Pinnacle Ridge brings home several medals from recent competition

Congratulations to Pinnacle Ridge Winery on its recent medals in the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition & Camp Good Days Wine Auction.

In the past 3 years, Pinnacle Ridge has submitted 45 wines to this competition, and 44 have returned with medals! This includes two recent DOUBLE GOLD wins - one for our 2013 Vidal Blanc (in the 2014 competition), and another for our 2015 Quaff (in the 2017 competition).

2017 WINNERS:

Double Gold
2015 Quaff

Silver
2016 Naked Chardonnay
2016 Gruner Veltliner
2016 Traminette
2014 Veritas
Blanc de Blanc

Other Medal Winners:
2016 Vidal Blanc
2016 Chambourcin Rose'
2013 Chambourcin Reserve
2015 Chambourcin
2015 Pinot Noir
2015 Merlot
2016 Cayuga
Cuvee Chardonnay
Brut Rose'

Most of these wines are available for sampling right now in our Tasting Room (open every day from 10 am - 6 pm). Stop in and find out if you agree with the wine experts.
www.pinridge.com

Pinnacle Ridge wines win 9 awards at PA Farm Show

In the winter of 2016, a panel of wine judges convened in Harrisburg for the Pennsylvania Farm Show, ready to taste a wide variety of wines from around this large state with several well-defined viticultural regions. The results of the tasting were announced on the first day of the Pennsylvania Farm Show and Pinnacle Ridge Winery is proud to have received nine noteworthy awards.

• Gold medal - 2014 Cabernet Franc - This is a wine of deep, ruby-red color; it has a heavy mouthfeel, and a smoky, tannic finish.
• Silver medals - Chambourcin Rosé, 2014 Merlot, 2013 Chardonnay, and semi-sweet sparkling Blanc de Blanc
• Bronze medals - 2013 Veritas (a Bordeaux blend), Quaff (a semi-sweet red blend), Dry Riesling, and 2014 Pinot Noir. 

The years 2014 and 2015 are proving to have blessed us with harvests much more than adequate, both in yield and quality of fruit.

Wine is an important and ever-growing industry to the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It blends the two fields of agriculture and tourism into a lucrative, appealing asset to the state. For this reason we are glad to be farming, operating, selling, and creating in the fertile soil of this region.

Pinnacle Ridge Winery, located in the heart of idyllic Pennsylvania Dutch Country, is located along Old Route 22 outside of Kutztown. In 1993, Dr. Brad Knapp established the winery, housed in a beautifully renovated Pennsylvania bank barn, originally built in 1851. The thick stone foundation provides cool, stable temperatures year-round…ideal conditions for the production and aging of wine.

At Pinnacle Ridge, only locally grown grapes are used to make the portfolio of sparkling and table wines. The vineyards are located on shale-filled hillsides which promote small crops of very high quality grapes. Pinnacle Ridge is a three-time recipient of the PA Farm Show Governor’s Cup and PA Wine Society Wine Excellence Award.

Pinnacle Ridge Winery is open daily from 10 am - 6 pm. You can find out more by visiting the website at www.pinridge.com, or by calling the Tasting Room at (610) 756-4481. You can also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PinnacleRidgeWinery and on Twitter www.twitter.com/pinridgewinery.

Galen Glen releases sparkling wine for the holidays

2014 Stone Cellar Quartz Brut Sparkling wine is a limited release and available for purchase at $17.99 per bottle, while supplies last. This wine is returning after a one year hiatus and just in time for the holidays and New Year. Quartz is a Vidal Blanc-based brut sparkling, fermented in the bottle. It's racy and elegantly crisp. Pop the cork and enjoy it with buttery popcorn, salty chips, shrimp or brie. Pair it with caviar for your New Year's Eve celebration.

This Saturday and Sunday, December 12 and 13, you will have the opportunity to taste this exceptional wine paired with a shrimp dip. This may be the only weekend we offer tastings of this new wine. Get yours before it is gone.

2015 Grand Harvest Awards

On the heels of winning a double-gold medal in the Six Nations Wine Competition in Australia, Galen Glen received notification of the official results of the 2015 Grand Harvest Awards from California. Every wine entered by the winery received a medal. This competition is governed by Vineyard & Winery Management and is committed to the highest standards of competition. Over 1,500 wines are entered.

Galen Glen wines receiving medals were: 2014 Stone Cellar Chambourcin, 2014 Crooked Stick Red, 2014 Riesling, 2014 Stone Cellar Fossil Vineyard Riesling, 2014 Stone Cellar Twilight, and 2014 Stone Cellar Zweigelt. The 2014 Stone Cellar Cabernet Franc won a bronze medal.

Wine supplies getting low

If our young vine Gruner Veltliner is your favorite wine, the supply is depleting and the new vintage will not be available until spring.

Toys for Tots donations still being accepted

We continue to collect monetary and toy donations for toys for tots until December 14 and have a gift for every household who donates.

Chili Cook Off

We have received several entries and have a few more seats available for competing chefs. You do not have to be a professional to enter. In the past two years, the winner has been a home-chef. The competition will take place on Saturday, January 23. If you are planning to enter, please submit your entry form today.

Not a chef? Mark your calendar and plan to attend on Saturday, January 23 from noon - 3 pm. Your $1 admission fee will give you a taste of each chef's chili plus a taste of either Chambourcin or Cellar Red. You are the judge and will vote for your favorite. Your $1 will be matched and a donation will be made to The West Penn Fire Company.

Winery news includes painting party, wine specials and awards, live music, and a new wine release

Franklin Hill 

Paint Party in the Vineyard
June 27 at 2 p.m.

Find your artistic side at Franklin Hill Vineyards - we'll bring the supplies, you bring your creativity!  Local artist Claire Lukas has created a one-of-a-kind piece for you to replicate as you take in the breathtaking views of the vineyards and of course, sip a glass of wine. Purchase your tickets here.

Vynecrest

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, bread, crackers) and take it with you downstairs to the patio or out to the picnic tables. Saturday and Sunday it features our full staff.

Vynecrest June Specials 
* Wine of the Month - Chardonnay, additional 10% off
* 3 Pack of the Month - 3 Niagara for $25.00

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

June 28 - Vineyard & Winery Tour & Jazz Sunday

Vineyard and 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 p.m.

Pinnacle Ridge 

The 2013 Veritas is now available for purchase. It is a bordeaux-style blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and, for the first time ever, Petit Verdot.

We are very excited to announce that we have won more awards for the following wines at the Los Angeles International Wine Competition:

Traminette
Gold Medal
(rated 90points out of 100)

Brut Rosé
Silver Medal

Naked Chard
Bronze Medal

Blue Mountain

Italian Night
July 11 from 5 - 9 p.m.

Our wine may be more French, and our heritage more German, but this event is all about Italia! Join us as we celebrate all things Italy. Featuring food from Giovanni's Gourmet Italian Catering and live music from Lucas Lasagna. Enjoy food, music, dancing, and your favorite wines. Space is limited to 125 guests. Tickets are $24.50 per person, includes wine tasting, dinner, live music, and a souvenir glass to keep (free to Wine Club members).

Lehigh Valley wineries bring home medals and awards in January

Our wineries have been busy winning awards already this year, and we're only one month into 2014! We'd like to congratulate Vynecrest, Pinnacle Ridge and Franklin Hill on their recent honors. Thank you all for making our region and our wine trail proud!

12th Pennsylvania Wine Excellence Awards 
Pennsylvania Wine Society 

Top 10 Scoring Wines:

Vynecrest Lemberger 2012 - Top scoring wine/winner
Pinnacle Ridge Veritas 2010

Honorable Mention:

Franklin Hill 2012 Chambourcin


2014 PA Farm Show Wine Competition

Vynecrest 2012 Lemberger - Double Gold
Vynecrest 2012 Chambourcin - Gold
Vynecrest 2012 Dry Riesling - Bronze
Vynecrest 2013 Cherry DiVyne - Bronze
Vynecrest 2012 Riesling - Bronze
Vynecrest 2012 Vynecrest Red - Bronze
Vynecrest 2012 Pinot Grigio - Bronze
Vynecrest 2012 Traminette - Bronze

Pinnacle Ridge 2012 Vidal Blanc - Silver
Pinnacle Ridge 2012 Cayuga - Silver
Pinnacle Ridge 2012 Chambourcin Rose -Silver
Pinnacle Ridge 2012 Traminette - Silver
Pinnacle Ridge 2012 Merlot - Bronze
Pinnacle Ridge 2012 Cabernet Franc - Bronze
Pinnacle Ridge 2012 Chambourcin - Bronze

Franklin Hill 2012 Kiss - Silver
Franklin Hill 2012 Fainting Goat - Bronze
Franklin Hill 2012 Fiesta - Bronze

September events at Galen Glen Winery

Tractor and Wagon Tours of the Vineyard and Cellar

Saturday & Sunday, September 14 & 15
Sunday, September 22
Sunday, October 6

Enjoy a tractor and wagon tour of the vineyard on each of the above dates listed. No reservations are required. Tours are weather permitting and depart the tasting room at 1, 2, 3, and 4 p.m. As you ride through the vineyard to the cellar you will learn about the grapes, how we harvest, then once in the cellar, how your wine is created and goes from vine to bottle. You might even get a glimpse of our Hollywood connection. Be sure to ask Galen about it during the tour.

Our final walking tour of the vineyard will take place on Sunday, October 13. Walking tours are complimentary and don't require reservations. Walking tours give a more intimate view of the vineyard and time to speak with the winemaker. This tour will be given weather permitting and we ask that you wear sturdy foot gear.

Smoky Mutts - Lehigh Valley Wine Trail's Harvest Weekend - the Butcher, the Baker, the Winemaker 

Authentic Southern BBQ available for purchase on Saturday, September 14 and Sunday, September 15 from  noon - 5 p.m.

Pitt Boss Wes and his crew from Smoky Mutts return with their fantastic, authentic southern BBQ and fixins. You don't want to miss this. Plan to stop by the winery and purchase a glass of wine to enjoy with lunch or an early dinner. In the past, Wes has served everything from pulled pork, ribs, brisket, chicken and lamb. Come see what this weekend's menu features. Plan also to enjoy the cornbread and cole-slaw, more Galen Glen staff favorites.

Love Hot Dog Company & The Lemonade Brothers

Sunday, September 22 and Sunday, October 13, from noon - 5 p.m.

Jason makes his monthly pilgrimage to the mountains bringing his fantastic gourmet sausages and dogs. If you haven't come to the winery when Love Hot Dog Company is there, you don't know what you are missing. Jason serves everything from 100% beef to wild-game sausages and has the best home-made toppings. Be sure to ask about bacon jam. It's a Galen Glen staff favorite. All items are available for purchase while supplies last, come early so you won't miss out. Plan your visit now; you don't even need to pack a picnic on these dates!

Medals, Medals, Medals

Many of you may have seen the articles in the paper, spots on TV, and our Facebook and Twitter updates. Galen Glen has received many medals in the past month or so.

First there was the Riesling winning a double-gold and the Stone Cellar Riesling winning a Gold at Riverside. In addition we also received silver and bronze on the other wines entered. Then the Winter Mountain White won a Gold medal in the Finger Lakes competition. Again everyone we entered received either a gold, silver or bronze medal.

Last month Sarah received two silver medals for our Stone Cellar Chambourcin and Stone Cellar Cabernet Franc at the 2013 Women of Wine Competition in California. Later this month the Stone Cellar Gruner Veltliner will be judged at the Six-Nations Wine Competition in Australia. This is an invitation-only competition where a mere 100 wines from the US are selected. We are honored that one of them is ours. The results from that competition will not be announced until October.

Pinnacle Ridge shares the recipe for its smoked pork sliders

NEW WINES 

We have recently released some old favorites from the 2012 vintage. The Dry Vidal Blanc, Vidal Blanc, Naked Chardonnay, Chardonnay and Riesling from the 2012 vintage have been released. We are excited to announce that we will be adding a Dry Riesling to our list.

FINGER LAKES INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION
 
Pinnacle Ridge Wines earned six medals at the 2013 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition. Our 2010 Veritas and 2012 Vidal Blanc both grabbed Silver medals while our Cuvee Chardonnay, 2012 Dry Vidal Blanc, 2011 Chambourcin and 2010 Merlot were honored with Bronze medals.
 
LEHIGH VALLEY WINE TRAIL'S PASSPORT PROGRAM RECIPES 
                                                     
               SMOKED PORK SLIDERS    
                w/ curried mango sauce                          
                         by Chef Ben

5 lbs. pork loin                   Sea salt and black pepper
1 lb bacon                          wood chips
2 bay leaves                       1 can of Thai red curry

Sauce:

2 ripe mangos                    2 cloves fresh garlic
1 T Thai red curry              pinch of sea salt
2 T sugar                            1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
pinch of black pepper      
                                                       

At Pinnacle Ridge Winery, our food theme for this year's Lehigh Valley Wine Trail's  March Passport Program was sliders which is described by Wikipedia as "a small sandwich, typically three inches across and served on a bun."

The first challenge was to pair an appropriate slider with the new 2012 Riesling, which has notes of apricot and pear with a snappy finish. I came up with the Smoked Pork Slider one night in my kitchen after a couple small glasses of the Riesling. The Curried Mango Sauce came courtesy of Stonewall Kitchens (sold in our tasting room), but I have a great, easy recipe for that, too.

Traditionally, pulled pork starts with pork butt or shoulder that has been dry rubbed with spices and then slow-cooked until it pulls apart. I usually use my Bradley Smoker for that. The meat is fatty and tough so it takes a good, long time to do it right, but I figured out a way to get the same great results in a fraction of the time using lean pork loin , bacon and a grill.

Start with a 5 lb. piece of untrimmed pork loin that is close to room temperature and seasoned only with salt and pepper.  Sear it on all sides on a very hot grill so that the meat has nice grill marks and an even, golden brown coloring. Remove from heat and place the loin in a deep cast iron pot, which is preferable, but a deep, disposable aluminum pan is a good way to go if you are taking it to a picnic or serving 500 people at March Madness. Just be sure to double the aluminum pan and support the bottom when traveling with it, as I unfortunately learned the hard way.

Turn the grill heat off on one side and to its lowest setting on the other. Most grills seem to have four separate burner controls so you want the left two off and the right two on low, the goal being a temperature around 200 degrees with the lid closed. When the meat has cooled enough to touch (not long) rub it with a generous amount of the Thai Red Curry, but save about a heaping tablespoon for the sauce.

My trick for making this pork taste like it has been in a smoker for many hours is to use hardwood chips placed directly on the grate of the lit side of the grill. A handful last a long time if you periodically spray it with water to keep it smoking, not burning. The pork goes on the other side of the grill where it is going to cook "low and slow".

Because pork loin does not have a lot of fat, you have to add a little to make a good pulled pork sandwich.  I like to use bacon... as Emeril says:  "Pork Fat Rules!" Cut a pound of bacon into one inch squares and cook it slowly (cast iron is best) on the lit side of the grill. You want the bacon to brown while rendering the fat, but not burn. Try not to forget about it when you go inside for another glass of Pinnacle Ridge wine.  Again, I learned that the hard way. When it is done, pour the fat and bacon directly over the pork loin, cover the pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil and cook for two to three hours or until very tender. As it cooks down, be sure to baste the meat in the fat juices.

To make the Curried Mango Sauce, you'll need a food processor. You can also visit our tasting room to purchase Stonewall Kitchens version of this sauce. It is a good but different version as it features an Indian style curry rather than Thai. Skin the mangoes carefully and remove as much of the fruit from the pit as possible.  Peel the garlic and juice the lemon. Put all that into the food processing device along with the curry, salt, pepper and sugar. Wick it up long enough  to make it a nice, smooth consistency. Both the pork and the sauce may need a little more salt, but check that just before you are ready to serve so as not to over-salt.  Serve on a freshly-baked ATV roll with a drizzle of mango sauce and field greens on the side.

Lehigh Valley wineries bring home medals from PA Farm Show

Congratulations to four Lehigh Valley Wine Trail wineries who took home medals for their wines at the PA Farm Show last weekend.


Blue Mountain Vineyards:
2006 Meritage - Silver
2011 Vidal Blanc - Bronze
2008 Chardonnay - Bronze
2011 Riesling - Bronze

Franklin Hill Winery:
2011 Fiesta - Silver
2011 Sir Walters Red - Silver
2011 Chambourcin - Bronze
2011 Thin - Bronze
2011 Vidal Blanc - Bronze
Trio -  Bronze
2011 Fainting Goat - Bronze
2012 Seyval Blanc - Bronze

Pinnacle Ridge Winery:
2010 Melot - Silver
2010 Veritas - Bronze
2011 Chardonnay - Bronze
2010 Reserve Chambourcin - Bronze
2010 Chambourcin - Bronze
2011 Naked Chardonnay - Bronze
2011 Riesling - Bronze

Vynecrest Vineyards and Winery:
2011 Traminette - Gold
2011 Vynecrest White - Silver
2011 Dry Riesling - Silver
2011 Vynecrest Red - Silver
2011 Cherry DiVyne - Bronze

The PA Farm Show continues this week and weekend in Harrisburg. Be sure to stop by the Blue Mountain Vineyards wine booth for wine tasting and sales if you go. 

Get Kissed at Franklin Hill Vineyards this Valentine's Day

From our grapes... to your glass
 
Congratulations to Franklin Hill Vineyards Winemaker, Bonnie Pysher, for taking home three medals from the 2012 PA Farm Show. Let's toast to Harvest Berry bringing home a Silver Medal, and Pomegranate Peach and Chambourcin winning Bronze Medals!

Our Vineyard Manager, Scott Sandt, has been spending a lot of time outdoors. He just finished pruning DeChaunac and is making progress in the new vineyard as well. And congratulations to our Bethlehem location for winning the 2011 "Doors of Bethlehem" competition! Thank you for all of your votes. We couldn't have done it without you!

Get Kissed this Valentine's Day Weekend at our Winery! 

Visit our winery for complimentary wine tastings featuring chocolate tastings from our friends at Chocolates on Broadway. Complimentary appetizers include Meatballs served with Rothschild Chipotle Sauce, Tomato Pie and, a customer favorite, Rothschild Habanero Dip. 

While you're here, don't forget to get "Kissed." Enjoy 10% off a single bottle of our Kiss - a medium dry Rose wine. Wine & chocolate available for purchase.

Shop for a Cause  
February 17-19
Downtown Bethlehem

Franklin Hill Vineyards' Bethlehem location is participating as Downtown Bethlehem hosts its second annual Shop for a Cause benefiting charities Lehigh Valley-wide.

February is filled with LOVE!  Shop, dine, get styled, and relax at the participating locations and 10% of all proceeds spent over the weekend will be donated back to the charity of your choice from a list. It is simple and fun.

Summer at Franklin Hill Vineyards - June enewsletter

What's new at Franklin Hill Vineyards this summer? Find out from their latest e-newsletter below.

Summer's on its way...  which means it's time for some of our refreshing WINE! It's time to spend some time outside and come see Franklin Hill at summer wine festivals, local concert series, and spend some time toasting on our deck at the winery.  Read below for all the places you can find Franklin Hill Wine this June!

FourSquare Discount!

When FourSquare users check into Franklin Hill on their phones, they will see our "SPECIAL" offer.  Just show our staff member your phone displaying the discount and you'll receive that special offer!  
  
Tunes at Twilight in Downtown Historic Bethlehem at the Sun Inn Courtyard
Come see fab bands at the 2011 "Tunes At Twilight" concert series!

Be the first to preview Downtown Bethlehem's new Christmas City Village "Weihnachtsmarkt" premier Hut where you can grab a glass of  Franklin Hill's refreshing wine! Other refreshments on sale by the glass.

Franklin Hill Vineyards - Bethlehem - Main Street Commons
567 Main Street
Bethlehem, PA 18018
610-332-WINE(9463)
www.FranklinHillVineyards.com

We're On the Road Again... 
Our Fun FHV Festival Staff will be at the following wine festivals!

21st Annual Great Tastes of PA Wine & Food Festival  - Split Rock Resort
June 18 & 1 from noon - 6 pm

Sabor! Latin Festival - SteelStacks Campus - Bethlehem
June 18 - noon -11 pm  and June 19 - noon - 5 pm.

From our Grapes to your Glass...

Cheers to another Franklin Hill Vineyards GOLD Medal Winner! 

Raise your glasses to our brand-new Pomegranate Wine, GOLD Medal winner at the Taster's Guild International Wine Competition!

Congratulations to our other medal winners: 

• Simply Red - Silver
• Seyval Blanc - Silver
• Sir Walters Red - Silver
•  Chardonnay - Bronze
• Katie's Creek - Bronze