Pinnacle Ridge debuts its first Gruner Veltliner wine

GRUNER VELTLINER - A NEW WINE MAKES ITS GRAND DEBUT!

Subtle notes of white and green peppercorn are balanced by ripe citrus on the nose, inviting new aromas with each intake of breath. A rich texture, coupled with a lingering finish, make this wine a perfect pairing for light appetizers and white meats.

CASE CLUB BARREL TASTING EVENT 

On Sunday, April 3 starting at 3 p.m. we are hosting a special barrel tasting just for you. Cardholders and up to three guests are invited to our Wine Loft to taste early barrel samples of some of our upcoming vintages! Winemaker Brad Knapp will lead a casual, informative session detailing the characteristics of what we will be bottling in the next few months. Come out and get a taste of what's to come. Reservations are required - 610-756-4481 or pinnacle_ridge_winery@yahoo.com.

OPEN HOUSE CONCERT SERIES - SUMMER 2016

This summer we'll be having more music than ever. Check our website for a listing of bands and dates. We're looking forward to rocking this barn to its foundations.

NEW ORGANIC DIPS AND SNACKS

- Mushroom Marsala Sauce
- Raspberry Chipotle Salsa
- Hot Cherry Merlot Dip
- Chop House Steak Sauce
- Green Chile Pepper Dip

From tart to savory to smoky, these new dips and sauces provide some handy inspiration for meal preparation, party snack foods, and just plain good dippin' fun. Stop in our tasting room and peruse our wide selection of organic, delicious treats.

And we don't just have wine in our tasting room; we also have such goodies as avocado oil and local honey from beekeeper Jan Cauffman in Kempton, Pa. Jan has been keeping bees since 1995, and uses only approved organic treatments and integrated pest management practices. The honey is a wildflower mix - a combination of nectars from flowers blooming in this area in May and June. Stop in and pick up a jar of the finest local flavor.

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.

  

Yoga in the Vineyard, wine festivals, and more for Franklin Hill Vineyards in June

Road Trip!
We hope you can take time this summer to come visit the vineyard. We've just finished planting over 1,200 new vines and our older vines have begun to bud. Things are always happening here at FHV and we want you to come be a part of it. Our deck overlooks one of the most beautiful views in the area and is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of your favorite Franklin Hill wine.

Taste of Kutztown
Saturday, June 7 - 11 am - 5 pm

This is our first time at this event and we couldn't be more excited. The Kutztown Rotary has invited over 21 wineries, meaderies, and breweries to bring samples for tasting all day long. Join us for a day of wine themed food and fun while Acoustic Roadshow provides live music all day.

Yoga in the Vineyard
Sunday, June 8 at 10 am
 
Our summer series continues with an hour of confidence building, core strengthening yoga led by Silver Kim of Kula Heart Yoga. Afterward we invite you to the deck for a light brunch and mimosas. This popular event does sell out so please contact the winery to reserve your patch of grass. BYOM (bring your own mat) $20 per person - Call today: 610-588-8708.
Can't make it? We're doing it again on July 20 and August 17.

Split Rock Wine Festival
June 21 & 22

Our Festival Crew is packing up and getting ready for the biggest, craziest wine festival of our season. This is a do not miss event held at the beautiful Split Rock Resort in the Poconos. Come join in on the fun, food, music, crafts and of course wine all weekend long from noon - 6 pm. While you're at our tent be sure to use our props at the #HashtagHangout and post some pics to our Facebook page for your chance to win free wine.

FHV Happy Hour Fridays
Haven't made it to one yet?  Stop by for yummy and creative cocktails all made using our wines.  Chocolate Caramel Martinis were featured this past week in Bethlehem and they were a huge hit. Want to re-create one of our drinks? Click here for all of our Happy Hour recipes.

Franklin Hill Vineyards introduces Carnival, its newest wine

Our newest wine will soon be one of your favorites. Carnival, a cotton candy infused wine, is now available at all of our locations including our web store. Stop in and try it today or buy online.

Upcoming events:

Wine in Bloom - a Lehigh Valley Wine Trail event
May 17 & 18
Wine in Bloom is an event that celebrates the land, most importantly the soil that supports and nourishes our beautiful vines. In honor of this we will be making Dirt Dessert and pairing it with one of our newest award-winning wines, RedHead. Vineyard and winery tours will be available at noon and 2 p.m.

Taste of Pennsylvania Wine & Music Festival
May 17 & 18
First stop... York, Pa. The Taste of Pa Wine and Music Festival is two days of food, fun, music and wine.

The Great Pennsylvania Flavor Fest
May 24 & 25
Next up, is FlavorFest in Mt. Hope, Pa. Free admission, free parking and free wine tastings from over 20 wineries are only a few of the things FlavorFest offers.

Join us every Friday Happy Hour
Easton, Tannersville, and Bethlehem locations from 4-6 pm
The Winery in Bangor from 3-5 pm

Pinnacle Ridge celebrates recent awards while gearing up for the March Passport Program

The Wine Trail event season is about to begin and we look forward to seeing a lot more of you (and a lot less of this snow) very soon!

The results from the 2014 PA Farm Show are in. Pinnacle Ridge wines placed very well this year. Our 2012 Chambourcin Rosé, 2012 Traminette, 2012 Cayuga and 2012 Vidal Blanc all were awarded Silver medals. Three of our reds were also recognized as award winners: 2012 Chambourcin, 2012 Merlot and 2012 Cabernet Franc also came home with some hardware. Thank you to all of those involved in the wonderful event and for all of your support.

March Passport Program
The Lehigh Valley Wine Trail will present its annual March Passport Program during the first four weekends in March. There are still passports available for sale in our Tasting Room.

$35 gets you access to all eight of the member wineries. Enjoy signature food and wine pairings at each of the locations, as well as tasting flights. Here at Pinnacle Ridge, our theme will be "On a Stick" and we will be featuring a series of fondues as well as a delicious Coq au Vin. Below is the menu for each of the weekends:

• March 1 & 2: Chicken Club Fondue, made with our Dry Riesling paired with our new 2013 Dry Riesling OR our award-winning 2012 Cayuga.
• March 8 & 9: Goat Cheese Fondue, made with our award-winning Traminette paired with our award-winning 2012 Traminette OR our 2012 Syrah.
• March 15 & 16: Beef & Chicken Coqau Vin, made with award-winning Chambourcin and served with a Garden Herb Aioli Sauce paired with our award-winning 2012 Chambourcin OR 2012 Quaff.
• Marc 22 & 23: Bananas Foster Fondue paired with our 2012 Niagara OR the soon-to-be-released Blanc de Blanc.

Everyday Oenophile: A Winemaker Uncorked
In this edition of Everyday Oenophile: A Winemaker Uncorked, we will be discussing some of things we are currently working on here in the cellar with owner/winemaker, Brad Knapp. In the last newsletter, we got to learn about Brad and how his passion for wine became the dream that we all now share with him here at Pinnacle Ridge. This time, we are going to discuss some of the styles of wine that Brad is passionate about.

Brad's core philosophy for white winemaking is a very Germanic one; an approach to wine that both captures and highlights the fruit. These wines are done in stainless steel and bottled young, so as to provide a little "spritz & zing" on the tongue, as he likes to put it. Currently, we are taking care of the new wines in the cellar. Brad has spent the last few days and weeks topping off barrels, checking sulfites, racking, filtering and preparing to bottle.

Josh and Brad have also been spending much of their time working on the preparation of our soon-to-be-released Blanc de Blanc, a sparkling wine made from Cayuga and some more of our Brut Rosé for bottling. The process of making Sparkling Wine is a labor intensive one. Below are links to two videos that will explain some of the work that goes into the production of these bubbly treats:

This first video provides a general description and explains the process from start to finish:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEJG45N-quU

This video is a brief overview of how each step in the process is done: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRNy7BxSHe0

This last video briefly explains the process of riddling & dégorgement: http://vimeo.com/channels/269021

So I asked Brad, "Why sparkling wine? What made you want to do this for your business?" I wondered why he would utilize such a detail oriented process that required him to be out in a cold storage room in January picking up bottles out of an ice bath. "Well, I like to drink them," he replied with a laugh. "I learned from a father of one of my friends while I was at the University of Wisconsin and started practicing with them then."

Brad says that he likes to stick to the traditional methods and varieties when it comes to his sparkling wine, but that he prefers to express a softer side in his style of bubbly. "We have a warmer climate here than in Champagne," he explains. As a result, we generally have less acidity in our fruit and it ripens a little more, so we can harvest the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in early September. The Brut Rosé (pictured below) has just been released and is made with an old-world flair with aromas of bread dough from the yeast and strawberries from the fruit - 100% Pinot Noir. Soon to come, our way of paying homage to some of the new-world approaches, like the "New York bubblies" that were traditionally made from Lambrusca, our Blanc de Blanc is made from an American hybrid, Cayuga.

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

The eight wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail will debut the first wines from the new vintage during Nouveau Weekend, the last Wine Trail event of the year. Wineries will feature food and wine pairings for visitors to sample.

Nouveau wines are bottled very young without barrel aging, and exhibit lots of fruitiness. They are light, fruity and semi-dry to dry red wines.

 

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

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

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

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

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

Make your weekend plans at our wineries!

Just because it's not an official Wine Trail event weekend doesn't mean there aren't good reasons to visit our wineries. Here are a few events and promotions going on now:

Cast a spell to end hunger

Help Galen Glen Winery "Cast a spell to end hunger" by attending this weekend's Verhext Weekend event. Please bring along a donation of non-perishable food items (or a financial contribution) to be donated to Shepherd House.

"Hallowine" Tasting
October 26 from 5-9 p.m.

Come in costume to add to your fun. Prizes for best costumes in numerous categories. Enjoy our delicious wines while listening to live acoustic entertainment by Jake Kalegis & Mike Rausher's Dynamic Duo. Reservations preferred. Admission is $7.50 and includes a souvenir glass.

Lehigh Valley Harvest

Three of our member wineries - Vynecrest, Franklin Hill, and Blue Mountain - will be participating in this Sunday's Lehigh Valley Harvest event at Allentown Brew Works to benefit Buy Fresh Buy Local Greater Lehigh Valley.

October Owner's Selection at Clover Hill

Save 10% on your purchase of Concord during the month of October. Close your eyes and sniff this wine. Your glass will be full of grapey (better known as ‘foxy’) flavors that will take you back to eating grapes from the arbor. Try it with your favorite spicy chili or blend it with your favorite fruit juices for a refreshing sangria. Now only $8.55. Receive an additional 10% discount when included in a case purchase.

October Specials at Vynecrest

* Wine of the Month - Chambourcin, additional 10% off
* 3 Pack of the Month - 3 First Blush for $25
(at winery only, 3 pack can't be combined with other discounts)

And now for something completely different...

Franklin Hill Vineyards was featured in a new commercial filmed at the winery recently. Check it out and see owner Adam Flatt in action!

According to this recent Express-Times article, a new wine bar opening in Easton will be serving Pinnacle Ridge wines:

Galen Glen Winery and Pinnacle Ridge received a mention this past week by Elaine Labalme on a radio program on WESA 90.5 in Pittsburgh. Listen to it here:

Blue Mountain Vineyards wraps up summer with festivals, Sangria Sundays and farmers markets

News from the vineyard

August is a very busy month in the vineyard. We have been hard at work spraying, tying and leaf pulling the vines. Also, due to the loss of crop the last three years we have decided to net our vines. It is a huge expense and a tremendous amount of labor, but it will make a huge difference in our yield, especially in the red grapes. The birds won't be happy but we will. Of course, we can not afford to net the entire 50 acres, so they may get some. Hopefully they don't develop a taste for white grapes!

Upcoming Events

Seven Springs Wine and Food Festival
August 24 and 25
Seven Springs Mountain Resort

Bear Creek Cheese and Garlic Festival
August 25
Bear Creek Mountain Resort
www.bcmountainresort.com/events

Kipona Festival
August 31-September 2
Riverfront Park, Harrisburg

Happenings at BMV

Picking Party Grape Stomp
Pick grapes and stomp them like Lucy! We offer a complimentary barbecue lunch, wine tasting and a lot of fun. Call the winery for a reservation and more details.

Sangria Sundays
August
 4    Ziggy Isaacs
11    Second Chance
18    Rob and Marty
25    Jake Kalegis and Mike Rauscher's Dynamic Duo

Fall Foliage Sundays
September
 1    Tim Harakal
 8    Brosky and Meyer Duo
15    Billy Patrick
22    Scott Marshall
29    Jake Kalegis and Mike Rauscher's Dynamic Duo

VISIT US AT THESE FARMERS MARKETS

• Bala Cynwyd - Thursdays 2:30 - 6:30 PM
• Ottsvile - Fridays 4 - 8 PM
• Rittenhouse - Saturdays 9 AM - 3 PM
• Saucon Valley - Sundays 9 AM - 1 PM
• Emmaus - Sundays 10 AM - 2 PM

Pinnacle Ridge releases four new wines, gets ready to rock the barn

PINNACLE RIDGE HOUSE CONCERT SERIES

On July 20 we are proud to have Steve Brosky and Jimmy Meyer in the barn from 2 to 5 p.m. Steve and Jimmy have been playing in the Lehigh Valley for years and are local favorites who do a mix of covers and originals. For you guitar players out there, do not miss Jimmy Meyer - he is a monster on acoustic guitar. As always, wine by the bottle or glass will be available as well as food.   www.stevebrosky.com

The House Concert Series will continue with the Mighty Manatees on August 10. Then our Blues in the Barn event on September 14 and 15. On the 14 we will have Mike Dugan and the Blues Mission and the James Supra Blues Band.

On Sunday the 15 there has been a change in the schedule and we will have Sarah Ayers and her band. On October 12 (date change), Steve Brosky and Jimmy Meyer will be returning to the barn to close out the season.
     
WINE ON THE MOUNTAIN AT PENN'S PEAK 

Join the wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail at Penn's Peak (Jim Thorpe) for our annual Wine on the Mountain. This is an indoor event with air conditioning featuring the eight wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail. There will be live music and food will be available for purchase.

Tickets are available online and at each of the member wineries for $15 in advance and $20 at the door. More information is available at  www.lehighvalleywinetrail.com.
 
NEW WINES AVAILABLE
 
I am sad to announce that our 2010 Trio has sold out. The 2012 vintage Quaff, Concord, Cayuga and Sweet Seduction are now available.

We will be releasing the 2012 Pinot Noir, 2012 Cabernet Franc and 2012 Syrah later this year, so our selection of dry reds will be a bit broader towards the end of the year.

Pinnacle Ridge wines featured in Hotel Fauchere wine dinner

PERFECT PAIRINGS AND HOTEL FAUCHERE TEAM UP WITH PINNACLE RIDGE

Perfect Pairings joined us last month for the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail Wine in Bloom event and they were a big hit. Come check them out the weekend of June 29 and 30. They will be set-up in the barn showing their expertise of pairing with all kinds of different items. This is a free event - noon to 5 p.m. both days. Feel free to pull up a chair and enjoy the afternoon in the barn with a glass of wine.
                                                                                                         
We were also involved in some activities with the Hotel Fauchere in Milford, Pa. on May 31 and June 1. The hotel has been using our sparkling wine and Chardonnay for over a year in their restaurant. We did a wine dinner at the restaurant on Friday evening and Saturday there was a small wine festival in Milford. If you find yourself in northeast Pennsylvania and are hungry or tired I suggest you give it a try. Chef Christopher Bates is an innovative chef who manages the hotel and the Delmonico room. Check it out at www.hotelfauchere.com.

VINEYARD REVIEW
 
Early June brings rampant growth to all things green in our area of Pennsylvania and the vineyard is no exception. We had a relatively late bud-break this year due to the moderately cool weather in March and April. Consequently, we dodged the late frost that occurred in mid-May. The estate vineyard, however, did not dodge an early bullet - hail. A small but very strong storm system came up from the south and brought with it strong winds, rain and piles of marble sized hail. The early varieties in the estate vineyard (Pinot Noir and Chanonnay) had small shoots exposed which were beaten up by the hail. The crop size will be down in the estate vineyard but this usually translates into increased quality.

The vineyards in Kempton that we have sourced fruit from for over 20 years have changed hands. The new owner has named the vineyard Stony Run Valley Vineyard and is enthusiastically throwing himself into grape growing. Larry has hired Darrin Scott (son of Dean Scott who you may occasionally see in the tasting room and also grows 2.5 acres of grapes for Pinnacle Ridge) as the vineyard manager and has planted four more acres of grapes. We are looking forward to this new relationship and will continue to source the majority of our fruit from this Kempton vineyard.

ERIK KNAPP LANDS WINEMAKER POSITION AT CAL POLY

My son, Erik Knapp, who has been attending the California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo (also known as Cal Poly at SLO), studying enology (winemaking) has been appointed as one of two winemakers for the school. The University produces wine from their own vineyards in Paso Robles and the winemaking is done by the two student winemakers. Will he ever find his way to the east coast - time will tell. Congratulations son!



 

New video in Taste of the Trail series - Galen Glen Winery

The next video in our Taste of the Trail web video series features a visit to Galen Glen Winery in Andreas and an interview with owner Sarah Troxell.

Her winery has been in her husband Galen's family for several generations. It is known for its Austrian and Germanic wines, as well as its tractor-led wagon tours of the vineyard.

Vynecrest releases 2012 Chardonnay and plants new vineyard

The buds are out and the new vines are planted. We planted more Chambourcin and Chardonnay this week, but we need to wait three years before we get any fruit from these vines.

On May 1, we released the 2012 Chardonnay - our first-ever release of a 100% Oaked Chardonnay. Fresh off a nice six-month nap in French oak, this wine comes right after you with intense aromas and notes of butterscotch and vanilla while finishing with a rich, soft creaminess. Great pairing for rich buttery foods, or even better, as an end-of-the-day thank you to yourself!

The Vyneskeller is now open seven days a week from 1 - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday it is self service -  you can buy everything you need upstairs in the tasting room (wine, cheese, crackers) and take it with you downstairs to the patio or out to the picnic tables. Saturday and Sunday is business as usual with our full staff.

May Specials 
* Wine of the Month - Chardonnay - additional 10% off
* 3-Pack of the Month - 3 DiVyne Red for $25.00
*available at winery only, 3-pack cannot be combined with other offers

May 18 and 19 - Lehigh Valley Wine Trail Wine in Bloom Weekend
We have complimentary winemaker tours both days at 1 p.m. First 25 customers each day gets a potted flower from Amore Greenhouse. We're celebrating the 5th anniversary of the region's A.V.A. designation.

May 25 and 26 (Memorial Day Weekend)
To kick off the summer season we will crank up our sangria maker and begin serving sangria in the Vyneskeller for $4 a glass, complete with straw and umbrella! We will also be introducing a new appetizer for the summer to be enjoyed with our sangria and our sweeter wines. It's a black raspberry fruit dip served with grapes and honey graham sticks. May 26 is also Jazz Sunday with live piano and guitar music for your listening pleasure.

Glass Half Empty 
by Sam Landis

I get asked all the time do I ever drink any other wine than Vynecrest and my answer is always the same... "yes, and as much as I possibly can." Now this is not a negative thing for how we make wine and what we do, but just like any other business out there the worst thing you can do is bury your head in your own day-to-day operations. The most challenging thing I have experienced in being involved in this business is being so insulated that you get comfortable in your own procedures and wines, and because it works, there is no need for change.

I recently took a trip to another Pa. winery and they were more than willing to talk about their processes and procedures on wine making (spoiler alert: Hauser Estate Winery in Getttysburg). I was given a two-hour tour into everything in their cellar concluding with a tasting of every wine in their tanks. Could you imagine Applebee's doing the same for TGI Fridays?

Hauser Estate makes great wines and do some things very similar to us and some things very different. And while the rest of the evening got a little hazy it made me appreciate what we do as an industry. I left with such a level of excitement of where we are with Pa. winemaking and where we can go as an industry that is only 45 years old. The people are what drive our industry and the mission to collectively raise the bar statewide was my major takeaway.

Pa. wines are becoming really good...trust me! And Pa.'s reputation is only going to get better as we all get better. Yes, I drink a lot of other wines and you should too; that's that point of wine, it's about exploring and finding new things. That being said, if you love one of our wines, feel free to buy all you want of it... we'll make more.

Wine lovers will unite at 9th Annual Wine on the Mountain festival this weekend at Penn’s Peak

The wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail take a road trip north to the Pocono Mountains this weekend for the ninth installment of its popular Wine on the Mountain festival. The event takes place on Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29 from noon to 5 p.m. both days at Penn’s Peak in Jim Thorpe. The well-known venue offers breathtaking, panoramic views of Beltzville Lake and the surrounding Appalachian mountainside from its large open-air deck.

Wine on the Mountain features wine samplings and sales from Lehigh Valley wineries, local artisans displaying their arts and crafts, and light fare available for purchase from Roadies Restaurant. There is also live musical entertainment with Billy Bauer performing on Saturday and the Jake Kaligis Dynamic Duo performing on Sunday.

Vendors will feature everything from gourmet foods and dipping oils, to hand-made jewelry and scented candles. This year’s artisans include:

·  Country Glo Soy Candles - Soy container candles & accessories

·  Top Shelf Specialties - Wine-themed gifts and wine accessories

·  Princess and the Peony- Wine bottle hurricane lanterns and wind chimes that can be personalized for any occasion

·  JD Gourmet - Balsamic vinegar & olive oil blends

·  Larona Jewelry & Gifts - Crafted jewelry and art umbrellas

·  Randi’s Gourmet - Kitchen cutlery, salad dressings, BBQ & hot sauces

·  Watermark Glass - Original designs etched/carved into wine glasses, glassware and vessels (vases/bowls) using a sandblast process

Tickets are required for this event and are $14 in advance or $16 at the door the weekend of the event. They are on sale now at all Lehigh Valley Wine Trail member wineries as well as online: http://wineonthemountain.eventbrite.com/.  Admission includes a commemorative tasting glass. Designated driver tickets are $8 each and will be sold at-the-door only the weekend of the event. Wine on the Mountain is an adults-only event and attendees must be 21 years of age or older. It is also a rain or shine event since it is held inside Penn’s Peak in air-conditioned comfort.

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 driving directions to Penn’s Peak, visit their web site - www.pennspeak.com. 

Meet Franklin, the peacock at Franklin Hill Vineyards

From our grapes to your glass

At Franklin Hill Vineyards, the "bloom" has recently ended and small grapes are beginning to show themselves. The  past warm weather has encouraged lots of green growth which flourishes in the nurturing rain and sunshine. The vines are putting forth nice shoots and everything is just sprouting beautifully. So far, the look of the lush vineyard shows potential of a really nice crop. Let's toast to that!

When you come to see the vines for yourselves,  keep your eyes open for Franklin - a beautiful  peacock  who has decided to befriend us! Franklin wandered upon our vineyard and decided he loves us as much as we love him. We often find him strolling through the vineyard, making himself right at home. Franklin definitely makes himself known when he calls out and shows his feathers in full fanning display! Feel free to stop by and say hello to him. He might just say Hi right back!

2012 Bethlehem VegFest
September 8 - 11 am - 6 pm
Get ready for Bethlehem's 2nd Annual VegFest. Franklin Hill Vineyards will be there and pouring.  Keep your eyes "peeled" for our 2012 VegFest Commemorative Bottle Release Party!

Downtown Bethlehem's Art Walk
Stop by our Bethlehem Location in the Main Street Commons during this event. As usual, we will be participating in the annual Art Walk Wine Trail. Upcoming Downtown Bethlehem  Art Walk Series Dates are July 28 and August 25.  For more info, visit: www.DowntownBethlehemAssociation.com 

Franklin Hill Vineyards - Bethlehem Location
Main St. Commons  
567 Main St.
Bethlehem, PA 18018
(610)-332-9463 

...On The Road Again!
Come see our Festival Crew pouring at the coolest wine festival of the season - Wine On The Mountain - July 28 & 29 from noon-5 pm is fun, indoors, and air-conditioned with live entertainment performed on the Penn's Peak main stage.    

• Martin on Main 2012  - August 4 from noon - 8 pm
• Seven Springs Wine Festival  - August 25 & 26 from 11 am - 5 pm
• Gettysburg Wine & Music Festival  - September 8 & 9
• 2012 Forks Community Days Festival - September 15 from 11 am - 10 pm and September 16 from 11 am - 7 pm
• Bear Creek Fall Wine & Food Festival - October 21 at 1 pm

May is full of events for Franklin Hill Vineyards

This month, Franklin Hill Vineyards is supporting the community by participating in several Bethlehem-based events where its Christmas City wine shoppe is located. Which event will you be attending?

2012 Fine Art & Craft Show
Saturday, May 12 - 10 am-5 pm and Sunday, May 13 - 11 am-5 pm
Main Street - Downtown Historic Bethlehem
Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission presents the 47th Annual Bethlehem Fine Art and Craft Show - A Juried Exhibition

Visit our Bethlehem location during your stroll through the Mother's Day Weekend 2012 Fine Art & Craft Show on Main Street. During this weekend purchase one glass of Catawba and Mom can enjoy one on us!

Christmas City Wine Festival
May 19 ~ 1-7 pm
Historic Sun Inn Courtyard, 564 Main Street, Bethlehem

The Christmas City Wine Festival will feature PA wineries.  Entertainment is provided for your listening pleasure in the Historic Sun Inn Courtyard. Cooking demonstrations will take place in the side courtyard with pairings from participating wineries.

$10.00 - advanced ticket sales at Franklin Hill Vineyards - Bethlehem Location. $15.00 at the door
$5 - designated driver tickets. Proceeds benefit the Star of Bethlehem Festival, a 501(c)3 non-profit.

The Sun Inn Preservation Association presents its 3rd Annual Chocolate Fest 
May 20 ~ 2-5 pm at the 1758 Moravian Sun Inn
564 Main Street, Bethlehem

A chocolate event featuring tastings of savory dishes using chocolate from around the world, chocolate appetizers, entrees, desserts, cocktails, beer, martini bar & Franklin Hill Vineyards' very own Fainting Goat - a sweet Chambourcin wine with black cherry ~ a perfect pairing with chocolate! 

$35/person or $60/couple (Must be 21 years of age to attend this event.) For  more information, including ticket sales call:  610-866-1758 or visit:  www.SunInnBethlehem.org

Bethlehem Art Walk
May 26 at 4 pm

Stop by our Bethlehem location during the first Downtown Bethlehem Art Walk of the season. As usual, we will be participating in the annual Downtown Bethlehem Art Walk Wine Trail.
Upcoming Downtown Bethlehem Art Walk Series dates:

• June 30, 2012
• July 28, 2012
• August 25, 2012

From our grapes to your glass

Well, it's time to say goodbye to two of our oldies-but-goodies. Our Rose and Apple wines are selling out and will not be returning (at this point in time, anyway... you never know what the future holds...)  We're giving Rose and Apple fans a chance to grab 'em before they're gone - while supplies last! Here at Franklin Hill Vineyards we honor tradition and also love to keep things fresh and new. We can't wait to discover what's over the horizon and look forward to uncovering and sharing our new endeavors.   

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

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

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

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

The Lehigh Valley Wine Trail is a non-profit organization of wineries whose mission is to promote agri-tourism and to create a premiere wine destination and grape growing region while promoting Pennsylvania wines from the region. All of the member wineries have won numerous awards at state, national and international levels.

For more information on the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail, visit www.LehighValleyWineTrail.com, and connect with them on Twitter and their Facebook fan page.

NOUVEAU WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8th Annual “Wine on the Mountain” event returns to Penn’s Peak on July 30 & 31

Tickets are now on sale at all eight Lehigh Valley Wine Trail wineries and online!

The eighth edition of the Wine on the Mountain wine festival takes place at Penn’s Peak on Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31, from noon – 5 p.m. both days. It includes wine samplings from eight Lehigh Valley wineries, local artisans displaying their arts and crafts, light fare available for purchase, and live musical entertainment.

(*PLEASE NOTE: These dates are different from the dates originally announced for this event due to an error. This year’s Wine on the Mountain event is the last weekend of July.)

Tickets are required for this event and are now on sale at all eight Lehigh Valley Wine Trail wineries (see list below). They are $14 in advance or $16 at the door the weekend of the event. Admission includes a commemorative tasting glass. Attendees must be 21 years of age or older.

For the first time, advance tickets can be purchased online through the web site Local Wine Events - http://www.localwineevents.com/events/detail/378296.  

The eight wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail:

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

Visit the wine trail online at www.lehighvalleywinetrail.com.

Our favorite Lehigh Valley summer food and wine pairings

During the summer months there is much to be done in the vineyards on the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail. After long days tending to the grapes, attention from farming turns to evenings filled with great wine and food! Read on for delicious food and wine pairings from your friends on the trail:

AMORE, our peach, apricot and blueberry wines are great served cold on a summer day. For a more traditional palate, we recommend our Cayuga or Riesling chilled to 55 degrees. The Cayuga and Riesling are perfect with grilled chicken, fish and veggies. The fruit wines pair nicely with mild cheese or can be used in summer sangria.

Up at BIG CREEK we are enjoying fresh fruit salads and our Rosé, Vin di Pasqualina.

BLUE MOUNTAIN will be sipping the newly released White Merlot with your favorite barbecued chicken or rib recipe. This refreshing semi dry wine is crisp and fruity with a long lingering finish. Happy grilling!

CLOVER HILL VINEYARDS & WINERY'S favorite summertime treat is clams steamed open on the grill then drizzled with a lemon, garlic and chive butter sauce and served with a cool glass of Pinot Grigio.

FRANKLIN HILL VINEYARD'S favorite is the newly produced Pomegranate Peach. Serve it as a fun martini by adding vodka and sliced peaches. We love to pair it with crab crakes or shrimp... absolutely delicious!

GALEN GLEN recommends our refreshing 2010 Half Dry Riesling (silver medals from Finger Lakes and CA Wine Competitions). Bursting with golden apple, ripe pear and honey melon, it is delicious with grilled shrimp, risotto and greens from the garden.

It is grilling season at PINNACLE RIDGE! Brad takes our garden grown vegetables (peppers, zucchini, yellow squash, asparagus, new potatoes and tomatoes) and roasts them slowly on the grill. The vegetables are dressed in extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, pepper and a handful of fresh herbs, also from our garden! The t-bone hits the grill next. Angel hair pasta tossed with fresh tomatoes, fresh basil and feta cheese arrives at the picnic table just as the steaks are being pulled from the grill—done to perfection! We suggest a glass of Pinnacle Ridge 2009 Chambourcin.

VYNECREST's summer favorite is salmon cooked on the grill with a mango salsa, served with our Dry Riesling, which has a tropical nose and a bold crisp finish. Great combination.

Celebrate Easter with local Lehigh Valley wines

The wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail would like to share with you their recommendations for wines to pair with your Easter meal this Sunday. All of them are open Friday and Saturday so you can stop in to taste wines and purchase the ones you want to share with your family and friends.

Amore Vineyards - Try our Pink Passion with ham, or pork and sauerkraut.

Franklin Hill Vineyards - Start your Easter celebration with Pomegranate Martinis. A splash of vodka with our newly released Pomegranate wine with appetizers. For dinner, try Seyval or Kiss; both pair well with turkey or ham. Simply Red goes great with desserts.

Blue Mountain Vineyards - The light fruity flavor of our newly released 2007 Pinot Noir will compliment a glazed Easter ham. Our Riesling and White Merlot would also compliment the smoky flavor of ham.

Pinnacle Ridge Winery - Recommends our 2010 Riesling, our 2009 Oasis and for dry red lovers our 2009 Chambourcin with all the classic Easter dinners. Ham and scalloped potatoes or leg of lamb with sides of asparagus and roasted garlic mashed potatoes.

Clover Hill Vineyards - Sparkling wines are a wonderful choice to pair with your Easter ham and kielbasa. 
Sparkling Pinot Noir ~ our pick for the Easter Holiday. Made from 100% Pinot Noir, this bubbly is dry, but very fruity. 
Brut ~ a dry, traditional sparkling wine made predominately from Chardonnay.
Cuvee ~ semi-sweet, yeasty and rich flavored sparkler.
Blackberry Sparkler ~ a sweet bubbly made with an addition of local blackberries. 

Vynecrest Winery - Vynecrest First Blush a semi-sweet wine similar to a White Zinfandel, that exudes an elegant body with a clean finish. A great Easter wine and it's our Wine of the Month of April -  regularly $9.99, now 10% off.

We'd like to wish everyone a wonderful Easter holiday!

LEHIGH VALLEY WINE TRAIL ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE OF 2011 EVENTS

The nine family-owned wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail have announced their 2011 schedule of special events.

• March Madness – weekends only in March – Customers purchase a March Madness passport for access to different wine and food pairings at each of the nine wineries each weekend. Passports are stamped during each visit and can then be entered into a drawing for over 20 prizes. Customers also receive a LVWT collectible tile as this year’s gift. (Please note: A limited number of passports remain for sale.)

• Wine in Bloom – May 21 & 22 – This first-time event replaces last year’s AVA Weekend. It takes place mid-Spring as bud break occurs on the vines. It still celebrates the importance that terroir (soil) plays in the development of the grapes, their flavor and the resulting taste of the wine, and stresses the importance of the A.V.A. designation in further legitimizing the area for wine making.

• Wine on the Mountain – July 23 & 24 - Held at Penn’s Peak in Jim Thorpe, this event includes wine samplings, local artisans displaying their arts and crafts, light fare available for purchase, and live entertainment. Tickets are required for this event and can be purchased at each winery as well as at the door.

• Harvest Weekend – The Butcher, The Baker and The Winemaker – September 10 & 11 –The wineries proudly promote the state’s “Pennsylvania Preferred” program by partnering with manufacturers of other Pennsylvania products to showcase their high level of quality. Wine pairings, vineyard tours, food, music and other special activities are featured.

• Chambourcin Weekend – October 15 & 16 - Taking place after the harvest is over, this event celebrates the “official wine grape of the Lehigh Valley,” the Chambourcin.

• Nouveau Weekend – November 19 & 20 - This is the earliest chance to sample the first vintages of the new harvest. It’s also a great opportunity to purchase wines for the upcoming holiday season to give as gifts or to drink at dinner. March Madness passports also go on sale this weekend.

All events are free except for Wine on the Mountain at Penn’s Peak and March Madness, which requires the purchase of an event passport. Event hours are Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon – 5 p.m.

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.

Members include:

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

The Lehigh Valley region is an official American Viticultural Area as designated by the Federal Alcohol Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau in April 2008. The Lehigh Valley AVA includes portions of Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Schuylkill, Carbon and Monroe counties in Pennsylvania. In order to receive the designation a least 75% of the grapes used to make local wines must be grown within the region. Wineries in the region are permitted to list “Lehigh Valley” as the growing region on their labels.