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.

Pinnacle Ridge offers wine pairing recommendations for Thanksgiving

We are excited to release these new vintages on November 14:

2014 Pinot Noir
2014 Cabernet Franc

Sadly, these vintages have sold out:

2014 Riesling
2013 Pinot Noir
2013 Cabernet Franc

Nouveau Weekend
November 21, 10 am - 5 pm
November 22, noon - 5 pm

Or as we say at Pinnacle Ridge, NuVo! This is a free Lehigh Valley Wine Trail event, in which each vineyard will be debuting a Nouveau (young) wine. Ours is made from 2015 Chambourcin - and as quantities are limited, it'll only be available for a few weeks.

All weekend long, our chef Dominick will be serving a hearty fennel/cranberry sausage stuffing, to pair with the Nouveau wine. (Or for a semi-sweet option, our red blend Quaff is also available.) We hope this selection will inspire everyone with thoughts of Thanksgiving dinner.

The Nouveau tradition originates in the Beaujolais region of France, where vintners are known to debut a young wine, aged only a few months, on the third Thursday of November. This is to celebrate the end of harvest - as well as provide a foretaste of the vintages soon to come.

Thanksgiving Recommendations

It's that time of year again when families gather around the table and give thanks for good food (and good drinks!).

If you are looking for a wine to pair with your Thanksgiving meal, we would recommend our 2013 Chardonnay.

If your palate leans more toward reds, however, you may find our 2013 Chambourcin or 2014 Pinot Noir livening up your feast.

Come and pick up your wines early. The weekend before Thanksgiving, we will be quite busy hosting our NuVo weekend, so it may be worth your while to stop in before then. (We are closed on Thanksgiving day, November 26.)

Taste first wines from the recent harvest at Nouveau Weekend

The nine wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail will debut their first wines from the 2014 vintage next weekend, November 15 and 16, 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 are light, fruity and semi-dry to dry red wines.

Nouveau Weekend is a great opportunity to purchase wine to give as holiday gifts or to complement holiday meals. Event hours at all of the wineries are Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon – 5 p.m. Nouveau Weekend is a free event, however some wineries charge for wine tastings.

Passports for the 2015 Vino in the Valley Program (formerly known as the March Passport Program) go on sale that weekend at the member wineries as well as online. Passports are $35 each. A limited supply of passports is printed, so event-goers are encouraged to purchase them early. 

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 www.LehighValleyWineTrail.com.

NOUVEAU WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS

Amore – will pair meatballs in marinara sauce with a new release of Red Rapture.

Big Creek - will release its traditional Nouveau Marquette and slice some of their favorite Nouveau-worthy cheeses.

Blue Mountain - will feature a traditional French dish called Pot au Feu, or "pot on the fire," a hearty stew-like French peasant dish of beef and vegetables paired with their 2014 Nouveau wine.

Clover Hill - Be the first to taste their newest, limited edition, release - Strawberry Niagara. This wine is a blend of fresh, grapey flavors and bright strawberries.

Franklin Hill - will release their 2014 Seyval Blanc, which is crisp and citrusy with hints of honey. They’ll offer complimentary tastings in their wine cellar and baked goods from Buttercup Bakery.

Galen Glen – will pair an exotic Moroccan Turkey Soup with an aromatic, award-winning wine. We will have the recipe available for everyone looking to use those Thanksgiving leftovers in a fun and unique way.

Pinnacle Ridge - will feature an Eggplant Bruschetta "Caviar" paired alongside their limited-release "NuVo."

Tolino - will offer a complimentary food and wine pairing of their Chardonnay with smoked salmon chowder. The winery will also offer warm, spicy mulled wine for purchase by the glass, as well as live music from 1-4 pm both days.

Vynecrest – Vynecrest Winery will feature the release of its 2014 Nouveau Beaujolais, the first wine from the 2014 harvest, made from the traditional Gamay Beaujolais grape, 100% Lehigh Valley grown and produced. The winery will pair it with Festive Dip from Sugar 'n Spice featured on a toasted baguette along with sharp cheddar cheese from September Farms. The Festive Dip Mix is a gourmet dip with pieces of vegetables.

Nouveau Weekend, and a policy change, at Pinnacle Ridge

As another harvest season at Pinnacle Ridge nears its end, we would like to invite you to share in the fruits of our labor with our annual end of harvest celebration. The Lehigh Valley Wine Trail's Nouveau Weekend is this Saturday and Sunday, November 16 & 17. 

This free event is based on the French tradition of the release of Beaujolais Nouveau - a young, fruity red wine that is free from tannins and made in just weeks. By law, Beaujolais Nouveau must not be released until the midnight hour of the third Thursday in November. Flocks of people line up for this event, eagerly awaiting the  release of the new vintage and it is shared with friends and family, in pubs and homes the world throughout as the first inclination of what the season has in store for us.        
                                                                                                                     
In keeping with that tradition, we will be taking part in an event that weekend to celebrate the end of our harvest season. We will be featuring a seasonal butternut squash soup to warm the soul on a crisp fall day to be paired with our own "nouveau" wine, made from Chambourcin, as well as to take a sneak peek at some wines that are works in progress. Take in all the sights, sounds and smells of the winemaking season and enjoy the autumnal scenery in the vineyard. Ask about seasonal pairings and wine specials, too. We will be featuring special half-case discounts for case club members and a special discount for all new case club members. We will also be featuring some artisan photography by Cindy Cowan, a local wine enthusiast and Pinnacle Ridge supporter. She has some beautiful work that will be on display during the weekend.                                                                        

Policy change regarding groups and commercial vehicles        
Our commitment is to quality wines, being a part of our local community, and providing excellent customer service. We value the time spent with our customers and the conversations about food and wine, all while getting to know the people that we share our wines with. Out of respect for our neighbors and in order to keep your visit to the Pennsylvania wine country a tranquil and enjoyable one, we will no longer be accepting commercial vehicles (buses or limos), or large groups (groups of 8 or more) on Saturdays.

We have a very small tasting room and an even smaller parking area and we can no longer accommodate such groups. We are very happy that ventures to wine country have become so popular over these last few years and that so many people have chosen to spend their afternoons with us, but we do not wish to turn people away or sacrifice our customer service due to overcrowding. Please respect our reasons for this as we are a small, family-owned and operated farm and, after 6 pm each day Pinnacle Ridge returns to being our home. We welcome you to visit us during the week when we are less crowded to enjoy some of our wines on a peaceful afternoon.

NOTE: Groups of 8 or more are still welcome at Pinnacle Ridge during the week and on Sundays, with a reservation made AT LEAST ONE WEEK IN ADVANCE.        

Thank you all for your support and understanding. We look forward to seeing you all very soon and best wishes from all of us here on the start of your holiday season!

Blue Mountain Vineyards to host Christmas Open House event

Christmas Open House
December 7
5 - 9 pm

Please join us for some Christmas Cheer! This event is our way of saying thank you to our customers. Enjoy our delicious wines accompanied by hors d'oeuvres while listening to live entertainment in our beautiful glass-enclosed deck kept warm and cozy by our fireplaces.

Hosting a Christmas Party?
Why not have it at Blue Mountain? Call or email for details.
info@bluemountainwine.com
610 298-3068

Custom labeled wine - a great gift for any occasion
We can scan your logo or artwork and create the perfect label for your company or personal gift giving.
Full and half bottles
Affordable pricing
10% case discount
Free set up on all holiday orders from now until Christmas.

Join us for live entertainment
2 - 5 p.m. every Sunday

Nov 17        Billy Patrick
Nov 24       Jake Kalegis & Mike Rausher's Dynamic Duo

Lehigh Valley Wine Trail event - Nouveau Weekend
November 16 -17

We will release our 2013 Noveau Beaujolais paired with turkey shepherd's pie and cran-citrus chutney.

Nouveau Weekend = the start of the holiday season at Vynecrest Winery

The 2013 harvest is pretty much over (except for our Late Harvest Vidal) and it feels good to take a breath before the busy holiday season begins. Passports for the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail's March Passport Program go on sale November 16 (during Nouveau Weekend) for $35 each.

Christkindlmarkt starts Nov. 21 and runs through Dec 22 and is open Thursday 11 am - 6 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am - 8 pm, and Sunday 11 am - 6 pm (closed Thanksgiving Day).

Our winery's gift area has locally made products that make wonderful gifts for teachers, hostesses, family and friends. Soy candles, crackers, 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.

November specials
* Wine of the Month - Summertime Red, additional 10% off
* 3 Pack of the Month - Vynecrest Red, 3 for $27

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

Upcoming events

• Nov. 16 & 17 - Lehigh Valley Wine Trail Nouveau Weekend - For Nouveau Weekend, we will be releasing a new vintage of our estate-grown Gamay Beaujolais, the traditional grape of Nouveau wine. Young and fruity with a promise of even greater expectations to come, this wine is meant to be enjoyed now, during the holiday season. And, to help make entertaining this holiday season easier, we at Vynecrest will feature during Nouveau Weekend vegetable and fruit dip appetizers made by our local partner, Sugar ‘n Spice from Coplay. Ann Moeller will be serving samples of her products such as festive vegetable, cucumber onion and dill, tomato ranch and jalapeno to pair with our Gamay Beaujolais wine. We will also have pumpkin dip and strawberry fruit dip available for sampling.

• Nov. 21 - Christkindlmarkt opens.
• Nov. 24 - Jazz Sunday - Live Jazz music in the Vyneskeller, 1 - 4 pm

Glass Half Empty
2013 Harvest Recap
by Malachi Duffy

Where do I go with all of this wine? That question is a good description of how the 2013 harvest went for Vynecrest this year. The vintage did not start off that way. We had a later-than-usual bud break, unpredictable weather during fruit set, and a rainy summer. Things were not looking good until late August. Then, the rain stopped, the humidity dropped, and the weather took a complete 180. The weather starting in late August could not have been much better to turn a sub-par vintage into one for the record books.

Not only did the weather cooperate, but the birds did as well. If you have read this newsletter for awhile you are aware of the battle we go through every year with birds. In August we got ready for the war to begin. We loaded up on ammo and had a patrol schedule set up morning and night. We decided to be preemptive and start the patrol even though we didn't see any birds yet. We figured if we scared them away as they came in we could keep them away. But they never really showed up. We had a couple flocks of starlings here and there but they didn't do much damage. We have a couple of rows of early ripening grapes we have never been able to harvest because the birds ate every berry on every plant before we could get to them. This year we pulled 130 lugs out of those rows. That is 230 gallons of wine we were never able to harvest before. Not a bad start to the 2013 Harvest.

As we continued bringing grapes in, the yields were higher than expected on every variety. Sometimes a little higher, sometimes a lot higher. There is always a balance of quantity vs. quality. That is why on many of our varieties we cut off as much as half of the fruit off the vine in order to fully ripen the remaining fruit. Even with the high yields, the quality of the fruit we brought in was amazing. The grapes were ripe, clean, and the sugars and acids were right where we wanted them.

That leads me back to the problem of where do I go with all of this wine? With every variety coming in with higher than expected yields, our tanks filled up quickly. We are re-purposing our white wine fermentation tanks as wine storage tanks until we can make some more room, or buy more tanks. Not a bad problem to have, it just makes life in the cellar a little more interesting for the next couple of months.

Save the date for our last wine trail event of 2013 - Nouveau Weekend

The eight wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail will debut the first wines from the new vintage during Nouveau Weekend, the last Wine Trail event of the year. Wineries will 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.

 

Nouveau Weekend is a great opportunity to purchase wine to give as holiday gifts or to complement holiday meals.

Event hours at all of the wineries are Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon – 5 p.m. We will post to our web site details on what each winery has planned soon, so stay tuned.

(Nouveau Weekend is a free event, however some wineries charge for wine tastings.) 

Also, if you are someone who likes to plan ahead, mark your calendars and plan to join us for our six annual events next year. The dates are:

• March Madness - the first four weekends in March (note: does not include the fifth weekend on the month)
• Wine in Bloom – 5/17 & 18
• Wine on the Mountain at Penn's Peak in Jim Thorpe, Pa. – 7/26 & 27
• Harvest Weekend – 9/13 & 14
• Chambourcin Weekend – 10/18 & 19
• Nouveau Weekend – 11/15 & 16

Pinnacle Ridge preps for Nouveau Weekend

LEHIGH VALLEY WINE TRAIL'S NOUVEAU WEEKEND
             
Saturday, November 17 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday, November 18 from noon - 5 p.m.

This Lehigh Valley Wine Trail event celebrates the first vintage of the new harvest! Nouveau refers to a French wine which is created and sold the same year that the grapes are harvested. These wines are typically red, light in body, and fruity. Pinnacle Ridge will not be making a Nouveau wine this year, but we will be serving our Vidal Blanc and Merlot to be paired with another delectable creation by Chef Ben Underwood - cherry smoked pork and white bean soup.

Travel the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail the weekend before Thanksgiving for a fabulous opportunity to meet with friends and family before the holidays. This is also a great time to get a head start on your holiday gift shopping. March Madness 2013 passports will be going on sale Nouveau Weekend. These passports are great gifts for the holidays. Get them while they last because they sell out very quickly.

SUPERSTORM SANDY

It is a few weeks after Superstorm Sandy hit the region and we are glad to say we weathered the storm with little damage. We, like many others, were without power until late Friday. The tasting room was closed until Wednesday but we were able to obtain a generator to light the winery Thursday and Friday. There was a real romantic feel with the low lighting that was kind of nice. 

That being said, there is nothing like that slight pop and burst of light when the power comes back on. Hopefully everyone made it through the worst of Sandy and are getting back into that normal routine one can appreciate after such events. 

NOUVEAU WEEKEND LETS WINE LOVERS TASTE THE FIRST VINTAGES OF THE RECENT HARVEST

The eight wineries of the LehighValley Wine Trail will debut the first vintages from their most recent harvest this weekend, November 17 and 18, during Nouveau Weekend, the last Wine Trail event of the year. Wineries will also feature food and wine pairings for visitors to sample.

Nouveau Weekend is a great opportunity to purchase wine to give as holiday gifts or to complement holiday meals. Event hours at all of the wineries are Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon – 5 p.m. Nouveau Weekend is a free event, however some wineries charge for wine tastings.

Passports for the 2013 March Passport Program will go on sale this weekend. Passports are $35 each. A limited supply of passports is printed and often sells out well in advance of the month-long event, so event-goers are encouraged to purchase them early.

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 www.LehighValleyWineTrail.com, and connect with them on Twitter and their Facebook fan page.

NOUVEAU WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS

Amore - will feature their signature blend of Cabaret Amore paired with meat lasagna.

Big Creek - will introduce two new wines for Nouveau Weekend.  The first is Ebon Foch, a big hearty red, and the second is a semi-dry, aromatic white wine called Joi. Quantities will be very limited. They will pair both wines with Millie's Chili - the Santo Variation. 

Blue Mountain - Saturday: They'll feature their 2012 Nouveau paired with cranberry stuffing. They'll also sample warmed cranberry-spiced Sangria. Rob will be playing from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Sunday: They'll feature the 2012 Nouveau paired with cranberry stuffing, and they'll sample warmed cranberry-spiced Sangria. Sunday Blues entertainment from 2 - 5 p.m. will be by The Wow Brothers. The $5 admission fee for live music includes a wine tasting. Outside food is welcome.

Clover Hill - Nouveau Weekend is a time to celebrate the first release from the current year’s harvest. Not only will Clover Hill be releasing a new wine, but they will be taking an intimate look at the 2012 Grape Harvest. Internationally recognized photographer Jim Gavenus has documented their 2012 Grape Harvest (www.gavenusphoto.com).

Visit the Winery in Breinigsville to sample their new release and view the 2012 Grape Harvest exhibit from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday and noon – 5 p.m. on Sunday. Wine will be available by the glass to sip and artist prints will be available for purchase.

Franklin Hill - will debut their 2012 Seyval Blanc, just in time for the Thanksgiving dinner table. They will also be pairing Seyval with freshly baked lemon bars and pumpkin bread from Back Door Bakeshop in Bethlehem, with plenty of baked goods available for purchase.

On the outdoor deck they will be presenting (weather permitting) Robert Michaels on guitar and vocals. Enjoy a warm glass of Sir Walter's Red, served warmed with mulled spices.

Galen Glen - will pair Riesling and A-Maize-ing Corn Chowder garnished with jalapeno or turkey.

Pinnacle Ridge - will pair their new 2010 Merlot and 2011 Vidal Blanc with a soup made from white beans and cherry wood-smoked pork.

Vynecrest - Vynecrest Winery will be serving their Nouveau Beaujolais 2012, made from the Gamay grape grown in their vineyard. There will be Hereford Country Store Provencal dip with Rip Rap artisan crackers for tasting and purchase - all Buy Fresh Buy Local products. Art's Acoustics Oldies will play live in the Vyneskeller from 1:30-4:30 p.m., open to the public and free of charge.

November events and specials at Blue Mountain Vineyards

Sunday Blues Schedule at Blue Mountain Vineyards:
11/11 ~ Scott Marshall & The Hillbilly Souls
11/18 ~ The Wow Brothers
11/25 ~ Jake Kaligis and Mike Rauscher's Dynamic Duo

Music is from 2 - 5 p.m. $5 admission includes a wine tasting. Outside food is permitted, outside alcohol is not. Call us today to make a reservation!

Monthly Wine Specials:

• $1 off Merlot
• $1 off Sauvignon Blanc

Annual German Night:

Join us this Saturday, November 10 from 5-9 p.m. for our celebration of German heritage! Admission is $19.50 and includes wine tasting, a BMV wine glass, German food, German dancers and music. Check our website or give us a call for menu details. Reservations preferred. 610.298.3068

Upcoming Events:

November 17 and 18 ~ Lehigh Valley Wine Trail's Nouveau Weekend
Each day enjoy cranberry stuffing paired with our 2012 Nouveau. We will also be sampling warmed cranberry spiced Sangria. On Saturday, Rob will be playing from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday, the Wow Brothers will be our Sunday Blues entertainment from 2-5 p.m.

November 17 ~ Holiday Wine Expo at Spring Brook
11 a.m. -5 p.m.
Visit their website for more details!
www.upstatewinecountry.com

Taste the first vintages of the recent harvest during Nouveau Weekend

The eight wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail will debut the first vintages from the most recent harvest Saturday, November 17 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday, November 18 from noon – 5 p.m. during the annual Nouveau Weekend event. 

Wineries will feature food and wine pairings for visitors to sample. This is the last Wine Trail event for 2012.

March Madness 2012 passports will also go on sale this weekend at each winery. The limited-supply passports are $35 each.

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.

Plan ahead for three fall Wine Trail events

If you didn't make it to last weekend's Wine on the Mountain event at Penn's Peak in Jim Thorpe, don't worry. There are still three more opportunities this fall to participate in a Lehigh Valley Wine Trail event. Here's a quick overview. Be sure to check our web site for more event details when each event gets closer.

Harvest Weekend - The Butcher, The Baker and The Winemaker
September 8 and 9

When fall rolls around, it’s time to celebrate the kick-off of harvest season! At this event, the wineries proudly promote the state’s Pennsylvania Preferred program by partnering with manufacturers of other Pennsylvania products to showcase their high level of quality. Wine pairings, vineyard tours, food, music and other special activities are featured.

Chambourcin Weekend
October 20 and 21

Taking place after the harvest is over, this event celebrates the official wine grape of the Lehigh Valley, the Chambourcin. This versatile wine is available in Nouveau, Rose, Semi-Sweet, Sweet, Dry Barrel Aged, Sparkling, and Port.

As you explore the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail during this event, be sure to taste each winery’s Chambourcin and see how the flavors vary within the same region. Or better yet, buy a bottle of each to take home with you a conduct a formal tasting of your own.

Nouveau Weekend
November 17 and 18

This is the earliest chance to sample the first vintages of the new harvest. Nouveau wines are light, fruity and semi-dry to dry red wines. It’s also a great opportunity to purchase wines for the upcoming holiday season to give as gifts or to drink at dinner. March Madness passports also go on sale this weekend, so get them before they sell out.

Taste the vintages of the harvest during Nouveau Weekend, 11/19 & 20

The eight wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail will debut vintages from their recent harvest this weekend, November 19 and 20, during Nouveau Weekend, their last Wine Trail event of the year. Wineries will also feature food and wine pairings for visitors to sample.

Nouveau Weekend is a great opportunity to purchase wine to give as holiday gifts or to complement holiday meals.

March Madness 2012 passports will go on sale this weekend. Passports are $35 each. A limited supply of passports is printed and often sells out well in advance of the month-long event, so event-goers are encouraged to purchase them early.

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 www.LehighValleyWineTrail.com, and connect with them on Twitter and their Facebook fan page.

NOUVEAU WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS

Amoré Vineyards & Winery, Nazareth will feature our new release Cabaret Amore with homemade barbecue.

Big Creek Vineyard and Winery, Kresgeville will pair its Nouveau Marquette with Millie's Chili.

Blue Mountain Vineyards, New Tripoli will serve authentic Nouveau made from Pinot Noir grapes paired with roasted ham glazed with Tait Farms cranberry chutney. Sample other products produced locally by Tait Farms as well. They will also be releasing their 2008 Merlot and 2010 Chambourcin. On Saturday, Rob will be performing from 1 - 4 p.m. On Sunday from 2 - 5 p.m. will be Sunday Blues featuring Billy Patrick ($5 admission for live music).

Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery, Breinigsville will have the first release from this year’s harvest of Boysenberry. Boysenberry is a sweet wine which is a marriage of grapes and Boysenberries in every bottle. Boysenberry displays a very upfront and intense Boysenberry aroma and finishes sweet and crisp. Their partner will be Sorrelli Jewelry from Kutztown who will be onsite Saturday and Sunday hosting a trunk show. Sorrelli will offer a 10% discount on jewelry purchases during the event.  

Franklin Hill Vineyards, Bangor will release their 2011 Seyval Blanc paired with Ginger Butternut Squash soup. Delices Europeennes will be giving samples of her European treats. They will also be releasing their 2010 Evanswood. Try it with Robert Rothchild's Chipotle sauce over meatballs for a perfect pairing.

Galen Glen Vineyard & Winery, Andreas will feature the Troxell family Thanksgiving favorite, potato filling with their Riesling. Potato filling is a Pennsylvania Dutch tradition, and every family has their own version. Galen and Sarah learned to make theirs under the tutelage of Galen’s mother.

Pinnacle Ridge, Kutztown will serve salmon chowder made with fresh fennel and dill, potatoes, cream and salmon fillet. They will be pairing the soft and fruit-forward 2010 Naked Chardonnay or their crisp and slightly sweet 2010 Riesling with the chowder.

Vynecrest Winery, Breinigsville will pair their Nouveau Beaujolais 2011 wine made from the Gamay Beaujolais grape with Hereford Country Store Provencal basil dip and Rip Rap artisan whole grain crackers, both of which will be available for sale. Smooth jazz sounds in the Vyneskeller from Dan Harakal and Andy Warren on Saturday from 1 - 4:30 pm. No charge.

November & December events at Pinnacle Ridge Winery

LEHIGH VALLEY WINE TRAIL - ANNUAL NOUVEAU WEEKEND
            
Saturday, November 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, November 20 from noon to 5 p.m.
 
Come celebrate Nouveau Weekend at Pinnacle Ridge. We will be serving delicious Salmon Chowder with chunks of French bread. Our chowder is made with fennel bulb and dill, fresh cream, potatoes and salmon fillet and is sure to warm the spirit on a chilly November day!

We will be pairing our soft and fruit forward 2010 Naked Chardonnay or our crisp and slightly sweet 2010 Riesling with our homemade chowder.

PINNACLE RIDGE'S ANNUAL CASE CLUB CHRISTMAS CASUAL

Two Weekends in December:
December 3 and 4, and December 10 and 11
Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. & Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

‘Tis the season! Pinnacle Ridge owner and winemaker Brad Knapp, his wife Christy and the Pinnacle Ridge staff invite all to come and sample wine and shop for the holidays. We’ll be serving an array of savory and sweet delicacies and making wine pairing recommendations for your holiday meals.  

This event is free for Case Club members or $4 per person if you’re not a case club member. Buy a case of wine on the day of the event and the food is free.

Pinnacle Ridge Case Club Members do have more fun!

Franklin Hill Vineyards hosts wine dinner and charity fundraisers

From our grapes to your glass

Nouveau Weekend at the winery is coming up on November 19 and 20. Franklin Hill Vineyards will be releasing our 2011 Seyval Blanc paired with Ginger Butternut Squash soup (just perfect for these chilly days). For an extra treat Delices Europeennes will be giving samples of her amazing European treats, you'll definitely want to bring some home.

We will also be releasing our 2010 Evanswood, a vintage we are so proud of. Try it with Robert Rothchild's chipotle sauce over meatballs for a perfect pairing. And, don't forget, Lehigh Valley Wine Trail March Madness passports go on sale Nouveau Weekend. They sell out quickly so get yours soon. Passports are available at all four Franklin Hill Locations.  
 

Franklin Hill Vineyards hosts Mount Airy Casino Resort wine dinner

November 4 with seatings at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. 
  
Hosted by Franklin Hill Vineyards. Join us in this delightful culinary event. We will be pairing our wine with the wonderful cuisine from La Sorelle Cucina. Reserve tickets and see the preview menu here. 
Reservations Required

Charity for Children Monte Carlo Night Gala

November 5 from 6-9:30 p.m.

Join us while we toast to a good cause! Franklin Hill Vineyards will be serving our wine during this fun casino-themed night. Dinner, dessert, coffee, and playing chips included. $75.00/person.

For tickets and more info, contact: Janet Cimino 610-767-9138   

Save the Date for Nouveau Weekend

Save the date for the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail's next event, Nouveau Weekend, Saturday, November 19 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday, November 20 from noon – 5 p.m. This is also our last event for 2011.

The eight wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail will debut the first vintages from their most recent harvest at this popular annual event. Wineries will feature food and wine pairings for visitors to sample.

March Madness 2012 passports will also go on sale this weekend. Passports are $35 each.Saturday,

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.

The eight wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail are:

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

Nouveau Weekend highlights

Here is what each of our nine wineries has planned fror Nouveau Weekend, November 20 & 21:

Amoré Vineyards & Winery, Nazareth - will serve assorted hors d’oeuvres along with tank samples of 2010 Cayuga and Chambourcin.  As an added treat they will feature their latest release – Rapport – their own unique version of port wine.

Big Creek Vineyard and Winery, Kresgeville - will feature Mini Maize Muffins with their Nouveau Red. This year their Nouveau style wine will be made with Marquette, a fairly new grape variety with great potential in their vineyard.

Blue Mountain Vineyards, New Tripoli - Sample their 2010 Nouveau paired with glazed ham. Watch professional blacksmith Luke, a Farrier by trade, demonstrate his hobby of ornamental metalworking with live demonstrations at 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. He will be joined by other artisans displaying and selling their work. Live entertainment on Sunday by Leechboy from 2 – 5 p.m. Admission is $5 per person.
Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery, Breinigsville - will be releasing two new Generations wines: 2010 Generations Riesling and a 2009 Generations Sparkling Pinot Noir.

Franklin Hill Vineyards, Bangor - will be pairing for the best part of Thanksgiving dinner......dessert! They'll be releasing their Nouvelle Seyval Blanc and pairing it with pumpkin bread, apple crisp and chocolate.

Galen Glen Vineyard & Winery, Andreas - will feature Silver Medal Riesling tasted with their family’s Thanksgiving favorite, Pennsylvania German potato stuffing and gravy. Locally grown golden yellow potatoes are their secret ingredient.

Pinnacle Ridge, Kutztown - will be featuring neighbor Dietrich's Meats' Bratwurst (veal, pork and parsley), Knockwurst (Garlic Wurst) and German Weiners (all beef and seasonings.) Homemade Cabbage and Noodles (vegetarian) will be the perfect side. Sample these German classics with their Traminette or Vidal Blanc. For red lovers, they’ll be pouring their 2007 Veritas.

Sorrenti Cherry Valley Vineyards, Saylorsburg - will be pairing a Nouveau Blush with a commemorative label and Mary’s new creation, Chicken Florentina.

Vynecrest Winery, Breinigsville - will be pairing their 2010 Vintage Nouveau Beaujolais made from the Gamay grape with pulled roast turkey barbeque sliders. In the Vyneskeller wine bar, Arianne Rox will be playing on Saturday and Rob & Marty on Sunday, 1 - 4:30 p.m. Free admission.

Taste the first vintages of the harvest at Nouveau Weekend

The nine wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail will debut the first vintages from their most recent harvest at Nouveau Weekend on Saturday, November 20 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday, November 21 from noon – 5 p.m. Wineries will feature food and wine pairings for visitors to sample.

March Madness 2011 passports will also go on sale this weekend. Passports are $30 each if purchased before 12/8, and $35 each after that date.

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.

The nine wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail are:

• 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

Nouveau Weekend is less than a month away!

The next Lehigh Valley Wine Trail event weekend, and the last one for this year, is coming up in November.
Nouveau Weekend takes place at all nine Lehigh Valley wineries on Saturday, November 20 and Sunday, November 21.

This event is your first chance to taste the young vintages from the most recent harvest. It's also a great time to pick up wines to have with your holiday meals or to give as gifts to family and friends.

Our wineries will be planning a range of activities and specials, ranging from food and wine pairings to live music performances. Highlights include:

• Vynecrest will be pairing their 2010 Vintage Nouveau Beaujolais made from the Gamay grape with pulled roast turkey barbecue sliders. In the Vyneskeller wine bar, Arianne Rox will be playing on Saturday, and Rob & Marty on Sunday, from 1-4:30 p.m. Free admission.
• Franklin Hill Vineyards will be pairing with the best part of Thanksgiving dinner - DESSERT! They'll be releasing Nouvelle Seyval Blanc and pairing it with pumpkin bread, apple crisp and chocolate.
• Pinnacle Ridge Winery will be featuring neighbor Dietrich's Meats' Bratwurst (veal, pork and parsley), Knockwurst (garlic wurst) and German Weiners ( all beef and seasonings.) Home made cabbage and noodles (vegetarian) will be the perfect side. Sample these German classics with their Traminette or Vidal Blanc. For red lovers, they'll be pouring a 2007 Veritas.

Nouveau Weekend is also your first chance to pick up the 2011 March Madness passport since they go on sale that weekend. Watch for complete event details to be announced in mid-November.

Upcoming Lehigh Valley Wine Trail events

Wine on the Mountain may be over, but we still have three more Lehigh Valley Wine Trail events coming up yet this year. They are:

•    Harvest Weekend – The Butcher, The Baker and The Winemaker – September 11 & 12 – The wineries proudly promote the state’s “Pennsylvania Preferred” program by partnering with manufacturers of other Pennsylvania products to showcase their high level of quality. Wine pairings, vineyard tours, food, music and other special activities are featured.

•    Chambourcin Weekend – October 16 & 17 - Taking place after the harvest is over, this event celebrates the “official wine grape of the Lehigh Valley,” the Chambourcin.

•    Nouveau Weekend – November 20 & 21 - This is the earliest chance to sample the first vintages of the new harvest. It’s also a great opportunity to purchase wines for the upcoming holiday season to give as gifts or to drink at dinner. March Madness passports also go on sale this weekend.

Mark your calendar and plan to join us for all of them. We hope to see you there!