-
News. News. News. Let's see. Haven't been able to catch up with Greg and Karen Lambrecht, who's Serpent Ridge Vineyards will open tomorow in Westminster, Md. It's the first one to open in that community and the newest to open in Carroll County. They are planning to be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days this weekend, and for the near future anyway. They're starting out with five wines, close to the average for any new winery that I've seen debut in this region. Those will range from a Vintner's Cabernet (blend of Cab Sauv and Cab Franc) to a what's become an accepted to an American Cabernet blend aged with American and French oak alternatives to a Rose to two whites, a Seyval Blanc and an Albariño.
I don't often just lift from another Web site's story, but the Association of Maryland Wineries that Dr. Kevin Atticks directs posted a feature on the couple recently in its e-letter. Let me run that to give you an introduction to the couple and the winery, and then try to get down there this weekend and gather some more details.
Famed Australian Max Schubert once said “The greatest wines have implanted in them the ideas of the winemaker as to what they should be. His character is part of the wine.” True to form, Greg Lambrecht produces structured yet innovative wines. Greg is the winemaker at Serpent Ridge Winery, which he owns with his wife Karen.
Over the past 22 years, Greg’s Coast Guard career kept him travelling. He spent some time in the Russian River Valley of California, and that is where his love for wine and the art of wine making blossomed. “The unbelievable vistas coupled with the wonderfully new experiences on my palate had me hooked.” Greg devoted as much time as he could to experience those wineries and to tasting wines.
It wasn’t until the mid 1990s that Greg and Karen began their small-scale winemaking. This lead to a love affair with the vines, the grapes, and the wines they produced. In their new passion, they found the perfect location on a beautiful 5+ acres, and named it Serpent Ridge due to the abundance of the reptiles found on the hill.
Greg compares the climate and its challenges similar to grape growing areas like Bordeaux, Northern Italy and Eastern Europe.
“Because we are blessed with this climate we can successfully produce many vinifera and hybrid varieties,” says Greg Lambrecht. “I use the word blessed because I do not consider our climate a negative but rather one of the influences that work to define the wonderful character of our wines.”
He is a firm believer that Maryland’s grapes offer wonderful varietal characteristics and earthy undertones. These are quite different from the more popular “big” reds from the West Coast, but Lambrecht poses the question “the characteristics of Maryland wines are derived from the regional differences offered by our climate. This 'regionality' is embraced in other parts of the world–why not here?”
Serpent Ridge consists currently of two acres of grapes, and this leads to a hands-on approach to wine making. Each vintage is made in small lots, and aged in stainless steel or new age oak. The bottles are sealed with a Zork, a relatively new and quite innovative approach to bottle closures. In regards to the debate of art versus science when wine making, Greg says this “At Serpent Ridge we allow the art of winemaking to be nudged by science if it decides to wander too far from our vision.”
Serpent Ridge officially opens in April. Look out for Serpent Ridge Albariño and two Cabernet blends, both influenced by Greg’s favorite varietals. Serpent Ridge will also be making a Pinot Grigio, Seyval-Blanc, and Ophion, a semi-sweet blush.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
The Event Grapevine: April 16-19
-
One of the more noteworthy events planned this weekend is Vynecrest Vineyard and Winery’s 20th anniversary weekend, set for Saturday (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Sunday (1 a.m. to 5 p.m.). The winery, located in Breinigsville, Pa., is a member of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail.
Live music (jazz vocalist Kristin Grassi and jazz guitarist Andy Warren) will take place in the Vyneskeller both days, along with wine specials and the celebratory cutting of a birthday cake both days at 3. There will be a 20 percent discount and a free Vynecrest short for all cases purchased this weekend.
Vynecrest's vineyard is the oldest in Lehigh County, its roots dating back to 1974. The winery opened 15 years later. It's owned by John and Jan Landis. Their youngest son, Sam, began lending a hand with the operation in 2002. He's now president of the Pennsylvania Wine Association.
Jan said during a phone conversation last week that they hadn't even thought about opening a winery when that vineyard was first planted.
"The whole idea stemmed from my editing a book on living off the land," she said. "We were thinking of just having a vineyard, really, and having our own wine. John loved planting, so we kept planting." She stopped and laughed. "You can only drink so much. And we gave it away. I think a lot of us back then didn't really consider doing it full time. And then if somebody would have said our son would come in with us. That was another thing."
Their elder son Ben, by the way, is a women's soccer coach at Bucknell.
Jan said they have 15 acres planted; at least two more will go in this spring, including grapes that have been very successful (Chambourcin) and quite unsuccessful (Chardonnay) there. "Early on we had Chardonnay planted, and it would come within two or three weeks of harvest every year and we'd lose the whole crop, with humidity, or some problem," she said. "So we ripped it out, and John said ABC, anything but Chardonnay." But recent improvements in the durability and resistence of the grape have them trying once again, putting in a half-acre.
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; Women’s Wine & Unwind ($$), Saturday, May 9, 2 to 5 p.m., call 717.741.3072 to reserve a seat or a table by May 6, space is limited, link to winery
Blair Vineyards, Mertztown: Taste of Spring Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, April 25-26, a Berks County Wine Trail event, link to winery
Blue Mountain Vineyards & Cellars, New Tripoli: Sunday Blues Wine Tastings, music every Sunday ($$), 2 to 5 p.m.; 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: North Wales Day, Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Nina singing live, May 16, 5 to 8 p.m., link to winery
Chaddsford Winery, Chaddsford: Reserve tastings ($$) 1, 2:30 and 4 p.m. every Saturday; Wine 101 ($$), Thursday, 7 to 9 p.m. with Eric Miller, the first of a series of classes that run through May; next class is tonight (Thursday, April 16), Decadent Chocolates and Dessert Wines($$), 7 to 9 p.m.; following one is Art of Blind Tasting: An Interactive Tasting ($$), with special guest Laurie Forster, Sunday, April 19, 2 to 4 p.m.; technical tour program, free, on Fridays 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; Day in the Vineyard ($$), at Clover Hill Winery, Saturday and Sunday, June 5-6, along with Vynecrest Vineyards & Winery and Pinnacle Ridge Winery, link to winery
Country Creek Winery, Salford Township: Music, Christine and Company, Saturday, 6 to 9 p.m., no cover charge, 133 Cressman Road, Telford, link to winery
Crossing Vineyards & Winery, Washington Crossing: Wine 101 classes ($$) at the institute, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Monday, the next one will be White Wine on April 20; Pairing Wine and Cheese ($$), tonight (Thursday, April 16), 7:30 p.m.; Wine Tasting for Singles ($$), Friday, April 17, 7 p.m.; Wine Tasting for Dummies ($$), Sunday, April 19, 2 p.m., at the institute; Spring Winemaker’s Dinner ($$), Saturday, April 25, 7:30 p.m., five-course meal and wine pairing, information and reservations by calling 215.493.6500, ext.19; How Sweet It Is: Pairing Wine and Chocolate ($$), Sunday, April 26, 2 p.m., link to winery
Franklin Hill Vineyards, Bangor: Free winery tour, Wednesdays at noon; St Paddy’s Day in April, Saturday, link to winery
Galen Glen Vineyard and Winery, Andreas: Mother’s Day party, Sunday, May 10; spring tour of the vineyards and wineries, May 16-17, tours begin at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m.; summer sipper, June 6-7, link to winery
Hauser Estate Winery, Biglerville: Candlelight Friday, last Friday of every month, 5 to 8 p.m., wine tasting, music and warm food, Reese Project Trio will perform on April 24; Ken Garrett book signing, Saturday, May 2; Italian Night ($$), Saturday, May 9, 5 to 8 p.m.; Mother’s Day at Hauser Estate ($$), limited seatings at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., food by Accomac Catering, link to winery
Kreutz Creek Vineyards, West Grove: Music at West Chester tasting room, 44 E. Gay St., Fridays and Saturdays, 6 to 9 p.m.; vineyard planning, volunteers welcome, Saturday, April 25; serving at Longwood Garden Wine and Jazz Fest, Saturday, May 2 (see more below); bottling work day on Memorial Day, May 25, both days will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and include Carol’s famous Vineyard Burgers -- reservations for both are requested at 610.869.4412; grand reopening on Saturday, May 30, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., music and snacks from 2 to 5 p.m. along with giveaways and wine sales, link to winery
Long Trout Winery, Auburn: Taste of Spring Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, April 25-26, a Berks County Wine Trail event,; Hippie Day, Saturday, May 23; Hippie Hurler Disc Golf Tournament, Sunday, May 24, link to winery
Manatawny Creek Winery, Douglasville: Hours have changed to Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays, noon to 6 p.m.; A Taste of Spring, Berks County Wine Trail event, Saturday and Sunday, April 25-26; pairing with John J Jeffries Restaurant in Lancaster for an all-vegetarian dinner on Sunday, April 26, one of the monthly food pairings with regional wineries and brewries, call the restaurant to make reservations, link to winery
Marburg Estate, Spring Grove: Tasting room reopening 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, link to winery
Moon Dancer Vineyards & Winery, Wrightsville: Music Fridays (6 to 9 p.m.), Saturdays (2 to 5 p.m.) and occasionally on Sundays (2 to 5 p.m.); Mother’s Day champagne brunch ($$), Sunday, May 10, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., call 717.252.9463 for reservations; jazz festival ($$), Saturday and Sunday, May 23-24, 2 to 10 p.m., link to winery
Naylor Wine Cellars, Stewartstown: Forget The Taxes and Red Wine Dinner ($$), Saturday, 3 to 6 p.m., and Sunday, 2 to 5 p.m.; Mason Dixon Trail event, April 25-26 and May 3-4; Margaritaville 2009 fund-raiser for Mason Dixon Public Library ($$), 5 to 11 p.m.; Grape Blossom Festival ($$), Sunday, June 7, noon to 6 p.m., link to winery
Nissley Vineyards & Wine Estate, Bainbridge: Will be pouring at one of the houses of a Time for Wine, a tour and taste of historic Marietta houses, Sunday, April 26, 4:40 to 7:30 p.m., enjoy wine or iced tea, delicious hors d'oeuvres, cheeses and appetizers in three of Marietta's lovely old homes. Your tour and taste will end with decadent deserts and coffee at the historic Union Meeting House, for reservations and tickets, please call Vivian Carroll at 717.426.1270, note the tour is limited to the first 100 reservations, to benefit the Marietta Restoration Associate's restoration of the Vesta Furnace Building, http://www.nissleywine.com/
Paradocx Vineyard, Landenberg: 2nd annual "Bud Break Bash," a celebration of the beginning of the grape growing season, Saturday, May 9, noon to 8 p.m. Only cost is $5 for the wine tastings. Will also include music from The Acoustic Groove Project, wine tastings, cheese samples, hayrides, winery tours, and tours of the vineyard (the bonfire will be held from 6 to 7 p.m.; Mother’s Day Afternoon at the Vineyard, Sunday, May 10, 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 ($$), at Clover Hill Winery, Saturday and Sunday, June 6-7, along with Vynecrest Vineyards & Winery, link to winery
Reid’s Ochards & Winery, Ortanna: New winery; call 717.677.7047 for more information.
Rushland Ridge, Rushland: Reopened, link to winery
Sand Castle Winery, Erwinna: Mother’s Day Brunch ($$), Sunday, May 10, 1 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Principles of Food and Wine ($$), a lecture and wine tasting, Wednesday, May 13, 6 to 8 p.m. Interested parties should make a reservation with Sheri Simond via email at
Philadelphia@eurocircle.com, link to winery
Tamanend Winery, Lancaster: Open Thursdays through Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m., classically styled premium wines in their bottled wine group, and premium sweeter styled wines in their Bag in Box group of wines, link to winery
Va La Vineyards, Avondale: Open Thursdays and Fridays, noon to 5:30 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 6 p.m.; 2006 Patina being released in April; art of David Oleski through April 19, link to winery
Vynecrest Vineyards & Winery, Breinigsville: 20th anniversary weekend, Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; May Day Saturday, May 2; Pinot Weekend, May 16-17; Day in the Vineyard ($$), at Clover Hill Winery, Saturday and Sunday, June 5-6, along with Vynecrest Vineyards & Winery, link to winery
Waltz Vineyards, Manheim: New winery, open Thursdays through Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m., and by appointment; Cherry Tree Merlot has been released, two-bottle purchase limit, link to winery
Wycombe Vineyard & Winery, Furlong: Reopened for 2009 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 ($$), Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m., link to winery
Black Ankle Winery, Mt. Airy: Winner of Maryland Governor’s Cup in 2008; explanation of wine and cheese with Cherry Glen Farms ($$), Sunday, sessions at noon and 2 p.m.; Friday Night Flights, 5 to 7 p.m., beginning tomorrow (April 17); back on summer hours: Wednesdays to Fridays, noon to 5 p.m., Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m., Sundays, noon to 5 p.m., link to winery
Boordy Vineyards, Hydes: Reds, Whites and Bluegrass ($$), wine and music, Sunday, April 19 and April 26, 1 to 5 p.m.; Queen for a Day, Mother’s Day picnic ($$), 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.; looking for volunteers for Wine in the Woods in May, signup is first come, first serve, link to winery
Serpent Ridge, Westminster: New winery, tasting room opening Saturday, will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Maggie's Restaurant in Westminster will be hosting a wine dinner on May 5 highlighting Serpent Ridge wine. Call Maggie's (410.876.6868) for more information or to make reservations.
Sugarloaf Mountain, Dickerson: Friday Flights ($$) is every Friday from 2 to 4 p.m., which consist of 3 half glasses of SMV wine, each paired with an appropriate cheese, fruit or chocolate, reservations at 301.605.0130; “April in Paris,” Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m., taste Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard's Bordeaux style red wines as well as its Chardonnays and the newly released 2008 Pinot Grigio along with light French fare, music and ambiance. Discounts on several bottles and on Sugarloaf Mountain cases. Take a tour of the winery, link to winery; Countryside Artisans Tour, Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., tour studios and meet artists who create fine handblown glass, prints, paintings, jewelry, furniture, sculpture, ironware and at SMV, sample our handcrafted wine. For information, an electronic brochure and a map, visit http://www.countrysideartisans.com/.
Woodhall Wine Cellars, Parkton: Patricia Della Casual Fine Dining on location, will be serving dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and lunch, call 410.357.5078 for reservations, link to winery
Other MARYLAND winery events can be found at this link, VIRGINIA events at this link and New York events at this link
WINE TRAIL EVENTS AND FESTIVALS
A Taste of Spring, annual celebration of Berks County Wine Trail, which will be celebrating its fifth anniversary, April 25-26, with wine and food pairings, wineries include Bashore & Stoudt, Blair, Calvaresi, Clover Hill, Kog Hill, Long Trout, Manatawny Creek and Pinnacle Ridge, link to trail Web site
Mason Dixon Wine Trail Spring Event, April 25-26 and May 2-3, Travel the trail between the 8 wineries on the Mason Dixon Wine Trail and collect a different herb to plant in your garden and a recipe card using the eight different herbs. The event is open to new and existing wine trail members free of charge. Wineries include Adams County, Allegro, Naylor and Seven Valleys in Pennsylvania, and Basignani, Boordy, Fiore, and Woodhall in Maryland, link to trail Web site
Pittsburgh Wine Festival ($$$$), Heinz Field, Thursday, April 30, benefits Univ. of Pittsburgh Medical Center, info at this link or 412.281.2681
Wine Festival in Hershey ($$$), Friday, May 1, Giant Center, benefits Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, info at this link or 717.534.3911
Philadelphia Wine Festival 2009 ($$$$), Saturday, May 2, Marriott Philadelphia Downtown, 1201 Market St., info at this link or 215.279.8313
Third annual Longwood Gardens Wine and Jazz Fest ($$), Saturday, May 2, wine and jazz, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and jazz concert featuring pianist McCoy Tyner, 7:30 p.m., For ticket prices, etc., please see http://www.longwoodgardens.org/WineandJazz2009.html
Margaritaville 2009 ($$), to benefit Mason-Dixon Public Library, Naylor Wine Cellars, Stewartstown, Saturday, May 9, 5 to 1 p.m., rain or shine, must be 21 or over to enter, For tickets contact Mason-Dixon Public Library, 250 Bailey Drive, Stewartstown, PA 17363, 717.993.2404
Wine in the Woods Wine Festival ($$), Columbia, Md., Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17, noon to 6 p.m. each day, link to festival Web site
Bucks County Wine Tour ($$), Sunday May 30, 8 participating wine venues with food partners:
Buckingham Valley Vineyards - None Such Fard
Chaddsford Wine Shop - Earl's Prime Restaurant
Crossing Vineyards - Jamie Hollander Catering
New Hope Winery - Bobby Simone's Restaurant
Rose Bank Winery - Market by Shadybrook at Delaware Valley College
Rushland Ridge Winery - Luigi's Italian Ristorante
Sand Castle Winery - DISH Catering
Wycombe Vineyards - Andre's Cheese Shop
An after event reception will be held at the Tuscany at the Towpath in New Hope at 18 W. Mechanic Street from 5 - 6:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce, Doylestwon Bookstore or at any participating wineries the day of the event. Link to trail Web site
CLASSES
Wine School of Philadelphia: Wine 101: Intro to Wine ($$), tonight (Thursday, April 16), 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., 2006 Fairmount Ave., Philly; Core Wine Certification ($$), classes for spring semester will begin April 23; Premium Green: Environmentally Soud Extravangance ($$), Wednesday, April 22, 7:30 p.m.; Wine 201 ($$), Wednesday, May 6, 6 to 8 p.m.; Sommelier Smackdown ($$), Wednesday, May 6, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.; for information on these and others, contact Keith at 215.965.1514 x55 or go to the Web site
Bin 604, 604 S. Exter St., Baltimore: Wine 101: The Basics of Wine Tasting ($$), class on April 25 (also May 9 and May 23), at 2 and 3:30 p.m., classes limited to 12 people, they look at the typical characteristics of popular grape varietals and explain the terminology and techniques of wine tasting and learn how to recognize the subtle and subjective flavors of wine; Green Wine Tasting ($$), Sunday, 3 to 6 p.m.; Alain Blanchon portfolio tasting ($$), Thursday night, April 30; Spanish wine and cheese tasting with Whole Foods Market ($$), Wednesday night, May 6; Call 410.576.0444 for information and reservations, link here to Web site
One of the more noteworthy events planned this weekend is Vynecrest Vineyard and Winery’s 20th anniversary weekend, set for Saturday (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Sunday (1 a.m. to 5 p.m.). The winery, located in Breinigsville, Pa., is a member of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail.
Live music (jazz vocalist Kristin Grassi and jazz guitarist Andy Warren) will take place in the Vyneskeller both days, along with wine specials and the celebratory cutting of a birthday cake both days at 3. There will be a 20 percent discount and a free Vynecrest short for all cases purchased this weekend.
Vynecrest's vineyard is the oldest in Lehigh County, its roots dating back to 1974. The winery opened 15 years later. It's owned by John and Jan Landis. Their youngest son, Sam, began lending a hand with the operation in 2002. He's now president of the Pennsylvania Wine Association.
Jan said during a phone conversation last week that they hadn't even thought about opening a winery when that vineyard was first planted.
"The whole idea stemmed from my editing a book on living off the land," she said. "We were thinking of just having a vineyard, really, and having our own wine. John loved planting, so we kept planting." She stopped and laughed. "You can only drink so much. And we gave it away. I think a lot of us back then didn't really consider doing it full time. And then if somebody would have said our son would come in with us. That was another thing."
Their elder son Ben, by the way, is a women's soccer coach at Bucknell.
Jan said they have 15 acres planted; at least two more will go in this spring, including grapes that have been very successful (Chambourcin) and quite unsuccessful (Chardonnay) there. "Early on we had Chardonnay planted, and it would come within two or three weeks of harvest every year and we'd lose the whole crop, with humidity, or some problem," she said. "So we ripped it out, and John said ABC, anything but Chardonnay." But recent improvements in the durability and resistence of the grape have them trying once again, putting in a half-acre.
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; Women’s Wine & Unwind ($$), Saturday, May 9, 2 to 5 p.m., call 717.741.3072 to reserve a seat or a table by May 6, space is limited, link to winery
Blair Vineyards, Mertztown: Taste of Spring Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, April 25-26, a Berks County Wine Trail event, link to winery
Blue Mountain Vineyards & Cellars, New Tripoli: Sunday Blues Wine Tastings, music every Sunday ($$), 2 to 5 p.m.; 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: North Wales Day, Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Nina singing live, May 16, 5 to 8 p.m., link to winery
Chaddsford Winery, Chaddsford: Reserve tastings ($$) 1, 2:30 and 4 p.m. every Saturday; Wine 101 ($$), Thursday, 7 to 9 p.m. with Eric Miller, the first of a series of classes that run through May; next class is tonight (Thursday, April 16), Decadent Chocolates and Dessert Wines($$), 7 to 9 p.m.; following one is Art of Blind Tasting: An Interactive Tasting ($$), with special guest Laurie Forster, Sunday, April 19, 2 to 4 p.m.; technical tour program, free, on Fridays 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; Day in the Vineyard ($$), at Clover Hill Winery, Saturday and Sunday, June 5-6, along with Vynecrest Vineyards & Winery and Pinnacle Ridge Winery, link to winery
Country Creek Winery, Salford Township: Music, Christine and Company, Saturday, 6 to 9 p.m., no cover charge, 133 Cressman Road, Telford, link to winery
Crossing Vineyards & Winery, Washington Crossing: Wine 101 classes ($$) at the institute, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Monday, the next one will be White Wine on April 20; Pairing Wine and Cheese ($$), tonight (Thursday, April 16), 7:30 p.m.; Wine Tasting for Singles ($$), Friday, April 17, 7 p.m.; Wine Tasting for Dummies ($$), Sunday, April 19, 2 p.m., at the institute; Spring Winemaker’s Dinner ($$), Saturday, April 25, 7:30 p.m., five-course meal and wine pairing, information and reservations by calling 215.493.6500, ext.19; How Sweet It Is: Pairing Wine and Chocolate ($$), Sunday, April 26, 2 p.m., link to winery
Franklin Hill Vineyards, Bangor: Free winery tour, Wednesdays at noon; St Paddy’s Day in April, Saturday, link to winery
Galen Glen Vineyard and Winery, Andreas: Mother’s Day party, Sunday, May 10; spring tour of the vineyards and wineries, May 16-17, tours begin at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m.; summer sipper, June 6-7, link to winery
Hauser Estate Winery, Biglerville: Candlelight Friday, last Friday of every month, 5 to 8 p.m., wine tasting, music and warm food, Reese Project Trio will perform on April 24; Ken Garrett book signing, Saturday, May 2; Italian Night ($$), Saturday, May 9, 5 to 8 p.m.; Mother’s Day at Hauser Estate ($$), limited seatings at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., food by Accomac Catering, link to winery
Kreutz Creek Vineyards, West Grove: Music at West Chester tasting room, 44 E. Gay St., Fridays and Saturdays, 6 to 9 p.m.; vineyard planning, volunteers welcome, Saturday, April 25; serving at Longwood Garden Wine and Jazz Fest, Saturday, May 2 (see more below); bottling work day on Memorial Day, May 25, both days will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and include Carol’s famous Vineyard Burgers -- reservations for both are requested at 610.869.4412; grand reopening on Saturday, May 30, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., music and snacks from 2 to 5 p.m. along with giveaways and wine sales, link to winery
Long Trout Winery, Auburn: Taste of Spring Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, April 25-26, a Berks County Wine Trail event,; Hippie Day, Saturday, May 23; Hippie Hurler Disc Golf Tournament, Sunday, May 24, link to winery
Manatawny Creek Winery, Douglasville: Hours have changed to Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays, noon to 6 p.m.; A Taste of Spring, Berks County Wine Trail event, Saturday and Sunday, April 25-26; pairing with John J Jeffries Restaurant in Lancaster for an all-vegetarian dinner on Sunday, April 26, one of the monthly food pairings with regional wineries and brewries, call the restaurant to make reservations, link to winery
Marburg Estate, Spring Grove: Tasting room reopening 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, link to winery
Moon Dancer Vineyards & Winery, Wrightsville: Music Fridays (6 to 9 p.m.), Saturdays (2 to 5 p.m.) and occasionally on Sundays (2 to 5 p.m.); Mother’s Day champagne brunch ($$), Sunday, May 10, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., call 717.252.9463 for reservations; jazz festival ($$), Saturday and Sunday, May 23-24, 2 to 10 p.m., link to winery
Naylor Wine Cellars, Stewartstown: Forget The Taxes and Red Wine Dinner ($$), Saturday, 3 to 6 p.m., and Sunday, 2 to 5 p.m.; Mason Dixon Trail event, April 25-26 and May 3-4; Margaritaville 2009 fund-raiser for Mason Dixon Public Library ($$), 5 to 11 p.m.; Grape Blossom Festival ($$), Sunday, June 7, noon to 6 p.m., link to winery
Nissley Vineyards & Wine Estate, Bainbridge: Will be pouring at one of the houses of a Time for Wine, a tour and taste of historic Marietta houses, Sunday, April 26, 4:40 to 7:30 p.m., enjoy wine or iced tea, delicious hors d'oeuvres, cheeses and appetizers in three of Marietta's lovely old homes. Your tour and taste will end with decadent deserts and coffee at the historic Union Meeting House, for reservations and tickets, please call Vivian Carroll at 717.426.1270, note the tour is limited to the first 100 reservations, to benefit the Marietta Restoration Associate's restoration of the Vesta Furnace Building, http://www.nissleywine.com/
Paradocx Vineyard, Landenberg: 2nd annual "Bud Break Bash," a celebration of the beginning of the grape growing season, Saturday, May 9, noon to 8 p.m. Only cost is $5 for the wine tastings. Will also include music from The Acoustic Groove Project, wine tastings, cheese samples, hayrides, winery tours, and tours of the vineyard (the bonfire will be held from 6 to 7 p.m.; Mother’s Day Afternoon at the Vineyard, Sunday, May 10, 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 ($$), at Clover Hill Winery, Saturday and Sunday, June 6-7, along with Vynecrest Vineyards & Winery, link to winery
Reid’s Ochards & Winery, Ortanna: New winery; call 717.677.7047 for more information.
Rushland Ridge, Rushland: Reopened, link to winery
Sand Castle Winery, Erwinna: Mother’s Day Brunch ($$), Sunday, May 10, 1 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Principles of Food and Wine ($$), a lecture and wine tasting, Wednesday, May 13, 6 to 8 p.m. Interested parties should make a reservation with Sheri Simond via email at
Philadelphia@eurocircle.com, link to winery
Tamanend Winery, Lancaster: Open Thursdays through Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m., classically styled premium wines in their bottled wine group, and premium sweeter styled wines in their Bag in Box group of wines, link to winery
Va La Vineyards, Avondale: Open Thursdays and Fridays, noon to 5:30 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 6 p.m.; 2006 Patina being released in April; art of David Oleski through April 19, link to winery
Vynecrest Vineyards & Winery, Breinigsville: 20th anniversary weekend, Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; May Day Saturday, May 2; Pinot Weekend, May 16-17; Day in the Vineyard ($$), at Clover Hill Winery, Saturday and Sunday, June 5-6, along with Vynecrest Vineyards & Winery, link to winery
Waltz Vineyards, Manheim: New winery, open Thursdays through Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m., and by appointment; Cherry Tree Merlot has been released, two-bottle purchase limit, link to winery
Wycombe Vineyard & Winery, Furlong: Reopened for 2009 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 ($$), Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m., link to winery
Black Ankle Winery, Mt. Airy: Winner of Maryland Governor’s Cup in 2008; explanation of wine and cheese with Cherry Glen Farms ($$), Sunday, sessions at noon and 2 p.m.; Friday Night Flights, 5 to 7 p.m., beginning tomorrow (April 17); back on summer hours: Wednesdays to Fridays, noon to 5 p.m., Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m., Sundays, noon to 5 p.m., link to winery
Boordy Vineyards, Hydes: Reds, Whites and Bluegrass ($$), wine and music, Sunday, April 19 and April 26, 1 to 5 p.m.; Queen for a Day, Mother’s Day picnic ($$), 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.; looking for volunteers for Wine in the Woods in May, signup is first come, first serve, link to winery
Serpent Ridge, Westminster: New winery, tasting room opening Saturday, will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Maggie's Restaurant in Westminster will be hosting a wine dinner on May 5 highlighting Serpent Ridge wine. Call Maggie's (410.876.6868) for more information or to make reservations.
Sugarloaf Mountain, Dickerson: Friday Flights ($$) is every Friday from 2 to 4 p.m., which consist of 3 half glasses of SMV wine, each paired with an appropriate cheese, fruit or chocolate, reservations at 301.605.0130; “April in Paris,” Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m., taste Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard's Bordeaux style red wines as well as its Chardonnays and the newly released 2008 Pinot Grigio along with light French fare, music and ambiance. Discounts on several bottles and on Sugarloaf Mountain cases. Take a tour of the winery, link to winery; Countryside Artisans Tour, Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., tour studios and meet artists who create fine handblown glass, prints, paintings, jewelry, furniture, sculpture, ironware and at SMV, sample our handcrafted wine. For information, an electronic brochure and a map, visit http://www.countrysideartisans.com/.
Woodhall Wine Cellars, Parkton: Patricia Della Casual Fine Dining on location, will be serving dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and lunch, call 410.357.5078 for reservations, link to winery
Other MARYLAND winery events can be found at this link, VIRGINIA events at this link and New York events at this link
WINE TRAIL EVENTS AND FESTIVALS
A Taste of Spring, annual celebration of Berks County Wine Trail, which will be celebrating its fifth anniversary, April 25-26, with wine and food pairings, wineries include Bashore & Stoudt, Blair, Calvaresi, Clover Hill, Kog Hill, Long Trout, Manatawny Creek and Pinnacle Ridge, link to trail Web site
Mason Dixon Wine Trail Spring Event, April 25-26 and May 2-3, Travel the trail between the 8 wineries on the Mason Dixon Wine Trail and collect a different herb to plant in your garden and a recipe card using the eight different herbs. The event is open to new and existing wine trail members free of charge. Wineries include Adams County, Allegro, Naylor and Seven Valleys in Pennsylvania, and Basignani, Boordy, Fiore, and Woodhall in Maryland, link to trail Web site
Pittsburgh Wine Festival ($$$$), Heinz Field, Thursday, April 30, benefits Univ. of Pittsburgh Medical Center, info at this link or 412.281.2681
Wine Festival in Hershey ($$$), Friday, May 1, Giant Center, benefits Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, info at this link or 717.534.3911
Philadelphia Wine Festival 2009 ($$$$), Saturday, May 2, Marriott Philadelphia Downtown, 1201 Market St., info at this link or 215.279.8313
Third annual Longwood Gardens Wine and Jazz Fest ($$), Saturday, May 2, wine and jazz, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and jazz concert featuring pianist McCoy Tyner, 7:30 p.m., For ticket prices, etc., please see http://www.longwoodgardens.org/WineandJazz2009.html
Margaritaville 2009 ($$), to benefit Mason-Dixon Public Library, Naylor Wine Cellars, Stewartstown, Saturday, May 9, 5 to 1 p.m., rain or shine, must be 21 or over to enter, For tickets contact Mason-Dixon Public Library, 250 Bailey Drive, Stewartstown, PA 17363, 717.993.2404
Wine in the Woods Wine Festival ($$), Columbia, Md., Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17, noon to 6 p.m. each day, link to festival Web site
Bucks County Wine Tour ($$), Sunday May 30, 8 participating wine venues with food partners:
Buckingham Valley Vineyards - None Such Fard
Chaddsford Wine Shop - Earl's Prime Restaurant
Crossing Vineyards - Jamie Hollander Catering
New Hope Winery - Bobby Simone's Restaurant
Rose Bank Winery - Market by Shadybrook at Delaware Valley College
Rushland Ridge Winery - Luigi's Italian Ristorante
Sand Castle Winery - DISH Catering
Wycombe Vineyards - Andre's Cheese Shop
An after event reception will be held at the Tuscany at the Towpath in New Hope at 18 W. Mechanic Street from 5 - 6:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce, Doylestwon Bookstore or at any participating wineries the day of the event. Link to trail Web site
CLASSES
Wine School of Philadelphia: Wine 101: Intro to Wine ($$), tonight (Thursday, April 16), 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., 2006 Fairmount Ave., Philly; Core Wine Certification ($$), classes for spring semester will begin April 23; Premium Green: Environmentally Soud Extravangance ($$), Wednesday, April 22, 7:30 p.m.; Wine 201 ($$), Wednesday, May 6, 6 to 8 p.m.; Sommelier Smackdown ($$), Wednesday, May 6, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.; for information on these and others, contact Keith at 215.965.1514 x55 or go to the Web site
Bin 604, 604 S. Exter St., Baltimore: Wine 101: The Basics of Wine Tasting ($$), class on April 25 (also May 9 and May 23), at 2 and 3:30 p.m., classes limited to 12 people, they look at the typical characteristics of popular grape varietals and explain the terminology and techniques of wine tasting and learn how to recognize the subtle and subjective flavors of wine; Green Wine Tasting ($$), Sunday, 3 to 6 p.m.; Alain Blanchon portfolio tasting ($$), Thursday night, April 30; Spanish wine and cheese tasting with Whole Foods Market ($$), Wednesday night, May 6; 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; appearance of Octavia on May 1 will kick off Happy Hour on the Terrace promotion; wine and food dinner with Manatawny Creek Winery ($$) on Sunday, April 26, call the restaurant for reservations at 717.431.3307; SSBN fund-raiser with blues, brews and BBQ ($$), Sunday, May 3, noon to 4 p.m., link to restaurant
$$ – Fee
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Wine biz Tweeter these days on social media
Karen Cline does yeomen’s work as coordinator of publicity and marketing for the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail. She’s a go-to resource for me, someone I can hit with an e-mail or phone call on any given day and get what I need – story ideas, trail info, contact information for a winemaker or proprietor or someone associated with wine -- to continue churning out the blog posts on a daily basis. Any trail or winery would be lucky to have her.
So while I was pleased to hear that the trail sent her to Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio, a few weeks ago to participate in the third annual License to Steal Marketing Conference, as someone who works for a newspaper I wasn’t thrilled to hear that we and our media brethren are being slowly phased out. Not maliciously, mind you, but because so many other forms of marketing, much of it now through social networking, are becoming increasingly successful at a cost far less than running an ad in any of the major media.
“A lot of wineries are slashing their advertising budgets and using more social media to get to customers,” she said. “One person said they slashed their ad budget for print media and traditional radio, and things like that, to 25 percent of what it normally would be.” Gulp.
Cline was one of around 90 people who attended the three-day conference, sponsored and coordinated by statewide wine offices of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Essentially it was a chance to share experiences and swap notes, then bring the ideas back to their respective wineries or wine trails to see what might work for them.
“Some wineries realize the value of bloggers, some of them have contacts like yourself,” she said. Others are doing [the blogging] on their own.”
One irony was that Cline wasn’t sure when we talked exactly who was making contact through myspace and Facebook and Twitter or producing their own blog because the event’s coordinators gave out a list of attendees that only included physical addresses. Not a phone number or Web site or anything else. But that problem was soon to be rectified, and Cline was waiting for that other data to be e-mailed so she could make a better assessment of who was dabbling in what social media.
Appropriately, a local newspaper carried a story on the event. Lifestyle editor Carl Feather wrote that Bill Geist, a marketing consultant from Wisconsin, was the guest speaker. Editors and representatives from major wine media, including the Wine Enthusiast, Vineyard and Winery Management and Wines and Vines, presented a session and were available for story pitches from the attendees. Tim Morarity, editor of Wine Enthusiast, was one of the evening’s keynote speaker.
Several observations based on a year doing this blog and out of my conversation with Cline:
* Check out this home page for the Norton grape, part of an extremely successful marketing campaign being done in Missouri. “Norton is a variety of grape, and they’ve actually personalized Norton himself into a person and they have very cute promotional ads and stuff, and he has a Facebook page," Cline said. "And the woman who does the marketing and advertising for Norton, she’s on Twitter, so I'm following her around now.”
* There are marketing directors out there working wonders by utilizing the media without incurring a cost. Certainly, the Brandywine and Lehigh Valley trails have generated much publicity for some of their events. To a lesser extent, from what I’ve seen, the Bucks County and Berks County trails have gotten stories written in the mainstream press. Alison Smith with the York County Convention & Visitors Bureau seemed to create a ton of coverage for the recent Tour de Tanks, including TV drive-bys, that helped to drive record crowds into all the wineries during the March event. A few at this point -- Chaddsford, Crossing Vineyard and Hauser Estate -- are leaning on agencies to provide press releases for upcoming events, but those remain in the minority.
* Wine trails are becoming more and more useful in order to drive traffic. And you’ll see those continue to develop in Maryland and Pennsylvania. The half-dozen wineries in Maryland’s Frederick County have developed a trail, for instance, and another seems to be taking shape in and around Lancaster, Pa. The Mason-Dixon Wine Trail actually includes four wineries from Pennsylvania and four from Maryland, and after several years of falling by the wayside has re-energized its efforts to develop new initiatives.
* Finally, my observations is that some proprietors seem put off by even a phone call; indeed one question that some of the old-line winery owners seem to ask is how they’re going to find the time to upgrade their marketing and promotional arms with all the work required to run the winery. It’s a good question, but taking five or 10 minutes to talk to someone (whether it’s me or one of many other bloggers now writing on wines in this area) would seem to be a good way to get the word out with an absolutely minimum amount of investment. As someone told me a while back (and if you don't mind me getting just a bit self-serving), “It only takes a little while to talk to you. You’re doing all the work and taking the pictures and writing them up. They don’t do anything. They should be very grateful.”
Winemaker's meal April 25 at Crossing Vineyard
Jason Brounce will have a hand in the winemaker's dinner on April 25.
-
For those living somewhere in the Philly or surrounding area and looking for somewhere to go on Saturday night, April 25, Crossing Vineyard and Winery in Washington Crossing is planning a Spring Winemaker’s Dinner.
Guests will receive a five-course gourmet meal, a chance to sample the winery’s new release wine – and some inside information on its winegrowing plans for 2009.
Cost is $89, plus tax and gratuity. Entrée substitutions may be arranged in advance. Seating is limited.
Guests also will meet Jason Brounce, Crossing’s vineyard manager, who says he developed a “love of processing fruit” during his 14-year journey from “historic farming” to state-of-the-art. Brounce, who will offer a preview of plans for this year’s vintage, says agriculture has been part of his life since he was 16 and learned farming from a generation that used horse-drawn equipment. He studied agriculture and business management at Penn State, then worked for a family farm founded in the early 1800s. He grew high quality, small fruit in its orchard and helped start a cider press and bakery.
Brounce said he left farming for a few years in search of a “better career,” but all endeavors left him feeling that “something was missing.” When he joined Crossing Vineyards in 2005, he said, he was “able to tie in my traditional beliefs, my state-of-the-art learning, and my love for producing fine products from the fruit I grow.”
Dinner will begin at 7:30 p.m. with an amuse bouche of seared scallop with horseradish remoulade, paired with Crossing’s Viognier ’07. Next is an entrée of pissaladiere (onion tart), paired with Riesling’ 07, then a plat du jour of veal roast with preserved lemon sauce, baby carrots with sultanas and creamy braised leeks, paired with Chardonnay ’07, Cabernet-Merlot ’04 and Vintner’s Select Red (NV, new release). A cheese course, paired with Merlot ’06 and Late Harvest Vidal Blanc’ 06, follows, then strawberry-rhubarb tart for dessert, paired with Brut Rose (NV).
Reservations may be made by calling 215.493.6500, ext.19 or online at the winery's Web site. Directions to the winery can also be found there.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Terrapin releases put on Friday's schedule
-
Terrapin Station Winery will unveil this year's versions of two of last year's best-selling wines later this week: the 2007 Cecil Red and 2008 Traminette Reserve.
Janet and Morris Zwick, proprietors of the Elkton County winery in Maryland, said they would be celebrating the release of the Traminette on Friday at Cherry Hill Liquors at 8 p.m. That's a couple of hours after a tasting at Gilly's in Rockville. Other tasting dates are planned for a number of dates in May. All will be posted on the Web site of the winery, unique for its packaging in a box.
Three more wines are also on the way: Vidal Blanc, Cayuga, and Five Rivers Rose', a new varietal. Terrapin Station has plans to build a tasting room, but for now has depended on a network of stores to sell its product.
Morris has been more than accommodating to talk about winemaking and his wines any time I call. For that, I'm happy to get out the word about these releases.
Terrapin Station Winery will unveil this year's versions of two of last year's best-selling wines later this week: the 2007 Cecil Red and 2008 Traminette Reserve.
Janet and Morris Zwick, proprietors of the Elkton County winery in Maryland, said they would be celebrating the release of the Traminette on Friday at Cherry Hill Liquors at 8 p.m. That's a couple of hours after a tasting at Gilly's in Rockville. Other tasting dates are planned for a number of dates in May. All will be posted on the Web site of the winery, unique for its packaging in a box.
Three more wines are also on the way: Vidal Blanc, Cayuga, and Five Rivers Rose', a new varietal. Terrapin Station has plans to build a tasting room, but for now has depended on a network of stores to sell its product.
Morris has been more than accommodating to talk about winemaking and his wines any time I call. For that, I'm happy to get out the word about these releases.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
On Easter, perfect pairings and LCB discounts
The kids are home. Company's headed over later. So it's time to open the best bottles laying in the racks in the cellar or chilling in the small upstairs refrigerator. Yesterday that meant uncorking a 2007 Naked Chardonnay from Chaddsford. Might duplicate that for starters today, perhaps opening one of the bottles we bought from Pinnacle Ridge. Or perhaps the Zafferano from Va La in Avon Grove. For our turkey dinner, we could uncork any number of Cabernet Franc bottles that we've bought from wineries around the region, including Stargazers in Pennsylvania and Woodhall in northern Maryland. Or we could add a little more color to the table with a bottle of Rose that we bought a few weeks ago during our visit to Waltz Vineyards in Manheim. The primary purpose of that trip was to catch a glimpse of the new tasting room and purchase a couple bottles of their signature, the Merlot. That's until we had a taste of the Rose and Chardonnay, which also found their way home with us.
Yesterday's match with steaks featured a bottle from the "state store," something I don't write about much on a blog that's focused on regional wines and wineries. But I had noticed during a couple of visits to premium collection stores around the region that some of the higher-priced bottles, those quoted at $60 or more, had been marked down to $19.99. Bought one last month outside Harrisburg, a 2000 Cims de Porrera Priorat, and several other wines quoted at $40 and $50 were marked down under $20.
Found a similar sale at the East York store on Friday, with bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon from the Miguel Torres vineyard in Spain dropped to $19.99. The 1996 Mas La Plana hit it off perfectly with the slabs of meat that made a quick trip to the charcoal grill.
I'm a sucker for the "old stuff," certainly anything that I know was in the ground prior to 2000. Gave this wine a couple hours to open up by uncorking and then decanting. It was one of those with such an aromatic bouquet that you just wanted to stand there and inhale. Eventually we did get around to polishing off the bottle.
Checked in with Tony Jones (the chief of product management and pricing division for the state’s Liquor Control Board) and Steve Pollack (the head of the Chairman's Selection program) to find out how often they were knocking the price of some of these premium wines and, if I bought them, how quickly I had to drink them.
Jones said the sales are just a matter of controlling inventory. "We’re a retail business and all of our investory equates to dollars," he said, "so we like to see a good sell-through time frame. We like to see a product sell through in six months, ideally 90 days, but when it comes around six months and we're still seeing a good deal of intentory left on a product hanging around, that’s what motivates us to sell it through and move on to other products."
You'll likely find these significant markdowns at the premium collection stores only, and the new price will be uniform across the Commonwealth. Jones and Pollack noted that this particular wine, and other premiums priced to move, don't necessarily have to be consumed quickly. Maybe buy a couple and drink one now, then cellar others to open in 2010 and 2011 or beyond. They figure to show well for the next few years, at least.
Jones noted that state residents have access to more of these discounts through online sales at the LCB's premium collection site. Generally, he said, they'll pull the wines they need to move off the shelves and promote them online to customers who have signed up for e-blasts. Anyone purchasing these can designate which store they want the wine shipped to. The wine cannot be received at someone's residence or business.
"We expect to have another sale coming up after the wine festivals [at the end of the month and the start of May]," Jones said. "The majority [of sales we've done in the past] have been online only. [This sale] is probably only the second time we’ve allowed the inventory to stay in stores. We don’t want to tarnish the Chairman’s program by having a bunch of discounted items out there, so we move [them] online."
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Blending together a bit of this, that
Amid all the e-blasts and e-mails I have received the past 48 hours, let me clear the notebook a bit.
From Adam Borden, who's heading up Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws and directed an effort to hand out flyers at Monday's Opening Day at Camden Yards in Baltimore: "We had a decent but not great turnout, about 10, and handed out probably 10,000 fliers," he wrote. "Boy, did I have to get my elevator pitch down! I got it to: 'We're a Maryland non-profit trying to change our laws.' Many people said they did not care about changing any Maryland law without even hearing what law it was, though on the opposite side, a few actually were already members and had signed up for email alerts. I am not sure we will do it again, but we sure got in front of a lot of Marylanders."
--
From Dr. Vino, who posted on his blog Thursday a link to a story that ran in Tuesday's New York Times on restaurants beginning to serve wines from refillable tanks: essentially, wine on tap. Here's the Times story and below the Dr. Vino blog entry.
The NYT ran a story yesterday about wine served in restaurants from refillable tanks. It’s a win-win idea since it lowers the cost per glass of wine reduces wine’s carbon footprint with less packaging mass, similar to the bag-in-box idea I detailed in the Times last summer.
Let’s just hope the restaurants that do use the system pass on the lower costs to diners. Such is the case of those detailed in the story. Last spring, I also saw an affordable tank wine (”Mas vino,” pictured above) offered by the glass at Small Shed Flatbreads in Mill Valley. I didn’t try it because I was too busy trying a prosecco.
--
Paradocx Vineyard in Landenberg, a member of the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail, will hold its 2nd Annual "Bud Break Bash" from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 9. There will be live music from 3 to 6 p.m. and a bonfire from 6 to 7 p.m. It's a celebration of the beginning of the grape growing season, signified by the grape vines breaking their first buds. “Bud Break Bash” will have something for all ages, including live music from The Acoustic Groove Project, wine tastings, cheese samples, hayrides, winery tours, and tours of the vineyard, where those conducting the tour will point out new bud growth. A ceremonial burning of the old grape vine trimmings will be held after dinner. Standard wine tasting fees apply ($5 for tasting of 7 wines). Everything else is complimentary.
--
Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery in Breinigsville listed its receipes from the recently completed March Madness and gave notice to one of this region's unique events: A Day in the Vineyard. Held in conjunction with Pinnacle Ridge and Vynecrest, "the Hill" will serve as the location for grand tastings several times on Saturday, June 6, and Sunday, June 7. Activities after the grand tastings then will move to the other two wineries. The cost is $25. To sign up or for more info, call Clover Hill at 610.395.2468.
--
Maryland Governor's Cup winner Black Winery Vineyards has moved to summer hours (Wed-Fri, noon-5 p.m.; Sat, noon-6 p.m.; Sun, noon-5 p.m.) and will begin a weekly "happy hour" called Friday Night Flights starting next week, the 17th, from 5 to 7 p.m.
--
Black Ankle and Serpent Ridge Winery (Westminster) are among various Maryland wineries looking for volunteers to pour during the upcoming summer festival season. Best place to start is the site for the Association of Maryland Wineries for a list of wineries near you. If they need help, you'll likely find that request on the winery's home page. E-mail Tracy at tracy@blackankle.com if you'd like to assist Black Ankle and volunteers@serpentridge.com if you want to assist Serpent Ridge. Those folks are asking for the following: Name/Contact Info/Date and shift you would like to volunteer, First (11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.) or second (2:30-6 p.m.). Time slots will be filled on a first-come basis and we will need to know if you would like to volunteer by May 1.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)