A letter from (wine) camp: Day 3

The campers gather for a goodbye pic.

Courtesy of Nina Kelly, the director of communications for the Chester County Conference & Visitors Bureau, here's a summation of the third and final day of the inaugural Brandywine Valley Wine Camp. You can check out this site and the Brandywine Valley site for a followup on the camp and a list of other activities and events scheduled for that area in Chester County.

It is hard to believe that we are at the last day of our first Wine Camp - time does indeed fly when you are having fun. Our last winery visit is to Stargazers Vineyard & Winery in beautiful Chester County, just north of Unionville. John and Alice Weygant began growing grapes on 30 beautiful acres in 1979 and sold them to other winemakers. In 1996 they began to produce their own vintages and today specialize in sparkling wines. John spoke to the campers about the chemistry of winemaking. It really is a science at the start of the process and an art at the finish, he states. Use of sulfur dioxide (to inhibit bacteria growth) and types of yeasts used were discussed. Champagnes have become Stargazers' niche market - they produce it for themselves as well as some other area wineries. John explained that the process for making a sparkling wine included a double fermentation process. A tour of their winery ended with the tasting of several sparkling wines. Ones made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (a blush/sparkling wine) were simply delicious. John had a great thought to describe the effect of champagne as we were tasting: "Champagne should feel like you need to keep your mouth closed or it will float out." Indeed it did, and as all good things must come to a close so ended our wine camp.

Part of the Wine Camp package included Brandywine Sampler coupons (admission to eight area attractions including Longwood Gardens, Brandywine River Museum, QVC and more.) Many participants were going to one of the attractions and since the coupons are valid through 2008, several were planning a return visit also.

As we said goodbye, kudos were given to all the hosts at the Bed and Breakfast (their hospitality was exceptional, stated our campers; "We felt like family," was exclaimed more than once.) Staff and owners of each of the wineries were commended also. "What a unique experience to meet the owner/operators and hear their stories," said one of the camping couples who have been to wineries in California and New York. Finally, something must be said about the campers themselves. Had we been able to hand-pick a group of participants ourselves, we could not have come up with a nicer, more fun group of people. Many thanks to them for participating in our inaugural camp. Look for the second annual Brandywine Valley Wine Camp, June 12-14, 2009, and visit www.brandywinevalley.com for upcoming events and camps.

A letter from (wine) camp: Day 2

Photos courtesy of Nina Kelly: from left, the vineyard tour at Kreutz Creek, co-owner Mark Harris addresses the group at Paradocx, where campers also take a hayride.

Courtesy of Nina Kelly, the director of communications for the Chester County Conference & Visitors Bureau, here's a second-day summation of the Brandywine Valley Wine Camp. We plan to continue these posts throughout the weekend for the filled-to-capacity event, which runs through Sunday:

The first full day of the Brandywine Valley Wine Camp on Saturday was really a FULL day! Camp started out at Kreutz Creek Winery in West Grove with a walk through the vineyards. Campers were greeted by owners Jim and Carole Kirkpatrick on a deck overlooking the vineyard. Jim tells the story that this all started with Carole giving him a wine-making kit for Christmas several years ago. They purchased the land in West Grove, planted vines and began making wine in 1989. Today they grow 13 varieties on 8 of their 20 acres.

It was a beautiful day (albeit hot) for a walk through the vineyard, with Jim pointing out lovingly his varieties of grapes. During the walk Jim highlighted the processes of pruning, showing us the "sappers" that would sap the nutrients out of the fruit. Questions of irrigation came up and Jim answered that is all by mother nature - no artificial means is used to irrigate the vines. This seemed unusual until we learned the incredible depth of the roots (some can reach as far as 20 feet). Finally we tasted the fruits of this beautiful vineyard in the custom basement winery in their home. Kreutz Creek currently produces 18 wines including Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Niagra, Steuben, Port and more. Like Chaddsford Winery, Kreutz Creek also has an evening concert series and serves unique wine "slushies" as a signiture drink.

We left Kreutz Creek for the short drive to Paradocx Winery. It was opening day of their new winery and we were met by co-owner Mark Harris. After a glass of wine, he took us off on a hay-ride to the vineyard. There under the cypress trees lay a magnificent spread of Italian delights from Carlino's in West Chester accompanied by various delicious Paradocx wines. Mark's wife Joann and two beautiful daughters greeted us as Mark told the story of he and his partner (both doctors with wives who were doctors- hence the name Paradocx) on a handshake purchased 80 acres in Landenberg and began their dream of becoming wine-makers. Mark credits Eric Miller of Chaddsford Winery with being an inspiration and a great help to the budding winemakers. Paradocx produces 15 varieties of grapes. Mark and Joann poured wines throughout the lunch and explained the process of making the wine as well as what foods might pair best with them. A favorite packaging technique at Paradocx is their unique "paint cans" of "White Wash" and "Barn Red." Several campers purchased these as well as other of their favorite wines to sample at home.

Finally the last winery of the day was beautiful Twin Brook Winery in Gap. Twin Brook is on 30 acres and produces about 100 to 140 tons of grapes. We were met by General Manager Tim Jobe, who took the group on a tour of where grapes are captured to be crushed, stored and fermented. Plastic holding tanks were seen for the first time in the wine camp and Tim expained that much like barrels, plastic tanks can aid in the oxidation process. He also explained the importance of yeast in the fermenting process. He showed us where 50,000 bottles are filled and corked by hand! A retreat to the loft tasting room where Tim poured Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, to name a few. Tim spoke of the positive relationship with other winemakers in the region and how the area was a natural for growing and producing. Visitors were already gathering for a concert on the grounds as we were leaving.

A weary (but happy) group retreated to their B&B's for some R&R before dinner. We later met at Brandywine Prime, where general manager and co-owner Michael Majewski escorted us to a private room for wonderful hors d'oeuvres and Stargazers Sparkling Chardonnay (we'll see Stargazers on Sunday. Blair Mahoney, executive director of the Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau, greeted the campers and got caught up on the activities thus far and some ideas for other camps. "I couldn't be more thrilled with the outcome of our first Wine Camp effort" says Mahoney. "This group could not be better and from all accounts they are having a great time! Wine Camp will become an annual event and we are in the process of developing other camp programs." A fabulous dinner followed - served with Brandywine region wines of course! The first full day was indeed full - full of fun, food, wine and great memories. Still to come, our last day together . . .