mountain at Penn's Peak

In just over a month we'll be hosting our next Lehigh Valley Wine Trail event, the 9th Annual Wine on the Mountain at Penn's Peak in nearby Jim Thorpe. If you've never been to this venue then you definitely have to check it out. It's location atop a mountainside offers panoramic views of the Poconos and Beltzville Lake from its large deck. And since the event takes place indoors in air conditioned comfort, it doesn't matter if the weather is hot, humid or even raining outside!

The wine festival on Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29, from noon – 5 p.m. both days includes wine samplings and sales from Lehigh Valley wineries, local artisans selling their arts and crafts, and light fare available for purchase. Live musical entertainment will be performed by Billy Bauer on Saturday and by the Jake Kaligis Dynamic Duo on Sunday.

Tickets are required for this event and are now on sale at Lehigh Valley Wine Trail member wineries and at the Penn’s Peak box office. They are $14 in advance or $16 at the door the weekend of the event. Admission includes a commemorative tasting glass. Penn’s Peak is located at 325 Maury Rd., Jim Thorpe, Pa. 18229  www.pennspeak.com Wine on the Mountain is an adults-only event. Attendees must be 21 years of age or older to attend.

This year’s artisans include:
•  Country Glo Soy Candles - Soy container candles & accessories
•  Top Shelf Specialties - Wine-themed gifts and wine accessories
•  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
•  Larona Jewelry & Gifts - Crafted jewelry and art umbrellas
•  Randi’s Gourmet - Kitchen cutlery, salad dressings, BBQ & hot sauces
•  Watermark Glass - Original designs etched/carved into wine glasses, glassware and vessels (vases/bowls) using a sandblast process

Franklin Hill celebrates spring with a sale, wine festival and baseball

Franklin Hill Vineyards receives two more awards
Our Pomegranate Peach won a Silver Medal and Sir Walter's Red won a Gold in the San Diego International Wine Competition.

Downtown Bethlehem's Spring Sidewalk Sale 
The Historic and Southside Shopping Districts will celebrate the beginning of summer like it's Christmas in July during the annual Sidewalk Sale, April 19-22 at the Franklin Hill Vineyards Bethlehem location only.

Our specials include: "Circa" 3 piece wine tool kits in spring-time colors. Originally $18, on sale for $10. And 50% off "Metro" BYOB three-bottle wine backpacks in black and red.

For more information visit www.downtownbethlehemassociation.com.

Bear Creek Spring Wine and Food Festival
April 14-15 from 1- 5 p.m.

Come and visit us during our first festival of the season! The rustic beauty of Bear Creek Resort serves as the backdrop for enjoying regional wine samples, decadent foods, cooking seminars, spa specials, and unique art and jewelry. Our Franklin Hill festival crew is looking forward to seeing you at Bear Creek. For more information including ticket sales, visit: www.bcmountainresort.com.

Let's Play Ball!
Look out for Franklin Hill Vineyards wine being served during the 2012 Iron Pigs' season at Coca-Cola Park. Ladies, don't forget to sign up to be a "Diamond Diva!" A $30 Membership includes: Diamond Divas t-shirt, visor, wine tasting, ladies-only Fantasy Camp group night at Coca-Cola Park. For more information contact Director of Community Relations Sarah Marten at 610-841-1213 or smarten@ironpigsbaseball.com.

A harvest season update from Franklin Hill Vineyards

From our grapes to your glass - Harvest is in the air!  

2011 is turning out to be another wonderful vintage for Franklin Hill Vineyards. We're getting ready to head out to the vineyard to start picking those lush wonderful grapes whose juice will be soon filling your glass.  

Vines are looking great as usual. The birds would agree as we are seeing some signs of them feeding on the grapes. At this point we would like to see the weather dry out since grapes love dry weather in the weeks prior to harvest. The dry weather allows the sun to bring the grapes to the perfect ripeness.

Depending on the variety, we pick at at certain "brix." Measuring levels of "brix" allows us to determine the grapes' sugar levels.  We aim for our grapes to measure anywhere between 20 and 23 brix. Grape picking should begin by next week.

Meanwhile, our wonderful winery staff is busy bottling Cabernet Franc and Katie's Creek...and...for all of our dessert wine lovers, our Breathless has made its highly-anticipated return. We can tell you that the wait was well worth it.  This bottling is not only superb, there is no doubt that one sip will simply take your Breath away.  Come in to any of our locations for your own bottle.  

Get ready for some more wonderful wine coming your way from our 2011 Harvest.

Celtic Classic - Sept. 23, 24, & 25 in Historic Downtown Bethlehem

Don your kilts and ghillie brogues and be sure to visit Franklin Hill's Bethlehem Location for a complimentary wine tasting during Bethlehem's 24th Annual Celtic Classic Festival.  

Franklin Hill Vineyards - Bethlehem
Main St. Commons, 
567 Main St.
Bethlehem, PA 18018
(610)-332-9463

Yoga+Wine Fall Festival - Sunday, September 25 at the Winery    

Back by popular demand! Dalien from KULA HEART YOGA will return and take us on a journey into our hearts as we celebrate the Harvest with music, sound, yoga! Followed by wine and cheese at Franklin Hill Vineyards! This event will fill fast, please call to register and reserve your space. 610-746-5852 (kula) 
Visit  www.kulaheartyoga.com to find out more!          

Pennsylvania Wine Stories: There's a Story Behind Every Cork

Send in your story about visiting Franklin Hill Vineyards to win a Pennsylvania Wine Weekend Getaway or prize package. A story from each of Pennsylvania's seven wine regions will be selected as the finalists, and the grand-prize winner will be selected online via voting.

For every story submitted, $1 will be donated to the National Center for Family Literacy and a cork will be added to a sculpture created by a Pennsylvania based artist.

Taste Lehigh Valley wines in the Poconos this weekend

Looking for something to do this weekend? Want to get out of town?

Then head north to the Poconos for Split Rock Resort's Great Tastes of Pennsylvania Wine & Food Festival. Several of our wineries will have booths there and would love for you to stop by and visit them.

The event runs June 12 & 13 from noon - 6 p.m. both days.

Lehigh Valley WIne Trail wineries in attendance include:

• Amore
• Blue Mountain
• Clover Hill
• Franklin Hill
• Sorrenti Cherry Valley
• Vynerest