Vino in the Valley 2017 prize drawing reminder

Reminder - the Vino in the Valley 2017 raffle prize drawing for 10 Lehigh Valley Getaway Prize Packages is next Monday 4/17.

You have until THIS FRIDAY April 14 to drop off your complete passport stub (located at the bottom of your passport) at one of our wine trail's 9 wineries or mail it to Discover Lehigh Valley (mailing address on back of passport in event overview section).

The list of winners will be posted on our web site, in our Taste of the Trail blog, and on our Facebook page.

Vino in the Valley 2017 Getaway Prize Packages

We've made a fun and exciting change to our Vino in the Valley passport event for 2017:

Instead of giving out small, individual gifts to passport holders as was done in past years, this year they will be entered to win one of 10 Lehigh Valley Getaway Packages! We've partnered with some of your favorite local inns, resorts, and bed and breakfasts to create these fabulous overnight packages in the Lehigh Valley.

(All packages/getaways are subject to availability; prize recipient is responsible for booking/scheduling all components of the package they win. Prize recipient may also be responsible for taxes and/or tips.)

HOW IT WORKS:

1. Purchase a Vino in the Valley passport ($35) in person at one of our 9 wineries (cash or check only) or online via EventBrite.
2. Visit at least 8 of our 9 wineries during the four weekends in March and have your passport stamped at each one while you enjoy food and wine pairings.
3. At the last winery you visit fill out the contact information on the bottom of the passport; tear off the stub and turn it into the winery staff in order to be entered to win one of these great Lehigh Valley Getaway Packages!

Here are details on the packages that you could win:

Bear Creek Mountain Resort Getaway

Deluxe King Suite for two nights with Champagne, champagne flutes, and two pairs of slippers; breakfast delivered to your room and rose petal turndown at night

$200 Spa at Bear Creek gift card to be used toward the pampering services of your choice

$100 Grille at Bear Creek gift card for dinner

Crystal Springs Resort Getaway

Create-your-own getaway with a gift card that can be used for your choice of lodging, spa treatments, rounds of golf, and gourmet dining.

Hawk Mountain Bed & Breakfast Getaway

Two-night stay in a Jacuzzi room, plus transportation to the Blue Mountain Vineyards for a winery tour

Massage and manicure for two at Salon & Spa 309

Tickets for two to the Lehigh Valley Zoo

One-hour Allentown hot air balloon ride (shared) with end of ride celebration with champagne fruits and cheese

Dinner for two at Paese Mio

Blue Mountain Vineyards winery tour and cheese pairing for two - includes souvenir glasses

Couples Pampering Package Getaway at Glasbern Inn

Two-night stay for two at Glasbern Inn

Three-course chef-inspired dinner for two in the main dining room

Two 1-hour Swedish massages

Half-dozen chocolate covered strawberries

Chilled champagne in the room

A chef’s table breakfast for two

A breakfast for two in the main dining room

(Valid Sunday through Thursday nights only and based on availability)

Hotel Bethlehem Getaway

Two-night stay at Hotel Bethlehem in downtown Bethlehem

Dinner for two at Social Still in Southside Bethlehem

Sayre Mansion Getaway

Two-night stay at Sayre Mansion - $500 gift certificate

Friday evening dinner at Bolete - $200 gift certificate

Saturday lunch at Bamboo $50 gift certificate

Saturday evening “Picnic on the Green” at DeSales University outside theater with Wegmans $50 gift certificate (to pack picnic supper) and bottle of Galen Glen Riesling

Saturday evening tickets to Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival Show at DeSales University $100 gift certificate

Glasbern Inn Getaway

Two-night stay in a deluxe room or junior suite, and dinner for two.

Shawnee Inn Getaway

Two-night stay at Shawnee Inn in the Sanctuary Suite, two breakfasts, one dinner (at River Room or Gem and Keystone), brewery tour, and beer tasting. (Includes all taxes and gratuity for two people.)

Lafayette Inn Getaway

Two-night stay for two people in a Premier Guest Room with whirlpool tub, fireplace and breakfast daily. Romance basket of treats in room.

Couples massage

Gift card for two tickets to a show of your choice at the State Theatre

Dinner for two at Maxim’s 22 restaurant

Kutztown Main Street Inn

Two-night stay at Kutztown Main Street Inn

Dinner with beer tasting and tour at Saucony Creek Brewery

Randall's on the Orchard restaurant gift card

Welcome gift basket filled with assortment of local food and beverages

$150 Uber Gift Card for Transportation

Personal tour and cellar tasting at Vynecrest with the owner

Vino in the Valley 2017 passport program introduces wine lovers to local wineries during weekends in March

The annual Vino in the Valley passport program introduces wine lovers to locally produced wine by encouraging them to explore all nine wineries that belong to the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail during the four weekends in March 2017.

An event that has become an annual tradition for many, it takes features wine and food pairings for passport holders at each of the wine trail’s member wineries. Passports are stamped at each winery, and after visiting at least eight wineries and collecting their stamps, the passport is turned in and entered into a raffle.

New for 2017 passport holders will be entered to win one of 10 Lehigh Valley Getaway Packages at a local inn or bed and breakfast that includes accommodations for two, dining, and other amenities.

How the Vino in the Valley Passport Program works:

1.     Wine lovers purchase a passport for $35, either at one of the wine trail’s nine member wineries, or online. (Passport program participants must be age 21 or older.)

2.     During the four weekends of March (Saturdays and Sundays), participants visit the member wineries to enjoy a food and wine pairing (tasting-sized) and have their passport stamped in the corresponding winery box on the front.

3.     Once stamps are obtained from at least eight of the nine wineries, they fill out their contact information on the bottom front side of the passport before tearing it off and turning it in at the last winery they visit in order to be entered to win one of 10 Lehigh Valley Getaway Packages in the Grand Prize Drawing.

Passports are now on sale for $35 each at all nine member wineries (cash or check only), as well as online via EventBrite.com (credit card only) - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vino-in-the-valley-2017-along-the-lehigh-valley-wine-trail-tickets-29267831873. Online orders for holiday gift giving must be placed by Friday, December 16 to ensure enough time for delivery of the printed passports via First Class USPS. Only 1,800 passports are printed, so wine lovers are encouraged to purchase them early since they may sell out in advance of the event.

Visit the wine trail’s web site to review group guidelines, tips for traveling the trail, passport program rules, and other event details: www.VinointheValleyLVWT.com (Note: each winery sets its own house rules, policies and procedures.)

Lehigh Valley Wine Trail member wineries are:

• Amoré Vineyards & Winery, Nazareth
• Big Creek Vineyard, Kresgeville
• 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

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. For more information, visit www.LehighValleyWineTrail.com.

2016 Vino in the Valley Grand Prize Winners announced!

Congratulations to the following 30 Grand Prize Winners of the 2016 Vino in the Valley passport drawing.

You will receive in the mail in the coming weeks a $25 gift certificate to the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail to be used toward the purchase of wine only. Gift certificates are valid for one year only.

Thank you for participating in this year's passport event!

Gloria Ambolino - Quakertown
Ann Christman - Palmerton
Deb Cinamella - Palmerton
Dave  Furman - Wayne
Diane Granitz - Allentown
Sharon Gross - Collegeville
Ken Hanna - Bethlehem
Brian Hugo - Walnutport
Kendra Kachline - Bangor
Laura Karns - Palmerton
Stacy Kovacs - Allentown
Nicole Larrison - Nazareth
Carol Sue Miller - Bath
Kristy Molitoris - Whitehall
Denise Nolt - Fleetwood
Megan Papuc - Bethlehem
Michele Pierce - Easton
Lisa Rodriguez - Whitehall
Ashley Romanishan - Danielsville
Carla Rowland - Easton
Jim Scheirer - Bethlehem
Paula Schmelz - Saylorsburg
Carl Schumacher Jr. - Easton
Cathy Smith - Allentown
Tammy Smith - Palmerton
Allison Solley - Bethlehem
Michelle Sterner - Allentown
Andrew White - Allentown
Eric Whitters - Easton
David Williamson - Nazareth

10 important things to know about Vino in the Valley Passport Program

Below are a few things to know about our annual Passport Program.

If you are new to this event, please take a moment to also read the five steps that explain how the program works and our tips for traveling the trail HERE.

1. The event takes place at all nine of our wineries weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) in March. Winery hours are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday and noon - 5 p.m. on Sunday. HOWEVER: our wineries will all be closed on Sunday 3/27 for the Easter holiday. So the last weekend of the event is only one day - Saturday 3/26. 
2. Online passport sales close on Friday 2/26, so place your order soon! Passports are mailed out via first class USPS and need 3-4 days to arrive in the mail prior to the starting weekend of the event. You MUST have a passport to use for the event. Printing out an online receipt for your passport order will not work.
3. Passports can also be purchased in person (cash or check only please) at our member wineries. HOWEVER: wineries are starting to sell out of their supplies of passports. Big Creek and Blue Mountain are already sold out. So be sure to call ahead before going to a winery to buy passports just to make sure they still have some left to sell to you!
4. Write your name on your passport as soon as you get it and record your passport number somewhere in case you lose it at one of our wineries. This way we can return it to you!
5. Pick up your passport holder gift - a t-shirt and logoed wine glass - at the winery indicated by the number on the top corner of your passport. There is a small chart on the front of the passport that correlates passport numbers to wineries. It indicates which winery you should collect your gift at. 
6. Wine and food pairings at each winery are tasting sized, so they are small. They are just meant to be a sample of each. Please do not expect large portions or a small meal. Review the list of pairings HERE. 
7. Start at any winery and visit the rest in any order you wish. Consider planning out your visits in advance based on your favorite food and wine pairings each weekend. 
8. Get your passport stamped at each winery you visit. When you have collected at least 8 stamps, fill out the contact information on the bottom front of the passport, tear it off and turn it in at the last winery you visit. This will get you entered into a Grand Prize Drawing to win wine trail gift certificates. 
9. Please expect the wineries to be VERY busy! Saturdays are busier than Sundays in general, and the first two weekends of the event tend to be busier than the last two are.
10. If you will be traveling with a group, please be sure to review the Group Guidelines HERE before heading out.

Vino in the Valley food and wine pairings announced.

Below are the food and wine pairings that passport holders will receive during our annual March passport event, now known as Vino in the Valley.

Just a reminder that food and wine pairings are SAMPLES only. They are just meant to be tastings, not a meal, so please expect them to be small.

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Amore –

Week 1 – Beef Stroganoff with bow tie pasta paired with Cabaret Amore

Week 2 – Tortellini in a sundried tomato and basil sauce paired with Chambourcin

Week 3 – Chicken Marsala medallions served over wild rice paired with Vidal

Week 4 – Chicken medallions and pasta Florentine, roasted red peppers artichokes and mushrooms in a light garlic wine sauce paired with Chardonnay

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Big Creek – the Pocono-based winery will offer Potage Crecy as its pairing for the first three weekends. On the final weekend they will feature Lisa’s red velvet cake.

For dry wine lovers, Seyval or Marechal Foch are recommended pairings. For sweet wine devotees, Dulcinea is the suggested match.

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Blue Mountain –

3/7 – Italian Pulled pork sliders by Giovanni Gourmet Italian Catering paired with Cabernet Sauvignon. Spice cake paired with Mountain Spice.

3/8 – Italian Pulled pork sliders paired by Giovanni Gourmet Italian Catering paired with Cabernet Sauvignon. Spice cake paired with Mountain Spice.

3/14 – Chicken and pasta with lemon sauce by Fenstermaker Catering paired with Chardonnay Reserve. Dark chocolate by Sweet Finesse paired with Victoria’s Passion. Rothschild Farms sampling from 11 am – 2:30 p.m.

3/15 – Chicken and pasta with lemon sauce by Fenstermaker Catering paired with Chardonnay Reserve. White chocolate fondue paired with Late Harvest Vidal Blanc.

3/21 – Bowtie pasta w/Alfredo pancetta, peas and sundried tomato by Giovanni Gourmet Italian Catering paired with naked Chardonnay. Dark chocolate by Sweet Finesse paired with Victoria’s Passion.

3/22 – Bowtie pasta w/Alfredo pancetta, peas and sundried tomato by Giovanni Gourmet Italian Catering paired with naked Chardonnay. White chocolate fondue paired with Late Harvest Vidal Blanc.

3/28 and 29 – Beef Bourguignon paired with Cabernet Sauvignon. Chocolate cake paired with Victoria’s Passion or Merlot.

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Clover Hill –

Weeks 1 and 2:

Aleppo pepper taco with shaved cabbage and vinaigrette paired with Vidal Blanc.

Spiced apple crepe with whipped topping paired with Vignoles.

Weeks 3 and 4:

Sweet Thai turkey marinated skewer paired with Riesling.

Bumble-berry pie w/oat topping paired with DeChaunac.

The winery will also have a vegan option available upon request.

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Franklin Hill – Signature dishes prepared by Social Still in South Side Bethlehem:

Week 1: Three bean chili paired with Evanswood.

Week 2: Penne pasta with a lemon white wine sauce paired with Chardonnay.

Week 3: Butternut squash soup topped with toasted curried pumpkin seeds and maple syrup paired with Chardonnay. *Souper Bowl VI “Best Vegetarian Soup” Winner at SteelStacks.

Week 4: Farfalle pasta with beef ragu paired with Evanswood.

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Galen Glen – will offer Voodoo ravioli handmade by Fasta & Ravioli Co. (a PA Preferred company from State College). Fasta’s  signature ravioli brings together andouille sausage, shrimp, grits, and smoked Gouda.

The featured wine will be Riesling, dry or half-dry, a perfect match with the rich meld of flavors in the ravioli.

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Pinnacle Ridge – the Kutztown winery is using the concept of a trip inspired by the culinary traditions of different wine-producing regions.

Weekend 1: March 7 and 8: Spain: “Ven con nosotros!”

A culinary adventure inspired by Spanish Cavas and that region’s abundance of fresh seafood, this weekend will feature Chef Adam Gluskin’s Spanish Shrimp and Rice dish – a tangy arrangement of saffron and citrus Spanish rice adorned with baby shrimp and fresh cilantro. It will be paired with a choice of one of their own sparkling wines, the Blanc de Blanc and the newly released Brut Rosé.

Weekend 2: March 14 and 15: France: “Magnez bien”

Mangez bien, French for “eat-well,” this weekend, will feature a mushroom Bourginion, prepared by Chef Dominick Smorto. This vegetarian take on the classic French beef stew is made with fresh herbs and wild mushrooms in a rich vegetable broth. They will pair this warm French dish with classic French varietals including the newly released 2014 Naked Chardonnay and 2012 Pinot Noir.

Weekend 3: March 21 and 22: Italy: “Salute”

A vegetarian approach will be taken to one of everyone’s favorite dish – lasagna – made with al dente pasta teamed with a creamy béchamel, and garnished with a basil chiffonade. It will be paired with the newly released 2013 Merlot and 2013 Quaff.

Weekend 4: March 28 and 29: Germany/Kutztown: “Ein Prosit!”

The winery will complete the event by featuring locally sourced bratwurst from nearby Dietrich’s Meats. It will be braised in a crisp and refreshing Dry Riesling and then pan seared to lock in the flavor and served with caramelized onions on a pretzel chip with some tangy, spicy mustard. They will serve it with classic German-inspired, newly released 2014 Rieslings to provide both a dry and semi-sweet option.

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Tolino – will offer wines paired with four different samples of four courses of an Italian meal each weekend in March. The Bangor winery is partnering with J. DeFranco and Daughters catering to offer sample-sized portions.

March 7 and 8 – ricotta, Gorgonzola, honey and apple crostini paired with 2012 Pinot Grigio.

March 14 and 15 – red pasta fagioli soup with 2012 Papa’s Red

March 21 and 22 – chicken tetrazzini paired with 2013 Vidal Blanc

March 28 and 29 – dark chocolate cherry biscotti with 2013 Cabernet Franc.

 A make your own sangria bar will be available in the tank room where customers can choose the fruit and Tolino pours the wine. Each Saturday during Vino in the Valley they will be also offer live music from 1-3 p.m. highlighting artists who will be a part of its summer music series starting in May and running through October.

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Vynecrest – will feature award-winning cheese from September Farms, a cheese maker from the Lancaster County area, every weekend in March.

Weeks 1 and 2 – September Farms smoked Gouda mac and cheese – the ultimate in comfort food. Experience the flavors of this signature dish with all of its smoky, creamy, cheesy texture paired with their estate-bottled 2013 Chambourcin.

Weeks 3 and 4 – September Farms hand-made lemon cheese tarts that are a sweet and tart lemon cheese cheesecake with a jolt of zest, paired along with their 2013 Blueberry wine.

Lehigh Valley wineries celebrate the holidays with open houses, special events and new wine releases

The wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail are encouraging wine lovers to buy local this holiday season by inviting them to festive events, offering specials on wine, and helping them pick the right wines for their holiday meals.

Passports for the 2015 Vino in the Valley Program (formerly known as the March Passport Program) are now on sale for $35 each at all nine member wineries as well as online, and make a great gift for wine lovers.

Lehigh Valley Wine Trail Holiday Events and Specials:

Blue Mountain Annual Christmas Open House
December 6 from 6-9 p.m.

This free event is their way of saying thank you for all the support their customers continue to give. Guests can enjoy live music by Adam Motto and complimentary refreshments. Please bring a canned good to support a local food bank. (Wine tasting is $5 for five tastes, and the $5 is redeemable towards a purchase of a bottle of wine.) Call 610-298-3068 for reservations or book online.

Clover Hill Coat Drive at all locations
December 8-14

Customers who donate a gently used coat will get a 10% discount on their purchase as a thank you. They are collecting all coat sizes, which will be donated to The Caring Place in Allentown and Berks Women in Crisis in Reading.

The Breinigsville winery is also selling tickets to its Beginner Wine Tasting Classes on Saturday, January 10 and 25 at 2 p.m. This 1.5 hour long class teaches the basics of wine tasting, gives tips on wine and food pairings, and helps to answer wine questions. Tickets make great holiday gifts and often sell out before the end of this year.

Galen Glen Holiday Open House Weekends
December 6, 7, 13 and 14.

Customers can enjoy a pairing of Voodoo Ravioli and an award-winning aromatic white wine. They are helping Santa collect monetary and toy donations for Toys-for-Tots. Bring a new, unwrapped toy or cash donation and receive a gift.

Customers are also encouraged to eat, drink and dress ugly. Dig out that old, ugly Christmas sweater, wear it to the winery and take a selfie by the tree. Then post it to the winery's Facebook, Twitter or Instagram accounts and show it to their staff to receive another gift. On December 15 they will announce an eat, drink and dress ugly grand prize winner.

Pinnacle Ridge is selling specialty gift boxes for wine lovers:

The Classic Selection - $51.76
2012 Cabernet Franc
2012 Pinot Noir
2012 Merlot

The Best of Both Barrels - $29.56
2012 Barrel-fermented Chardonnay
2013 Naked Chardonnay

Additional gift box options are also available at the winery. And its award-winning sparkling wines, Blanc de Blanc and Brut Rose are back in stock starting December 6.

Tolino Vineyards - White Wine Sale

The Bangor winery has a sale on 2010 and 2011 White and Rosé wines. Purchase one bottle for 15% off, six bottles for 25% off, and a case for 50% off. The 2010 Chardonnay is now 70% off. From now through Christmas for every $50 gift certificate purchased, customers will receive a $5 gift certificate to keep for themselves.

Also taste the newly released ice-style white dessert wine, Sweet Frances, named for Carl Tolino's mother. This wine is now available for $28.99 a bottle.

Vynecrest is offering Spiced Winter Red as its three-pack of the month for $25, and is having a Customer Appreciation Weekend on December 13 and 14 with special discounts on wine. It is also releasing two new wines, Spiced Winter White and No. 36, a dry red reserve.  

2014 March Passport Program winners announced!

We are excited to announce the winners of the 2014 March Passport Program contest. 

Each winner will receive a $25 Lehigh Valley Wine Trail gift certificate which will be sent to them in the mail in the next 2-3 weeks. 

Congrats to all who won and thanks to everyone who participated in this year's event!

Jennifer Saccketti	Hazle Township
Laura Walters	Lancaster
Meghan Geiger	Walnutport
Dianne M. Trevis	Coopersburg
Ceil Connelly-Weida	Bethlehem
Angela Bashaw	Catasauqua
Kirk Schlamp	Bethlehem
Randy Nystrand	Bangor
Midge Kirchner	Allentown
Robyn Klem	Bethlehem
Laura Wisser	Center Valley
Lisa Rodriguez	Bath
Angela Pell	Boyertown
Lauren Hale	Bethlehem
Bob Shiffert	Whitehall
Bill Hanna	Hershey
Beth Loftus	Howell
Jennifer Springer	Allentown
Joe Carmina	Flanders
Jack Fliter	Bethlehem
Dave Smalley	E. Stroudsburg
Rosalie Viscomi	Bethlehem
Ann Marie Tietz	Macungie
Shawn White	Macungie
Mark Fritzinger	Fogelsville
Valerie Holzhauer	Harleysville
Cindy Watras	Boyertown
Tammy Solt	Lehighton
Raymond Hause	Horsham
Alicia Pell	Boyertown