Within the posts of The Wine Classroom have been reports on winery events tied to music, eating and education. Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard adds another one to the list, scheduling some time Saturday in the tasting room after welcoming folks from The Potomac Hunt Club and the New Market-Middletown Valley Hunt Club to a midday joint hunt.
The Web site describes it as something out of the set of an old English movie, a pack of barking foxhounds will be cast into the rough to flush out their elusive and cunning quarry, while riders in their stately colours will traverse the SMV countryside giving chase. What you haven’t seen in the typical movie before are riders retiring to the tasting room for “a bit of wine and repartee.” Sounds like something that one of the wineries along the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail could copy with its location on the rim of Philly’s Main Line, but for now this idea remains uniquely Sugarloaf’s.
That winery, by the way, is celebrating its recent recognition in the 2009 Grand Harvest Awards in Santa Rosa, Calif. It received two silver medals for its 2007 Cabernet Franc and 06 Chardonnay Reserve, along with a bronze medal for our 2007 Comus. This competition is unique in that it is the only one in North America “based on terrior – a group of vineyards (or even vines) from the same region, belonging to a specific appellation, and sharing the same type of soil, weather conditions, grapes and wine making savoir-faire, which contribute to give its specific personality to the wine.” This approach to judging allows for greater consideration for “the complexities and nuances of regional wines.”
It also possesses one of the region’s newsier Web sites, including information on its vineyard. The entry explains: Our unique soil and microclimate create favorable growing conditions, or "terroir", for our carefully selected grapevines. With the expertise of world renowned viticulturist Lucie Morton, in 2002 we selected 19,000 certified French vinifera clones which were grafted on American rootstock by Caldwell Nurseries of northern California. We planted these babies in the spring of 2004, and additional vines of similar pedigree in 2007 and 2008. The care and attention provided by our vineyard manager, Carl DiManno, have produced outstanding results. We hand-pick our grapes, cold-soak them, cold-ferment all our varietals, and age them in French oak barrels (except for our Pinot Grigio, which is aged in a special tank). Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard has planted 3.5 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.5 acres of Pinot Grigio, 2 acres of Chardonnay, 1.5 acres of Merlot, 2 acres of Cabernet Franc, .5 acre of Petit Verdot, and .25 acre of Malbec. We plan to plant an additional 15,000 certified French Bordeaux clones in the next several years.
Sugarloaf already has its wines served at The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., and wouldn’t mind adding another home in D.C. to its distribution list: the White House. Hmmm. Does one drink red or white after an exhausting game of hoops? Anyone have a suggestion?
As for what’s going on elsewhere, both this weekend and beyond, take a look:
PENNSYLVANIA WINERIES
Adams County Winery, Orrtanna: Wine Appreciation class ($$), Saturday, March 21, 6 to 8:30 p.m.; Tour de Tanks, starting Saturday at all Uncork York wineries, link to winery
Allegro Vineyards, Brogue: Fridays’ Weekly Winedown ($$), 4 to 7 p.m.; Sweet & Spicy Saturdays ($$), 2 to 5 p.m.; Sip & Savor Sundays ($$), 2 to 5 p.m., all require reservations at 741.3072, all events at the Wine Gallery in Olde Tollgate Village EXCEPT for Tour de Tanks ($$), which starts Saturday at all Uncork York wineries, link to winery
Black Walnut Winery, Sadsburyville: Barrels on the Brandywine ($$), starting Sunday and continuing every weekend in March at all Brandywine Valley Wine Trail wineries, link to winery
Blue Mountain Vineyards & Cellars, New Tripoli: Sunday Blues Wine Tastings, music every Sunday ($$), 2 to 5 p.m., through April, link to winery
Chaddsford Winery, Chaddsford: Wine & Chocolate Tasting ($$), Saturday, seatings at 1, 2:30 and 4 p.m.; Barrels on the Brandywine ($$), starting Sunday and continuing every weekend in March at all Brandywine Valley Wine Trail wineries; reserve tastings ($$) begin in March, 1, 2:30 and 4 p.m. every Saturday; winemaker dinner ($$) at Caffe Gelato, Newark, Del., Sunday, March 22, 6 p.m., link to winery
Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery, Breinigsville: Annual wine rack sale ($$), all Clover Hill locations, through March 8; March Madness ($$), passport required, a Lehigh Valley Wine Trail event; beginner tasting class ($$), Saturday, April 25, 3 p.m., link to winery
Country Creek Winery, Salford Township: Dinner at Brazzo Downtown ($$), Thursday, March 26; Liquid Fridge will perform, Saturday, March 28, 6 to 9 p.m., link to winery
Crossing Vineyards & Winery, Washington Crossing: Wine and food pairing ($$), Saturday, March 14, 7:30 p.m.; Wine Tasting for Dummies ($$), Sunday, March 15, 2 p.m.; St. Patrick’s Day celebration ($$), Tuesday, March 17, 7:30 p.m.; Wine 101, at the Wine Institute ($$), 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., topic on Friday, March 23, is An Introduction to Wine, link to winery
Cullari Vineyards & Winery, Hershey: Tour de Tanks ($$), starting Saturday at all Uncork York wineries, link to winery
Four Springs Winery, Seven Valleys: Tour de Tanks ($$), starting Saturday at all Uncork York wineries, link to winery
Franklin Hill Vineyards, Bangor: Free winery tour, Wednesdays at noon, link to winery
Hauser Estate Winery, Biglerville: Candle Light Friday/Happy Hour, Today, 5 to 8 p.m., warm food and live music Ray Owens will perform and Crossroads will cater; Tour de Tanks ($$), starting Saturday at all Uncork York wineries, link to winery
Kreutz Creek Vineyards, West Grove: Music at West Chester tasting room, 44 E. Gay St., Fridays and Saturdays, 6 to 9 p.m.; Barrels on the Brandywine ($$), starting Sunday and continuing every weekend in March at all Brandywine Valley Wine Trail wineries, link to winery
Manatawny Creek Winery, Douglasville: Hours have changed to Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays, noon to 6 p.m., link to winery
Moon Dancer Vineyards & Winery, Wrightsville: Music every Saturday (2 to 5 p.m.) and Sunday (2 to 5 p.m.); will close Fridays at 5 p.m. through February; Tour de Tanks ($$), starting Saturday at all Uncork York wineries, link to winery
Naylor Wine Cellars, Stewartstown: Tour de Tanks ($$), starting Saturday at all Uncork York wineries; Forget The Taxes and red Wine Dinner, Saturday, April 18, 3 to 6 p.m., and Sunday, April 19, 2 to 5 p.m., link to winery
Nissley Vineyards & Winery Estate, Bainbridge: Tour de Tanks ($$), starting Saturday at all Uncork York wineries, link to winery
Paradocx Vineyard, Landenberg: Barrels on the Brandywine ($$), starting Sunday and continuing every weekend in March at all Brandywine Valley Wine Trail wineries, link to winery
Penns Woods Winery, Eddystone: Barrels on the Brandywine ($$), starting Sunday and continuing every weekend in March at all Brandywine Valley Wine Trail wineries, link to winery
Pinnacle Ridge Winery, Kutztown: March Madness ($$), passport required, a Lehigh Valley Wine Trail event, link to winery
Reid’s Ochards & Winery, Ortanna: Opening March 7; Tour de Tanks ($$), at all Uncork York wineries, link to information
Rose Bank Winery, Newtown: Spring Art Fest, Friday, March 20, 5 to 8 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.;Winter Wine Concert Series, Sundays through March 29, 1 to 4 p.m., at Shady Brook Farm, link to winery
Rushland Ridge, Rushland: Closed January and February; will reopen March 5, link to winery
Seven Valleys Vineyard & Winery, Glen Rock: Tour de Tanks ($$), starting Saturday at all Uncork York wineries, link to winery
Stargazers Vineyard & Winery, Coatesville: Barrels on the Brandywine ($$), starting Sunday and continuing every weekend in March at all Brandywine Valley Wine Trail wineries, link to winery
Tamanend Winery, Lancaster: New winery open, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m., classically styled premium wines in their bottled wine group, and premium sweeter styled wines in their Bag in Box group of wines, link to winery
Twin Brook Winery, Gap: Barrels on the Brandywine ($$), starting Sunday and continuing every weekend in March at all Brandywine Valley Wine Trail wineries, link to winery
Va La Vineyards, Avondale: Open Thursdays and Fridays, noon to 5 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 6 p.m.; David Oleski exhibit, Saturday, www.davidoleski.com; a proud participant this year in the 2009 Avondale League of Octogenarians Spring Swimsuit Festival, link to winery
Vynecrest Vineyards & Winery, Breinigsville: Mardi Gras Saturday, Feb. 28, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.; March Madness ($$), passport required, a Lehigh Valley Wine Trail event, link to winery
Waltz Vineyards, Manheim: Winery opens its new tasting room tomorrow, noon to 5 p.m., will be open every Saturday through March 28, or by appointment, link to winery
West Hanover Winery, Harrisburg: Tour de Tanks ($$), starting Saturday at all Uncork York wineries, link to winery
MARYLAND WINERIES
Basignani Winery, Sparks: Pizza and herbs ($$), April 18-19, noon to 5 p.m., link to winery
Black Ankle Winery, Mt. Airy: Open for business, winner of Maryland Governor’s Cup in 2008; winter hours start Dec. 1, Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m., other times by appointment; wine and cheese pairing class ($$), Sunday, 2 to 4 p.m., to book your spot, visit The Wine Coach or call Barb at 410-428-6693; St. Paddy’s Day with the Bog Band, Sunday, March 15, noon to 5 p.m., link to winery
Boordy Vineyards, Hydes: Fond of You Fondue ($$), Saturdays in February, 1 to 5 p.m.; Stew in Our Juices ($$), homemade stews and wine pairing, with musical entertainment, every Sunday in March, 1 to 5 p.m., winery link
Frederick Cellars, Frederick: Happy Hour, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. every weekday, glasses are half-price; Music in the Cellar, Saturday, March 7, 7 p.m., link to winery
Fiore Winery, Pylesville: Wine tasting dinner at Liberatore’s in Bel Air ($$), Saturday, March 14, link to winery
Sugarloaf Mountain, Dickerson: Red wine sensory tasting seminar ($$), Saturday, March 7, 1 p.m.; soup will be served in the tasting room on Saturdays and Sundays throughout February; Friday Flights ($$) is every Friday from 2 to 4 p.m., which consist of 3 half glasses of SMV wine, each paired with an appropriate cheese, fruit or chocolate, reservations at 301.605.0130, link to winery
Woodhall Wine Cellars, Parkton: Annual barrel sale, futures sale and chocolate tasting ($$), extending every weekend through March 29, 2 to 4 p.m., call 410.357.8644 or send an e-mail to reserve your spots; Patricia Della Casual Fine Dining will be serving lunch and dinner from noon to 3 p.m. and dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. each weekend by reservation (410.357.5078), link to winery
Other MARYLAND winery events can be found at this link, VIRGINIA events at this link and New York events at this link
PASSPORT WEEKENDS
Tour de Tanks, starting Feb. 28 and continuing every weekend in March, noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays, cost is $15 per person, pick up tickets at any participating winery or order online here, wineries include Adams County, Allegro, Cullari, Four Springs, Fox Ridge, Hauser Estate, Moondancer, Naylor, Nissley, Reid’s Orchard, Seven Valleys and West Hanover; information on Meet the Winemaker dinners here.
Barrels on the Brandywine, starting March 1 and continuing every weekend in March, noon to 5 p.m., cost is $25 per person, pick up tickets at any participating winery or order online here, wineries include Black Walnut, Chaddsford, Kreutz Creek, Paradocx, Penns Woods, Stargazers and Twin Brook.
$$ – Admission charge
