Lehigh Valley Wine Trail - Valentine's Day/Weekend events

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Weekend of 2/11 & 12 - We will be pairing dark chocolate with Rapport, Blackberry bliss, and Cabaret Dolce. (pairing included in the regular $5 wine tasting fee.)

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Blue Mountain

February is the month of love. Love makes the world go round, but chocolate and wine makes the trip worthwhile. Every Saturday and Sunday in February, savor a delicious cupcake from local baker, The Buttered Crumb, or indulge in three decadent handmade chocolate truffles from local chocolatier, Sweet Finesse. Enjoy them with your favorite wine in their glass-enclosed room with cozy fireplaces overlooking the vineyard.

Wondering what to do for Valentine's Day? Try something a little different! Impress your significant other with a romantic candlelit dinner catered by The Culinary Experience. Enjoy soulful music provided by Jean Therapy Combo, and a souvenir glass to take home to remember this magical night. Tickets must be purcahsed by 2/3/17. Limited tickets. Ages 21 and older only

When: February 10 (snow date February 25)

Time: 6-9 pm; Dinner is served at 6 pm

Where: Blue Mountain Vineyards

Cost: $110/couple (+tax) includes two souvenir glasses, live music, catered dinner, and a glass of wine with dinner.

MENU

Appetizers

Roast Beef Crostinis

Arancini Balls

Mini Pineapple Pulled Pork Sliders

Dinner

Top Round Carving Station

Breaded Chicken Cutlet

Garlic Alfredo Sauce Cavatappi Pasta

Vegetable Medley

Caesar Salad

Fresh Baked Dinner Rolls

Dessert is provided by The Buttered Crumb. Chocolate mousse with handmade whipped cream, fresh berries, and two chocolate hearts on top.

Wine Pairing Suggestion: You can’t go wrong with a limited -dition wine and a simple, but delicious pasta dish to impress your lover on Valentine’s Day. We recommend their 2013 Cabernet Franc, which is a medium-bodied dry red with bright fruit and herb notes, paired with Portobello Mushroom Parmesan. Find the recipe at their website: http://www.bluemountainwine.com/portobelloparmesan.html

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Clover Hill

Beat The Winter Blues with a Wine Slushie Weekend

The Winery in Breinigsville

February 4 & 5 from noon - 4 p.m.

Slushies are available for purchase by the glass.

Forget the cold weather and join us for a little wine slushie fun. They will be wearing their best island outfits, Caribbean music will be playing and will be serving wine slushies by the glass. Slushies will be $6 by the glass (you keep the glass) and $5 refills.

Love Flights

The Winery in Breinigsville

February 11, 12, 13 & 14; noon - 4 p.m. each day

Reservations required (limited availability); $12 per flight

Love Flights is a sweet way to do a casual tasting of 4 wines each perfectly paired with a sweet treat. If you want to join us for Love Flights call us and make a reservation. They will need to know what day you would like to attend, how many people will be joining you and if you prefer dry or sweet wines. Please call 610-395-2468 for reservations.

Wine Pairing Suggestion: They just released the 2013 Merlot. The wine is fuller bodied with a touch of sweet oak and vanilla on the taste. If you are planning a special steak dinner, this wine would be a delightful partner.

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Franklin Hill

Valentine’s Day dinner at Social Still featuring Franklin  Hill’s not-yet-released Cask 530

February 14

$60/person

Join the winery Valentine's Day evening at Social Still and be one of the first to try our soon to be released Cask 530, a bourbon-barrel aged Chambourcin.

Course 1: Appetizer served with a Signature Cocktail

Smoked Beef Carpaccio with preserved lemon, smoked salt, arugula and kalamata olives

or

Prince Edward Island mussels, shallots, garlic absinthe, herbs, with charred bread

Course 2: Salad or Soup

Baby lettuce, blood orange, fennel, roasted beets, with candied hazelnut vinegrette

or

Wild mushroom soup with truffle foam

Course 3: Entree served with Franklin Hill Vineyards Local Wine

Thai style grilled lancaster free range chicken with fingerling sweet potatoes, green papaya salad and a sweet sambal sauce

or

Chimichurri marinated skirt steak, cheesy soft polenta, garlic spinach

Course 4: Dessert

Molten Chocolate cake, berry sauce, with white chocolate ganache

Tickets available online: https://www.opentable.com/social-still

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Galen Glen

Every Saturday and Sunday in February

Wine & Local Chocolate Pairings

Savor a delicious brownie with peanut butter icing from local baker, Mama C’s or three decadent handmade chocolate truffles from local chocolatier, Steve Evans with a glass of their wine.

Saturday, February 11 & Sunday, February 12

Noon to 2 pm

Romance Book Signing

She writes sweet. She writes steamy. Meet local, award-winning author, Autumn Jordan and take home your signed copy of her Valentine’s Day romance novel, Perfect Hearts. She will also be signing Perfect, Seized By Darkness and her newest release, Obsessed By Darkness. Books are $10 each (cash only).  Autumn has been recognized by the Romance Writers of America as a National Golden Heart® finalist and is a Golden Leaf Winner.  Recently, she received a “Best Indie Romance Author” nomination from Amazon’s Kindle Book Reviewers for Seized By Darkness.  More at www.autumnjordon.com.

Wine Pairing Suggestion: Their favorite treats for Valentine’s Weekend, paired with wine:

Galen loves raw oysters with his Stone Cellar Riesling and Fossil Riesling.

Sarah has a glass of their sparkling Gruner Veltliner with tuna and salmon sashimi.

For dessert – Sarah’s homemade tiramisu with their port style Barrel Twenty-Nine.

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Pinnacle Ridge

Weekend of Feb 11-12:

This year we’re teaming up with our good friends at the Mediterranean Café & Grill in Fogelsville. They’ll be baking some crispy, flaky baklava, filled with honey, cashews, pistachios – and most importantly, drizzled with chocolate.

This delectable treat will be paired with our new 2016 Vidal Blanc – a wine made in the classic Germanic tradition of stopped fermentation. Aromas of peaches and nectarines are intermingled with a clean minerality. The naturally retained sweetness blends with the flavors and crispness for a perfect finish.

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Tolino

Valentine's Day Weekend (2/11 and 2/12) Tolino will feature chocolate truffles by JP Hepp of Chocodiem.  JP was named one of North America's top 10 chocolatiers by the Institute of Culinary Education.  Live music on Saturday by George Baier and Erin McClelland on Sunday.

At Tolino’s Easton Public Market booth they will be doing a demonstration on February 8 from 5-7 pm in the community kitchen with JP of Chocodiem pairing their wines with various chocolates.

Wine Pairing Suggestion - pair their Cabernet Franc with dark chocolate for traditionalists, and Lilly with white chocolate for adventurers.

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Vynecrest

Valentine Weekend - February 11 & 12

Vynecrest Winery will be serving brunch in the Vyneskeller from 10 am to 1 pm, reservations required. It is an a la carte menu of mimosas for $3 and an assortment of sweet treats such as chocolate-covered strawberries, almond croissants, cheese pockets, chocolate éclairs, apple Danish and petit fours. They will be taking advanced orders for personal-sized cakes for two to share for $7 each: Oreo Cream and German-Chocolate. Steve Myers will be playing romantic songs on the Baby grand piano 10 am - 4 pm, and 1 – 4 pm on Sunday.

They will also feature both days from 11 am – 4:30 pm a flight of three wines and three chocolates for $10 (no reservations needed).  They will pair the following from Billy’s Candies in Temple, Pa. with their Vynecrest wines:  Sparkling Traminette with Milk Chocolate Covered Strawberries; Vynecrest Red paired with Chocolate Figaro Hazelnut Truffles; and Cherry Divyne paired with solid Dark Chocolate Hearts. Vynecrest.com. 610-398-7525.

Vynecrest celebrates Valentine's Weekend with goodies, live music and jewelry

February is a great month to visit the winery. It's a little less crowded on the weekends with less tourist traffic. You can beat the March crowds and enjoy a tasting upstairs or a glass of wine downstairs in the Vyneskeller.

Copies of our 2016 calendar of events are available to pick up at the front register at the winery and at Vynecrest on Main in Kutztown. While it's still a work in progress, we've added some exciting new things this year, including more live music in the Vyneskeller and food trucks. Our Winemaker Tours of the vineyard and wine cellar are listed on the calendar as well.

We have been partnering with Billy's Candies from Temple, Pa. for the last few months and we now have small heart-shaped Valentine's boxes of their delicious candy on sale at the winery. We have boxes of assorted milk and dark chocolates and boxes of nonpareils for $10.75.

▪ Wine of the Month - Lemberger - 10% off*
▪ 3 Pack of the Month - 3 Summertime Red - $25*

*at winery only, 3 pack cannot be combined with other offers

February 13 and 14 - Valentine's Day Weekend

Our Vyneskeller wine bar will be opening early for Valentine's Day Weekend. Both days from 10 am - 1 pm we will sell $3 mimosas. Pastries, croissants and chocolate-covered strawberries will be available for purchase as well. Reservations suggested. Call 610-398-7525.

Steve Myers will be playing the baby grand piano in the Vynskeller on Saturday from 10 am - 4 pm and Sunday from 1 - 4 pm. In addition, we will be partnering with Sorrelli’s Jewelry in the main tasting room on Saturday February 13.

February 28 - Jazz Sunday

Dan Harakal on the guitar and Mike Spangler on the Piano, 1-4pm, free admission

March 19 - Vynecrest Wine Dinner at Virginville Hotel - 6:30pm

$60 per person, all inclusive
Reservations: 610-562-7072

Spinach and Crab Flat Bread - A blend of fresh spinach jumbo lump crab and asiago cheese, baked on flat bread, accompanied by Naked Chardonnay

Grilled Romaine heart salad-fresh romaine hearts marinated and grilled topped with a house-made grape tomato bruschetta, drizzled with a balsamic glaze, accompanied by Traminette

Lamb Lollipops - fresh lamb chops sauteed with a leak orange rosemary saute. Served with red skinned garlic mashed potatoes and snap peas, accompanied by Chambourcin

Poached Pears, accompanied by Vynecrest White

Clover Hill introduces Ruby Port and plans Love Flights for Valentine's Day Weekend

We are excited to share with you our newest wine release: Ruby. This little gem is our first ever port wine modeled after the Ruby Port style. There are numerous different styles of port, but Ruby Port is one of the more common styles. A Ruby Port is produced as a young style port with more fruit forward and vibrant flavors. It tends to have a bright ruby color. Ruby Ports are only fermented in stainless steel tanks and are never sent to barrels for aging.

Ruby is Clover Hill’s first port ever released. Ruby is crafted from 100% Chambourcin grapes. We selected the Chambourcin grape to use for this wine mainly for its brilliant color and intense berry flavors. The grapes were fermented down to a point where approximately half of the sugar was consumed by the yeast and then we added back the high proof alcohol to stop the fermentation.

Clover Hill’s Ruby is a very fruit forward dessert wine, showing rich, ripe berry and jammy flavors and ends with a sweet, warm and soothing finish. Ruby is a perfect after dinner wine or best sipped on a cold winter’s night. We suggest serving this wine in a smaller cordial style glass at room temperature or with a slight chill. Only 574 bottles of Ruby were produced. Due to the limited availability of this wine there is a tasting fee of $3 per 1 ounce sample.

Wine of the Month - Catawba
For the month of February, Catawba is discounted 10% at all Clover Hill locations. Receive a 20% discount on Catawba when included in a case purchase.

Savor the sweet, grapey, and candied flavors of this wine.  Don't forget to sniff first to best enjoy the sweet grapey aroma. Now only $8.54.

Love Flights
February 13, 14, 15 & 16; noon - 5 pm all days
Tickets required: $10 per person; $8 per flight for seniors

The Winery in Breinigsville will host our annual Love Flights as a Valentine's Day celebration. Each flight will include for wines each paired with a sampling of food. There will be a dry wine flight and a sweet wine flight.

Beginner Wine Tasting Class
The Winery in Breinigsville
Saturday, February 20; 2pm
Tickets required: $25 per person

Join us in a beginner wine tasting class. This 1 ½ hour long class will teach you the basics of wine tasting, give you tips on wine and food pairing, and help to answer any wine questions you may have. This class is limited in seats. You must be 21+ years old to attend. Call 610-395-2468 or visit the winery to reserve your ticket. Classes typically sell out in advance so make your reservation now.

Vynecrest's annual Super Bowl Chili Saturday event returns this month

We have a few cases of Spiced Winter Red and Spiced Winter White left to help take the chill off.

We have reopened after a quick break and are back to our normal hours:
Breinigsville - Open seven days a week, 11 am - 5 pm (Friday open until 5:30 pm)
Kutztown - Open Thursday - Sunday, noon - 6 pm

January Specials 
- Wine of the Month - Nouveau Beaujolais, additional 10% off
- 3 Pack of the Month - 3 Spiced Winter White, $35
(*at winery only, 3 pack can't be combined with other discounts)

Upcoming Events

Vynecrest Piano and Wine Bar - Open every Saturday and Sunday, 1 - 5 pm

January 30 - Super Bowl Chili Saturday

We are celebrating a week early and will be sampling red and white Chili at Vynecrest Winery in Breinigsville made by Mr. Bill's from the Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market.

The red turkey chili is made with local grown, antibiotic free, skinless turkey meat blended with tomatoes, beans, and spices.

The white chicken chili is a blend of chicken breast meat and ground chicken with a puree of white beans and sautéed onions, garlic, celery and a unique spice blend.

The winery is open 11 am - 5 pm, and bowls of both chilis will also be available for purchase in the Vyneskeller Wine Bar along with wine by the glass and bottle. Admission is free and reservations are not needed.

January 31 - Jazz Sunday, Live Jazz music in the Vyneskeller, 1 - 4 pm

February 13 and 14 - Valentine's Day Weekend

Our Vyneskeller wine bar will be opening early Valentine's Day weekend. From 10 am to noon, both Saturday and Sunday, we will be selling $3 mimosas and pastries & croissants. Chocolate covered strawberries and Valentine boxes from Billy's Candies will be available for purchases as well. A great beginning to Valentines Day! Limited seating, please call ahead for a reservation. 610-398-7525

We will have live music in the Vyneskeller on Saturday from 10 am - 4 pm, and Sunday from 1 - 4pm.

In addition, we will be partnering with Sorrelli's Jewelry in the main tasting room on Saturday. They will be debuting their 2016 spring collection. Any Sorrelli purchase made at Vynecrest that day will entitle you to 10% off a 6 bottle purchase (normally a 5% discount).

February 6 - Super Bowl Saturday - Wear your favorite NFL gear and get an additional 10% off your wine purchase

February 28 - Jazz Sunday, Live Jazz music in the Vyneskeller, 1 - 4 pm

Glass Half Empty by Malachi Duffy

We are getting ready for our annual meeting to go over 2015, what went right, what went wrong, and what can we do better. We go over sales numbers, events, personnel, new wines and anything else we don't get a chance to really delve into throughout the year. Last year was great. Looking back on what made it great makes you realize how many pieces there are to this crazy Vynecrest puzzle.

Though it takes all of the pieces coming together to get the job done, the most important are the people in and around Vynecrest. Every facet of this business relies on the support of great people. We have friends and neighbors who are there to help us fix equipment and maintain the property. We have an awesome staff who go above and beyond and make Vynecrest a fun place to work. We also have great customers whom we love making all of this wine for.

So, cheers to all of you who helped make 2015 great. Here's to an even better 2016!

Valentine's Wine Dinner and Kutztown Tavern Wine & Beer Dinner coming up at Vynecrest

February is a great month to visit the winery. It's a little less crowded on the weekends with less tourist traffic. You can beat the March crowds and enjoy a tasting upstairs or a glass of wine downstairs in the Vyneskeller wine bar.

▪ Wine of the Month - Late Harvest Vidal, additional 10% off*
▪ 3 Pack of the Month - Three Vignoles for $30*

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

Upcoming Events

February 13 - Valentine's Wine Dinner at Camillo's Restaurant, 7 pm

Reserve your seats for our Valentine's Wine Dinner featuring Vynecrest Winery - call 610-683-5637.
Five courses paired with wine - $49 per person

MENU:

Appetizer - Eggplant Roulade (eggplant stuffed with feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic rolled and baked with our house tomato sauce) paired with Vynecrest Red

Salad - Burrata over mixed greens topped with balsamic glaze, paired with Naked Chardonnay

Pasta - Penne alla vodka, paired with Chambourcin

Second Dinner Course - Salmon pesto, paired with Pinot Noir

Dessert - Raspberry cheesecake, paired with Late Harvest Vidal

February 14 - Valentine's Day

Our Vyneskeller wine bar will be opening early for Valentine's Day. From 10 am to noon we will be selling $3 mimosas and featuring Frank Sinatra on our iPad baby grand piano. Pastries, croissants and chocolate covered strawberries will be available for purchase. Reservations suggested. 610-398-7525

We will have live music from Steve Myers in the Vynskeller later in the day from 1 - 4 pm.

February 22 - Jazz Sunday, Live Jazz music in the Vyneskeller, 1- 4 pm

March - Lehigh Valley Wine Trail Vino in the Valley Passport Program

There are still passports available for the annual wine trail March event at member wineries, though our winery is sold out. The winery will be open for tastings, but all food pairings are exclusively for passport holders. Tickets can be purchased online too.

March 12 - Kutztown Tavern Beer and Wine Dinner
6:30 - 9 pm

Tired of the same old dinner, join us for a interactive beer and wine dinner at the Kutztown Tavern on March 12. Head Brewer Colin Presby from the Kutztown Tavern and Sam Landis from Vynecrest go head to head on a five course dinner asking you "who paired it better?" You will not only be exposed to a great evening of beer, wine and great food but a chance to win prizes and come away with some great take home gifts. Stay tuned to our website's "What's Happening" page for more information regarding menu, reservations and final details. Reservations must be made through Kutztown Tavern - 610-683-9600.

Glass Half Empty by Malachi Duffy

Why is the Lehigh Valley such a great place to grow wine grapes? Some people might say it's not. I would agree with them, if the goal is to create consistently reproducible vintages.

That's not what this area is about and that's what makes it so great. Every year is different and we get to shape the grapes we grow and the wine we make to best fit that particular year. Just because the grapes are different from year to year doesn't mean they are of lower quality. It just means some years are better suited for certain varieties than others. That's why we grow 24 different varieties of grapes with different clones and rootstocks within those varieties.

Don't get me wrong. Some varieties are a little frustrating some years. Pinot Grigio a couple of years ago comes to mind and it can be a huge pain in the ass in the vineyard. It is a small cluster variety and the grapes are tightly packed together in that cluster. With the right combination of time of year, temperature and rainfall, rot can be a big problem. But, you have to take the bad with the good. That same year produced a Lemberger that won a double-gold medal.

The Lehigh Valley is a great location because we do get variation in weather but it's not so extreme that it kills off the vine in the winter or creates such unfavorable growing conditions that we don't have anything worth picking come September. What it does create are conditions where everything we pick is going to be good, but a few varieties every year will be great.

Chocolate and wine pairings highlight weekends at Tolino Vineyards this month

The wait is over! Our newest vintage has been released. Our 2013 Pinot Grigio, Vidal Blanc, Chardonnay, Papa's Red, Chambourcin and Cabernet Franc are all available to taste and purchase.

Chocolate Pairings 
February 14 and 15, noon - 6 pm

Valentine’s Weekend Tolino Vineyards will be offering Russian-style chocolates from Alexandra and Nicolay Chocolates in Portland, Pa. paired with Chambourcin, Cabernet Franc, and Papa's Red.   Tastings of the traditional chocolates (milk, dark and white) are complimentary with the purchase of our premier tasting and for an additional $5 your tasting can be upgraded to include the famous "Fruits of the Czars" specialty chocolates made with Callebaut chocolate-coated apricots stuffed with almonds. We will also be offering our pink Berry Rosé Sangria for sale by the glass and will be giving away a fresh-cut flower to the first 50 customers who purchase a bottle of wine.

Chocolate Pairings from Chocolates on Broadway
February 21 and 22, noon - 6 pm

Simple and sweet, we will be offering dark chocolate covered lady fingers and pretzels from Chocolates on Broadway in Bangor paired with Cabernet Franc, Chambourcin and Papa's Red.  Free with premier tasting.

Girl Scout Cookie Pairings
February 28 and March 1, noon - 6 pm

Girl Scout cookies are delicious and a great way to support the organization's goal to "build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place." We will be offering a few of your favorite cookies to pair with a few of our favorite Tolino Vineyards wine free with the purchase of a premier tasting.

Vino in the Valley
Purchase passports for $35 in our tasting room or online here.

What's your favorite part of your meal? Appetizer, soup, main course or dessert? During Vino in the Valley we will be offering wines paired with four courses of an Italian meal each weekend in March.

We are partnering with J. DeFranco and Daughters catering to offer sample sized portions of ricotta, gorgonzola, honey and apple crostini paired with our 2012 Pinot Grigio on March 7 and 8. March 14 and 15 we will be offering red pasta fagioli soup with our 2012 Papa's Red followed by chicken tetrazzini paired with our 2013 Vidal Blanc on the 21 and 22. Finally, on the last weekend we will be offering decadent dark chocolate cherry biscotti paired with 2013 Cabernet Franc.  

To celebrate the last official month of winter, we are starting to "think spring." A make-your-own sangria bar will be available in our tank room. You choose the fruit and we pour the wine. Each Saturday during Vino in the Valley we will have live music from 1-3 p.m. that will highlight artists who will be part of our summer music series starting in May and running through October.  What could be better than local musicians and local wine?
 
Unique Party Venue
Are you looking for a unique place to hold you next private party or business happy hour? Our tank room is the perfect place to gather your friends or coworkers and enjoy a glass of Tolino wine. We also offer mid-week event discounts. Call us to inquire about our tented wedding packages.

Pinnacle Ridge sparkling wine makes a great Valentine's Day toast to love

Notes from the cellar

We have been working diligently since harvest season has wrapped up to bring you some new wines. We have disgorged more Brut for our sparkling wine and it has been released! We have also recently switched vintages on Chambourcin Reserve (2012) and Merlot & Syrah (2013).

Speaking of sparkling...

We will be hosting our newest Wine Class for our Case Club Members on Sunday, February 8 at 3 pm. This event will be our "Speaking of Sparkling" Wine Class, in which winery owner/winemaker Brad Knapp will lead us through a tasting of French Champagne, Spanish Cava and other sparkling wine from throughout the world.

In addition to this signature tasting, we will also be discussing the method and process behind what makes these wines pop. This is a complimentary members-only event. Call (610) 756-4481 for reservations and details.  

Wine Lover's Dinner
Friday, February 13 at 6:30 pm

Join us for a special evening to celebrate your love for all things - including wine! This four-course pairing will feature homemade dishes prepared with local ingredients and our very own wines.

First course: Homemade puff pastry twists with parmesean cheese. Brie with a Vidal Blanc and orange candied peel drizzle and candied pecans. Paired with our Blanc de Blanc sparkling wine.

Second course: Cranberry chicken, homemade bread crumbs and braised leeks in a Dry Vidal Blanc Sauce. Paired with our 2013 Dry Vidal Blanc.

Third course: Pork shallots in a red wine and currant cream sauce with organic tri-colored carrots and a cognac butter sauce. Paired with our 2012 Chambourcin.

Final course: French-style hot chocolate paired alongside our 2013 Sweet Seduction and candied orange-peel paired with our award-winning 2013 Late Harvest Vidal Blanc.

This event will be catered by local chef and Culinary Instructor Mary Grube. Mary is an instructor at Northampton Community College.

Kick off Valentine's Day Weekend in style!

On Friday, February 13 we will treat our guests to complimentary tastings of our sparkling wines and a little wine and chocolate pairing to finish up each tasting.

Franklin Hill makes plans for Valentine's Weekend, Perfect Pairing event

A Perfect Pairing event
January 30
6 - 8 pm at the Winery

We've partnered with the ladies from Athleta at the Promenade Shops in Saucon Valley to offer a shopping experience like no other.

Browse their collection of active wear while sipping your favorite FHV wine. We'll have light appetizers and wine by the glass will be available for purchase. The best part? Athleta will be offering a discount to everyone who attends.

Drinking wine and shopping in your yoga pants... does it get any better?

Wine and Chocolate Weekend
February 14 and 15

Bring your sweetheart to Franklin Hill Vineyards for a chocolate and wine experience like no other.  We will be offering cheesecake and chocolates to pair with up to 6 wines for $5, and you get to keep the glass as our gift to you.

Now open! Social Still in Southside Bethlehem

Stop in Wednesday-Sunday for a hand crafted cocktail, delicious tapas, and bring home a bottle of Social Still vodka or gin.

Franklin Hill Vineyards has also opened a new wine shop located in the same building.

Please note: Beginning February 1, Franklin Hill Vineyards will begin offering wine tastings for $3 per person.

Lehigh Valley wineries make special plans for lovers this Valentine's Weekend

Sweethearts looking to do something different to do this Valentine’s Day can take themselves on a trip along the Lehigh Valley WineTrail for a weekend full of treats and tastings. Here is a list of what each of the trail’s nine member wineries has planned:

Amore - will feature assorted chocolates with their Blackberry Bliss wine.

Big Creek - will pair handmade chocolate truffles from Orchard Hill Sweets with either their Nouveau Red or Dulcinea. Truffles will also be available for sale.

Blue Mountain – the New Tripoli winery will host a Valenwine Weekend Wine and Chocolate Pairing on Saturday, February 14 and Sunday, February 15 from 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. The winery will pair three of their wines with three different flavors of locally made chocolates from Sweet Finesse. Cost is $5 per person, which is refundable with a wine purchase. (Reservations required for groups of eight or more.) Customers are invited to bring a picnic or snacks to enjoy with a glass or bottle of Blue Mountain wine next to the fireplaces on the glass-enclosed deck. On Sunday, February 15, customers can enjoy Sunday Blues with Steve Brosky and Jimmy Meyer from 2 - 5 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person (non-refundable), which includes the wine and chocolate pairing. Reservations are required for Sunday Blues and can be made by calling 610-298-3068.

Clover Hill - Join the winery for Love Flights on February 13 - 15 from noon - 5 pm. Tickets are required and are $9 per flight. Flights will consist of four wines paired with four samples of cheeses. A choice of a mixed flight of dry and off-dry wines, or a sweet flight will be offered. For tickets, call 610-395-2468 or visit the winery in Breinigsville.

Franklin Hill - is hosting a Valentine Chocolate and Wine Pairing Weekend. Sweethearts are invited to visit Franklin Hill Vineyards winery on February 14 and 15 for a chocolate and wine pairing. Sample different flavors of chocolate that accompany their wines.

Galen Glen - Every weekend in February the winery will offer three decadent truffles (double dark, raspberry/champagne, and espresso) with 3 oz. of their Raspberry wine for $3. The truffles are handmade by Lancaster chocolatier Steve Evans.

Pinnacle Ridge - Join the winery for a candle-lit Wine Lover's Evening. Local chef and Northampton Community College culinary instructor Mary Grube will prepare this four-course food and wine pairing. Each course will be designed and paired with a Pinnacle Ridge favorite wine. Cost is $140 per couple. Call (610) 756-4481 for reservations and details.

Tolino - will offer wine and chocolate pairings on Saturday, February 14 and Sunday, February 15 from noon  - 6 p.m. They will also offer Russian-style chocolates from Alexandra and Nicolay Chocolates in Portland, Pa. paired with Chambourcin, Cabernet Franc, and Papa’s Red. Tastings of the traditional chocolates (milk, dark and white) are complimentary with the purchase of their premier tasting. For an additional $5 the tasting can be upgraded to include the “Fruits of the Czars” specialty chocolates made with Callebaut chocolate-coated apricots stuffed with almonds. The winery will also offer its pink Berry Rosé Sangria for sale by the glass and will give away a fresh flower to the first 50 customers who purchase a bottle of wine.

Vynecrest - The Vyneskeller wine bar will open early for Valentine’s Day. From 10 a.m. to noon it will sell $3 mimosas and feature Frank Sinatra on the baby grand player piano. Pastries, croissants and chocolate-covered strawberries will be available for purchase while supplies last. Reservations are suggested. There will also be live music by Steve Myers in the Vyneskeller from 1 to 4 p.m.