Thursday, March 19, 2009

Mount Felix lauds bond with local eateries



Mentioned the other day about Mount Felix Winery's improved Web site that offers a blend of information; some present, some past. There are older wineries that provide more substantial news on their wines and events, but there are a heckuva lot of other wineries that have been around a lot longer than Mt. Felix whose Web sites can't match up.

Peter Ianniello said by phone Wednesday that he and his wife Mary have done the upgrades, evidence that they're willing to invest the time and energy needed to help market their wines. Peter said they've been blessed these first few months in business by the support they have received from the business community.

“Some retailers were thrilled to carry a quality local wine,” he said, “and some restaurants . . . even created some special dishes featuring and highlighting Mt. Felix wines.”

According to the site there are 22 retailers carrying some or all of the eight wines that Mount Felix produces, and 10 restaurants that have included the label on their wine lists. That's not an easy advance; so many wineries have talked about how difficult it is to move any of their wines onto the wine lists of area eateries.

“That's the best part of what I'm mentioning to you,” Peter said. “We have been very, very fortunate to work with some really great businesspeople that took us on. You know what this market is like. You have Chile on the bottom, Italy on top, New Zealand to the left, Australia to the right. It's a pretty crowded market.”

Peter said that MacGregor's Restaurant and the Laurrapin Grill, both in Havre de Grace, Md., have created dishes using Mt. Felix wines. “So in addition to carrying them and offering them on the list, they actually made special dishes. The one place, Laurrapin, people would come up here and they were raving about it. They took our blush wine, which is blend of Traminette and Chambourcin, and they sauteed some large sea scallops in it. I had some people come in who were still drooling from tasting it. It was that good. So we're very, very humbled by the support we've gotten. That's the only reason we've been successful.
-
That and their location, less than a mile off Exit 89 of I-95. Peter said that when winetrailtraveler.com came down for a taste, they told him that of all the hundreds of wineries they've been to across the entire United States that “we have one of the best locations next to a highway infrastructure and major population sites.”
-
He said they have applied to have their name put on signs preceding the exit north and south to let people who are driving by know they're there. “We're just waiting,” he said. Hopefully the applications wil lbe approved soon.”

The Event Grapevine: March 20-22


On April 3, vintage wine will meet vintage vinyl once again, as Chaddsford Winery (632 Baltimore Pike, 610-388-6221) introduces Pierre Noir, named for WMMR radio personality and longtime Philadelphian Pierre Robert. The bottle will bear a tie-dye label and Robert’s likeness, and will house a medium-bodied red wine that winemaker Eric Miller describes as “a delicate, but full-flavored red,” with “mouth-filling flavors that combine fruit and earthiness.”

Pierre Noir is made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes grown in southeastern Pennsylvania. The idea for “Pierre Noir” got its start during last fall’s harvest, when Robert traveled to Chaddsford Winery to personally stomp the arriving Pinot Noir grapes alongside several lucky fans. Miller agreed to do a personal bottling for Pierre and his fans, which is limited to 250 cases. This release will be available for purchase starting April 3 at Chaddsford Winery and its two retail locations at the Chaddsford Tasting Room in Peddler’s Village (20 Merchants Row, Lahaska) and the Chaddsford Wine Shop at Ardmore Farmer’s Market (Suburban Square, Ardmore); it can also be purchased online at http://www.chaddsford.com/.

To celebrate the release of “Pierre Noir,” Robert is hosting a vintage launch party at Chaddsford Winery on Friday, April 3 – appropriately, a wine and cheese reception, though this one is sure to be more rock than Rachmaninoff. WMMR listeners will be invited to come as Pierre’s guests by winning a series of on-air contests beginning March 23.

“Rock and roll” and “wine and cheese” may seem unlikely bedfellows, but their common ground is easy to identify: peace and love, just the notion Miller hopes wine lovers will embrace with this special vintage. The pairing is even more natural given that Chaddsford and Robert have previously collaborated on the wildly successful 2006 “Pierreno Grigio,” a white wine that also featured Pierre Robert’s likeness.

Like his eponymous wine, Pierre Robert’s tenure in Philadelphia has been “full, long and lively.” Now a staple of the Philadelphia rock scene, Robert was initially told he was “too California” for the East Coast upon his arrival from San Francisco’s KSAN in 1981. But his trademark positivity and voluminous knowledge of rock music quickly earned him a slot in the DJ rotation at venerable WMMR, and he has been there ever since, establishing a penchant for pulling actual vinyl out of the “MMaRchives” to play on-air, and thus cementing his own status as a true icon of the golden age of rock and roll.

Chaddsford Winery is Pennsylvania’s premiere winery. In 2008, Wine Enthusiast named Chaddsford Winery one of “America’s Top 25 Tasting Rooms”; to be considered for this honor, “wine quality was paramount,” but “decor, staff savvy, amenities and more ephemeral characteristics, such as overall quirkiness or warmth” were considered as well. The 2005 Chaddsford Miller Estate Vineyard Chardonnay was featured in Food & Wine magazine (April 2008) as one of the “67 Best American Wines ($15 and Under).”

As for what’s going on elsewhere, both this weekend and beyond, take a look:

PENNSYLVANIA WINERIES

Adams County Winery, Orrtanna: Wine Appreciation class ($$), Saturday, 6 to 8:30 p.m.; Tour de Tanks ($$), continuing every weekend through March at all Uncork York wineries; home wine-making class ($$), Sunday, May 10,
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 ($$), 2 to 5 p.m., all require reservations at 741.3072, all events at the Wine Gallery in Olde Tollgate Village EXCEPT for Tour de Tanks ($$), continuing every weekend through March at all Uncork York wineries; music of Ravensun ($$), Saturday, April 11, 2 to 5 p.m.,
link to winery

Black Walnut Winery, Sadsburyville:
Barrels on the Brandywine ($$), 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: Barrels on the Brandywine ($$), continuing every weekend in March at all Brandywine Valley Wine Trail wineries; reserve tastings ($$) begin in April, 1, 2:30 and 4 p.m. every Saturday; winemaker dinner ($$) at Caffe Gelato, Newark, Del., Sunday, 6 p.m.; Wine 101 ($$), Thursday, April 9, 6 to 8 p.m. with Eric Miller, the first of a series of classes that run through May; Pierre Noir release party, Friday, April 3; Crazy Eric sale at the winery, Saturday, April 11, starting at 8 a.m.; technical tour program, free, starting April 1, on Friday at 3 p.m. and Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., reservations accepted, link to winery

Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery, Breinigsville: March Madness ($$), passport required, a Lehigh Valley Wine Trail event; beginner tasting class ($$), Saturday, April 25, 3 p.m.; A Taste of Spring, a Berks County Wine Trail event, April 25-26, link to winery

Country Creek Winery, Salford Township: Music, Mike Greer and Friends, Saturday, no cover charge, 6 to 9 p.m.; 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 101, at the Wine Institute ($$), 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., topic on Monday, March 23, is An Introduction to Wine,
link to winery

Cullari Vineyards & Winery, Hershey: Tour de Tanks ($$), continuing every weekend through March at all Uncork York wineries,
link to winery

Four Springs Winery, Seven Valleys: Tour de Tanks ($$), continuing every weekend through March 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:
Tour de Tanks ($$), continuing every weekend through March at all Uncork York wineries; winemaker’s dinner ($$), March 27, Restaurant Sydney in East Berlin; Candlelight Friday, last Friday of every month, 5 to 8 p.m., wine tasting, music and warm food; Fire and Wine, burning of the grape vine trimmings, Saturday, April 4, 3 to 6 p.m.,
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 ($$), 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.; Saturday, wine and food pairing; Chef Lesle is preparing a Green Goddess Coulis on Sourdough Croutons and serving it with our COW (Chardonnay Off Wood). She will be in the tasting room from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday; Taste of Spring, Berks County Wine Trail event, April 25-26,
link to winery

Moon Dancer Vineyards & Winery, Wrightsville: Music every Friday (6 to 9 p.m.), Saturday (2 to 5 p.m.) and Sunday (2 to 5 p.m.); Tour de Tanks ($$), continuing every weekend through March at all Uncork York wineries; champagne brunch ($$), Sunday, April 5, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., call 717.252.9463 for reservations, link to winery


Naylor Wine Cellars, Stewartstown: Tour de Tanks ($$), continuing every weekend through March at all Uncork York wineries; Forget The Taxes and red Wine Dinner ($$), 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 ($$), continuing every weekend through March at all Uncork York wineries,
link to winery

Paradocx Vineyard, Landenberg: Barrels on the Brandywine ($$), continuing every weekend in March at all Brandywine Valley Wine Trail wineries,
link to winery

Penns Woods Winery, Eddystone: Barrels on the Brandywine ($$), 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; Taste of Spring, Berks County Wine Trail event, April 25-26, link to winery

Reid’s Ochards & Winery, Ortanna: New winery; Tour de Tanks ($$), continuing every weekend through March at all Uncork York wineries,
link to information

Rose Bank Winery, Newtown: Winter Wine Concert Series, Sundays through March 29, 1 to 4 p.m., at Shady Brook Farm,
link to winery

Seven Valleys Vineyard & Winery, Glen Rock: Tour de Tanks ($$), continuing every weekend through March at all Uncork York wineries,
link to winery

Stargazers Vineyard & Winery, Coatesville: Barrels on the Brandywine ($$), 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 ($$), 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.; a proud participant this year in the 2009 Avondale League of Octogenarians Spring Swimsuit Festival,
link to winery

Vynecrest Vineyards & Winery, Breinigsville: March Madness ($$), passport required, a Lehigh Valley Wine Trail event; Championship Phillies Saturday, April 4,
link to winery

Waltz Vineyards, Manheim: New winery, open Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. through the end of March, and by appointment,
link to winery

West Hanover Winery, Harrisburg: Tour de Tanks ($$), continuing every weekend in March at all Uncork York wineries,
link to winery


MARYLAND WINERIES

Basignani Winery, Sparks: Pizza and herbs ($$), April 18-19, noon to 5 p.m.,
link to winery
Black Ankle Winery, Mt. Airy: Open for business, winner of Maryland Governor’s Cup in 2008; winter hours start Dec. 1, Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m., other times by appointment; Crumbling Rock vs. the World ($$), Sunday, March 29, 2 to 5 p.m., link to winery

Boordy Vineyards, Hydes: 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, Saturdays, 6:30 or 7 p.m.,
link to winery

Sugarloaf Mountain, Dickerson: 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

WINE TRAIL EVENTS

Tour de Tanks,
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, 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.

March Madness, Lehigh Valley Wine Trail passport event, continuing on weekends through the end of March; sold out, you can find information on the event
here.

Trail of Spring, third annual
Berks County Wine Trail event, April 25-26, with wine and food pairings.

$$ – Admission charge

CLASSES

Wine School of Philadelphia: Wine 101: Intro to Wine ($$), Thursday, April 16, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., 2006 Fairmount Ave., Philly; Core Wine Certification ($$), classes for spring semester will begin April 23, contact Keith at 215.965.1514 x55,
link to Web site