SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
Wine, as the saying goes, is sunlight held together by water.
It is the divine juice of September, to quote still another—proof that we are loved and wished to be happy. Romantic though such notions may seem, who among us hasn't popped open a sparkling white or savored a full-bodied red in the company of friends old and new, the various vintages made all the merrier by the communal mirth (and, perhaps, a few plates of tapas)? In this same spirit, the Lehigh Valley is beyond fortunate to play host to a wide variety of vineyards, vintners and merchants who seek to share both their passion for the local terroir and, more to the point, the bottled fruits of their labor. Looking to schedule your own tasting tour? Read on to find out where to go and who to see as you swirl, sniff and sip your way through the Valley's vineyards.
–Enjoy5
The Local Guide to Wineries is a special advertising supplement to Lehigh Valley Style. Its contents are copyright © 2017 Lehigh Valley Style, a monthly publication of IDP Publications, 3245 Freemansburg Avenue, Palmer, PA 18045-7118. Nothing contained herein may be reproduced in whole or in part without the expressed written consent of the publisher. Publisher disclaims all responsibility for omissions or errors. Lehigh Valley Style and its owners are not liable for claims made by any advertisers or any inaccuracies or intentional copyright infringements. All rights reserved. The magazine welcomes, but cannot be responsible for, unsolicited manuscripts, contributions or photographs. Unsolicited materials cannot be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Printed in the USA.
Maple Springs Vineyard, located in beautiful Bechtelsville, is a family-owned winery where the grapes are estate grown, sustainably farmed and harvested by hand. Drawing from their 1750s Pennsylvania farming heritage and new-world winemaking techniques, the wine has been shaped and crafted with care. Featuring Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and other unique varietals, Winemaker Jef Stebben, a native of California Wine Country, captures the direction of the fruit, creating remarkably subtle yet complex wines. The wine is recognized by experts as among the finest produced in the east and is available in the best regional restaurants. Experience the life cycle of the wine, from vineyard to bottle, with a Case Club Membership, or host a corporate or special event in the new 1,500-square-foot winery event space overlooking the beautiful countryside.
Maple Springs Vineyard Tastings By Appointment Only 610.702.2174 info@maplespringsvineyard.com maplespringsvineyard.com
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Berks County Wine Trail berkscountywinetrail.com
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The beautiful rolling countryside of Berks County offers acres of farmland and vineyards in one of Pennsylvania's award-winning wine regions. The Berks County Wine Trail is a hidden gem, with 11 wineries spread across the county with Reading at its center. Welcoming residents from the immediate community, the wine trail also sees visitors from the Greater Lehigh Valley, Harrisburg, Scranton, Philadelphia and its suburbs, New Jersey and beyond. The Berks County Wine Trail covers a diverse spectrum of wines, as each stop reveals a winemaker with a unique perspective. Travelers on the trail will find ultra-dry, bold reds; crisp, elegant white wines; festive bubblies; silky ports; demisec wines; clever fruit wines; and sweets for those who like a lighter, more approachable vibe. Visit berkscountywinetrail.com for ideas to plan a selfguided tour. Hit the trail any time or check out one of the annual gourmet food and wine pairing events.
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Calvaresi Winery's pride is in quality, small-batch wine production. Award-winning wines are offered in a friendly, fun and relaxed atmosphere. Guests love the quaint country location. The recently released Soaked brand of wine is garnering medals statewide. Calvaresi offers everything from quality, classic dry viniferas to sweet Northeast natives. Guests can even sip a refreshing wine slushy on hot days. Their motto: “No matter what you prefer... you’ll find a favorite here!” Stop in and enjoy a glass indoors or out. Tastings take place in the tank room. Live music is offered indoors monthly when the weather is not cooperative, with outdoor music festivals in warmer weather. Space can be rented for events. There’s lots of fun happening! Calvaresi is opening a tasting room with vineyards in Northampton County. Tasting will take place in the lower level of an 1837 stone bank barn. The new location (pictured above, at lower left), Soaked Winery, is located at 567 Blue Mountain Drive in Walnutport.
Calvaresi Winery 107 Shartlesville Rd. Bernville 610.488.7966 calvaresiwinery.com
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Folino Estate Vineyard & Winery 340 Old Route 22 Kutztown 484.452.3633 folinoestate.com
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Folino Estate sits on 54 acres of rolling hills just minutes from the Lehigh Valley off Route 78. Wining, dining and relaxing at Folino Estate provides for an experience on par with an escape to Tuscany or the Napa Valley. The winery boasts award-winning winemaker Michael Vorauer, who is helping Folino Estate make a name for themselves, especially for their dry red and white wines, in Pennsylvania and beyond. In the Tasting Room, wine educators guide guests on a wine-tasting experience that engages all of the senses. Each month, visit the Tasting Room for a signature food and wine pairing that highlights their growing portfolio. The Tasting Room’s gift shop offers wine accessories, snacks and sauces and, of course, Folino Estate wines.
In addition to their winery and growing vineyard, Folino Estate has an Italian restaurant with a carefully crafted menu featuring new and classic Italian fare. EntrĂŠes include housemade pasta dishes and a variety of pizzas cooked to perfection in their wood-fired oven. Folino Estate is a premier venue for weddings, showers and private events of all sizes. Visit on the weekend and perhaps be lucky enough to get a glimpse of a blushing bride on her special day. Folino Estate also hosts a variety of signature events that are open to the public. Most Sundays, guests can enjoy live music in the Folino Piazza or outside on the patio during warmer months. At the end of the day, head outside to take in a truly breathtaking sight as the sun sets over the vineyard. A new business with a rich family history, the owners Marco and Andrea Folino invite all to experience Folino Estate for a taste of Italy without the plane ticket. Salute!
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Vynecrest Vineyards & Winery 172 Arrowhead Ln. Breinigsville 610.398.7525 277 W. Main St. Kutztown 484.641.5149 vynecrest.com
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John and Jan Landis got the “crazy” idea to plant grapevines in 1974. Forty-three years later, the oldest vineyard in the Lehigh Valley has grown to over 25 acres and the winery produces over 25,000 gallons of wine per year. Vynecrest Vineyards and Winery produces a wide variety of wines and constantly strives to keep its list fresh with fun and new selections. One will be “hard-pressed” not to be able to find a bottle of wine they like at Vynecrest. What makes a visit to Vynecrest Winery unique is the atmosphere. Once visitors pull into the driveway to park amongst the vines, there's a sense of getting away from it all. The history of the place hits them immediately upon entering the expansive tasting bar surrounded by exposed wood beams. The staff is phenomenal at handling any level of wine experience and truly makes the visit fun, relaxed and unforgettable. While Vynecrest Winery keeps things laid back and rustic on the front end, they work tirelessly behind the scenes to produce the best bottle of wine through
cutting-edge wine equipment and 40 years of winemaking knowledge. With the majority of the wines on the list being grown, produced and bottled on their 80-acre farm, there is something to be said for producing a local product that speaks to the area. Looking to relax after a long day tasting wine, check out the Vyneskeller Wine Bar nestled in the basement of their 150-year-old barn, where visitors can sip on wine, have a small bite and even... drink a beer! The Vyneskeller is open daily and has live music every Saturday and on the last Sunday of every month. For a full listing of events and times, check out vynecrest.com. LEHIGHVALLEYST YLE.COM
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Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery The Winery in Breinigsville 9850 Newtown Rd. Breinigsville 1.888.CLOVER.HILL The Vineyard in Robesonia 17 Clover Hill Ln. Robesonia 610.693.8383 cloverhillwinery.com
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Clover Hill wants everyone to enjoy their premium Pennsylvania wines. They would love everyone to learn about the winery’s pioneering history in Pennsylvania grape growing and winemaking. During a visit, Clover Hill wants guests to meet the Skrip family who owns the business and the wonderful staff that helps to spread the story. Clover Hill wants everyone to love Clover Hill as much as they do. There are two wonderful ways to experience Clover Hill Winery. Visit the Winery in Breinigsville to experience their main location and original vineyard, which was established in 1985. This spacious tasting room is open seven days a week and often hosts special events such as wine and food pairings, tasting classes, winery tours and more! Guests can also visit the Vineyard in Robesonia to experience Clover Hill’s largest vineyard. This rural location offers a laid-back tasting experience on a beautiful Berks County property. When visiting, be sure to pack a picnic and enjoy the property with a glass of wine! Regardless of which location is visited, Clover Hill hopes guests will love their wines and love the time spent at the winery and vineyards.
Hackett Wine 8375 Carpet Rd. New Tripoli 610.996.7468 hackettwine.com
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Hackett Wine was founded in 2007 and uses only grapes grown on the 90-acre estate, ensuring precise control over their quality. No insecticides or herbicides are used so that the grapes are as wholesome and healthy as nature makes possible. Traditional time-tested methods are used in winemaking, strictly limiting additions, deletions, fining and filtering. The goal is to create wines that naturally express the fruit, soil, water, sun and air, simply and honestly. Tasting them is like sipping this piece of the Lehigh Valley. Hackett wines complement other carefully selected ingredients for a fine meal served at home or enjoyed on their own. Versatile Pinot Noir, lightly oaked Chardonnay, dry Riesling and a robust blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc pair well with a variety of delicious foods. The tasting room has a grand view of the vineyard and of Carol Maguire's fine oil paintings.
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Family-owned and -operated, Weathered Vineyards is nestled among the family farms of the Lehigh Valley AVA. The winery and vineyard sit atop a hill with commanding views of the countryside. This location produces several microclimates that accentuate its unique terroir and ability to produce quality wines. Richard Woolley, Weathered Vineyards’ winemaker, investigated other wine-growing regions in determining the best cultivar for this region. The answer, much to his surprise, was Bordeaux, France. Both climates have wet springs, hot summers, occasional wet autumns and similar proximity to mountains and the ocean. Weathered Vineyards specializes in Cabernet Franc and other Frenchstyled wines. There’s something for every palate—from dry to sweet. Explore their wines and learn about their passion for the winemaking process. Bring a picnic basket, blanket and chairs and head up to relax among the vines. The forecast is sure to call for 100 percent wine and good times when planning a visit to Weathered Vineyards.
Weathered Vineyards 7670 Carpet Rd. New Tripoli 610.984.2867 weatheredvineyards.com
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Sleepy Cat Urban Winery 1840 W. Allen St. Allentown 610.351.2500 sleepycaturbanwinery.com
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Sleepy Cat Urban Winery was founded in 2016 by husband and wife team Mark and Carrie Gerencher. After making wine at home for several years, they decided to share their love of the craft with others when an opportunity presented itself. Located in the heart of the Allentown Theater District, Sleepy Cat brought the winery experience to the city, making them the Lehigh Valley’s first urban winery. All wines are produced, bottled and labeled on site by Mark and Carrie along with their “Friends of Sleepy Cat.” They have a wide variety of grape and fruit wines that range from dry to sweet. Sleepy Cat has a vibrant, fun and relaxed atmosphere for tastings, enjoying a glass of wine or just socializing. Have an event coming up? Sleepy Cat can host fundraisers, birthday parties, bridal showers, live music groups and local chefs showing off their talents in the winery’s event space. They are extremely excited for their one-year anniversary celebration in early August!
The story began over 100 years ago when the family crossed the pond from Italy to Roseto, started up their passion and began making wine. Today at Rowan Asher Winery, that family heritage continues. Winemaker Matthew and his wife, Misty (the Hard Cideress), named the business after their sons: Zoan Asher and Jude Rowan. They opened their doors in 2015, introducing the region to the Poconos’ first Urban Winery and Hard Cidery. Each small batch is handcrafted in the simplest form. The family heritage is honored by their bold “National Gold Medal Award Winning” Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, something hard to come by in the Northeast. The original location, a former industrial lumberyard, hosts local musicians, food trucks and festivals in the summer. The new Stroudsburg Main Street location has a cool, hip Williamsburg, Brooklyn wine-bar feel. Matthew, Misty and family are excited about the wine and cider industry’s future in the Poconos and will continue to bring unique products in an urban-style hang out.
Rowan Asher Winery Winery & Tasting Room 103 Gypsum Rd. Stroudsburg Wine Bar & Tasting Room 616 Main St. Stroudsburg 570.350.2697 rawwinery.com
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Renegade Winery 600 Main St. Stroudsburg 570.350.2638 therenegadewinery.com
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The Renegade Winery is no conventional winery, crafting their premium wines right in the heart of historic downtown Stroudsburg. The name Renegade was inspired by an unconventional way of thinking about wine and winemaking. They strive to combine both the quality of tradition with the freedom of innovation. Tour the winery to learn about how the wines are produced, then settle into the wine bar and sip on artisanal wines while indulging in a seasonal cheese plate. For those looking to celebrate a special occasion, Renegade Winery also functions as a private event venue, featuring the beautiful winery as a backdrop.
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Celebrating 25 years in business, Keystone Homebrew provides high-quality beer and winemaking supplies. The friendly and experienced staff is available seven days a week to offer service, advice and support throughout the beer or winemaking process. As the top-rated homebrew supply shop in Eastern Pennsylvania, they've guided and helped many aspiring local brewers realize their dreams of opening their own breweries. Set to open in the summer of 2017 as part of Keystone Homebrew's expansive new location, Stone & Key Cellars is an up-and-coming winery offering spectacular wines made from premier West Coast grapes, luscious fruit wines and award-winning ciders made from local apples. Follow along on social media for updates on the move as well as upcoming wine releases and special events.
Keystone Homebrew 128 E. Third St. Bethlehem 610.997.0911 keystonehomebrew.com Stone & Key Cellars Coming soon to Bethlehem 877.FUN.WINE stoneandkey.com
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Tasting Notes5
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SPLIT ROCK RESORT ’ S
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