Cassinelli opens doors on Eastern Shore

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Cassinelli Vineyards & Winery, Maryland's newest winery, has opened. If I've counted right, that's 27 open for business that are members of the Maryland Wineries Association.

Located on the Eastern Shore in Church Hill, the family-owned and operated boutique winery grows Merlot, Chardonnay and Viognier on part of its 110-acre farm and sources the remainder of the fruit.

Its Web site also notes that visitors will also see Blank Angus cows, buffalo and donkeys. A 3-acre pumpkin patch and apple orchard also occupy some of the land. Hours run from noon to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Time to uncork a new baseball season

Recovering from the wedding and reception Saturday of Stephanie Madden and Steve Snyder, and just relishing the opening of the 2009 baseball season. So pardon me for taking a day off and just swapping out these two excerpts from Jim Trezise, who puts together the New York Wine & Grape Foundation's e-letter. Have news to post Monday from an interview that I did the end of last week with Mike Fiore at Fiore Winery in Pylesville, Md., and then will get my butt in gear again and get back to doing more of what I've set up to do with this blog.

THOUSAND ISLANDS REGION bordering the St. Lawrence Seaway, which separates northern New York from Canada, has become one of the most exciting in New York State, despite the fact that no one ever dreamed there would be grapes and wine there. (“It’s north of the Arctic circle”, I joked at the Unity Banquet before presenting the Winery Award to Steve Conaway of Thousand Islands Winery.) Last May, the wineries and growers asked me to visit the region and give them advice. I had none: They were already doing everything right—working together (always #1), doing their homework ahead of time, planting the right grapes (cold-hardy Minnesota varieties like Edelweiss—one of my favorites—and Frontenac), connecting with their surrounding communities and local media, keeping statistics on their economic impact, and educating public officials at all levels of government about their presence and importance. What else is there? I learned from them, not they from me. But most inspiring is the incredible passion and enthusiasm that, quite frankly, is often lacking in more established regions. (I also see this in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and other Midwestern states when I speak there.) There was an entire van load of people who endured a long roundtrip to the Unity Banquet to applaud one of their own and take pride in their region. It’s very inspiring and uplifting, and our Board of Directors will have its summer meeting right in their backyard—on an island in the middle of the St. Lawrence Seaway.

STATE BUDGET was passed by the Assembly on Tuesday and the Senate a few days later due to the hospitalization of a Senator whose vote was needed. The next stop is the desk of Governor David Paterson: The budget is actually a law (with lots of numbers and fine print), so it doesn’t actually take effect until he signs it, which is expected. Of the three major wine-related issues interwoven into this year’s budget process, the wine excise tax will increase from 19 to 30 cents (vs. the 51 originally proposed); the New York Wine & Grape Foundation will survive for another year and be able to conduct its core research and promotion programs; and the Governor’s proposal to allow wine sales in grocery stores died in final negotiations, though it may be revived outside of the budget. In fact, it’s likely the budget itself will be revisited, perhaps as early as June and maybe after that as well, depending on the status of the financial crisis and its effect on Wall Street (which accounts for about 20% of New York’s total tax revenues). So any budget that we theoretically have may end up being “adjusted”, and it definitely won’t be upward. Regardless of what happens, we are deeply grateful to Assembly Agriculture Committee Chairman Bill Magee, Assemblyman David Koon, and Senators Darrell Aubertine and Dave Valesky for their strong support. This tenuous situation shows how smart our colleagues in Washington State are by financing their programs from the private sector (self-assessments of wineries and growers), which shelters them from shifting political winds and economic meltdowns. Oh, well, I guess I’ll have a glass of wine.

Woodhall named winery of Poe celebration

The headline news this month out of Woodhall Wine Cellars in Parkton, Md., is that it has been designated as the official winery of Edgar Allan Poe’s Bicentennial Celebration in Baltimore. Poe features wine in two of his tales, The Cask of Amontillado and Bon-Bon. In “The Cask,” Montressor uses Amontillado, a high quality style of Sherry to entice Fortunator to his just desserts and in “Bob-Bon,” Pierre Bon-Bon, consumes nearly six bottle of wine during his conversations with the devil.

On March 28, at Westminster Hall in Baltimore, the burial grounds of E.A.Poe, Woodhall poured wine for a Poe celebration entitled “The Cask of Amontillado Wine Tasting.” At that celebration, Woodhall gave commentary on the wines of Poe and poured samples of Woodhall’s equivalents to those wines, even to blending for folks on the spot a Medoc-style wine (predominantly Merlot blended with a bit of Cabernet Sauvignon). The event was a real success.

For more on Poe’s bicentennial, visit www.poebicentennial.com.

Beginning this weekend, Woodhall will feature two separate and different special tasting experiences:

1. Vintners Reserve Wine Tasting: Winemaker Chris Kent has selected seven of our finest wines (all black labels) for an exclusive comparative tasting experience. Three of these wines will be tasted against barrel samples of the same wine. Participants will be able learn the difference between various wine varieties and different vintages, as well as have an opportunity to sample the “Best of Woodhall.” The tasting will be conducted by one of the staff well versed and involved in the winemaking process. Tasting Fee: $15
2. Comparative Barrel Tasting Tour: Participants have an opportunity to compare five current vintage wines to the 2008 barreled wine of the same variety under the guidance of a staff member knowledgeable and involved in the winemaking process. Tasting Fee: $10

Woodhall is offering an extra 5 percent case price discount to participants who purchase wine at these tastings.

Finally, among the variety of events that Woodhall holds is its annual International Sausages Sampling from noon to 3 p.m. on April 18-19. The cost is $15 /person. A potpourri of sausages from around the world and chewy bread from Stone Mill bakery will be served up in the tasting room. Always a popular event, Patricia Della searches out the most elegant of sausages for your enjoyment. If interested, RSVP Debbie by e-mail(thewoodhallgang@comcast.net), (woodhallwinecellars@comcast.net) or phone (410.971.5187).

Elk Run's '6 at a Time' off to good start

Carol Wagner of the long-running (Carol and Fred Wilson and Neill Bassford established it in 1979) and successful Elk Run Vineyards in Mt. Airy, Md., was kind enough to give me a few minutes of her time on the phone last week. This is one I’ve been guilty of holding to gather some extra information, but at this point I think I’ll punt and post what I have. Best, it seems, to simply run in a Q & A format.

Q: Have you been around long enough now that it’s more word of mouth than finding you have to advertise, that fact that you exist and the wines you sell and the awards you win?

A: I think that's true. The problem with the advertising is that you have to do so much . . . It seems to me that the consistency of repeated advertising; it’s when someone has seen it three or four times that it tends to sink in, and that's just somewhat difficult moneywise.”

Q: Does it help as more wineries opening around you?

A: Actually, we have formed this Frederick Wine Trail, of which there are six of us, and four of us are 5 miles from each other. We are applying for a grant, which I think we'll get, through our county for joint marketing, and in that sense, we are going to be aiming a little bit more at the media, but as a group. . . . When you have six [wineries], that makes us a destination.”

Q: What have the effects of the economy been?

A: The downturn in the economy is becoming successful for the local wineries. I think our purchases per person are probably a little bit lower, full 12-bottle cases a little lower, but the quantity of people coming [is up]. They're staying home, they're doing stuff that's closer that isn't as expensive to go and taste at a winery.

Q: So maybe where they used to leave with six bottles, now they’re leaving with three?

A: Yes. Although we went to all total six-bottle cases, even to the retail stores. We call it Fine Wine 6 at a Time, and in a store a distributor will charge a surcharge to break up a case if the store doesn’t want to buy 12, as much as $1.25 a bottle. So this way it gives the store the opportunity to buy less to put on the shelf at one time, and it seems to be working.

Q: How many years have you been doing this?

A: This year. We just started it.

Additions to the events schedule

Terrapin Station Winery, located a few miles north of Elkton, Md., sent out a note Thursday about several tastings its doing this weekend.
Friday: 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.. Upcounty Fine Wine Clarksburg, Md.
Saturday: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., State Line Liquors, Elkton, Md.
Saturday: 1 - 5 p.m., House of Liquors Westminster, Md.

And then there's this sale just announced at Manatawny Creek Winery in Douglassville, Pa. Winemaker and proprietor Joanne Levengood wrote in an e-blast: We are finding it hard to find space in the cellar for newly bottled wine! So, in order to make some room, this coming weekend, April 3rd through April 5th, we are having an end-of-the-winter Winter Warmth sale. Our spiced, sweet, red Winter Warmth wine will be on sale for 20% off per bottle. Additional 10% off case prices apply! To show you how Winter Warmth can be enjoyed cold in warmer weather, we’ll have some Winter Warmth Spritzers on hand for everyone to try.

The Event Grapevine: April 2-5

The calendar is beginning to fill up now that spring’s here, including two activities related to American’s pastime.

One will take place Saturday at Vynecrest Vineyard & Winery in Breinigsville, Pa., where Jan and John and Sam and the rest of the clan will celebrate the start of the season and the Phillies championship. The bash will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Its the first of its kind at the winery, where sports is as much a passion as winemaking. So how come they haven't done this before? "The Phillies hadn't won [the title] before," Jan said simply, talking on the phone Tuesday. At least not since the winery opened in 1989.

Besides the wine and music and everything except the national anthem, the winery will raffle off four tickets to a Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs game, offer $1 hot dogs and an Opening Day “three pack” that will feature the winery's Summertime Red, plus show highlights from the Phillies championship on its big screen. In addition,. Anyone who comes in wearing a hat, shirt or jersey representing the Philadelphia Phillies, Reading Phillies, Iron Pigs or Vynecrest Reds (a local team that competes in the South Mountian Baseball Association that Vynecrest sponsors) will get 20 percent off the purchase of a case. Mets fans? Don't wear your uniforms, or you might get charged double.

Meanwhile, Opening Day for the Orioles is Monday and the Marylanders for Better Wine & Beer Laws will be giving away $25 gift cards to Gertrude's, Dogwood and Sotto Sopra in exchange for a few hours of handing out fliers before the 4:05 p.m. game against the Yankees. The $25 gift cards are available for the first 22 people to sign up on our Meet Up group page. MBBWL is the largest group in Maryland trying to get legislation passed to allow Marylanders of legal drinking age to be able to order a bottle of wine delivered directly to us, and we want to hit as many stadium-goers that day with our hand-out as possible. Volunteers are needed from 1 to 4:30 p.m. that day, and the gift cards will be given out once the game starts.

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

PENNSYLVANIA WINERIES

Adams County Winery, Orrtanna: Home wine-making class ($$), Sunday, May 10; concert series will begin July 4, 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 ($$), 2 to 5 p.m., all require reservations at 741.3072, all events at the Wine Gallery in Olde Tollgate Village; music of Ravensun ($$), Saturday, April 11, 2 to 5 p.m., link to winery

Blue Mountain Vineyards & Cellars, New Tripoli: Sunday Blues Wine Tastings, music every Sunday ($$), 2 to 5 p.m., through April, except Easter; 13th annual Candlelight Barrel Tasting, 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, 1 to 6 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, link to winery

Boyd’s Cardinal Hollow Winery, North Wales: Nina singing live, Saturday, April 11, 5 to 8 p.m., link to winery

Chaddsford Winery, Chaddsford: Reserve tastings ($$) begin in April, 1, 2:30 and 4 p.m. every Saturday; Wine 101 ($$), Thursday, April 9, 7 to 9 p.m. with Eric Miller, the first of a series of classes that run through May; next class is Thursday, April 16, Decadent Chocolates and Dessert Wines, 7 to 9 p.m.; Pierre Noir release party, Friday, April 3; Crazy Eric sale at the winery, Saturday, April 11, starting at 9 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: Beginner tasting class ($$), Saturday, April 25, 3 p.m.; A Taste of Spring, a Berks County Wine Trail event, April 25-26; vineyard and winery tour ($$), Saturday, May 30, link to winery

Country Creek Winery, Salford Township: Music, Christine and Company, Saturday, April 19, no cover charge, 133 Cressman Road, Telford, link to winery

Crossing Vineyards & Winery, Washington Crossing: Wine 101 classes ($$) at the institute, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Monday, the next one will be Wines of the World on April 13; Pairing Wine and Cheese ($$), Thursday, April 16, 7:30 p.m.; Wine Tasting for Singles ($$), Friday, April 17, 7 p.m.; Wine Tasting for Dummies ($$), Sunday, April 19, 2 p.m., at the institute, link to winery

Franklin Hill Vineyards, Bangor: Free winery tour, Wednesdays at noon, link to winery

Galen Glen Vineyard and Winery, Andreas: Mother’s Day party, Sunday, May 10; spring tour of the vineyards and wineries, May 16-17, tours begin at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m., link to winery

Hauser Estate Winery, Biglerville: 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., food service will start at noon and the bonfire rill run from 6 to 7 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.; vineyard planning, volunteers welcome, Saturday, April 25; bottling work day on Memorial Day, May 25, both days will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and include Carol’s famous Vineyard Burgers -- reservations for both are requested at 610.869.4412; grand reopening on Saturday, May 30, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., music and snacks from 2 to 5 p.m. along with giveaways and wine sales, 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.; A 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.); champagne brunch ($$), Sunday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., call 717.252.9463 for reservations, link to winery

Naylor Wine Cellars, Stewartstown: Forget The Taxes and Red Wine Dinner ($$), Saturday, April 18, 3 to 6 p.m., and Sunday, April 19, 2 to 5 p.m.; Grape Blossom Festival ($$), Sunday, June 7, noon to 6 p.m., link to winery

Pinnacle Ridge Winery, Kutztown: Taste of Spring, Berks County Wine Trail event, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, Day in the Vineyard ($$), at Clover Hill Winery, June 5-6, along with Vynecrest Vineyards & Winery, link to winery

Reid’s Ochards & Winery, Ortanna: New winery; call 717.677.7047 for more information.

Rushland Ridge, Rushland: Reopened, link to winery

Tamanend Winery, Lancaster: Open Thursdays through 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

Va La Vineyards, Avondale: Open Thursdays and Fridays, noon to 5 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 6 p.m.; 2006 Patina being released in April; art of David Oleski through April 19, link to winery

Vynecrest Vineyards & Winery, Breinigsville: Championship Phillies Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 20th anniversary weekend, April 18-19, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.,.link to winery

Waltz Vineyards, Manheim: New winery, open Thursdays through Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m., and by appointment; Chery Tree Merlot has been released, two bottle purchase limit, link to winery

Wycombe Vineyard & Winery, Furlong: Reopening this weekend for the season, noon to 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays, 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: winner of Maryland Governor’s Cup in 2008; pasta making and wine pairing with Michael & Laurie Forster ($$), Sunday, noon to 2 p.m. and 3 to 5 p.m.; Friday Night Flights, 5 to 7 p.m., beginning April 17, link to winery

Boordy Vineyards, Hydes: Reds, Whites and Bluegrass ($$), wine and music, Sunday, April 5, April 19 and April 26; Queen for a Day, Mother’s Day picnic ($$), May 9-10, winery link

Frederick Cellars, Frederick: Happy Hour, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. every weekday, glasses are half-price; Music in the Cellar, every Friday and Saturday in April, 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; “April in Paris,” April 18-19, Noon to 5 p.m., come taste Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard's Bordeaux style red wines as well as its Chardonnays and Pinot Grigio along with light French fare, music and ambiance. Take a tour of the winery, link to winery; Countryside Artisans Tour, April 17-19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., tour studios and meet artists who create fine handblown glass, prints, paintings, jewelry, furniture, sculpture, ironware and at SMV, sample our handcrafted wine. For information, an electronic brochure and a map, visit www.countrysideartisans.com.

Woodhall Wine Cellars, Parkton: Patricia Della Casual Fine Dining on location, will be serving dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and lunch, call 410.357.5078 for reservations, 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 AND FESTIVALS

A Taste of Spring, annual celebration of Berks County Wine Trail, which will be celebrating its fifth anniversary, April 25-26, with wine and food pairings, wineries include Bashore & Stoudt, Blair, Calvaresi, Clover Hill, Kog Hill, Long Trout, Manatawny Creek and Pinnacle Ridge, link to trail Web site

Bucks County Wine Tour ($$), Sunday May 30, 8 participating wine venues with food partners:
Buckingham Valley Vineyards - None Such Fard
Chaddsford Wine Shop - Earl's Prime Restaurant
Crossing Vineyards - Jamie Hollander Catering
New Hope Winery - Bobby Simone's Restaurant
Rose Bank Winery - Market by Shadybrook at Delaware Valley College
Rushland Ridge Winery - Luigi's Italian Ristorante
Sand Castle Winery - DISH Catering
Wycombe Vineyards - Andre's Cheese Shop
An after event reception will be held at the Tuscany at the Towpath in New Hope at 18 W. Mechanic Street from 5 - 6:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce, Doylestwon Bookstore or at any participating wineries the day of the event. Link to trail Web site

Wine in the Woods Wine Festival ($$), Columbia, Md., Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17, noon to 6 p.m. each day, link to festival Web site


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

Bin 604, 604 S. Exter St., Baltimore: Wine 101: The Basics of Wine Tasting ($$), classes on April 4, April 11 and April 25, at 2 and 3:30 p.m., classes limited to 12 people, they look at the typical characteristics of popular grape varietals and explain the terminology and techniques of wine tasting and learn how to recognize the subtle and subjective flavors of wine. Call 410.576.0444 for information and reservations, link here to Web site
RESTAURANTS

John J Jeffries, 300 Lancaster Ave., Lancaster: Happy Hour Revival, Friday, 4 to 6 p.m., Wine by the Glass: $5, Organic Cosmos: $4, Local Drafts: $3, Straub Light Bottles: $2

$$ – Fee

Magazine list Sugarloaf as destination-worthy

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Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard & Winery is reporting that it was featured in “DC” Magazine’s “The Best of the City 09.” The current issue of “DC,” a publication spotlighting innovation in the metropolitan area, recommends a day trip to the winery as one of its “Best of the City 09” selections. “Oenophiles are swarming to Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard . . . to sip top-flight Cabernet Franc, Pinot Grigio and other wines”. To read the article, visit www.modernluxury.com, click on “digital editions,” scroll to and click on the DC edition, and flip to page 71.

The winery will hold a tasting at Black Ridge Restaurant on Wednesday, April 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard wine will be featured at Black Ridge Restaurant’s “Meet the Maker” series. This segment of the series will feature a flight of SMV wines paired with a sample menu prepared by the Black Ridge Culinary Team. Black Ridge is located at Ridge Road, Mt. Airy, Md. For reservations and more information, call Black Ridge Restaurant at 301.829.8191.

And three other notes from the winery that appeared in its latest e-letter:

Expanding Taste, Part III: In order to better serve our increasing number of guests as Spring is springing, we have increased our tasting facilities... again! Eight large tables have been added to our outdoor space and the tasting bar has been expanded. Our offerings of wine will also expand: by the end of April, SMV’s 2008 Pinot Grigio will be available and Sangria will be served once the weekend temperature rises above 65 degrees. Clearly, there is more to enjoy, so come visit!

In the Vineyard: Hand pruning will be completed in April. In May, we look for “bud break” on each vine. Since fewer grapes means better ripening and high quality wine, we reduce the potential cropload. We will remove all buds from the trunk of each vine and select buds to keep on each lateral cane. The goal is to allow ideal airflow and dappled sunlight for our 2009 crop.

Bottling at the Winery: In mid March we bottled 2,000 cases of 2007 Chardonnay, 2008 Pinot Grigio and 2008 Stomp. Several customers pitched in on the “bottling line” and were most helpful. We look forward to offering these wines for tastings and sales by early summer. In April we will bottle 2000 cases of Circe, Comus Reserve, Cabernet Franc Reserve and Cabernet Sauvignon. If you are interested to see the bottling process in action, check our website, contact us at info@smvwinery or call 301.605.0130 to confirm the latest details of the bottling schedules.