2008-04-10 20:53:59 -
Each year the nine family-owned wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail host five themed events. The nine family-owned wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail have announced their 2008 schedule of special events.
Anniversary Weekend - July 12 & 13 - all nine wineries celebrate the Wine Trail's anniversary with their own unique events. Specials could include a complimentary food and wine pairing, Sangria or a surprise.
Wine on the Mountain - July
26 & 27 - Held in conjunction with 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 13 & 14 -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 18 & 19 - Taking place after the harvest is over, this event celebrates the 'official wine grape of the Lehigh Valley,' the Chambourcin. It is the only wine made by all nine of the member wineries.
Nouveau Weekend - November 15 & 16 - 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.
All events are free except for Wine on the Mountain at Penn's Peak. 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 national and international levels. Members include:
Amorι Vineyards & Winery, Nazareth
Big Creek Vineyard and Winery, Kresgeville
Blue Mountain Vineyards & Cellars, LTD., 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 wineries were recently granted an American Viticultural Area (AVA) designation by the Federal Alcohol Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau which enables vintners to better describe the origin of their wines and to allow consumers to better identify wines they are purchasing. The Lehigh Valley AVA includes portions of Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Schuylkill, carbon and Monroe counties in Pennsylvania. There are currently nine wineries and 13 vineyards in this designation with more than 220 acres devoted to viticulture. The Lehigh Valley AVA takes effect on April 10, 2008.
To request a copy of the Wine Trail's 'A Journey in Wine' brochure, call Lehigh Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-747-0561 or log onto www.LehighValleyPA.org. The brochure can also be picked up at each of the member wineries.
For more information on the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail, visit www.lehighvalleywinetrail.com or call 866-870-7800.
MEDIA ONLY: For images of wineries or wine trail events, contact Tracey Werner at
tracey@lehighvalleypa.org.
