Event Grapevine: Jan. 16-18

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Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard in Dickerson, Md., will be combining a grand opening of the tasting room and a celebration of the presidential inauguration event. The party will run from Saturday through next Tuesday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and will include wine tastings and tours of the winery, sales on selected wines, hot soup, cheese platters, hors d'oeuvres, bottle engraving and entertainment. To top it off, you can view the inauguration of President Barack Obama on the big screen on Tuesday.

Winery partner Jim McKenna pulled along the side of the road yesterday to tell me by phone how excited he and the rest of the Sugarloaf family are to officially open the tasting room, which opened for business in October. "The tasting room has turned out to be even more pleasant and terrific than I could have imagined in my wildest dreams," he said. "There's something very lovely and warm about it. Peoiple who come in just love it. And I do, too. We have XM Radio and generally I either have classical music on or the [Frank] Sinatra station [that's on XM]."

McKenna said work would commence today on putting up a big tent over the patio in addition to the 40 or 50 people that the tasting room will be able to accommodate. And there's more room in the winery itself and elsewhere on the property to handle what's expected to be a busy, busy few days.

Otherwise, here’s what’s happening this weekend and beyond.

PENNSYLVANIA WINERIES

Adams County Winery, Orrtanna: Wine appreciation class ($$), Saturday, Jan. 24, 6 to 8:30 p.m.; home wine-making ($$), Sunday, Feb. 22, 1 to 3 p.m., link to winery

Blue Mountain Vineyards & Cellars, New Tripoli: Music every Saturday ($$), 6 to 9 p.m., link to winery

Chaddsford Winery, Chaddsford: Academy Awards of Pennsylvania Wines ($$), Harrisburg Hilton, Sunday, 2:55 p.m., tickets through the Wine Society of Pennsylvania; Taste of the Brandywine benefit at Hilton Garden Inn ($$), Friday, Jan. 23, 6 to 10 p.m., members of the wine trail will showcase its newest releases along with hors d’oeuvres provided by the Hilton; Eric Miller wine and food pairing dinner at The Kitchen Shoppe in Carlisle ($$), Friday, Jan. 23, 6 to 9 p.m.; Wine and Chocolate Reserve Tastings ($$), every weekend in February, link to winery

Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery, Breinigsville: Snowy 6 Pack Sale, 20 percent off purchases of any six bottles of wine, through Sunday; beginning wine-tasting class ($$), Saturday, 3 to 4:30 p.m., SOLD OUT, link to winery

Country Creek Winery, Telford: Resolution Revolution, Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Wine and Chocolate Tasting, Friday, Feb. 6, 6 p.m., Harleysville Books, 672 Main St., reservations requested, link to winery

Crossing Vineyards & Winery, Washington Crossing: Wine Tasting for Singles ($$), Friday, 7 p.m.; Insider’s Guide to Vintage 2008 ($$), five-course gourmet meal, Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Wine Tasting for Dummies ($$), Sunday, 2 p.m.; wine and cheese pairing, ($$), Tuesday, Jan. 20, 7:30 p.m.; Wine Tasting in Riedel Crystal ($$), Sunday, Jan. 25, 2 p.m.; Wine & Wellness, East, Drink and Be Healthy ($$), Wednesday, Feb. 4, 7:30 p.m., link to winery

Hauser Estate Winery, Biglerville: New winery open, Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.; Candle Light Friday/Happy Hour, the last Friday of every month, 5 to 8 p.m.; satellite shop opened at 17 Lincoln Square, Gettysburg, 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.; Valentine’s Day Celebration, Feb. 14-15, link to winery

Manatawny Creek Winery, Douglasville: Weekend celebration, Friday through Monday, Sunday, noon to 6 p.m., otherwise 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Winter Warmth on sale for 10 percent off (try dipping ginger snaps into the spiced red warm wine). Fire will be blazing, link to winery

Moon Dancer Vineyards & Winery, Wrightsville: Music every Saturday (2 to 5 p.m.) and Sunday (2 to 5 p.m.); will close Fridays at 5 p.m. at least through February; vineyard hike and mulled wine ($$), Saturday, Feb. 21, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., link to winery

Naylor Wine Cellars, Stewartstown: Lovers Weekend Dinner White Wine Tasting ($$), Saturday, Feb. 14, 3 to 6 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 15, 2 to 5 p.m., link to winery

Paradocx Vineyard, Landenberg: Valentine’s Day at the Vineyard, Saturday, Feb. 14,
link to winery

Pinnacle Ridge Winery, Kutztown: The Buy Fresh Buy Local Wine dinner ($$), at John J. Jeffries on Sunday, Jan. 25, with Chardonnay, Chambourcin, Pinot Noir, and Late Harvest Vidal accompanying the four courses, $52 including tax and gratuity, sign up at www.johnjjeffries.com or call 717.431.3307; Chocolate & Wine Weekend, weekend of Feb. 14-15, Berks County Wine Trail event, link to winery

Rushland Ridge, Rushland: Closed January and February; will reopen March 5, 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: Souper Saturday/Sunday ($$), Jan. 24-25, soups & stew in fresh bread bowls available for sale, paired with a glass of wine; tickets on sale for Valentine’s Concert in the Vineyard ($$), Saturday Feb. 14; Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Weekend, Saturday, Feb. 14, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 15, noon to 5 p.m., link to winery

Va La Vineyards, Avondale: New holiday hours starting Dec. 1, weekdays, 12:01 to 5:27 p.m., Saturday and Sundays, 12:02 to 5:48 p.m., http://www.valavineyards.com/

MARYLAND WINERIES

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, link to winery

Boordy Vineyards, Hydes: Chili Winter Days ($$), this weekend, next weekend, and Jan. 31, 1 to 5 p.m.; Fond of You Fondue ($$), Saturdays in February, 1 to 5 p.m., winery link

Frederick Cellars, Frederick: Frederick Gives Back, fund-raiser for county Humane Society, Saturday; Inaugural celebration, stop by to toast the new president, Saturday and Sunday, music at 7 p.m. Saturday and meet the new winemaker from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, link to winery

Fridays Creek Winery, Owings: Wine & Chocolate Tasting United Way Fund-raiser ($$), Saturday, Jan. 24, link to winery

Linganore Winecellars at Berrywine Plantations, Mt. Airy: Wine and desserts pairing ($$), through the month; Jazzin’ in January ($$), Saturday, Jan. 24, noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., http://www.linganorewines.com

Woodhall Wine Cellars, Parkton: Soups of the World ($$), every weekend in January, this weekend is soups of France (Vichyssoise, Butternut Squash Soup, Bouillabaise),
all are served with bread from Stone Mill Bakery and Woodhall wine pairing recommendations, reservations are requested at 410.357.8644, 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

$$ – Admission charge

Manatawny: Winter Warmth set thru Monday

This note came in this morning from Manatawny Creek Winery in Douglassville, Pa. I'll add it to the Event Grapevine when that gets posted later tonight, but here's the skinny on event schedule this weekend at Manatawny, one of the top 10 winners in the competition held recently by the Wine Society of Central Pennsylvania.

"In celebration of the holiday weekend, the upcoming inauguration, and the Eagles in the playoffs, we decided to have a little “warmth” fun this coming frigid weekend. Friday, January 16, through Monday, January 19, we are putting our Winter Warmth on sale for 10% off. We will be serving this wine warm all weekend with some ginger snaps (try dipping the cookies into the wine). We’ll be open on Monday from 10-6 as well for the holiday. Warm, sweet, spiced wine being sipped by a roaring fire – sounds good to me!"

All for now – cheers!
Joanne
Manatawny Creek Winery
227 Levengood Road
Douglassville, PA., 19518
610-689-9804
www.manatawnycreekwinery.com
Hours: Friday, Saturday 10-6; Sunday 12-6

Mazza: Industry proving to be good investment

Had posted some of the conversation with Bob Mazza, president of the state winery association, about the impact of the economy and specifically what's going on in New York, where there are fears that Gov. David Patterson will cut off funding entirely to the Wine & Grape Foundation. I asked Mazza if there are similar concerns in Pennsylvania.

"I think every state's gotta fear something right now because of the state of the economy on a federal level and actually that trickles down to a state and local level, so, year, we all gotta be concerned about that," Mazza said by phone. "New York has been receiving substantial funding for a good number of years, probably over 20 years now, and that’s probably an area they're going to take a look at. But that’s kind of beating your chest to start out with and then of course everybody kind of moves down the line. I don’t think that’s going to happen, to be quite honest with you. I don’t think they are going to cut all the funding I think they’ve seen a tremendous return on their investment and that’s what it’s all about, that's the case you continually make is, 'Hey, whatever money you spend, we return much more, and it’s a good sound investment.' You don’t want to throw out the baby with the bath water. You gotta get rid of the bad programs that don’t work and aren’t returning anything on the investment and certainly keep continuing to support the programs that do, and I think it’s been proven that [the wine industry] does. So they just need to make that case."

Lehigh Valley ahead of curve on trail bags

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A couple of shots taken Sunday of Pinnacle Ridge Winery, located no more than a couple minute's drive off Route 78, near Kutztown, Pa.

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Before I bag it for the night, wanted to mention that we left Pinnacle Ridge on Sunday night with a couple bottles of wine, one of which was tucked into a Lehigh Valley Wine Trail bag that had the Web site on one side and all the pertinent contact information about the nine members on the other. Just thought this was a great idea and a good way to spread the word about the trail.

Asked by e-mail how long the trail has been using the bags, owner/winermaker Brad Knapp replied: "The LVWT has been doing the wine trail bag for at least 3-4 years now. Some of the wineries on the trail have their own bag, but about 1/2 of us use the wine trail bag. I like the bag since it looks a little nicer than your typical brown bag."

Might be worth an idea for other wine trails to copy.

Brandywine trail posts February choco-vents

Karen Cline of the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail passed along this release on what's planned for February in relation to wines, cheeses and chocolates:

With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, it’s time to start planning that romantic getaway to the Brandywine Valley. Our wine trail members are offering various events in February with romance in mind. Create an experience they’ll never forget with these Valentine’s specials!
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CHADDSFORD WINERY, 632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, PA (610)388-6221; www.chaddsford.com
WINE & CHOCOLATE RESERVE TASTINGS – Every Weekend in February!
February 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22 & 28
Each day at 1:00, 2:30 or 4:00 p.m.
February is the month of romance, so pick up your sweetie and indulge your love in decadent wine & chocolate tastings every weekend in February at Chaddsford Winery. Our team of wine educators will lead you through a sit-down tasting of premium Chaddsford wines paired with premium gourmet chocolates from award-winning Éclat Chocolate in West Chester. Master chocolatier Chris Curtin of Éclat has been piling up national accolades for what Philadelphia Inquirer food columnist Rick Nichols recently called "his obscenely luscious" chocolates!
$25; by reservation only at 1:00, 2:30 or 4 p.m. Call Chaddsford Winery at 610-388-6221 to reserve your space.
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KREUTZ CREEK VINEYARDS, 553 S. Guernsey Rd., West Grove, PA; (610)869-4412; www.kreutzcreekvineyards.com
February 14 & 15
Decadent Chocolate Fondue and Wine Pairings. No reservations necessary.
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PARADOCX VINEYARD, 1833 Flint Hill Rd., Landenberg, PA (610)255-5684; www.paradocx.com
EXCLUSIVE WINE, CHEESE, & CHOCOLATE TASTING WITH WINERY TOURS
Saturday, February 14th and Sunday, February 15th, 1:00, 2:30 and 4:00 p.m.
In celebration of Valentine’s Day, Chester County’s Paradocx Vineyard will host an exclusive wine, cheese and chocolate tasting, coupled with tours of the winery by our head winemaker. Cheese will be provided by Town Clock Cheeses of Gap, PA and chocolate by Neuchatel Chocolates of Oxford, PA. Each guest will receive a complimentary Paradocx Vineyard engraved Riedel wine glass. $20 in advance. $25 day of the event. Limited space available.
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PENNS WOODS WINERY, 124 Beaver Valley Rd., Chadds Ford, PA; (610)459-0808 www.pennswoodswinery.com
Saturday, February 14th
~Two for the price of One Tastings
~Penns Woods wines paired with decadent chocolate treats
~Soothing music playing in the tasting room to set the mood for romance
~Holiday gift basket will be available for purchase
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TWIN BROOK WINERY, 5697 Strasburg Rd., Gap, PA; (717)442-4915; www.twinbrookwinery.com
Saturday, February 14, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Valentine’s Day Evening Concert: "Sound of Roses", Admission charged.
Saturday, February 14, 10a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, February 15, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Complimentary tastings

Lehigh Valley wineries sweep Governors Cups

The Governors Cup (right) had a prominent place on the Pinnacle Ridge tasting bar Sunday, with bottles of the winning 2007 Chambourcin on either side of it. Accepting their Cups on Saturday were Mary Sorenti of Cherry Valley Vineyards and Brad Knapp of Pinnacle Ridge. These two photos are courtesy of Emily Caldwell of Penn State, courtesy of the Pennsylvania Winery Association.

Results are out from the 2009 Farm Show competition for Pennsylvania wines, and two Lehigh Valley Wine Trail wineries won Governors Cups. Pinnacle Ridge Winery in Kutztown took one in the grape wine category for its 2007 Chambourcin, and Cherry Valley Vineyards in Saylorsburg won in the fruit wine category with its sparkling Blueberry Spumante.

The awards marked the eighth time int he last nine years that members of the wine trail have won at least one Governors Cup. Pinnacle Ridge won with its Chambourcin in 2003, one year after Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery won for its Chambourcin. A total of 237 varieties were entered from 35 wineries across the state.

Here's the list of top winners:
Pinnacle Ridge Winery, 2007 Chambourcin: Best of Show, and Best Hybrid
Heritage Wine Cellars, 2007 Elderberry: Tie- Best of Show Fruit
Cherry Valley Vineyard, Blueberry Spumante: Tie- Best of Show Fruit
Shade Mountain Winery, 2006 Lemberger: Best Vinifera
Antler Ridge Winery, 2007 Red Vixen: Best American, and Best Dessert
Pinnacle Ridge Winery, Curvee Chardonnay: Best Sparkling

Gold medal winners include:
Vynecrest Winery, 2007 First Blush
Benignas Creek Vineyard & Winery, 2007 Traminette
Pickering Winery, 2007 Vignoles
Benignas Creek Vineyard & Winery, 2007 Benignas Tears
West Hanover Winery, Sour Cherry
Antler Ridge Winery, 2007 Diamond
Clover Hill Vineyards, Vignoles
Winfield Winery, 2007 Concord
Clover Hill Vineyards, Concord
Nissley Vineyards & Winery Estate, 2007 Seyval Blanc
Clover Hill Vineyards, 2006 Merlot
Greendance the Winery at Sand Hill, 2007 Black Currant
Greendance the Winery at Sand Hill, 2007 Red Raspberry
Heritage Wine Cellars, 2007 Peach Fuzz
Pinnacle Ridge Winery, 2005 Veritas
Nissley Vineyards & Winery Estate, 2007 Vignoles

You can find the other recognized wines and wineries at this link.

One label that doesn't bother with alcohol content

Brad Knapp serves up some of his wine behind the tasting bar.

One thing I learned Sunday after visiting Pinnacle Ridge on Sunday, besides the fact that it DID snow somewhere in the region, is that not every winery puts the alcohol content on its labels. I asked owner and winemaker Brad Knapp why he chooses to leave the alcohol percentage off his label, and he later wrote back this explanation.

"If a wine is labeled as 'table wine' then legally the alcohol must fall between 7% and 14%. This is a federal regulation and it is a way around not putting the alcohol content on the label. I try and avoid alcohol content for several reasons. One - it requires extra lab work (either in-house or external). Two - it means the label will have to be changed every year which invokes extra printing costs (new screens/plates etc). For our non-vintage wines (like the naked=2 0chardonnay) we typically print three years of labels at a time to help reduce costs by increasing label printing numbers and avoiding the alcohol percent content makes this easier to do."