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.

Celebrate the official wine grape of the Lehigh Valley this weekend

The eight locally-owned and operated wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail will once again celebrate the region’s official wine grape during Chambourcin Weekend on Saturday, October 20 and Sunday, October 21. 

The Chambourcin is the only wine grape that is grown by all eight wineries. In the greater Lehigh Valley, there are more than 40 acres of Chambourcin which ferment into approximately 150,000 bottles of wine. Chambourcin is very versatile in the wine cellar 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, tours, or food and wine pairings. 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.

CHAMBOURCIN WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS:

Amoré Vineyards & Winery, Nazareth - will feature four styles of Chambourcin and will be serving cheese tortellini in a fresh tomato basil sauce. Enjoy their porches and patios with autumn vistas. Family fun includes hayrides, pumpkin picking, corn maze, puzzle woods and straw pit.

Big Creek Vineyard and Winery, Kresgeville - will be slicing some of their family’s favorite cheeses for Chambourcin Weekend.

Blue Mountain Vineyards, New Tripoli - Saturday: Starting at noon there will be a cellar tour with owner Joe Greff. Enjoy music by Rob from 1:30-4:30 p.m. The featured food and wine pairing will be braised beef with tomatoes and herbs with 2010 Chambourcin. Or try Victoria's Passion with a chocolate dessert.

Sunday: The featured food and wine pairing will be kiffles by BabaNonna paired with 2010 Chambourcin. There will be cellar tours at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. There will be a supervised kids table so parents can enjoy some time to themselves. Hank Jones & Ellyot H. Ray will be the Sunday Blues entertainment from 2-5 p.m. - $5 admission for music includes a wine tasting.

Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery, Breinigsville - Chef Nathan Grube will make a return appearance to conduct cooking demonstrations to be paired with the new release, 2010 Chambourcin and Turtle Rock Red (also made with 100% Chambourcin grapes). Chef Nathan will be cooking up an eggplant and risotto baked with homemade tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella. Cooking demonstrations will take place at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. both days.

Franklin Hill Vineyards, Bangor - Chambourcin grapes are a standout variety whether you prefer dry oak-aged, medium smooth, or sweet fruity. They will be featuring baked ziti tossed with "Simply Red - Simply Delicious" marinara sauce and "Fainting Goat - Fainting Brownies" for dessert. Enjoy a glass of wine on the deck as Robert Michaels entertains with his music.  

Galen Glen Vineyard & Winery, Andreas - will pair Gary’s Gourmet Meatloaf drizzled with a Chambourcin bordelaise sauce and Stone Cellar Chambourcin or Cellar Red.

Pinnacle Ridge, Kutztown - will serve Filet Mignon Kabobs - beef tenderloin cubes with bacon, sweet onion, red pepper and portabellas on a bed of baby spinach. This dish will be paired with their 2010 Chambourcin Reserve or the 2011 Chambourcin Rose.

Vynecrest Winery, Breinigsville - will pair their 2011 Chambourcin Estate-Bottled wine with a Wild Rice & Chick Pea Salad with dried cranberries, a perfect autumn side dish. Recipes will be available. Art's Acoustic Oldies performs in the Vyneskeller on Saturday from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Music is free of charge.

Chambourcin Weekend details announced!

The Lehigh Valley Wine Trail will once again celebrate the region’s official wine grape during Chambourcin Weekend on Saturday, October 15 and Sunday, October 16.  

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

Wineries will feature wine tastings, live entertainment, food and wine pairings, and other activities. 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. Check the Wine Trail web site for details.

CHAMBOURCIN WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS

Amoré Vineyards & Winery, Nazareth - Amore will feature five styles of hand-crafted Chambourcin wine pared with an assortment of artisan breads, dipping oils and cheeses.

Big Creek Vineyard and Winery, Kresgeville - Big Creek Vineyard will pair a "Soupe Chanterelle," made with local Chanterelle mushrooms, with their 2010 Chambourcin.

Blue Mountain Vineyards, New Tripoli - Saturday: Di Bruno Brothers out of South Philadelphia will be sampling their cheeses to pair with Chambourcin. Rob will be playing as free entertainment from 1-4 p.m.

Sunday: They will offer winery tours every hour from 1-5 p.m. Join them for Sunday Blues from 2-5 p.m. featuring Scott Marshall & The Hillbilly Souls ($5 admission to Sunday Blues; includes wine tasting).

Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery, Breinigsville - Cheers to the Chambourcin grape! Chambourcin is known as the grape of the Lehigh Valley and if you’ve ever tasted it you will agree it makes a wonderful glass of wine. Chef Nathan Grube will make a return appearance to do cooking demonstrations to be paired with their 2009 Chambourcin and Turtle Rock Red (made with 100% Chambourcin grape). Cooking demonstrations will take place at 1, 2, 3, and 4 p.m. both days.

Franklin Hill Vineyards, Bangor - Beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday Franklin Hill will feature Pivinski's Premier Polish Prince's Pierogis for tasting paired with 2010 Chambourcin or Simply Red.  Guests may also purchase pierogis to eat at the winery or for sale by the dozen to take home with a bottle of their favorite wine.  While you enjoy the pierogis, enjoy the tunes as Robert Michaels entertains with great acoustic guitar.

Galen Glen Vineyard & Winery, Andreas - Fiesta for your taste buds. Zesty Taco soup prepared by charismatic Gary and Kathy, who are independent Pampered Chef consultants, will be paired with the winery’s Gold medal Chambourcin or Cellar Red.

Pinnacle Ridge, Kutztown - Pinnacle Ridge will be serving tender beef French dip with their Chambourcin wine reduction au jus. For vegetarians they'll be serving sautéed vegetable French dip with Chambourcin wine reduction vegetarian au jus. Pinnacle Ridge 2009 Chambourcin, 2008 Chambourcin Reserve and Sweet Seduction (100% Chambourcin) will be their featured wines.

Vynecrest Winery, Breinigsville - Vynecrest Winery will be partnering with The Farmhouse, a farm-to-table restaurant, to present the following tasting menu to pair with samples of the winery’s Gold Medal 2010 Chambourcin Wine. Chef Javin Small will be at the winery at 1 p.m. both days and will be conducting a cooking demonstration on Sunday.

Saturday’s Menu: Mediterranean herby hummus with Rip Rap artisan crackers. Assorted grilled pizzas with seasonal toppings and manchego cheese with red and black currant jam on French baguette slices. Connie Edinger performs live from 1-4:30 p.m.

Sunday’s Menu: Chinese five spice hummus with Rip Rap artisan crackers, seared herbed lamb lollipops with fire roasted poblano pepper walnut pesto and manchego cheese with red and black currant jam on French baguette slices.