Showing posts with label october. Show all posts
Showing posts with label october. Show all posts

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Fall Flights with Bites this weekend at Clover Hill Winery

Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery 2015 harvest is in the books and we couldn’t be more pleased with the results! This was our earliest harvest on record, beginning in mid August, thanks to the extremely warm and dry season. By the beginning of September, the heat spike had caused many of our grape varieties to ripen at once and our harvesting became fast and furious. All of our fruit was harvested in pristine condition; however some of the superstars from the 2015 harvest are Vignoles, Merlot and Chambourcin.

Owner’s Selection for October 

Turtle Rock Red is discounted 10% at all Clover Hill locations. Receive a 20% discount on Turtle Rock Red when included in a case purchase. Now only $12.15.

Turtle Rock Red is a flagship wine for Clover Hill Winery. It is produced 100% from Chambourcin, the grape of the Lehigh Valley. The deep purple color, fresh berry flavors, a hint of sweetness and a touch of acidity are characteristics of this wine. This wine pairs nicely with grilled salmon & spicy chili.

Recipe of the Month - Wicked Turtle

~2 oz. Turtle Rock Red
~1 oz. Passion-Fruit Rum
~2oz Lemon/Lime Soda

Pour into a chilled glass for a single serving or for a crowd pleaser pour it in your favorite pitcher. The rich decadent color will be sure to tempt any crowd into trying something wicked.

Find more recipes here.

Fall Flights with Bites
October 31, November 1, 2, 3; noon - 5 pm
Tickets required - $10 per Flight
Senior Special - Tuesday, November 3 - $8 per flight

Join us at the Winery in Breinigsville for a flight of wines paired with bites of goodness. Flights will consist of 4 wines paired with 4 bites of autumn goodness. You can select if you want to experience a Sweet Flight or a Dry Flight. For tickets, please call 610-395-2468 or visit the winery in Breinigsville.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

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!

Friday, October 9, 2015

This weekend's winery events along our wine trail

Scott Marshall Live at Pinnacle Ridge 
Saturday, October 10 from 2 - 5 pm

A road where America rock, county, Blues and Bluegrass travel, and diverse audiences everywhere enjoy the ride. Led by Award winning singer/songwriter and recording artist Scott Marshall, whose faith, family, country life, laugh, and love motto surrounding the music has earned himself quite a reputation as an entertainer.

We are proud but sad to mention that due to a high volume of demand, the wines listed below will be temporarily out of stock. We do have avery limited number of cases left, so stock up today!
-Riesling
-Blanc De Blanc
- 2013 Cabernet Franc

We will have our 2014 wines available for purchase soon:
-Merlot
-Cabernet Franc
-Pinot Noir

Sunday Blues at Blue Mountain Vineyards
10/11 featuring Connie Edinger from 2-5pm

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 for our Sunday Blues, 2-5pm, with award-winning musicians, bring a picnic lunch, do a wine tasting, and enjoy!

Taste the Grape, Taste the Wine at Galen Glen
Have you ever wondered about the grape varieties that make your favorite wine?  This weekend you will have the opportunity to taste hand harvested Gruner Veltliner grapes and the wine made from this grape and enjoy a tasting experience like none other.

Final Tours of the Season - Saturday & Sunday at 3 pm
Enjoy an enlightening tour of the vineyard and wine cellar.  Learn how your wine gets from the vine to the glass.  This is a walking tour so please wear sturdy foot gear.  The tour lasts approximately one hour and is about a one-mile walk.  Tours are complimentary and given weather permitting. No reservations are required.

Sunday, October 11 from noon to 4 pm
We welcome the return visit of Buy the Farm & Easton Salsa Co.  They will be here selling their delicious locally-made cheese plates and hummus plates to enjoy with your wine. Also, you may purchase hummus, srirachas and salsas to enjoy here and take home.  Our staff favorites are the smoked Sriracha hummus as well as the pineapple tomatillo salsa. They even sell gift boxes for you to get a jump start on holiday gift giving.

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

REGION’S LESSER-KNOWN CHAMBOURCIN WINE GRAPE IS THE STAR OF THIS MONTH’S LEHIGH VALLEY WINE TRAIL EVENT

Wine drinkers know Chardonnay, Merlot and Pinot Grigio, but Chambourcin? The Lehigh Valley’s official wine grape may be lesser known amongst the more popular varieties, but it grows so well in the climate and soil of this region that it has become the only wine grape grown by all nine wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail.

Local wine lovers can become familiar with it during the Chambourcin Weekend event on Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18. Each winery will feature its own activities such as wine tastings, live entertainment, vineyard tours, or food and wine pairings (see detailed list below). Event hours at all of the wineries are Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon – 5 p.m. (Chambourcin Weekend is a free event, however some wineries charge for wine tastings, tours and/or entertainment.)

In the greater Lehigh Valley, there are more than 40 acres of Chambourcin that ferments into approximately 150,000 bottles of wine. Chambourcin is very versatile and the wineries craft it into several styles of wine including nouveau, rosé, semi- sweet, sweet, dry barrel aged, sparkling and port.

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.


CHAMBOURCIN WEEKEND WINERY HIGHLIGHTS

Amore - will feature four styles of Chambourcin paired with rigatoni in red sauce.

Big Creek - will have its Regent (a European offspring of Chambourcin) ready to pair with treats from MMM Cookies.

Blue Mountain - On Saturday at noon there will be a chili contest where customers can sample chilis and judge which one is the best. They are also welcome to enter their chili into the contest. There will also be live music with Adam Motto from 1-4 pm (no reservations required).
On Sunday from noon – 5 pm is the Northampton County Open Gate Farm Tour, which will feature crafts available for children, and guided tours with the winemaker every half hour on the hour. From 2-5 pm is Sunday Blues with live music featuring the Octavia Blues Band. Advance reservations are required. $5 per person, includes wine tasting.

Clover Hill - will offer samples of two different Chambourcin wines - Turtle Rock Red and 2013 Chambourcin. In addition they will have samples and sales of freshly pressed Chambourcin grape juice (while supplies last).

Franklin Hill - will have a mulled wine bar with three varieties of mulled wine to sample and to purchase by the mug. Chef Phil from Social Still will be making his award-winning chili, which will also be available for purchase. They’ll have McCollians local honey for sale and Kendra’s Buttercup Bakery will be onsite with sweet treats as well as several other local vendors. Tours of our facility will be given at noon and 2 pm. Tastings of all of their wines, including the new Potion X Pumpkin Spice wine, will be available all day inside or outside under the new pavilion.

Galen Glen - will offer a complimentary pairing of their 2015 Chili Competition Winner, Brian Eager's Beef & Brisket Chili (recipe available) with a taste of Chambourcin or Cellar Red. Foodies who think they have what it takes to be the next celebrated chili champion can request an application to enter the third annual Chambourcin chili cook-off on January 16, 2016.

Pinnacle Ridge - will feature Windy Acres BBQ sauce made with the winery’s Chambourcin Wine drizzled over pulled pork and baked beans, paired with a choice of either the medal-winning Chambourcin Reserve or the Chambourcin Rose.

Tolino - will offer 2012 Chambourcin paired with vanilla bean bread pudding by Trixie’s Treats, whose food truck will be on site from noon – 4 pm for additional food purchases. Enjoy live music by Blue Hearts Revelry from 1-4 pm and wagon tours of the vineyard at 2 pm and 4 pm. On Sunday, Tolino will offer 2012 Chambourcin paired with Italian ring bologna and cheese from Communale’s Italian Market in Mt. Bethel.  Erin McClelland will perform live music from 1-4 pm and wagon tours will be at 2 pm and 4 pm.

Vynecrest - will partner with Vince’s Cheesesteaks, a Lehigh Valley tradition. They will pair their 2013 Estate-Bottled Chambourcin wine with a taste of “Mini Vinnies” steak sandwich. The meat in the steak sandwiches will be marinated in Chambourcin before they are grilled. The Vince’s Cheesesteak food truck will be at Vynecrest all day Saturday and Sunday with its full menu of chicken and beef cheesesteaks and other items for purchase.


Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Blue Mountain toasts Halloween with the return of its Hallowine event

PAINT 'N SIP
October 16 from 7-9 pm
$30 per person

Join us October 16  from 7-9 pm for our Halloween themed Paint 'N Sip Night! Our own resident artist Kat Collins (take a look at some of her art around the winery) will guide you through a wine tasting to get those artistic juices flowing, then help you create your masterpiece decorated wine glass you can cherish for years to come! All materials included as well as your wine tasting. Seating is extremely limited.

LEHIGH VALLEY WINE TRAIL CHAMBOURCIN WEEKEND
October 17 & 18
Celebrate the “Jewel of the Lehigh Valley" with us!

October 17:
Noon - CHILI CONTEST - Sample chilis and judge which one is the best. Customers are welcome to enter their chili into the contest!
1 - 4 pm - Live music with Adam Motto (no reservations required)

October 18:
2 - 5pm Sunday Blues - Live music featuring Octavia Blues Band! RESERVATIONS REQUIRED.
Noon - 5pm - Open Gate Farm Tour - There will be crafts available for children and guided tours with the winemaker every 1/2 hour on the hour.

HALLOWINE 2015
featuring the Octavia Blues band
October 31 from 6-9 pm
$10 per person includes wine tasting and souvenir glass

You're invited to our annual Hallowine tasting! Come in costume to add to your fun and win prizes. Awards for best costume. Enjoy our award-winning wines while listening to live music featuring Octavia Blues Band. Some snacks will available, but feel free to bring your own (no outside alcohol allowed). RESERVATIONS REQUIRED.

SUNDAY BLUES
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 for our Sunday Blues with award-winning musicians. Bring a picnic lunch, do a wine tasting, and enjoy! NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOL PERMITTED. $5 cover charge. Reservations required.

OCTOBER:

4 - Sarah Ayers & James Supra Quartet
11 - Connie Edinger
18 - Octavia Blues Band
25 - Jake Kaligis & Mike Rauscher


Thursday, September 24, 2015

Taste the Grape, Taste the Wine this weekend at Galen Glen


It's harvest time. Have you ever thought about the grapes that make your favorite wines? Join us this weekend for a unique opportunity to taste a grape varietal being harvested this week along with the last vintage of the wine made from that grape.

Weekends during the harvest season, Galen Glen Winery is offering a unique tasting experience for their visitors.  On Saturdays and Sundays in late-September and early-October, the winery is inviting customers to "Taste the Grape, Taste the Wine" by sharing the fruits of their harvest with winery visitors.

Tasting Room Manager Kathy Matson notes, "often when drinking wine one does not think about the actual grape varietal that makes the wine. Not only are we giving our visitors the opportunity to think about the grapes, but we are offering the grape as part of the tasting."

Each weekend during harvest, the winery will offer a sample grape of the varietals being harvested that week along with a complimentary taste of the wine that is produced from that varietal.  

Tour Time

Join us Saturday and Sunday at 3 pm for a guided walking tour of the vineyard. Walking tours are about one hour and one mile in length. You will meander through the vines, to our crush pad and wine cellar and then return to the tasting room. Tours are complimentary and reservations are not required.  We do suggest sturdy footwear.  Tours are given weather permitting. Tours are complimentary, and no reservations are required.

Future tour dates -  October 3 & 4 and 10 & 11

Galen Glen Winery
255 Winter Mountain Drive, Andreas, PA 18211

Are you following on Facebook? Enter our "Fan Friday" contest by Saturday, September 26 to win a new Evolution of Wine T-shirt.  Winner and some big news to be announced on Sunday, September 27.

Friday, August 7, 2015

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.
  

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Weekend winery events - wine dinner, live Jazz, and Halloween fun

Halloween Happy Hour at Tolino Vineyards
October 24 from 3 - 8 p.m.
Join us for some Halloween fun. We will be offering wine and candy pairings, bloody wine labels, spooky decor, and a fire pit.  Come in costume for a discount.      

Plus our White Wine Sale continues on 2010 and 2011 White and Rosé wines. Purchase 1 bottle for 15% off, 6 bottles for 25% off, and a case is 50% off. What a great deal on delicious wine.

Verhext Weekend at Galen Glen
"Max out the MINI" to Help the Homeless
Saturday, October 25, 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday, October 26, noon - 5 pm

Join Galen Glen during Verhext Weekend (which translates to "bewitched" in German) and enjoy a complimentary food and wine pairing of our newest wine, Holiday Spice with a special Austrian treat (recipe available). 

We are partnering with MINI of Allentown to collect bare necessity donations for our local program that helps homeless families, Family Promise of Carbon County. We want to "Max out the MINI" that will be sitting on our parking lot, open and ready to be filled with donations. Each family who brings a donation to the winery that weekend will receive a special thank you gift.  For the list of items needed, go here. Monetary donations are also welcomed. Thank you for helping us support this worthy cause.

Hallowine Tasting at Blue Mountain
October 25 from 5-9 p.m.

Everyone is invited to our Annual Hallowine Tasting. Come in costume to add to your fun. Prizes for best costumes and more. Enjoy our delicious wines while listening to live acoustic entertainment. Food such as chili, nachos, cheese, fresh baked bread and more will be available for purchase or bring your own snacks. Admission is $7.50 per person and includes a souvenir glass. Reservations are preferred.

Vynecrest's Jazz Sunday
October 26 
Live Jazz music in the Vyneskeller from 1 - 4 pm

Pinnacle Ridge wine dinner at Ginny's Bistro in Easton
The newest wine bar in Easton serves Pinnacle Ridge wines and will be hosting a wine dinner with us on Sunday, October 26 from 5:30-7:30 pm. This four-course wine dinner is $65 per person. We hope you can join us for a wonderful evening of quality local cuisine paired with some award-winning local wines.

Starter Course:
Spinach and Apple Salad -
Baby Spinach, Green Apples, Roasted Prosciutto and Gruyere Cheese with a Brut Rosé
Vinaigrette paired with our award-winning Brut Rosé

First Tapas Course:
Pan Seared Scallops and Steak -
Sea Scallops and Flank Steak served with a Lemon Caper Pepperocinni Reduction over Rice paired with our award-winning 2012 Barrel-fermented Chardonnay

Second Tapas Course:
BBQ Pulled Pork Taco -
Housemade Pulled Pork and BBQ Sauce served on a Flour Tortilla with a Garlic Sour Cream and Slaw paired with our award-winning 2012 Cabernet Franc

Desert:
Orange Vanilla Swirl Cheesecake paired with our Best of Class-winning Late Harvest Vidal Blanc

Friday, October 17, 2014

Blue Mountain celebrates fall with three themed events

FALL IS IN THE AIR!

October is, in our opinion, one of the most spectacular months of the year. Nature provides a fiery display of color. The greens and vivid colors of summer have been replaced with the rusts and orange hues of autumn. The vineyard is a beautiful place to visit in the fall months. There are plenty of activities to take part in or just relax and enjoy this cool, crisp, and beautiful month.


CHAMBOURCIN WEEKEND
October 18 and 19

Celebrate Chambourcin Weekend, the grape known as the "Jewel of the Lehigh Valley," starting with a Chili Contest at noon on October 18. Come have lunch with us and judge the chilis while enjoying live acoustic entertainment with Adam Motto. Think your chili is the best? Call us at 610-298-3068 to enter your chili (details will be provided when you call).

On Sunday, October 19, enjoy our Sunday Blues with Billy Patrick from 2-5 p.m. ($5 Admission, includes tasting. Reservations preferred.) It's also the Lehigh County Open Gate Farm Tour on Sunday. There will be crafts available for the children and guided tours with the winemaker from noon - 5 p.m., every half hour on the hour.

HALLOWINE TASTING
October 25 from 5-9 p.m.

Everyone is invited to our Annual Hallowine Tasting. Come in costume to add to your fun. Prizes for best costumes and more. Enjoy our delicious wines while listening to live acoustic entertainment. Food such as chili, nachos, cheese, fresh baked bread and more will be available for purchase or bring your own snacks. Admission is $7.50 per person and includes a souvenir glass. Reservations are preferred.

ANNUAL GERMAN NIGHT
November 15 from 6-9 p.m.

Blue Mountain is alive with the sound of Germany! Join us in the celebration of German heritage. There will be authentic German food, music and dancing. Whether you can trace your family heritage back to Germany or you are looking for a fun night out, this event is sure to be a hit. Admission is $21.50 per person in advance or $25 at the door, and includes food and a souvenir glass. Reservations are preferred.

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Spiced Winter Red is back at Vynecrest; fall can now officially begin!

It's back! Spiced Winter Red is now available at Vynecrest.

The 2014 harvest is going great. We've picked Riesling, Chardonnay and Chambourcin so far. Just a few more weeks and all of the grapes will be in (we just need this great weather to hold out until then).

It is just about time to set our sights on the holidays. Christkindlmarkt opens in just a few weeks on November 21.

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 Autumn Gold for $25

(offers available at winery only; 3 pack can't be combined with other discounts.)

Upcoming Events

October 16 - Macungie Farmer's Market, Memorial Park, 4 - 7 pm

October 18 and 19 - Lehigh Valley Wine Trail Chambourcin Weekend
Vynecrest will be pairing our 2013 Chambourcin estate-grown wine with wild rice and chickpea salad. This healthy big grain and bean filled salad virtually works anywhere - at a picnic, dinner party, on a buffet table - from Hereford Country Store at the Macungie Farmers Market.

October 23 - Macungie Farmer's Market, Memorial Park, 4 - 7 pm

October 26 - Jazz Sunday, Live Jazz music in the Vyneskeller, 1 - 4 pm

October 30 - Macungie Farmer's Market, Memorial Park, 4 - 7 pm


Glass Half Empty 
2014 Harvest/cellar update by Malachi Duffy

We are about halfway through harvest with most of the white varieties picked and we are moving on to the reds. What looked to be a difficult vintage a few weeks ago has completely turned around with the recent sunny, warm, dry weather.

The weather usually favors white varieties or red varieties any given year but not both. This year is unique in that so far it looks great for both. The lower temperatures and really low night time temps are great for whites but don't do much to produce that ripe red fruit we look for in reds. That last few weeks have been warm and sunny enough to really ripen the remaining red grapes so things are looking good for 2014.

In the cellar we are bottling the remainder of the 2013 wines to make room for the incoming fruit. We are also putting the finishing touches on a new dry red wine to be released in November.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Harvest 2014 winds down at Clover Hill


For 39 years, we have eagerly awaited harvest, the culmination of our work in the vineyard. During those 39 harvests we have witnessed all sorts of weather - rain, drought, hurricanes, thunderstorms, windstorms - but this year fickle Mother Nature has been kind.

The vineyards came through a very cold winter without any major issues. Spring and summer, though seeming cool, were actually normal with enough rain when needed and temperatures warm but not excessively hot.

The weather during harvest has been perfect - stretches of dry, sunny days with enough rain when needed. The vineyard predators, particularly the starlings, have been kept at bay thanks to netting all the red grapes.

The grape varieties still on the vines are the reds - Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Chambourcin. Soon the 2014 harvest will be history. In the meantime, here's hoping for a little more sunshine and warmth to bring it all together for the reds.

Harvest is a great time to visit Clover Hill. Enjoy a glass of wine outside on the patio... and watch us work. Additionally we have a number of fun specials and upcoming events during October. Keep reading for more details. Hope to see you at the winery. - Pat Skrip

Please note: If you are traveling to the winery in Breinigsville, Schantz Road will be partially closed until July 2015. Click here for available detours.

Owner’s Selection for October 
Turtle Rock Red is a flagship wine for Clover Hill Winery. It is produced 100% from Chambourcin, the grape of the Lehigh Valley. The deep purple color, fresh berry flavors, a hint of sweetness and a touch of acidity are characteristics of this wine. This wine pairs nicely with grilled salmon & spicy chili. (Find recipes here.) Now only $12.15.

Wine and Food Pairing 
Boscov’s Fairgrounds Farmer's Market
October 16th - 18th

Stop in the Clover Hill Wine Shop at the Boscovs’ Fairgrounds Farmer's Market anytime during this week for a sampling of a Wicked Turtle made with our Turtle Rock Red. Recipes will be available.

Pumpkin Carving Contest
The Winery in Breinigsville
Entries must be received by October 17. Judging takes place October 18 and 19

How to enter: Carve a pumpkin and deliver it to the Winery in Breinigsville on October 15, 16 or 17 between 10 am - 5:30 pm. Must be 21 to enter.

The Judging: All pumpkins will be on display during Chambourcin Weekend, October 18 and 19 at the Winery in Breinigsville. Visitors at the Winery will be encouraged to vote for their favorite carved pumpkins with any spare change. The pumpkins’ change will be counted on Sunday, October 19 at 4 pm. Winners will be announced at 4:30 pm. All money raised will be donated to Angel 34; a national organization united in the fight against childhood cancer and dedicated to finding a cure.

The Winners:    

  • 1st Place ~ $200 Clover Hill gift card
  • 2nd Place ~ $75 Clover Hill gift card
  • 3rd Place ~ $50 Clover Hill gift card
  • All contestants will receive a free Clover Hill t-shirt for entering. 

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Tolino plans Halloween Happy Hour; white wine sale continues

It's that time of year again. The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting cooler, and we are busy harvesting those glorious grapes. Pinot Grigio grapes were the first to be harvested this year.

We are now on Groupon offering discounted premier tastings and tours of the winery and vineyard. Learning how we grow the grapes and make the wine makes it taste even better. Purchase a groupon here.

Stop in to see us any day of the week. We are open Monday through Friday from 3 - 7 pm, and Saturday and Sunday noon - 6 pm. Visit us online at www.tolinovineyards.com or call us at 610.588.9463 for more information and to inquire about hosting your next event at Tolino Vineyards.

Harvest Season is here!
Harvest is by far the favorite time of year for the staff here at the winery. The weather has been cooperating and the grapes look, smell, and taste delicious. Harvest is the culmination after a long summer of pruning, and the satisfaction of cutting the vine to free the fruit, and watching it get pressed is unbeatable.

Upcoming Events

Northampton County Open Gate Farm Tour -  October 11 and 12, noon - 5 pm
Agriculture in Northampton County has many faces. Take advantage of this once-a-year opportunity to learn about local agriculture.  Bring your family, dress casually and enjoy the day talking with us and learning how your wine is produced. We will have  a small craft tent for the kids. 


"We love our School Staff Happy Hour"- October 17 from 3 - 6 pm
Join us in the tasting room and on the patio for school staff happy hour. 10% off bottles, $1 off glasses and light snacks with school employee ID. You can still join us if you don't work for a school, but you won't be eligible for the discount. 


Chambourcin Weekend - October 18 and 19

Stop by the winery on Saturday from 10 am - 5 pm and Sunday from noon - 5 pm to celebrate the annual Lehigh Valley Wine Trail's Chambourcin Weekend. We welcome wine lovers for tastings, vineyard  tours, food and wine pairings, and live entertainment. The Chambourcin grape is the official wine grape of the Lehigh Valley and will be celebrated all weekend. We will be offering food pairing with our Chambourcin, live music, cheese for sale from Klein's Farm in Easton, and tours at 2 pm and 4 pm.  


Halloween Happy Hour - October 24
Join us for some Halloween fun. We will be offering wine and candy pairings, bloody wine labels, spooky decor, and a fire pit.  Come in costume for a discount.          

White Sale

Our sale continues on 2010 and 2011 White and Rosé wines. Purchase 1 bottle for 15% off, 6 bottles for 25% off, and a case is 50% off. What a great deal on delicious wine.


Thursday, October 2, 2014

LOCAL WINERIES TO CELEBRATE THE OFFICIAL WINE GRAPE OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY DURING CHAMBOURCIN WEEKEND EVENT

The nine locally-owned and operated wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail will introduce wine lovers to the region’s official wine grape during Chambourcin Weekend on Saturday, October 18 and Sunday, October 19.  

Chambourcin is the only wine grape that is grown by all nine wineries. In the greater Lehigh Valley, there are more than 40 acres of Chambourcin that ferments into approximately 150,000 bottles of wine. Chambourcin is very versatile and the wineries craft it into several styles of wine including Nouveau, Rosé, Semi- Sweet, Sweet, Dry Barrel Aged, Sparkling and Port.

Each winery will feature its own activities such as wine tastings, live entertainment, vineyard tours, or food and wine pairings (see detailed list below). Event hours at all of the wineries are Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon – 5 p.m. Chambourcin Weekend is a free event, however some wineries charge for wine tastings.

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.


CHAMBOURCIN WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS

Amore will pair beef ravioli with two styles of Chambourcin. Also, there will be family fun with hay rides to the pumpkin patch, a corn maze, puzzle woods, straw pit with swings, and an array of fall fruits, vegetables and decorations for sale.

Big Creek will offer a taste of Milli's Famous Chili.

Blue Mountain - Celebrate Chambourcin Weekend, the grape known as the "Jewel of the Lehigh Valley" starting with a Chili Contest at noon on October 18. Have lunch and judge the chilis while enjoying live acoustic entertainment with Adam Motto. Think your chili is the best? Call 610-298-3068 to enter your chili (details will be provided when you call).

On Sunday, October 19, enjoy Sunday Blues with Billy Patrick from 2-5 pm ($5 admission includes tasting. Reservations are preferred.). It's also the Open Gate County Farm Tour on Sunday. There will be crafts available for the children and guided tours with the winemaker from noon – 5 pm, every half-hour on the hour.

Clover Hill will feature hourly wine and food pairing seminars at noon, 1, 2, 3, and 4 pm both days. Join them in sampling an assortment of foods perfectly paired with our 2012 Chambourcin and Turtle Rock Red (100% Chambourcin). Reservations are required for groups of 12+. Seminars will last approximately 20 minutes and samples are included.

Franklin Hill - Enjoy the beautiful colors and fresh crisp air of fall at their outdoor mulled wine bar. Wrap your hands around a glass of simmered and spiced wine on their deck while warming up with a bowl of chili from The Widow’s Tavern in Stockertown.  As always, complimentary wine tastings will be available in the tasting room. Tours of the facility will be offered at noon and 2 pm both days.  

Galen Glen - Join Galen Glen us as they commemorate the wines fermented from the Chambourcin grape. Enjoy a complimentary pairing of the 2014 Chili Contest Winner, Todd Keller’s recipe, with your choice of Chambourcin or Cellar Red. The recipe will be available so customers can recreate this winning recipe at home. Do you make a great chili? Throw your hat into the ring of fire and ask for an application to enter our Second Annual Chili Cook Off to be held in January 2015.  Information will be available at the winery during Chambourcin Weekend.

Pinnacle Ridge will feature a rich portabella mushroom stew made with a Chambourcin-based stock with your choice of their award-winning 2012 Chambourcin OR their newly-released 2013 Sweet Seduction.

Tolino will have live music from 1 to 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday by Tom Vicario. They will offer tours of the vineyard at 2 and 4 pm. They will pair their Chambourcin with cheese from Klein’s Farm in Easton and will also offer small plates of Klein’s cheeses and crackers for sale.
  
Vynecrest will pair their 2013 Chambourcin estate-grown wine with wild rice and chickpea salad. This healthy big grain and bean-filled salad is made by Hereford Country Store at the Macungie Farmers Market.

In addition, the wine of the month for October is First Blush (10% off). During October, they will be donating to the PA Breast Cancer Coalition $1 for every bottle of First Blush sold.


Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Updated Group Policy and final Open House Concert of the season at Pinnacle Ridge


It is that time of year once again - the harvest is upon us! As we begin the process of bringing in all of the grapes that we have worked tirelessly to get ready over the last few months, we wanted to take the time to invite you all out to see some of the "fruits of our labor." Harvest is under way, the winemaking process is beginning, and we are very excited to share all of this with you as we enter the fall season.

Updated Group Policy
In order to accommodate all of our guests and to maintain an enjoyable and conversational atmosphere, we have recently amended our policy when it comes to groups. We will no longer be accepting any commercial vehicles (buses, vans or limos) or large groups (groups larger than 6 persons). We have enjoyed meeting so many wine lovers over the years that have enjoyed our wines on trips from winery to winery on these buses but we have come to the point where we do not feel that we have the adequate space to host such groups, while maintaining the high level of customer service to which we hold ourselves.

When Pinnacle Ridge Winery closes each evening, it still remains our home, so we want to express our appreciation for your understanding with regards to our policy. For those interested in visiting us and having transportation provided, we do work with one local service: Tastings and Tours. Get in touch with Rich at info@tastingsandtours.com or at (484) 695-6465.


Open House Concert Series Finale: The Sterling Koch Band

October 11 we will host The Sterling Koch Band for the first time. We are very excited to host this new performance in the barn. The Sterling Koch Band will take the stage from 2-5 pm, but the tasting room will be open from 10 am - 6 pm. There is no cover charge for the music, and we will have a $5 refundable tasting fee. We will also offer wines by the glass and by the bottle to enjoy throughout the day. We will sell some small plates filled with some of everyone's favorite wine accompaniments. You are welcomed to bring snacks of your own to enjoy. For questions or other inquires, please call us at (610) 756-4481.

This event will also be a special one for our Case Club Members. We will host a Case Club Members Soirée during our final Open House Concert Series event of the year. We invite you to join us on October 11 for some live music in our rustic barn setting and to enjoy a complimentary glass of wine in a commemorative glass along with some small plates of locally sourced delicacies. This event is complimentary for Case Club Members but reservations are required. Come out and enjoy one last jam in the barn. For reservations and details, please call (610) 756-4481.

Chambourcin Weekend with the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail
Join us and the rest of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail wineries as we celebrate the signature grape of
our unique winemaking region. Much like the region in which it thrives, this hybrid is a tough and resilient variety that provides a lot of local flavor. Come and see just how many different delicious styles of wine can be created from such a versatile grape. Our winery makes five wines with the Chambourcin and they will all be on display on Saturday and Sunday, October 18 and 19.

We will feature a rich portabella mushroom stew made with a Chambourcin based stock with your choice of our award-winning 2012 Chambourcin OR our newly-released 2013 Sweet Seduction.

Join us at Ginny’s Bistro in Easton for a fall wine dinner

The newest wine bar in Easton serves Pinnacle Ridge wines and will be hosting a wine dinner with us on Sunday, October 26 from 5:30-7:30 pm. This four-course wine dinner is $65 per person. We hope you can join us for a wonderful evening of quality local cuisine paired with some award-winning local wines.

Starter Course:
Spinach and Apple Salad -
Baby Spinach, Green Apples, Roasted Prosciutto and Gruyere Cheese with a Brut Rosé
Vinaigrette paired with our award-winning Brut Rosé

First Tapas Course:
Pan Seared Scallops and Steak -
Sea Scallops and Flank Steak served with a Lemon Caper Pepperocinni Reduction over Rice paired with our award-winning 2012 Barrel-fermented Chardonnay

Second Tapas Course:
BBQ Pulled Pork Taco -
Housemade Pulled Pork and BBQ Sauce served on a Flour Tortilla with a Garlic Sour Cream and Slaw paired with our award-winning 2012 Cabernet Franc

Desert:
Orange Vanilla Swirl Cheesecake paired with our Best of Class-winning Late Harvest Vidal Blanc