Will we see you at Harvest Weekend?

The hot, dry summer has resulted in a bumper crop of wine grapes at the region’s nine family-owned and operated wineries that make up the non-profit Lehigh Valley Wine Trail. Several of our wineries began harvesting grapes over the last two weeks which means they will be in full swing for this weekend’s annual Harvest Weekend celebration.

On Saturday, Sept. 11 and Sunday, Sept. 12, the nine wineries will welcome guests for tastings, vineyard and winery tours, and live entertainment. The wineries will also proudly promote the state’s “Pennsylvania Preferred” program by partnering with manufacturers of other Pennsylvania products to showcase their high level of quality.

HARVEST WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS

Amoré Vineyards & Winery, Nazareth - will feature an array of homegrown fruits and vegetables from Amore Farms along with fresh breads and a selection of dipping oils.

Big Creek Vineyard and Winery, Kresgeville - will feature fresh local fruit from Heckman Orchards and cheese from their friends at Leraysville Cheese.

Blue Mountain Vineyards, New Tripoli - On Saturday, participate in the harvest of their 2010 Chardonnay crop which will be used for the upcoming vintage of Champagne.  Sample products produced by Tait Farms including jams, chutneys & oils, the ingredients for which are organically grown on their farm in Centre Hill, PA. Their products will be used in various recipes and paired with their award-winning wines both days. Acoustic music on Saturday from 1 - 4 p.m.  On Sunday, listen to the acoustic duo of Rob & Marty performing for the Fall Foliage Wine Tasting ($5 admission).

Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery, Breinigsville - will partner with BAD Farms located in Kempton, PA.  They will be sampling and selling their cheeses, dips and other products fresh from the farm.  Clover Hill will also be celebrating its 25th anniversary by offering a 25% discount off all wines. 

Franklin Hill Vineyards, Bangor - will be celebrating a dual harvest with the traditional grape harvest and also the apple harvest as they release their new apple wine made exclusively from local Cortland, Granny Smith, Red and Yellow Delicious apples. They will also have a variety of Klein Farm’s homemade cheeses and Robert Rothschild dips.

Galen Glen Vineyard & Winery, Andreas - is excited to feature gourmet pizzas made with local ingredients from Beatrice’s Inferno which is an authentic wood-fired mobile Neapolitan pizzeria.
Galen Glen will also be giving free tractor and wagon tours departing hourly from 1 - 4 p.m. Bring a blanket and enjoy a bottle of wine, pizza and the mountainside autumn view.

Pinnacle Ridge, Kutztown - celebrates the 2010 harvest with its annual Blues in the Barn event. Enjoy the sounds of "Mr. Z and the NightShift," "The Blues Factor," and "Bluestone." Sunday features an open mic hosted by Ed Conover of Bluestone. Pinnacle Ridge will be serving wine by the glass and Tim will be selling mouth watering roast pork and savory vegetarian portabella mushroom sandwiches, both served with classic American side dishes. Admission is free.

Sorrenti Cherry Valley Vineyards, Saylorsburg - will have local Cherry Valley organic fruits and veggies in celebration of the area becoming a National Wildlife Refuge. Tomblers Bakery in Easton will have baked goods to sample and for sale. Mary Sorrenti will host a luncheon and grape stomp (tickets sold in advance).

Vynecrest Winery, Breinigsville - will pair its Estate Bottled Autumn Gold with Hereford Country Store's Pumpkin Roll, which is made from local long necked pumpkins from Nan's Produce. They will have a tour with the winemaker at 1p.m. each day and there will be music in the Vyneskeller from 1:30-4:30 p.m. by Rob & Marty on Saturday and Arianne on Sunday, free of charge.

A weekend Jazz Jam and an update from Pinnacle Ridge

SKIP MOYER'S JAZZ JAM (Wine, Art and Music-all in one day!)
Sunday, August 8 from 3-6 PM

Pinnacle Ridge hosts Skip Moyer's fourth Jazz Jam of the 2010 Summer Season. Skip delivers something new each jam along with guitarist Andy Warren, drummer John Fundyga and Skip on bass, Jonathan Saraga joins on trumpet.  

Christy Allen (yes, wife of Brad) will make a special appearance and sing some jazz standards for some of her favorite customers (wine and jazz enthusiasts!)

There will be food available. Pinnacle Ridge is serving their Bubbly (with or without Concord) or any wine of your choosing, lots of fresh fruit and a selection of meats, cheeses and crackers from our neighbors, Dietrich’s Country Store and Bad Farms. Sounds good, just like jazz!  No matter if the weather is hot because there will be lots of fans and a misting tent. Great wine, food and jazz is COOL!

There is a $5 cover.  However, this event is free for 18 years and under and free to all case club members! Buy a case of wine on Sunday and stay and listen for free!

FROM THE VINEYARD

Late-July and early-August is a very exciting time in the vineyard.  Throughout the year we track the progress of the vineyard by observing biological changes in the vines. For example bud-break is the first observation followed by bloom and the last observation prior to harvest is Verasion. Verasion is when the hard, green grapes begin to soften and change color.  Black varieties first go to light purple and then darken. White varieties change from an opaque green to a more translucent color.   

Consistent with our early bud-break caused by very warm weather in early April, Verasion is occurring about two weeks ahead of normal. This means that the two-week jump we got at bud-break has been maintained.  This comes as no surprise based on the beautiful hot and dry weather we have had this summer. If the weather stays hot and dry and the harvest hurricanes miss us, the 2010 vintage could be the best vintage ever in our 18 years of harvesting grapes.

By the way, I don’t spend all my time in the winery and vineyard.  Every now and then I get to enjoy some gardening. We’re swimming in tomatoes, basil, potatoes, zucchini, string beans, eggplant and flowers. It is not only a great year for grapes but for the garden as well!

The Goal of 100

Today's Taste of the Trail blog post was written by guest blogger and wine aficionado Jim Hutchings. 

While researching several Lehigh Valley wine grapes last year, I stumbled across an exclusive club which is open to the public. While open to the public, it is very difficult to achieve membership. It’s called The Wine Century Club and to join, the only criterion is for you to have tasted 100 different grapes in wine.

Some varieties, especially the so-called noble grapes, are easy to think of; that gets us six grapes. Then there are plenty of common varieties I’m sure most of us have tried such as Syrah, Zinfandel, Pinot Grigio/Gris, and Sangiovese. So now we’re 10% to our goal. This might be harder than originally thought…

According to the website, “It's a simple idea, but it's not as easy to become a member as you may think. One Master Sommelier could only come up with 82. Of the thousands of applications downloaded, less than 3% are completed.”

Thankfully our Lehigh Valley Wineries have been growing and producing wine from grapes which are considered more exotic, simply because they grow extremely well in the individual microclimates in the Lehigh Valley. Here are 10 more of the most exotic grapes I am aware of being available locally to add to your list: 

• Big Creek - try Frontenac, Marechal Foch, and Regent.
• Cherry Valley - has a Baco Noir available, though several wineries use this to blend.
• Clover Hill - add DeChaunac to your list.
• Galen Glen - has a nice Grüner Veltliner, and Zweigelt is a new addition to their list.
• Traminette is gaining popularity and is available at Galen Glen, Pinnacle Ridge, and Vynecrest.
• Vynecrest also has Blaufränkisch (as Lemberger) and Noiret (one of the grapes in Vyneskeller Select).
• Make sure you’ve put Chambourcin, the Jewel of the Lehigh Valley, on your list!

After stretching my memory and actively seeking out rare grapes last year I’ve managed to put 87 grapes on my tasted list. Membership into the exclusive Wine Century Club is coming soon!

Last call for Wine on the Mountain!

Hopefully by now you've heard or seen us promoting our next Lehigh Valley Wine Trail event which takes place tomorrow and Sunday at Penn's Peak in nearby Jim Thorpe, Pa.

We're been working hard this month to get the word out through our social media marketing efforts on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and this blog, as well as through public relations with the media in the Lehigh Valley and Poconos. We've even done some advertising on WDIY-FM 88.1, Facebook ads, and in local newspapers including The Morning Call. So obviously we're hoping for a BIG turnout!

Just wanted to remind everyone that Wine on the Mountain is a rain or shine event since it takes place indoors. The outdoor deck offering panoramic views of Beltzville Lake and the surrounding mountainside. But if it's a little too hot outside for you, don't worry; there's plenty of room inside the air conditioned venue for everyone.

And also remember that we're not just sampling wines at this event but we're selling them too - individual bottles and cases. So find a few favorites at each winery and take some bottles home with you. Or buy a bottle to enjoy there with friends. There is also live musical entertainment and arts and craft vendors.

Hope to see you Saturday or Sunday at The Peak!

Wine on the Mountain reminder

7th Annual “Wine on the Mountain” event returns to Penn’s Peak on July 24 & 25. Tickets now on sale at all nine Lehigh Valley Wine Trail wineries. 9 wineries under one roof!

The Wine on the Mountain wine festival includes wine samplings from nine Lehigh Valley wineries, local artisans displaying their arts and crafts, light fare available for purchase, and live entertainment.

Tickets are required for this event and are now on sale at all nine Lehigh Valley Wine Trail wineries (see list below). They are $10 in advance or $12 at the door the weekend of the event. Admission includes a commemorative tasting glass. Attendees must be 21 years of age or older.

WHEN:    Saturday, July 24 from noon – 6 p.m., and Sunday, July 25 from noon – 5 p.m.

WHO:        The nine wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail:

• Amoré Vineyards & Winery, Nazareth 
• Big Creek Vineyard and Winery, Kresgeville
• Blue Mountain Vineyards, New Tripoli 
• Sorrenti Cherry Valley Vineyards, Saylorsburg 
• Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery, Breinigsville 
• Franklin Hills Vineyards, Bangor 
• Galen Glen Vineyard & Winery, Andreas 
• Pinnacle Ridge, Kutztown Vynecrest Winery, Breinigsville

WHERE:    Penn’s Peak, Jim Thorpe - Visit www.pennspeak.com for driving directions.

A Winemaker's Dinner at Galen Glen

Join wine lovers from across the region at Galen Glen Winery in Andreas on Friday, July 16 at 7 p.m. for a Winemaker's Dinner featuring the culinary creations of Tonimarie and her restaurant Macaluso's at The Lantern. The five-course menu includes:

Compliments of the Winery: A casual way to start the evening and let the conversation begin!
Frozen Peach Wine-a-Rit made with Galen's Cellar White

First Course:
Soup - Northern Italian White Bean and fresh
Escarole Soup
Wine - Chardonnay

Second Course:
Gourmet Lobster and Macaroni & Cheese featuring Tonimarie's indulgent Blend of Cheeses
Wine - Riesling Rheingau

Third Course:
Palate cleansing salad - Arugula tossed with a Pineapple Ginger Vinaigrette and Toasted Almonds
Wine - Traminette

Fourth Course:
Breaded Chicken Breast stuffed with Sun Dried Cherries and Wild Mushrooms accompanied by
Roasted Garlic Green Beans
Wine - Zweigelt

Fifth Course:
Pound Cake soaked in Fresh Lemon Juice served with Fresh Strawberries and Mint
Wine - Beerenauslese

*Menu and wines subject to change at Chef's discretion.

Cost: $70 per person. Please add 6% PA Sales Tax. Gratuity is included.

Location:
Galen Glen Winery
255 Winter Mtn Dr
Andreas, PA 18211

When: Friday, July 16 at 7 p.m.

Reservations:
By calling the Winery at 570-386-3682. They require a credit card for reservations. Cancellations after July 12 will be charged the full cost of the dinner.

Seating:
The winery will make every effort to accommodate seating requests. In order to use their space efficiently, they may need to combine parties. Their largest table can seat 8 guests.

Cabernet Franc and the Lehigh Valley - Part 2

Today's blog post is written by wine lover and guest blogger Jim Hutchings. To read part 1 of this blog post, click here.

If consumed at a cool cellar temperature, Cabernet Franc pairs well with summer picnic or barbeque foods, and is fantastic all by itself.

Franc actually plays a significant role in Château Cheval Blanc’s wines which are said to be among the best in the world. At one thousand dollars per bottle, I have not yet been fortunate enough to try a Cheval, but five of our very own Lehigh Valley wineries are producing outstanding examples of Cabernet Franc.

Blue Mountain, Franklin Hill, Galen Glen, Pinnacle Ridge, and Vynecrest all produce a Cabernet Franc varietal though supply is low at a few of them. If you enjoy more complex and robust wines, Blue Mountain and Franklin Hill have fine examples of the full orchestra to continue yesterday’s metaphor. Vynecrest, Galen Glen, and Pinnacle Ridge have some of the most elegant Francs I’ve tasted. Their Francs stand apart from their other bold reds and leave you with a powerful simplicity which lingers well after your last swallow.

If you haven’t done so yet, give our Lehigh Valley Cabernet Francs a taste. With an elegant flavor, wisdom, maturity, and simplicity, Cabernet Franc knows where it wants to go, what it wants to do, and does it very well.

Cabernet Franc and the Lehigh Valley - Part 1

Today's blog post is written by wine lover and guest blogger Jim Hutchings.

Cabernet Franc has long been ignored, looked down upon, and confused with its more robust offspring, Cabernet Sauvignon. Other times, Franc plays the second fiddle to Sauvignon and is used only in blending. In its blending capacity, Franc needs to be better understood. It is not merely a filler grape. Instead, Franc adds a maturity to young Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Meritage wines. It adds an elegance that greatly helps in keeping wild young wines under control.

This elegance became clearer to me while attending a recent orchestra performance. Each piece of the orchestra played flawlessly and added its own individual sound to the whole, which I compare to the big and complex wines Cabernet Sauvignon and blends often produce.

On this particular evening, though, Elizabeth Pitcairn was the violin soloist and her performance was my Cabernet Franc. The orchestra behind her was powerful, robust, and beautiful, but it was a completely different affair when she started playing. Her single violin rose above the orchestra with an elegance that was simply not available with a full orchestra.

Don’t get me wrong – big reds with lots of flavors working together or sometimes fighting for attention can be very fun. But as we move into the summer months and people tend to switch from big reds to lighter whites, the Cabernet Franc virtuoso is worth keeping on the summer drinking list. Thankfully this mature and elegant wine can be found at more than half of our Lehigh Valley Wineries!

To be continued tomorrow…