National Wine & Cheese Day
2021-07-25 15:30 - 17:00 UTC | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
National Wine & Cheese Day by Marty Cook
What better day to celebrate than a “Hallmark Holiday” on July 25th known as “National Wine & Cheese Day”? Wine and Cheese. Sort of goes together like Peanut Butter and Jelly. Like Eggs and Bacon. Like Potatoes and Gravy. Just a natural combination. And, Wine and Cheese as a pairing has chemistry in both a figurative and a literal sense. The fat in cheese works with tannin to smooth out the wine while the salt in cheese softens the acids in wine. Try it with us on Sunday, July 25th at 3:30 p.m. Eastern/New York time if you doubt this!
On “National Wine & Cheese Day”, our resident wine educator and co-host Joe Via will step us through the machinations of selecting cheese pairings to compliment your favorite wines. In that sense, Joe has said that this program will be more about cheese than it will be about wine. So, to make it easier, we will pair our cheeses with wines of your choosing made from the seven Noble Grapes. What are the Noble Grapes? I am glad you asked!
The Noble Grapes are made from a short list of seven wine grapes that, as an aggregate, make the dominant proportion of fine wines around the world. This is partially as a result of these grapes being hardy enough to grow in most wine climates, not to mention that they also make some very fine wines. They are Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc (all white), and Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah (all red). We will let the choice of wine-growing region up to your discretion, as the focus here will be on the cheeses.
There are many types of cheeses, such as Fresh Cheeses, Soft-White Cheeses, Natural-Rind Cheeses, Washed-Rind Cheeses, Semi-Soft Cheeses, Hard Cheeses, Blue Cheeses, and Specialty Cheeses. It is impossible to delve deeply into the extensive world of cheeses. Our goal will be to provide an overview with the basic rules of thumb with which you can arm yourself when making informed cheese choices to go with the wines you are serving.
There is so much to explore and enjoy! It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the task; given seven Noble Grapes, so many cheeses, and so little time. The resources pictured here can offer ideas. We also recommend seeking suggestions from your favorite Wine Consultant. For cheese – good advice is available for those in southcentral PA from experts found at Clyde Weaver’s in the West Shore Farmers Market, any Wegman’s Market cheese booth, the Di Bruno Bros. booth in the Camp Hill Giant supermarket, or Pugliese Brothers, Paxton Church Rd., Harrisburg. And it can be simple too should you only have time to stop by a minimart Sunday afternoon – Philly Cream Cheese on a plain Triscuit can be quite nice with a good crisp white wine. Therefore, no choice is wrong – be adventurous – we will learn together what we like AND what we love to pair!
And in case you’re worried about buying too much cheese and those leftover corners and chunks – the best mac and cheese EVER has been made by throwing in ALL the cheeses left from a couple cheese boards into the mix. An easy weeknight dinner and the next day’s take-to-work lunch that will have your whole work team wondering what smells so good in the microwave.
So, grab several bottles of wine from among the seven Noble Grape varieties along with a random assortment of cheese types, invite a few friends along for the ride, and join us at the Zoom link below on Sunday, July 25th at 3:30 p.m. Eastern/New York time to discuss Wine and Cheese pairing with Joe Via on “National Wine & Cheese Day”!
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Waltz Vineyards Estate Winery Tour & Tasting
2021-07-31 15:00 - 18:00 | Waltz Vineyards Estate Winery, 1599 Old Line Rd., Manheim, PA, 17545, United States
The Waltz’s sixth generation farm is situated on a beautiful hill in Lancaster County, PA. For generations, the farm produced traditional crops including tobacco, corn, soybeans and wheat. The vineyards were planted in 1997. The farm enjoys a Continental Climate similar to Northern Italy and Central France. This unique micro-climate also boasts well-drained soils and adequate air flow for vineyards.
Jan Waltz, sixth generation Lancaster County farmer, and his wife Kimberly sought out to utilize their unique site and produce a product that could be set on a world stage. Jan’s Agricultural heritage and related degree from Penn State paved the way for meticulously maintained vineyards. Kimberly’s experience with family business and marketing and related degree from Penn State provided the complementary skill set necessary to launch Waltz Vineyards Estate Winery. The boutique winery utilizes the most modern wine-making technology imported from Italy. Waltz wines have received many accolades from International, National and State competitions.
Recently a new winemaker officially joined the team—Jan and Kimberly’s son, Zach, who is now the Director of Operations, Viticulture and Enology. Zach’s heritage experience, and degree from Cornell bring additional knowledge and skills, which further complement the processes Waltz has always meticulously maintained to make great wines. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell is home to one of the top viticulture and enology programs in the world and is internationally recognized for its expertise in breeding wine grapes adapted to cool climate growing regions. We look forward to hearing from Jan and Zach about the vintages, the harvests, and the wines from barrel to bottle. I know many of you will be excited that we are returning to Waltz Vineyards! If you’ve not tried these PA wines, now may be the time for you. Even Waltz Wine Club members will enjoy this Saturday afternoon with new vineyards to see, new wines, and a new winemaker joining the tour and tasting presentations!
Did you know Waltz Vineyards Wines were reviewed by jamessuckling.com? James Suckling was a former Senior Editor of Wine Spectator. He is one of today’s leading wine critics whose reviews are read and respected by serious wine collectors, and the wine trade worldwide. “Our tasting suggested that Waltz learned extremely well from his mater. Two of his wines were rated 94 points: Cabernet Sauvignon Crow Woods 2014 and Chardonnay Reserve 2015. The latter could easily stand comparison with many of the best Chardonnays from California or Burgundy..” – Stuart Piggot of jamessuckling.com
Waltz wines have received many accolades from International, National and State competitions. Waltz Vineyards is a 3-time winner of the coveted PWS Pennsylvania Wine Excellence Award as well! Go to the PWS website awards page to see which wines won. I know many of you are excited that we are returning to Waltz Vineyards, because you’ve already registered! If you’ve not tried these PA wines, now may be the time for you.
Waltz Vineyards is committed to using only their estate-grown fruit. The vineyard team works diligently throughout the year to assure the vines produce top quality vinifera wine grapes. Shoot tucking, thinning, leaf pulling and weed removal are all jobs completed by the hands of a a hard-working vineyard crew. President and winemaker Jan Waltz says “…by sourcing fruit only from our own meticulously maintained vineyards, we maintain our standards of excellence in the winemaking process from beginning to end. Great wines are grown in the vineyard!” Even Waltz Wine Club members, who know these great wines will enjoy this Saturday afternoon with new vineyards to see, new wines, and a new winemaker—7th generation Zach Waltz, who is now Director of Operations, Viticulture and Enology, and will join the tour and tasting presentations!
Your pleasant summer afternoon can begin as you enjoy the lovely country drive and scenery on your way to Lancaster County—be adventurous and take the country roads—it’s worth it. After a relaxing drive, we’ll gather within all CDC and PA DOH distancing and safety precautions. 100% COVID 19 vaccination with waiting period completion is required to confirm event reservations. We are thrilled to begin, and equally committed to safety for all.
To begin our Waltz experience—a tour of a newer vineyard accompanied by a nice glass of wine. Veraison begins in late July so our timing is great for a peek at the berry changes, and to hear Jan and Zach’s predictions for the 2021 vintage. From there we’ll tour the winery area and learn more about how the grapes become wine at the hands of these two artisans. And then we adjourn to the shady tree grove to settle in and taste the boutique wines! Bring a picnic basket with some cheese nibbles and perhaps a baguette if you like—whatever you want to pair with the wines. The tasting line-up is below with wines Jan chose for us.
2020 Sauvignon Blanc. Look for citrus notes with a herbaceous finish in this crisp and refreshing dry white wine.
2020 Fusion. A semi-dry blend of Semillon, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc, it has tropical fruit notes with a hint of minerality and a crisp finish.
2018 Reserve Chardonnay. Aged for nine months in French oak, this wine tastes of pears, apples, butter, and caramel.
2020 Stiegel Rose. A dry rosé made from a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc; this interesting wine has tart strawberry notes with a citrus finish.
2017 Cherry Tree Merlot. The Cherry Tree Merlot was aged for 24 months in French oak barrels resulting in a bold dry red with big tannins and notes of cherry, raspberry, and cocoa. This wine should age well for a decade or more.
2016 Crow Woods Cabernet. Also aged for 24 months in French oak creating another bold, dry red with the Cabernet, you can expect notes of dark fruit with a lingering velvety finish.
Surprises! There will be two additional “surprise” wines from the 2013 and 2014 vintages.
Join us at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 31st for this unique event at Waltz Vineyards Estate Winery & Tasting Room, 1599 Old Line Road, Manheim, PA 17545. Bring a light afternoon picnic inspired by the Old World to pair with the wines for a true European experience. Don’t forget to bring your own lawn chairs or blanket for lawn seating. Outside food and non-alcoholic beverages permitted; no outside alcohol please. Waltz wines will be available by the bottle after the tasting.
Very limited seating is still available. Make your reservation for this event today! COVID-19 protocols will be followed. Proof of vaccination required prior to reservation confirmation. See you there!
Go to Website Reservations Member: $40 ~ Patron: $35 ~ Nonmember: $50
Reservations will be confirmed upon vaccination verification with PWS Treasurers.

Louis Jadot Chardonnay Comparison
2021-08-08 15:30 - 17:00 | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Louis Jadot Chardonnay Comparison by Marty Cook
Please join us with Host Joe Via on Sunday, August 8th at 3:30 pm Eastern/New York Time for an hour long presentation that will explain and lead us through tasting of Chardonnay wines from the Burgundy region of France. Did you know that a white, Burgundy wine is, by definition, almost always a Chardonnay? Joe will demonstrate this by comparing three white, Burgundy wines from Maison Louis Jadot that are all made from the Chardonnay grape. With oak, with-out oak and Pouilly-Fuisse (po͞oˌyē fwēˈsā). Huh?
This will be a tasting and discussion about three Louis Jadot white, Burgundy’s (Chardonnay’s). Three rather different Chardonnay’s. Joe will discuss how each of these wines has its own distinctions and application for food pairing. The discussion will also touch upon basic Burgundy geography and weather. Grapes will be discussed with maps of the Burgundy region; but, the discussion will ultimately zero in on the Mâconnais district which is located in the south of the Burgundy wine region in France. The three wines selected will also help us understand the French Appellation of Origin (AOC) system. Like zeroing in on a bulls-eye, each wine tasted will take us a little closer to the center. And, what better time to learn more about Chardonnay than on a hot August afternoon!
All three of these offerings have standard store availability in Pennsylvania Fine Wine & Good Spirits Stores at affordable prices.

Louis Jadot White Burgundy
PA LCB Code #6406
$18.99
“This Bourgogne Chardonnay is a fruity wine showing aromas of flowers and fruit flesh; it is harmonious and very pleasant. Ideally it can be drunk with vegetable terrines, poultry, goat cheese but also as an apéritif. It will be very pleasant at a temperature between 10 to 12°C. After 2 or 3 years of aging, other aromas will develop allowing this chardonnay to be paired with a more sophisticated cuisine.” –Winemaker notes

Louis Jadot Macon Villages Chardonnay
PA LCB Code #7206
$15.99
“The Mâcon Villages area is located in the southern part of Burgundy, close to the Beaujolais area. This appellation is the largest of the Mâconnais area, covering about 2 500 ha of vineyards and 43 communes. Forty three villages have the right to produce Mâcon Blanc Villages. Mâcon Villages are only white wines. The wines are made from 100% Chardonnay grapes. The limestone subsoil of the Monts du Mâconnais are ideal for growing the Chardonnay grapes. Some small areas produce exceptional wines. The Louis Jadot Mâcon Blanc Villages is made from grapes from these different areas.” –Winemaker notes

Louis Jadot Pouilly-Fuisse
PA LCB Code #6411
$27.99
“Deep straw—yellow. Opulent cream and toast aromas. Moderately full—bodied, ripe palate with vibrant acidity. Supple and drinking beautifully. Drink now.”
–Winemaker notes

So, plan now to pick up some or all three of the above Louis Jadot wines that we will discuss and join us on Zoom (the link is shown below) on Sunday, August 8th at 3:30 pm Eastern Time to learn more about the nuance that can be found in three wines from the same region. We look forward to seeing you!
Join “Louis Jadot Chardonnay Comparison” by clicking on the following link:
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Stony Run Winery
2021-08-15 14:00 - 17:00 | The Cellar by Stony Run, 150 Independent Rd, Breinigsville, PA, 18031, United States
Stony Run Winery – A Passion for Excellence
by Joyce Soroka ———–
There is a place to the east of southcentral PA. It is a magical place. A place where they make incredible wines. This place is known as Stony Run Winery. Owner and Winemaker Larry Shrawder is the man with the magical touch. He came out of nowhere to wow the crowd at the 2018 PA Wine Excellence Awards when Stony Run Winery took top honors with his 2016 Cabernet Franc. A lot of eyes were opened during that occasion. Larry spoke with the crowd and his wine and words made it entirely evident to the Members and Friends of the Pennsylvania Wine Society that a new, powerful, and very well-versed voice had been introduced to the Pennsylvania winemaking scene. Such passion in this individual! Such quality in his wines!
We will convene at Stony Run Winery on Sunday, August 15th at 2:00 p.m. at their beautiful tasting facility – known as The Cellar by Stony Run – which is located in Breinigsville, PA. This campus alone is worth a visit. An easy drive of a mere 85 minutes by Interstate Highway will take you there from the Harrisburg (PA) area. It is situated in a pastoral setting that exudes peace and tranquility. There is plenty of seating, both inside and out, on upper decks, in courtyards, or inside its spacious confines. The Pennsylvania Wine Society Members and Guests will be seated in the rear Courtyard under the shade of table umbrellas for this event. Our fallback position is to be indoors, in the event of inclement weather.

Our event has us tasting eight of the best East Coast wines you have ever tasted! Those who have yet to experience the wines of Stony Run Winery, are definitely in for a treat! The tasting will consist of a flight of four whites and a flight of four reds, as follows:
2017 Sparkling Brut ~ An elegant celebration of the traditional Champagne blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay.
2019 Albariño ~ Pale yellow in color with aromas of stone fruit, nectarine and white peach with a hint of Key lime meringue. The middle palate offers layers of lemon grass ripe apple and kumquat. The finish shows restrained and elegant acidity along with mineral notes of limestone.
2017 Grüner Veltliner ~ A subtle floral nose complements refreshing lemon-lime flavors with hints of green apple on the palate making this a versatile food pairing partner. This wine took top honors as the Farm Show Best of Show with top scores for both dry white and overall white at the 2019 competition.
2017 Chardonnay Reserve ~ Our traditional Chardonnay features a bouquet of vanilla and toasted oak. Butter and caramel are prevalent on the palate. This wine took the Silver Medal at the Finger Lakes International Competition in 2019.
2016 Merlot Reserve ~ Ripe plum, black cherry, and dark berry flavors compliment caramel notes. Aged in French and American oak.
2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve ~ A nose of plum and lilac continues on the palate with nuances of toasted caramel and dark red fruits. Beautiful oak notes provide a pleasing finish.
2016 Cabernet Franc Reserve ~ Deep currants and blackberries with toasty oak define the nose while the palate shows a supple array of bright raspberry and red plum flavors. This wine was the top award winner at the Pennsylvania Wine Society Wine Excellence Awards for 2018. NOTE: This wine is now SOLD OUT; but, a supply remains for our enjoyment and will be available for purchase during our Pennsylvania Wine Society event.
2017 Flagship ~ This is an elegant celebration of all five traditional varieties authorized for inclusion in Bordeaux wines: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot, all of which are grown in our Kempton (PA) vineyard. It balances deep red fruit flavors with supple tannins.
Stony Run Winery will make the above wines and all of their other wines available for sale at a 10% discount for odd lots of bottles and at a 20% discount per case lots (increments of 12 bottles) to Pennsylvania Wine Society attendees during this event only.
Everyone is urged to pack and bring a picnic lunch to this event so to pair the foods they wish to have with the incredible wines of Stony Run Winery. Or, as an alternative, Stony Run Winery sells a small plate charcuterie as an option if you prefer not to pack a lunch. The plates are designed for 2 people to share while tasting wine and the selection of choices range from a cheese trio to simple spreads to sweet sensations. Prices range from $7-10 per plate. For our event only, Stony Run Winery will provide a complimentary charcuterie plate as depicted here for every table of four.
Plan now to join us for this extraordinary wine tasting experience. Come and witness for yourself the magic of Stony Run Winery and share the wine experience with Pennsylvania Wine Society Members and Friends, enjoying a relaxing wine tasting and food pairing. And, take some time to enjoy works of art from local artists on display throughout the interior of the Breinigsville facility. It does not get better than this beautiful Lehigh Valley setting!
So, please join us on Sunday, August 15 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at The Cellar by Stony Run. Set your GPS for 150 Independent Road, Breinigsville, PA 18031 and please arrive for check-in between 1:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
We look forward to safely enjoying this event with you! 100% COVID 19 vaccination with follow-up waiting period completion is required to confirm event reservations. Thank you.
Go to Website Reservations Member: $30 Patron: $25 Nonmember: $40

Paso Robles - AVA Updates
2021-08-22 15:30 - 17:00 | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Photo Courtesy of Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance
Please join PWS and Host Joe Via on August 22nd at 3:30 p.m. Eastern/New York time, for a look at the Central Coast in California. Specifically, the Paso Robles AVA including updates and new things to look for on wine shelves. As this wine appellations’ law evolves, so will the labels.
For Cabernet and Rhone-style fans out there, selection and value are there now for these wines if you know where and what to look for. Keep the grills fired up!

Please check back here in future weeks for additional details, as well as the Zoom link information to include you in this event!

Allegro Cadenza
2021-08-27 18:50 - 21:00 | Cadenza Vineyards, Brogue PA, 3475 Sechrist Road, Brogue, PA, 17309, United States
by Lynne Beeson__________

The Allegro Cadenza event on August 27th has limited seats remaining! Save your spot here! All event information is kept current on the PWS website or contact the Treasurers for information. For those fortunate to have seats reserved, here are Carl’s notes on the tasting lineup.
The Cadenza Vineyards wines speak from forty years of growing grapes at one special place. Over time we have started to understand what works for us here. It starts with Chardonnay and moves through Cabernet Sauvignon and then Merlot and finishes with Petit Verdot blends.
Our Chardonnay Vineyard was originally planted in 1973 (along with our Cabernet Sauvignon), and while time and climate have not been kind to the vines, we have steadily re-planted with better clones and rootstocks. In true French fashion, our Chardonnay block contains 8 different clones all ripening at different times but harvested together. The wine tastes less of “Chardonnay” and more of “Allegro” (or, rather, “Cadenza”). The fruit is barrel-fermented in newer French oak barrels, and it remains in the same barrel up until bottling. The richness of the lees fills out the wine and fleshes out the flavors.
2019 Chardonnay – Our most recent Chardonnay is the culmination of my search for balance between barrels and fruit. Struggling to balance the fermentation in barrels while retaining fruit characteristics is anathema to both techniques. The solution seems to lie in the ripeness and chemistries found at harvest in our vineyard.
2017 Chardonnay – This vintage has hit its stride and is starting to exhibit the mature flavors that our older vintages showcase while retaining enough primary fruit to provide liveliness and complexity.
2014 Allegro Reserve Chardonnay – To show that even our whites have ageability, it was necessary to include an older one. The 2014 exhibits flavors of honey and butterscotch while retaining enough acidity to balance the richness.
Our Merlot block was part of our re-planting in 2015. Having sourced budwood from our friends at Black Ankle, we were able to plant clean vines on what we consider the “heirloom” part of our vineyard site. French ENTAV clone 181 on de-vigorizing 101-14 rootstock brings the yields in this iron and clay rich field down to two and a half tons per acre.
2017 Merlot – Vineyards are planted for the next generation, and our three acre block produced a wine in 2017 that justified the planting. Then a year later, we lost one third to freeze damage, and thus began the slow turning towards Petit Verdot. Merlot is the grape that makes the wine that is easy to like … and to hate … and to love.
“Bridge” was a wine conceived initially with John Crouch back in 2001. It was meant to be a bridge between his Cadenza tradition and my own (which wouldn’t begin for another four years.) It has come to take on the significance of being our “Second Wine” in the Bordeaux tradition. The blend changes from year to year, but the quality remains the same.
2019 Bridge – Petit Verdot 65%/Merlot 27%/Cabernet Sauvignon 8%. 2019 was a strong but not stellar vintage–hence, no Cadenza–and yet the Petit Verdot and Merlot solidly ripened. The wine is still young and still has hints of the new barrels in which it was aged and which gave it some of its tannic structure.
2017 Bridge – Merlot 36%/Cabernet Franc 34%/Cabernet Sauvignon 22%/Petit Verdot 7%. Merlot and Cabernet Franc have such an affinity for each other and together produce blends which form a sweetness that seems incongruous to the tannic structure. This Bridge is much more gregarious and charismatic than our Cadenzas, while at the same time having a complex set of flavors and textures that draws one in.
Our flagship wine, the redundantly named “Cadenza Vineyards Cadenza” has been a tradition of Bordeaux blends since 1984. Some years favor Merlot, while others Cabernet Sauvignon or Petit Verdot. Time and learning has shifted this wine from its Cabernet roots to Merlot and on to Petit Verdot dominance. But the blend has always been of the highest importance. This is a wine that speaks to the potential of fine wine in Pennsylvania.
2017 Cadenza – Petit Verdot 41%/Cabernet Sauvignon 38%/Merlot 16%/Cabernet Franc 5%. As young vines, the tannins on the Petit Verdot are not nearly as impenetrable as will be the case as these vines age, and therefore the Merlot and Cabernet Franc quotient is quite minimal. This wine achieves a body and richness which belies the fact that it is the first harvest off the new plantings.
The Cadenza wines are meant to be aged and enjoyed mature even though they are sometimes too enticing while young. The Crouch Cadenzas were tough in their youth while my tradition relies on Merlot to soften the Cabernet tannins and provide a mid-palate that entices. Typical lifespan for Bridge and Cadenza is over twenty years. A maximum lifespan has not yet been determined.
1998 Cadenza – 95% Cabernet Sauvignon/3% Merlot/2% Cabernet Franc. The last Cadenza made by John and Tim Crouch (and the first one that I helped work on as well.) Stylistically this is the last of its kind, relying almost solely on the Cabernet Sauvignon to carry the moniker. The early winemaking notes claim that this wine was softer in its youth than other Cadenzas of its ilk, and that staggers the imagination to ponder what the 1995 or 1991 might have tasted like when young.
All of the Cadenza Vineyards wines are aged in 100% new French oak barrels (with the exception of some whites which are in older barrels). The whites are aged for approximately 8-10 months and filtered prior to bottling while the reds are aged for 18-22 months and not filtered.
2020 Barrel Sample Blend – As the wines develop over time, we look forward to seeing how they best work together in blends. 2020, for all of its pandemical trials and tribulations, did yield wine that will find its way into the Cadenza milieu. Taste the potential future of Cadenza.
This promises to be a delightful summer evening at Allegro! We will be on the covered deck weather permitting; or if not, will move indoors to the barrel room. Bring a light jacket or sweater.
100% COVID 19 vaccination proof with follow-up 14-day waiting period completion is required to confirm event reservations. All current CDC, PA DOH and Allegro Winery safety precautions and infection prevention precautions will be observed.
Please plan to have dinner or a generous snack prior to arrival. Planned not to distract the palate, simple cheese and cracker nibbles will accompany these nine fabulous Cadenza wines. Also plan your travel time to easily gather by 6:50 PM on Friday, August 27th at Allegro Winery—3475 Sechrist Road, Brogue, Pennsylvania 17309. Ph: 717-927-9148. See you there!
Go to Website Reservations Member: $85 ~ Patron Member: $80

Meaghan Frank of Dr. Konstatin Frank Winery - Finger Lakes, NY
2021-09-12 15:30 - 17:00 | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
——- by Marty Cook
High above the steep southwestern slope of Keuka Lake, to the north of the town of Hammondsport, New York, sits a winery founded in 1961 by Dr. Konstantin Frank. The Dr. Frank Winery pioneered the vinifera movement in the Eastern United States. It was here in 1957 that Dr. Konstantin Frank planted the first East Coast vinifera vines, which launched the “Vinifera Revolution”. This movement would have a lasting effect on the course of winemaking in New York and Eastern America. Four generations strong, the Frank family are leaders in grape growing and winemaking throughout the Finger Lakes and beyond.
In the intervening sixty years, the Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery has grown and flourished and the operation has remained under the guidance of the very qualified Frank family members. The winery occupies a place of preeminence among East Coast wineries as well as American wineries in general. Their wines have garnered countless awards and have firmly established the Finger Lakes as one of the best winegrowing regions in the United States as well as in the world, producing cooler climate wines such as Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Grüner Veltliner, and Rkatsiteli that rival the best that the world has to offer!
On Sunday, September 12th at 3:30 pm, it is our pleasure to host an hour of wine discussion and tasting with guest, Meaghan Frank, the great-grand-daughter of Dr. Konstantin Frank. Meaghan is the Marketing arm of the Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery and she will introduce us to a trio of their incredible wines from the Finger Lakes Region:
2020 Rkatsiteli ~ A Georgian grape variety that dates back to 3000 B.C. and the oldest known grape variety in the world. Light, crisp, dry, and delightfully refreshing! Scored 93 Points and “Wine of the Month” from the Finger Lakes Times (August 2021).
2018 “Eugenia” Dry Riesling ~ Our driest Riesling made from vines dating back to 1968, this wine received 94 points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate.
2017 Brut ~ Three traditional champagne grapes (a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier) aged Méthode Champenoise for at least 36 months. A “Top 100 Best Buys in the World” with a score of 92 Points from Wine & Spirits Magazine (August 2021).
Visit the following link to purchase the above wines at a 20% discount and have them shipped to you at a flat rate of $10 in advance of this virtual wine tasting: https://www.drfrankwines.com/pa-wine-society/
All purchases for this Pennsylvania Wine Society event will be discounted by 20%. Also, a $10 flat shipping rate will be applied at the cart for all orders of 1 to 11 bottles pertaining to this Pennsylvania Wine Society event. Shipping of 12 or more bottles is free. These shipping rates apply for all States to which Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery ships! So, please join us on Sunday, September 12th at 3:30 pm on the Zoom link shown below, when the Pennsylvania Wine Society will host a live hour-long event with Meaghan Frank as she features the above three wines from her family’s winery!
ZOOM LINK: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87318027853?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 873 1802 7853
Passcode: [REDACTED]
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Meeting ID: 873 1802 7853
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An Evening at Nissley Vineyards
2021-09-18 17:00 - 19:30 | Nissley Vineyards, 140 Vintage Drive, Bainbridge, PA, 17502, United States
——–by Cathy Boyd
Join the PWS at Nissley Vineyards on Saturday, September 18th at 5pm to enjoy the newest collection of Nissley Vineyard Wines, ‘The Reserve Collection’ and a fabulous grazing station prepared by Slice of Divine Charcuterie – www.sliceofdivinecharcuterie.com. See the list of grazing station items and the nine wines at the end of this article. Then make your reservation!!
The Reserve Collection is the bridge which joins the Nissley of the past with its future. Nissley began when, with time on his hands after retiring from the bridge construction trade, J. Richard “Dick” Nissley planted several experimental acres of Seyval Blanc in the mid-70’s. Shortly thereafter, Dick became a winemaker and winery owner, first opening in 1978 and eventually naming his venture with the family name, Nissley Wine Cellars. Planting in Lancaster County at the time was somewhat of an experiment – there were only a few wineries operating in Pennsylvania at the time and conventional wisdom was that California or France was the place to grow grapes and operate a winery.
Growth and success was a slow and steady process made easier after his four children joined the venture – John as vineyard manager, Judith as enterprise manager who and also started the Music in the Vineyard’ series (that continues today), Joyce doing the business accounting and bookkeeping and MaryLee overseeing the preservation and beautification of the grounds with her knack for horticulture.
Nissley’s focus until recently was on the production of hybrid and sweet wines. Then the grandson of Dick Nissley, Jonas, enters the picture in 2016. Jonas has tweaked the lineup of Nissley wines with the introduction of the Nissley Reserve line. The wines we will be tasting at our event on Saturday, September 18th, will be the Nissley Reserve wines.
The Reserve line was started with Merlot in 2016 and showcases Pennsylvania wines through the use of excellent fruit, expert winemaking practices and barrel aging. Cabernet Franc was added in 2017, Chardonnay in 2018 and Cabernet Sauvignon in 2019. Next to be added will be a Meritage. Originally the Reserve program was to showcase only estate fruit but the recent cold weather of 2017 and 2018 killed 80% of the 5000+ vines that were planted. The vineyards have since been replanted and the first harvest of Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay will be this year. Nissley will continue their labor of love in the vineyard and keep planting vinifera grapes even with the inevitable headaches and hair pulling they bring!
Recently hired winemaker, Andy Reagan, is there to lessen the headaches and hair pulling, and this year is his first harvest at Nissley. A native of Virginia, and a former Marine Corps reservist, Andy has had a passion for wine that started well before the national legal drinking age of 21. Andy summered in his youth in Hudson Valley, at Benmarl Vineyards helping in the vineyard and/or the cellar. After graduating from the Marine Corps RTD, Parris Island, SC he returned to Benmarl Vineyards where is sister, Anne, was the winemaker, and began to learn the trade in depth. After several years at Benmarl, Andy returned to Virginia.
Since then Andy has made wine at a number of eastern wineries with distinction, where he has led a rebirth of several vineyards, won numerous platinum, gold and Best of Class awards and was invited to pour his wine at the James Beard House. Some of the prominent wineries include Chrysalis Vineyards, Jefferson Vineyards, Old House Vineyards and most recently Horton Vineyards where he guided the 2016 Petit Manseng to winning the 2019 Virginia Governor’s Cup.
Below is the wine line-up and food accompaniments for our event. **All wine purchases during the evening will receive a 20% discount
The WINES
“The Jester” – Pét-Nat wine. A traditional form of sparkling wine.
2018 and 2019 Reserve CHARDONNAY
2018 and 2019 Reserve MERLOT
2018 and 2019 Reserve CABERNET FRANC
2019 Reserve CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2017 Estate Bottled CHAMBOURCIN

The FOOD – a GRAZING TABLE by Slice of Divine Charcuterie
CHEESES – Manchego, Pecorino, Ricotta Salata, Burrata, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Everything Goat Cheese, Drunken Goat, Merlot Bellavitano, Asiago, Saint Agur Blue
MEATS – Prosciutto, Dry Aged Salami, Spicy Dry Aged Salami, Capocollo, Speck, Soppersata, Bresaola, Chorizo, Rosemary Ham
DIPS & SPREADS – Roasted Garlic Hummus, Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, Tzatziki, Olive Tapenade, Marinated Feta Salad, Shirazi Salad, Tabbouleh Salad, Whole Grain Dijon Mustard, Spicy Brown Mustard, Raspberry Compote, Fig Jam, Tomato Jam, Honey
GARNISHES – Dolmades, Marinated Olives, Marinated Artichokes, Cherry Tomatoes, Mediterranean Cucumbers, Mini Peppers, Tomato & Mozzarella Platter, Honey Comb, Fresh Figs, Assorted Dried Fruits, Assorted Nuts, Dried Citrus, Assorted Fresh Fruits, Prosciutto Wrapped Peaches, Prosciutto Wrapped Cantaloupe
BREADS & CRACKERS – Seasoned Pita Bread, Naan, Baguettes, Herbed Focaccia, Crackers & Chips
100% COVID 19 vaccination proof with follow-up 14-day waiting period completion is required to confirm event reservations. All CDC and PA DOH distancing and safety precautions, as well as Nissley Vineyards policies will be observed.
Register here! Members: $50 Patrons: $45 Nonmembers: $60

Sake: an Ancient Drink for the New World
2021-09-26 15:30 - 17:00 | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
—————-by Cathy Boyd
Sake has been on the Japanese table for over 1,000 years. Please join us on Sunday, September 26th to try one, two or even three sakes to see if it should join your table. The PWS Zoom seminar, hosted by Cathy Boyd, will explore this ancient drink through a sampling of three sakes each representing a different grade of Junmai sake. Junmai only sake will be the focus of this seminar.

For tasting during the seminar I have purchased:
Hakutsuru Draft Sake Kobe 300 ml #49972 $ 6.49
Maboroshi Junmai Ginjo Sake 300 ml #02961 $17.99
Soto Junmai Daiginjo Sake Niigata Prefecture 300 ml #82200 $15.99
If you are unable to buy these particular sakes, try to obtain one, two or three sakes that have the following on the label:
Junmai ~ Junmai Ginjo ~ Junmai Daiginjo
The process of making sake is often compared to the process of making beer. The two have their similarities and yet the making of sake is unlike any other because sake starts with rice. And not the table rice found on grocery store shelves – but sake rice. Much like wine where the better the grapes the better the wine – the same is for sake, the better the rice, the better the sake.
After the rice selection, the next step for the sakemaker is to choose other ingredients that impart flavor into the sake. Choices include: which yeast strain to use and which type of water – hard (kosui) or soft (nansui).

Once ingredients are selected then the sake making can begin. The first step is the milling or polishing of the rice kernel. Polishing removes a percentage of the outer layer of rice. The lower percentage of polish of the rice gives the sake flavor and aroma that differs from the rice polished at a higher percentage. The level of polish is called ‘SEIMAI BUAI’ – pronounced “Say My Boo Eye”.
The polishing is just the first of nine (or so) steps to making sake. The other steps include washing, steaming, adding koji, creation of the shubo, fermentation of the moromi, then pressing, filtration and aging.
I hope this short introduction to sake has created an interest to learn about sake in more detail. I will discuss all the points mentioned here in greater detail during the ZOOM presentation on Sunday, September 26th at 3:30 p.m. Eastern/New York time.
Please check back here closer to event time for the Zoom Link information.

Boordy Vineyards: “To Make Great Wine is to Love its Home”
2021-10-03 13:00 - 16:00 | Boordy Vineyards, 12820 Long Green Pike, Hydes, MD, 21082, United States
———————–by Joyce Soroka
COME JOIN US… for the last event in our Pennsylvania Wine Society 2021 “Summer in the Vineyard Series” on Sunday, October 3rd at 1:00 p.m.! During this event, you will share in an extraordinary wine tasting experience while also marking 75 years of Boordy Vineyards winemaking tradition. Boordy Vineyards is the oldest winery in the State of Maryland and the second oldest winery on the East Coast! You are sure to enjoy the wines from the Boordy Vineyards premium label Landmark Series of wines, pared with your picnic lunch or foods you purchase from the on-location food truck, along with live music and an incredibly charming vineyard setting amidst the atmosphere of the 2021 Harvest! We look forward to enjoying the event with you!
We will start with a guided tour of the winery, its production facility, and a preliminary wine tasting from the wine storage tanks inside the production facility. Following the tour, we will gather in a shaded grassy area and sit at picnic tables where the Landmark Series wine tasting will be conducted.
Our tasting will be from the Boordy Vineyards Premium Labeled Landmark Series of Wines. These wines are refreshingly crisp whites to complex, age-worthy reds. Handcrafted wines are the finest representations of vintage year, varietal character, the geography of the Maryland regional appellation, and the soul of our winemakers. Made in limited quantities, the Landmark wines are sourced from 100% Maryland grown grapes, principally from the Boordy Vineyards estate vineyards in the Long Green Valley of Baltimore County and their South Mountain Vineyard in Frederick County.
Boordy Vineyards has repeatedly won wine competitions at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, the San Francisco International Wine Competition, the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition and The Maryland Governor’s Cup. The Maryland Governor’s Cup, established in 1984, is limited to wines with a Maryland appellation (75% or greater Maryland-grown grapes). It is overseen by WYPR’s Cellar Notes host Al Spoler. His exacting discipline and panel of highly qualified judges make this competition an excellent bellwether for the impressive gains in quality of Maryland wines.
We will taste the following wines:
1) 2020 Viognier ~ Aromas of honey and ripe peaches lead to a powerful flavor of ripe pear, lychee and tangerine. Full bodied with alluring viscosity. Enjoy with seafood and spicy foods. Drink now through 2024.
2) 2019 Chardonnay Dry Bench Reserve ~ From the “dry bench” of our South Mountain Vineyard. Full-bodied with aromas of lemon meringue and hazelnuts. Vanilla bean and lemon zest on the palate.
3) 2020 Rosé ~ Lively flavors of freshly picked strawberries with cream, rose petals and a lingering touch of citrus. A blend of estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc picked early specifically for Rosé production.
4) 2015 Landmark Reserve ~ Resemblant to the left bank of Bordeaux, powerful structure, deep flavors, toasted vanilla bean, chocolate, brambleberry, and sage, with notes of Morello cherry, and a touch of graphite. This wine won the 2020 Maryland Governor’s Cup Double Gold.
The competition’s WYPR’s Cellar Notes host, Al Spoler, writes, “Boordy Vineyards walked away with the 2020 Governor’s Cup, awarded to the best Maryland wine. Their 2015 LANDMARK RESERVE is a red blend produced during an exceptional growing season… the wine displayed ready-to-drink flavors, a classic aroma and amazing depth. It also won a “Double Gold”, a distinction indicating unanimous praise from the judges. This year’s competition was extremely tight, with many of our local wineries entering exceptional wines; but, at the end of the day, Boordy’s superb red blend emerged as the champion.”
5) 2017 Lost Order No. 191 ~ Silky and smooth with rich aromas of blueberries, violets, and full grain leather. This Petit Verdot-led blend is full bodied on the palate with notes of black licorice, dark chocolate and mixed berry cobbler. Aged for 18 months in 25% new French oak barrels. Drink now through 2035.
Upon arrival at Boordy Vineyards, you will check in at the Gate, indicate you are with the PWS event. They will have a list of attendees and will direct you to parking.
Bring a picnic lunch or purchase something from the food truck vendor. La Barrita Restobar will be the resident food truck at Boordy Vineyards during our event. The food is Argentinian with an Italian flair. Menu items include Fried spicy chickpeas; Chorizo; (traditional Argentinian grilled sausage); beef, chicken or spinach Empanadas; and Arugula salad with Burrata cheese and roasted red peppers and freshly made Balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Sandwiches include a Ribeye sandwich, a NY Strip sandwich with the steak thinly sliced then breaded and fried. The sandwiches are served with a choice of fries or salad. Menu item prices range from $12-20.
So, plan to join us on Sunday, October 3 at 1:00 p.m. for the fun as we relax, taste and discuss the exceptional Boordy Vineyards wines. The weather may be cooler, thus reminding us that it is fall! We will be sitting at picnic tables; or, if you prefer, bring a lawn chair or seat cushion. This is a “rain or shine” event, with a contingency plan to retreat indoors, if necessary, where ample room is available. Boordy Vineyards is located at 12820 Long Green Pike, Hydes, Maryland 21082. From the Harrisburg area, it is about a 75-minute drive first on the Interstate and then on well-maintained picturesque country roads. You will also be close to some covered bridges if you want to stop to enjoy them! This event is worth the trip!
Boordy Vineyards wines will be sold at a 10% discount per bottle to PWS event attendees during this event only.
100% COVID 19 vaccination proof with follow-up 14-day waiting period completion is required to confirm event reservations. All CDC and PA DOH distancing and safety precautions will be followed. Click here to make your reservations! Admission prices are:
Members: $30 Patrons: $25 Nonmembers: $40

Banfi Portfolio Selections with Joe Via and his guest Pam Bernd
2021-10-10 15:30 - 17:00 | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
by Marty Cook
This episode of our regularly scheduled Virtual Wine Tasting events on Sunday, October 10th at 3:30 PM Eastern/New York time, features Joe Via discussing the full line of products from Banfi Distributors with a focus on their Italian Wine Imports. During this segment, Joe will interview his guest and Banfi representative, Pam Bernd, who spent 17 years with the PA Liquor Control Board in various roles that began during college and ultimately served as a buyer for French and Italian wines. Pam also held supervisory positions in the supply chain and marketing department of the PLCB before she began working for Banfi Wines in June of 2017, initially as the manager for the entire State of PA and eventually adding to her territory with the States of Delaware and West Virginia. Pam earned an IT degree from Penn State and lives in Harrisburg with her 8 year old dog Bailey. Pam really enjoys drinking wines from Northern Rhone region of France, especially Cote Roties, and Syrah is her favorite varietal.
Banfi has a vast selection of wines in its portfolio. We will taste three of those wines on Sunday, October 10th at 3:30 PM. Those three wines are listed with PLCB codes below.
Banfi Principessa Gavia Gavi PLCB Code 000007358 $16.99
Castello Banfi Rosso di Montalcino PLCB Code 000008239 $24.99
Banfi ASKA Bolgheri Rosso 2017 PLCB Code 000083200 $24.99
Please join us to explore the Banfi Portfolio with these wines or another of your Banfi Portfolio favorites on Sunday, October 10 at 3:30 PM Eastern/New York time. No reservations required. Simply connect via the Zoom link below. We look forward to hearing from Joe and his guest, and to sharing a Sunday afternoon glass of wine with you!
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Red, Red Rhone
2021-10-15 19:00 - 21:30 | Hilton Harrisburg, 1 North Second Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17101, United States
by Eric Miller
The concept for this tasting is to simplify the signature features of the Rhone Valley’s climate, soils, grape varieties and its confusion of regulations. All that sounds very serious, yet our guest speaker, Eric Miller, promises “We will laugh, we will cry, we will zig and we will zag our way just north of Avignon and up the Rhone Valley, almost to Lyon. We will give white wines a tip of the hat but spend our precious time on everything red. We will learn the differences between Côte du Rhone, Côte du Rhone Village, the Crus and what grapes are legal to use. Why is it legal to irrigate some vineyards and not others? How is the rock underlayment related to soil moisture? Why are stews and braised meats, sausage and cassoulet served with these wines? But tuna, pasta and eggplant too!? All these things and more will be burned into your mind like the searing winds of the Mistral and magically, yea joyfully, appear on your tongue for ever and ever, amen.” Okay, Eric. Let’s tour!
The wines were selected from top producers and the amazing 2015 and 2016 vintages long before retaliatory price increases, and this exemplary collection cannot be replicated. If that fact alone doesn’t have you reserving a spot, there’s special food pairings and more, so read on, please. The wines Eric selected for us to explore and enjoy are:
The Greeting Wine—2017 IGT, Viennes, Viognier, Les Vins de Viennes Les vins de Viennes is a modern winery in Viennes, Northern Rhone Valley, about 25 kilometers south of Lyon. It is a collaboration between Yves Cuilleron, Francois Villard and Pierre Gaillard who are best known as Syrah specialists.
The South (Grenache and 9 close red friends)
2019 Côte du Rhone, Producer to be announced This dry red wine is grown within the limits of its appellation, approx. 200,000 acres. Côte du Rhone, somewhere north of Avignon and South of Lyon. Reds are generally dominated by Grenache. Northern Rhone has a continental climate and granite and argili-calcairous soils. Southern Rhone is chiefly Mediterranean climate with chiefly sandstone, limestone alluvia, loess and quartzite shingle soils.
2016 Lirac, Ch de Ségriès, Cuvee Réservée A 17th century chateau with 145 acres that is located with the right to make both Rosé with the Tavel appellation and a red Lirac, both AOC “named villages”. It is located across the river from Chateauneuf de Pape. 40% or more must be Grenache and Mourvedre. 25% or less must be Syrah and Carignan.
Chateauneuf du Pape, Chateau de la Grande Gardiole, Vielles Vignes 11,500 cases/year. 83% Grenache, 12% Syrah, 2% Mourvedre, 2% Counoise, 1% WT_? Wine from an ancient hillside town made famous by its powerful red wines.
2015 Gigondas, Domaine du Grand Montmirail, Vielles Vignes A large property of 100 acres with terraces on the southeast side of the Dentelles de Montmirail that form a perfect amphitheater above most of the surrounding vineyards. Some say this town is a contender for the crown still worn by Chateauneuf du Pape.
2009 Ventoux, Chene Bleu, Abelard Near the picturesque hilltop village of Crestet, it is several miles east and north of Gigondas. Xavier felt this underappreciated appellation was being overlooked, underpriced and allowed to dither. So, he converted the vineyards to bio-dynamic culture and put in a massive cash infusion to build an eco-sensitive winery 4 stories deep in solid rock.
2017 Côte du Rhone, Seguret, Domaine de l’Amandine One of the perfect hillside villages in southern Rhone. Complete with world class restaurant and a view to die for it has attained the status of a CdR Village. The history of Amandine begins in 1968, when Jean-Pierre Verdeau, accompanied by his wife Maryse, founded the Domaine de l’Amandine, driven by the desire to make his own wine from the few hectares left to him by his father. The wines were first sold only to merchants until his daughter married a trained enologist from South Africa.
The North (Syrah, is all she wrote)
2015 Cornas, Domaine Durand, Empreintes Family owned and operated by Eric and Joel Durand since 1991. Incredibly steep granite slopes and terraces of 100% Syrah. A notably hot dry vintage.
2016 Crozes Hermitage, Emmanuel Darnaud, Les Trios Chenes This domaine began in 2001 with 3.2 acres on the left bank of the Rhone. It has grown to about 32 acres of small prime plots of mostly red grapes. Some stems are left in the primary fermentation for 15 to 20 days before the wine is aged in “demi-muids” (600 litre) for 12 to 18 months. This bottling was grown in Glacial Alluvium composed of river-rolled stones.
2016 Saint Joseph, E. Guigal Established in 1946, the year after WWII ended, by Etienne Guigal, who had worked for Vidal Fleury for 15 years before that. Guru Robert Parker said about Guigal’s winemaking son, “I have never seen a producer so fanatical about quality as Marcel Guigal”, which undoubtedly influenced the rapid change in perception and quality of the wines of the Rhone.
This is a high-end exploration of fine, food worthy wines, and so, we have planned with Hilton’s Chef Bianco several small plate accompaniments to make it even more enjoyable for your palate:

BBQ Mushrooms with Polenta Smoked Almonds and Arugula
Braised Pork Stew – Grilled Garbanzo, Red Pepper, Rosemary Voulevant
Cheese plate of Fontina, Gloucester Cheddar, and Manchego.

Space is limited by both Hilton space, safe distancing, and wine availability; so sign up early to be able to tell the wonderful story later to those who procrastinate and miss out. Plan now to join us at 7 p.m. Friday, October 15, 2021 at the Hilton Harrisburg for this fun and educational tour of the Rhone Valley. It will be a great way to kick off an October weekend!
100% COVID 19 vaccination proof with follow-up 14-day waiting period completion is required to confirm event reservations. All CDC and PA DOH distancing and safety precautions as well as the Hilton Harrisburg’s practices and policies will be followed as we are their guests. Tables of 4 persons each may be reserved via communication with your reservation, or to the Treasurers.
Click here to sign up online. I promise you will not be disappointed with any feature of this event.
Members: $90 Patrons: $85 Nonmembers: $100

German Wine Labels with guest, Inge Mountz
2021-10-24 15:30 - 17:00 | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
by Marty Cook
Have you ever wandered into your wine store’s German section, only to feel totally overwhelmed? At first glance, your first impression is that the bottles are all very decorative with their multi-colored and very artistically done labels. But, upon closer inspection, deciphering the Germanic font with strange accents over some of the lettering in the words can become quickly perplexing. You are confronted by many uniquely new and strange words and without the slightest clue as to where to begin or what it is that you are reading! Well, fear not!
Our next Virtual Wine Tasting event on Zoom, which takes place on Sunday, October 24th at 3:30 pm Eastern/New York Time, will dispel the confusion that surrounds interpreting German wine labels. During this segment of our regularly scheduled virtual programming, our host Joe Via and his guest host Inge Mountz will cut through the mystery of German wine labels and how to understand them. Inge is a German native whose first language is German, and she will offer correct pronunciations for the many words to which we may not relate, while Joe Via will guide us through a basic “German Wines 101”. During his overview of the German wine industry, Joe will touch upon Germany’s wine history, its thirteen regions, and the way that the German wine industry addresses wine quality and other details on its wine labels.
Please join us on Sunday, Sunday, October 24th at 3:30 pm Eastern/New York Time for this exciting look inside German wines and their labels! Get a bottle or two of German wine (anything except Blue Nun!) and be prepared to eliminate any confusion that German wine labels may cause you to experience! We look forward to seeing you at the Zoom link displayed below!
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Syrah Comparisons - Syrah/Shiraz Around the World
2021-11-07 15:30 - 17:00 | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Join us online on Sunday, November 7th at 3:30 p.m. Eastern/New York time for our next Pennsylvania Wine Society Virtual Wine Tasting event. During this upcoming program, Joe Via will lead us through a comparison of three examples of Syrah. These wines will come from a diversity of locations all around the globe that will include France, Washington, and Australia (where it is known as “Shiraz”).
During this comparison, Joe will discuss the Old World origins of Syrah in France (which we believe to be the case) as well as the geography, geology, and other elements of terroir that make Syrah from these three areas so distinctive and different from each other.
Genetically the same grape, albeit, represented by many clonal varieties, the typicity of Syrah is emblematic of the terroir in which it is grown. It would be difficult in one afternoon program to discuss every area in which Syrah is grown worldwide; but, the three areas that immediately pop into mind are the three on which we will focus.
The three wines selected for our November 7th tasting are extreme, expressive examples to demonstrate how terroir and climate can affect the style of wine produced. They are as follows (accompanying data sheets are attached to this announcement):

PLCB Code #83406 ~ J.L. Chave Saint Joseph ‘Offerus’ 2018
PLCB Code #85037 ~ Elephant Seven Syrah Walla Walla Valley ‘River Rocks Vineyard’ 2018
PLCB Code #85374 ~ Mollydooker Shiraz ‘The Boxer’ South Australia 2019

Please secure one or more of the above wines in advance of November 7th and join us online that day at 3:30 p.m. Eastern/New York time using the Zoom link shown below.
NO RESERVATION needed. Simply connect via the below Zoom link. We look forward to seeing you!
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Beaujolais & Beaujolais Nouveau
2021-11-20 15:30 - 17:00 | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Beaujolais and Beaujolais Nouveau by Marty Cook
It’s Beaujolais Nouveau Time! Every year at 12.01 am on the third Thursday of November, a young, fruity wine full of flavor and zest is released for consumption. In France, it is against the law to release this wine before the appointed time, and the rest of the wine drinking world complies with this tradition so that Beaujolais Nouveau Day can be simultaneously celebrated the world over!
This weekend’s Virtual Wine Tasting takes a detour and presents on Saturday afternoon instead of Sunday. So, please mark your calendar and join us this Saturday, November 20th at 3:30 pm Eastern Time on the Zoom link shown below. That is when Joe Via will lead us through a wine tasting and discussion of the history and tradition of the Beaujolais Region of France and their red wines, which includes both Beaujolais and Beaujolais Nouveau. During Joe’s dissertation, he will discuss the grape with which both Beaujolais and Beaujolais Nouveau are made, the region in which the grape and the wines are made. Joe will also focus on the process used to make Beaujolais Nouveau, which makes this wine the first wine of the new harvest and how it is able to be bottled and distributed within mere weeks of harvest!
Beaujolais Nouveau Day is not immune to the supply chain difficulties that currently plague the world as a result of the pandemic. As such there is only one Nouveau Beaujolais available this year in Central Pennsylvania Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores. So, we will discuss Beaujolais Nouveau 2021 and Beaujolais as a region using an old vines Villages and a “Cru” (Morgon) from Louis Jadot.
Here are the three codes for the zoom tasting on Saturday, November 20th:
PLCB Code #5877 ~ Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2021 @ $12.99
PLCB Code #84512 ~ Château d’Emeringes Beaujolais Villages 2020 @ $12.99
PLCB Code #86015 ~ Louis Jadot Morgon Chateau des Jacques 2019 @ $27.99

Please join us this Saturday at 3:30 pm Eastern Time as we celebrate this year’s Beaujolais Nouveau and learn about Beaujolais red wines and the Beaujolais Region! We look forward to seeing you on the Zoom link shown below!
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Aromatized Wines - Vermouth, Vini Amari, and Bitters
2021-12-05 15:30 - 17:00 | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
This will be an overview of aromatized wines, or wine-based beverages that are flavored with botanicals. A few may have neutral spirits added for stabilization and may be classified as fortified wine.
Our tasting and discussion will break into four different areas to help understand aromatized wines.
First, with different Vermouth brands; their styles and origin.
Then we will explain (wine based) Vini Amari or bitter wines and their uses.
Digging a little deeper into the aromatized category, and similar to vermouth, are uniquely flavored Quinquina wines and its subcategory Americano.
Please check back closer to event month for event details, including the Zoom connection information.

Charles Smith Wines
2021-12-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Hilton Harrisburg, 1 North Second Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17101, United States
EVENT SOLD OUT – you may contact the Treasurers via the contact page to be placed on a waitlist should you wish to be called in final days to take any canceled reservation seats that may come available.
CHARLES SMITH Unique wine names. Unique labels. One unique winemaker
Charles Smith is known for producing some pretty terrific wines out of Washington over the past 20 years. Before settling down in Washington to make wine in the late 1990’s, Charles moved to Denmark thinking he would find a position in the wine industry. What he actually did in Denmark was to manage and book music groups. While creating promotional material for the bands, he developed his bold graphic black-and-white promotional style.
Smith came to Walla Walla, Washington after leaving Denmark. With a very small budget and the generosity of the local vintners, he created his first vintage in 2001. He used fruit from one vintner, crushed the grapes at another facility, and fermented the wine at a third site. He made 330 cases of a minimally produced, biodynamic Syrah which he sold out of the back of his van. But what people remembered was the label – it was stamped only with a giant, black ‘K’ on a white label. It was easily spotted across the room but more importantly, they didn’t forget the wine. K Syrah.
Smith continued to create new wines– all designed with a black-and-white label and with inventive new names. Who doesn’t smile when you see a bottle of Velvet Devil Merlot? Boom Boom! Syrah? Kung Fu Girl Riesling?
For our tasting we will sample six wines from the Charles Smith label (now owned by Constellation Brands) and one from the HOUSE OF SMITH Substance label.
2019 Band of Roses:
We will start the evening with a cool dry Rosé made from 100% Pinot Gris
2020 Kung Fu Girl Riesling:
The story goes that Charles was eating Chinese takeout and watching a fight scene in a notorious martial arts film when he had an idea: a killer white wine to be paired with Asian food.
2018 Substance Sauvignon Blanc Sunset Vineyard:
The Substance label was created with the goal of creating the best value-price Cabernet Sauvignon in America. It has expanded to include red-blends, Merlot, Chardonnay and this Loire-style Sauvignon Blanc.
2016 Eve Chardonnay:
100% Washington State Chardonnay, producing a dry, creamy and smooth wine.
2019 Velvet Devil Merlot:
When the movie “Sideways” created anti-Merlot sentiments, Charles set out to rebuff the movie’s unflattering portrayal. One taste of Velvet Devil and you’ll know he succeeded.
2018 Boom Boom! Syrah:
This spicy Syrah is a tribute to Charles first lost love – a woman named “Boom Boom” O’Brien – and it’s one of the biggest, boldest Syrah’s of all time.
2016 Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon:
While Charles Smith Wines does not actually have a chateau, the Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon stays true to the old-world winemaking style from Bordeaux.
Join us on Friday, December 17th at 7 p.m. at the Hilton Harrisburg to taste the wines of Charles Smith.
100% COVID 19 vaccination proof with follow-up 14-day waiting period completion is required to confirm event reservations. All Center for Disease Control and Pennsylvania Department of Health distancing and safety precautions as well as the Hilton Harrisburg’s practices and policies will be followed as we are their guests. Tables of 4 persons each may be reserved via communication with your reservation notes, or email to the Treasurers.
Click here for reservations.
Members: $60 Patrons: $55 Nonmembers: $70

*From charlessmithwines.com and houseofsmith.com

Champagne
2021-12-19 15:30 - 17:00 | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Please join us online on Sunday, December 19th at 3:30 pm for a Virtual Wine Tasting during which we will discuss Champagne, the region, the wine, and their history! This special event will be presented by the Pennsylvania Wine Society and conducted by Wine Educator Joe Via and PWS President Marty Cook. A concise list of suggested Champagnes will be listed below. You will be able to secure one or several Champagnes in advance of the program of which you can partake during the broadcast. This event will be interactive through the Chat facility during the airing of the event and then during an open discussion forum at the end of the show.
Permit the following brief background to the program. Champagne is, first and foremost, a place. Europeans, especially the French, name their wines after places. This only adds to the confusion for Americans who do not speak French, which is an intimidating ingredient to interpreting wine labels and appreciating the wines that bear place-names. Champagne is also a wine that is distinguished by the fact that it contains a natural effervescence (putting it within the genre of “sparkling wines”), as opposed to wines that do not have effervescence (known as “still wines”). Champagne has been in production for several centuries and is the result of two separate fermentations. It is the second fermentation that imbues the wine known as Champagne with a sparkle. The process of making Champagne with two fermentations is known as the Champagne Method (Méthode Champenoise in French), nomenclature that has been updated in recent years to “the Traditional Method” (Méthode Traditionnelle). During this presentation, we will discuss the history, geography, and soil types of the Champagne region, as well as the history and step-by-step process by which Champagne, the wine, is made. You will discover that, although the finished product is generally a white wine, Champagne is frequently made from a combination of three grapes, two of which are “red” (which includes a spectrum of grape skin colors from red to blue to black). It is the process that is employed that achieves a clear colored wine from such grapes, all of which will be discussed.
The three Champagne wines that we will feature are listed below and are available in most Pennsylvania Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores. If you are unable to secure any of these wines, then it is suggested that you select an alternate wine for your tasting pleasure during the event, so long as it is a sparkling wine from the Champagne Region of France, made in the Traditional Method.
PLCB Code #83367 – Bertrand Delespierre Enfant de la Montagne Brut Champagne Montagne de Reims 1er Cru Non-Vintage – $39.99
PLCB Code #39622 – Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Champagne Brut NV – $39.99
PLCB Code #47130 – Ruinart Rose Brut NV – $74.99
So, please consider joining Joe Via and Marty Cook for this special presentation of Champagne, presented by the Pennsylvania Wine Society on Sunday, December 19th at 3:30 pm. We look forward to seeing you then!
Please use the following Zoom link to join this event:
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Meeting ID: 838 9509 7419
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The Loire Valley – Jardin de la France with Kevin Ostrowski
2022-01-16 15:30 - 17:00 | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
The Pennsylvania Wine Society series of Sunday afternoon Virtual Wine Education events returns on Sunday, January 16th at 3:30 pm Eastern/ New York Time on Zoom! Our first presentation of the New Year will feature The Loire Valley – Jardin de la France, hosted by PWS Member and past-presenter Kevin Ostrowski.
In the First Century BC, the longest river in France, the Loire, was recognized by Julius Caesar as valuable real estate. Beginning in the heart of the country and extending for over 600 miles to the Atlantic Ocean, the Loire River has provided access and transportation to its bounty throughout history. This includes the luscious wines of the region, as well. Exploring the wine regions of the Loire, we will see what makes each region unique unto itself. From crisp, light classic whites to bright and clean cool climate reds, we will sample and enjoy some wines from the Loire Valley, the Garden of France.
Even though many of the regions in the Loire grow and make wines from the same grapes, such as Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc, the wines are ultimately distinctive in character from region to region. Loire Valley wines are frequently known by the place names from the region in which they are produced (such as Sancerre, Quincy, Pouilly Fume, Muscadet, and Chinon), reflecting the characteristics of each regional terroir as well as the stylistic approach of the winemakers in those regions. Many of these Loire Valley wines are available in Pennsylvania Fine Wine & Good Spirits premium stores. We urge you to explore the availability of Loire Valley wines in the French section of your local wine store and select one or several to enjoy during this event. We will undoubtedly touch upon the wine(s) you choose and the regions in which they are produced.
Please join us on Sunday, January 16th at 3:30 pm for The Loire Valley – Jardin de la France on the Zoom link shown below. We look forward to seeing you then!
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88466962007?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 884 6696 2007
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Meeting ID: 884 6696 2007
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Château Maris Wines from the Cordier Portfolio
2022-02-13 15:30 - 17:00 | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Please join Marty Cook, PWS President, and our guest Gregg Mutschler, Director of National Distribution for Cordier USA on Sunday, February 13, 2022, at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time, to enjoy wines from the Languedoc region of France. Cordier USA is the U.S based importer of global wine producer Cordier by Invivo. Cordier USA’s core business is sustainable and family-owned French vineyards. Their vertically integrated global wine sourcing, as well as sales and marketing expertise, provide unique “Vineyard to Market” wine solutions. The close relationships they maintain with their producers, distributors, retailers and consumers allows Cordier USA to offer the finest products, in line with customer expectations.
Cordier’s portfolio producer chosen for this event is Château Maris. Perhaps the world’s greenest wine project, Château Maris is located in the heart of the Languedoc, where the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees mountains come together. Nestled in the foothills of the Black Mountains, Maris is a Certified Biodyvin, Demeter, Biodynamic 120-acre estate that uses only native yeast, bottles without fining or filtering, and plows with Percheron horses. It has built the world’s first and only hemp cellar: a sustainable, recyclable, plant-based building; completely biodegradable, self-sufficient in energy, and carbon negative.
Maris’ winemaker and owner, Robert Eden is the nephew of former UK Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden, and a direct descendant of Lord Baltimore. He started his career rather early by getting expelled from school for illegally brewing beer in his dorm. Because (or, thanks to) this, his father shipped him off to Australia where he found himself at the age of 17 pruning vines in the Barossa. After a stint in Tuscany and many years working with Becky Wasserman in Burgundy, he purchased Château Maris in 1998. Robert is a recognized authority on Organic and Biodynamic viticulture, giving lectures on the need to reduce the negative impact on the environment from non-sustainable farming. He was one of three winemakers invited to participate to the COP21 Climate Change Conference in Paris in 2015. Wine Enthusiast reported, “There are organic, sustainable and environmentally minded winemakers, and then there’s Robert Eden. No one in France can compete.”
Every label bearing Maris’ name is Certified Organic at a minimum, low sulfites (under 100 ppm), chemical free, and has no additives. Maris is also the first and only B-Corp Certified European winery, one of the most rigorous sustainability and social responsibility certifications in the world. Maris is a philosophy come to life with straightforward preparations yielding complex wines. The vineyard areas are alluvial soils – a mix of schist, sandstone, quartz and limestone. This makes for a varied terroir that allows each grape to best express itself. The winemaking uses all-indigenous yeasts and concrete tanks are often used for fermentation. Robert Eden’s wines have been described as “a testament to the practices of letting the land speak through the vines, and letting the grapes express the land”.
Featured wines for our event include an elegant, mouth filling Vermentino; a Syrah-Grenache-Mourvèdre blend with delicious, supple, bright red-fruit flavors; and a full-bodied Syrah-Grenache blend showcasing silky tannins and savory dark fruit. We look forward to hearing more about and tasting these wines with you!
Wine Ordering: Order early to receive your wines prior to the event. (Also consider this week’s temperatures are forecast to be milder for shipping.) You may order and ship wines through Wine.com. Links to each of the specific wines’ pages on the Wine.com website follow below. Click a link, place the wine in your cart, and continue with the next wine. I completed my order in less than 10 minutes. If you’re new to Wine.com, some first-time discounts are often offered, so be sure to take advantage of those.
Here are the links to each wine on Wine.com:
https://www.wine.com/product/chateau-maris-la-touge-2018/757090
https://www.wine.com/product/chateau-maris-vermentino-2019/638651
https://www.wine.com/product/chateau-maris-zulu-2019/707665

How to join us: No reservation needed. Simply grab your wines and join us via the Zoom link below close to 3:30 p.m. Eastern/New York time on Sunday, February 13; sit back and enjoy!
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83123035541?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 831 2303 5541
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Meeting ID: 831 2303 5541
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Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kcgesW5UAY

Godforsaken Grapes II ~ Wines of Lesser-Known Grapes
2022-02-18 19:00 - 21:30 | Hilton Harrisburg, 1 North Second Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17101, United States
Preparing for this event has been a lot of fun. I began selecting and setting aside wines in anticipation of staging Godforsaken Grapes II almost immediately after the first Godforsaken Grapes event concluded on February 18th of 2020. That was before the shutdown in March 2020, which seems like a million years ago. It has been an especially long time because the pandemic forced us to postpone plans for a Godforsaken Grapes event in February 2021.
To refresh your collective memory, allow me to make a brief explanation of the premise for this upcoming event. It is based on Jason Wilson’s book “Godforsaken Grapes”, in which he chronicles a two-year effort to track down wines from the world over that are made from lesser known, rare, and sometimes nearly extinct grape varieties. Many of the wines are varietals, i.e., wines named after the grape variety. So, the name of the grape says it all. It’s all about the grapes!
In the intervening two years since February 2020, I collected nearly thirty prospective wines from which to assemble this year’s program. My co-host Joe Via and I got together several Saturdays ago and set about the task of determining which eleven wines we would present to our audience. I had already whittled down the field of possibilities to eighteen wines before Joe and I convened.
I arrived at Joe’s home in mid-morning, and we set about our task with gusto! What you may not realize is the difficulty of the task with which we were faced. Perhaps the best way to explain this is to tell you the names of the delicious wines that were runners-up to the eleven finalists. The wines that did not make the cut:
Aligote (White) France – Burgundy’s “other” white grape.
Gros Manseng (White) France – A delightful South France variety.
Marselan (Red) France –A fuller-bodied French red with notes of dark cherry.
Pais (Red) Chile – One of two Pais we considered (also known as the Mission grape).
Rkatsiteli (White) Georgia – An ancient and thoroughly delicious cold-climate grape).
Scheurebe (White) Germany – It’s not all about Riesling in Germany!
Vernaccia (White) Italy – Another ancient grape and a rare Tuscan white.

This was a painful process of elimination, but we were very pleased with the prospects of the eleven finalists! So, beginning with our warmup wine and then following through with five whites and five reds, our field for Godforsaken Grapes II on Friday, February 18th is as follows:
Glera – (White) Sparkling — From northeastern Italy; grape used to make Prosecco.
Cortese – (White) Italy – Fruity on the nose, minerality on the palate.
Falanghina – (White) Italy – “Yumminess”, ripeness, flavor of the grape shows through.
Furmint – (White) Hungary – Simply outstanding! Very subtly oaked.
Rotgipfler – (White) Austria – Organic, spicy nose, crisp, fruity.
Sauvignonasse – (White) Slovenia – A French grape known as Sauvignon Vert.
Aglianico – (Red) Italy – A big wine with good fruit and tannins.
Lagrein – (Red) Italy – Medium to full bodied, rich and earthy.
Pais – (Red) Chile – The Pais we liked the best; a lighter red with easy drinkability.
Schiava – (Red) Italy – A totally balanced, smooth medium to full-bodied red.
Tannat – (Red) Uruguay – Another French grape from South France that excels in Uruguay.
You may notice that six of our eleven grapes are from Italy. This should not be much of a secret, as literally 25% of the world’s recognized wine grapes are indigenous to Italy. This is primarily due to the Romans’ influence and their love of wines of every type.
I must hasten to add that we will have door prizes again during this sequel of Godforsaken Grapes; but, this time, we will be giving away wines! Those wonderful wines that didn’t make the cut… well, we want you to experience them, even though they are not part of the evening’s package. So, every attendee will leave with a bottle of delicious wine!
Plan to attend this event, folks! If you were at the first Godforsaken Grapes in February 2020, then you know you will have a great time! My co-host and good friend Joe Via will be at the top of his game and we cannot wait to introduce you to eleven wines made from grapes that you may never have tasted before! So, join us to experience and savor these wines and learn about the grapes behind them!
Reservations for this event can be made online on the Pennsylvania Wine Society website at pawinesociety.org But don’t wait! Seating is capped at 48 attendees and seating is at a premium! Seating will also be at 4-top tables with adequate social distancing between tables.
100% complete COVID 19 vaccination proof is required to confirm event reservations. All Center for Disease Control and Pennsylvania Department of Health distancing and safety precautions as well as the Hilton Harrisburg’s practices and policies will be followed as we are their guests. Tables of 4 persons each may be reserved via communication with your reservation notes, or e-mail to the Treasurers.
This event takes place at the Hilton Harrisburg at 1 North Second Street, Harrisburg, PA on Friday evening, February 18th at 7:00 p.m. EST. Indoor parking is available and preferred at the Walnut Street Parking Garage at a discounted price for all event attendees by having the hotel front desk personnel stamp your parking ticket. Please join us! Click here for reservations.
Members: $50 Patrons: $45 Nonmembers: $60

Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery and the Eastern American Vinifera Revolution
2022-03-11 19:00 - 21:30 | Hilton Harrisburg, 1 North Second Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17101, United States
On Friday, March 11th at 7:00 pm Eastern Time at the Hilton Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania Wine Society we will host a pandemically-postponed wine tasting event featuring the wines of Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, Keuka Lake, Finger Lakes, NY. Originally scheduled for March 2020, we have carried this event on our books for what will be two full years! But, finally, the PWS is delighted to announce that we have been able to maintain the quoted prices from two years ago, in spite of rising costs. Seating has been filling up rapidly and we urge that reservations be made soon to assure a spot!
By way of some background, Dr. Konstantin Frank and his family immigrated to the United States in 1951 from Ukraine, bringing with him decades of knowledge and experience growing vinifera grapes. He arrived in the Finger Lakes to take a position with the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in 1952. When he questioned the scientists why vinifera grapes were not being gown, he was informed of the long-held North American belief at that time that it was just too cold to grow vinifera grapes in the Finger Lakes. But, Dr. Frank knew differently, having grown thousands of acres of vinifera grapes in the very cold climate of The Ukraine.
In 1958, Dr. Frank purchased 188 acres on the western shore of Lake Keuka for $6,000. It was here that he successfully planted the first vinifera vines in the Eastern United States. Many of those Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines are still in production today and represent some of the oldest vines in America.
Meaghan Frank, Dr. Frank’s great-granddaughter, will join us on Friday, March 11th via Zoom to introduce the event and share the history of her fascinating great-grandfather, her family, and their winery.
Mark Veraguth, Dr. Frank Winery Head Winemaker, has selected 9 wines for us to taste. He will be joining us in person for this event to guide us through the tasting of each wine and share his insights into their creation. The list of wines Mark has chosen for us is sure to please and includes:
Brut 2018 – Our “warm up wine” for the evening. Sophisticated and elegant, the aromas jump out of the glass expressing baked red apple, ginger, lemon curd, wildflowers, apricot, and biscuit notes. Bright lemon-driven acidity and very fine mousse leave a creamy mouthfeel with exquisite length. Perfect for celebrations and special occasions. Pair with oysters, lobster, smoked salmon, fried foods, egg dishes, sushi, popcorn, or seafood dishes.
Gruner Veltliner 2020 – Lime and green apple are held in sleek suspension by a stony minerality. With touches of pepper on the finish, it’s full in the mouth and quite powerful. It succeeds as it is very expressive while maintaining its focus and precision. Pair with Asparagus (Grilled), Cheese (Blue, Rich or Stinky), Pork (Grilled, Fried), Scallops (Sauteed), Sushi, Thai Cuisine.
Rkatsiteli 2021 – Elegant, aromatic, and tropical with apricot, passion fruit, pineapple, and honeydew with undertones of ginger, white pepper, and a touch of grassiness. A great alternative for Sauvignon Blanc drinkers. Pair with Olives, Goat Cheeses, Sushi, Seafood, Salads (Citrus, Vinaigrette), Grilled White Meats, BBQ.
Dry Rosé 2021 – This vibrant pink rosé is energetic with fresh strawberries, passion fruit, hibiscus, orange and plums. The freshness from the Blaufränkisch is matched with a deep texture and red fruits from the Merlot and Cabernets, producing a wine that can stand up to fattier dishes. Pair with Charcuterie, White Fish (Grilled), Pork (Grilled), Salads, Shrimp (Grilled), Sausage (Grilled), Grillable foods like Hamburgers and Hotdogs.
Dry Riesling 2020 – Ripe and tropical, harmonizing fresh lime juice, fresh citrus and petrol stoniness from the Keuka vineyards with cantaloupe and tangerine from the Seneca vineyards. Behind the zingy freshness are a rich body and a discreet creaminess which form a well-balanced union ideal for long-term aging. Pair with Soft Cheeses, Chicken, White Fish, Salad (Green Fruits, Seafood), Green Vegetable Dishes, Sushi.
Semi-dry Riesling 2020 – Delicate at first then tropically ripe, brimming with apricot, nectarine and a touch of pineapple. Lemon citrus and acacia blossom balance the sweetness effortlessly. Pair with Middle Eastern, Moroccan, Thai, and Asian cuisines. Pairs well with Spicy and Aromatic Ingredients like Pepper, Ginger, Curry, Sesame, and Soy. Spicy BBQ and Wings.
Blaufrankish 2019 – Leading with fresh plums and blueberries with vivid violet scents, the wine evolves from its bright and fruity core to a spicy richness on the palate. Smoked Sausage, Spaetzle, Tomato-based sauces, Hard Cheeses, Lighter Meats like Veal, Pork, and Lamb.
Cabernet Franc 2019 – Juicy and generous, spiced black cherry aromas are lifted with earthiness and cedar. Powerful and elegant simultaneously, the dark currants and plum flavors are firm with polished tannins and vibrant acidity. Pan-Seared Duck Breast, Grilled Lamb, Seared Filet Mignon, Steak Frites, Eggplant Dishes, Bell Peppers, StrongFlavored Cheeses, Roasted Vegetables.
Saperavi 2019 – Vibrant violet in color with pronounced notes of plum, black cherry, earth, cedar, and smoke. Full-bodied with polished tannins. Juicy acidity lifts the flavors on the long finish.

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required by all attendees to confirm event reservations. All CDC and PA Department of Health social distancing precautions as well as the Harrisburg Hilton’s safety precautions and policies will be followed. Seating will be limited to 4 people per table. If you wish to reserve a table for 4, you may do so in the notes section of your online reservation or by emailing asst-treasurer@pawinesociety.org.
This event takes place at the Hilton Harrisburg at 1 N. Second Street, Harrisburg, PA on Friday, March 11th at 7:00 pm Eastern Time. Indoor parking is available and preferred at the Walnut Street Parking Garage at a heavily discounted price for all event attendees by having the hotel front desk personnel stamp your parking ticket.
Online reservations may be purchased at pawinesocciety.org. Pricing is as follows:
Members: $55 Patrons: $50 Nonmembers: $65

Touring Austria’s Wines **SOLD OUT**
2022-04-01 19:00 - 21:30 | Hilton Harrisburg, 1 North Second Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17101, United States
This EVENT is SOLD OUT. If you’d like to join a Wait List to be called in case of cancellations – please contact the Treasurers.
Is there anything that overwhelms with a sensation of FRESH better than the first nose of a good Austrian Grüner Veltliner in your glass? I think not. Lots of lovely crisp whites out there – but oh my – this is spectacular in a glass. And it reminded me that PWS hasn’t featured Austrian wines in some time. And so here it is – our April 1st absolutely not foolish event! Austrian wines—both white and red—are some of the best kept secrets for springtime or anytime sipping.
We invite you to ‘embrace the umlaut’ and join us April 1, at the Hilton Harrisburg, 7 p.m. for an introductory tour of some of the wine world’s greatest cool-climate wines. Austrian wines are vibrant with a range of flavors to match our favorite foods of the season, from schnitzel to sushi. Austria is the world leader in organic farming. Family farms still dominate the winemaking scene, making quality the focus rather than mass production. Our tour guide for the evening is Mariel Wega from Skurnik Wines & Spirits, an importer and distributor headquartered in New York City whose goal is to search the globe to assemble the finest portfolio of estate-bottled wines and spirits available. Mariel has worked in the restaurant and wine industry for the better part of the last two decades as a sommelier, recommending wines in some of Philadelphia’s top restaurants for over ten years and was named one of Wine Enthusiast’s Best New Sommeliers of 2016. Mariel has chosen the ten wines listed below for us to enjoy; all of which will be coded in the PLCB system for your purchase of your favorites following the event. We will pair these with cheeses, baguettes, and small plates of Kasesspatzle and Goulash-Braised Beef prepared by Hilton Chef Bianco.
Nigl Sekt Rose 2016 Kremstal. Austria’s answer to Champagne. Delicate and racy sparkling rose with strawberries and cream on the palate.
Gobelsburg Grüner Veltliner ‘Schlosskellerei’ 2020 Kamptal. From some of the oldest documented vineyards in the Kamptal, dating back to 1171. Extremely fragrant with notes of juicy mirabelle plum. Crisp, green, refreshing.
Hiedler ‘Langenlois’ Riesling Kamptal DAC 2020 Kamptal. An excellent, dry village-level Riesling from the Hiedler family, a founding member of the ÖTW and one of the drivers of Austria’s vineyard classification since 1992.
Nikolaihof Grüner Veltliner ‘Zwickl’ 2020 Wachau. Nikolaihof holds some of the oldest known vineyards in Europe with sites such as “im Weingebirge” being mentioned as far back as 470AD. This is a fun, playful unfiltered Grüner.
Heidi Schröck & Söhne Gelber Muskateller 2020 Rüst. An aromatic white that will put a smile on your face from Heidi Schrock, one of the few women to be awarded Falstaff Vintner of the year. White flowers, lemon verbena, chamomile and herbs.
Bründlmayer Riesling ‘Zöbinger Heiligenstein’ Erste Lage 2020 Kamptal. A top site for Riesling on 250 million-year-old Permian desert sandstone with feldspar (volcanic) and siltstone. Bründlmayer is arguably one of the best Austrian winemakers of the last 25 years.
Hirsch Grüner Veltliner ‘Ried Kammern Gaisberg’ Erste Lage 2019 Kamptal. From the highly regarded “Gaisberg” premier cru vineyard, this wine is herbal with a stunning mouth feel that is creamy yet invigorating with a ton of mineral freshness.
Glatzer Blaufränkisch 2018 Carnuntum. Lip-smacking juiciness, peppers and blackberries; this is exactly what basic Blaufränkisch should be, and there couldn’t be a better introduction to this fascinating variety.
Berger Zweigelt 2020 Kremstal. One of the best values in Austria: juicy and bright, loaded with crunchy red berry fruit, tart cherry, and cranberry.
Sattler St Laurent 2020 Burgenland. This traditional Austrian variety is an offspring of Pinot Noir. Silky with spicy dark cherry fruit.
Heidi Schröck Beerenauslese 2020 Rüst. A very special and elegant sweet wine made from selected berries from various vineyards on the estate. Amber colored with flavors of apricot, orange, and passion fruit, a complex and concentrated beauty.
This is a higher priced event due to the unique opportunity to taste Austrian wines not previously available in Pennsylvania stores, and pair them with Austrian-style foods while learning more about cool-climate grape growing and winemaking. Space is limited by Hilton space, safe distancing, and wine availability; so plan now to join us at 7 p.m. Friday, April 1st at the Hilton Harrisburg for this fun and educational tour. It will be a great way to kick off spring in Pennsylvania!
100% current, complete COVID 19 vaccination proof is required to confirm event reservations. All Center for Disease Control and Pennsylvania Department of Health distancing and safety precautions as well as the Hilton Harrisburg’s practices and policies will be followed as we are their guests. Tables of four persons each may be reserved via communication with your reservation notes, or an e-mail to the Treasurers. Click here to reserve seats online. We look forward to sharing these wines and food with you!
Members: $95 Patrons: $90 Nonmembers: $105

Wines of South West France
2022-04-10 15:30 - 17:00 | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Our next Virtual Wine Education event takes place on Sunday, April 10th at 3:30 pm Eastern on Zoom (link shown below). On the French side of the Pyrenees lies Gascony – the land of many tribes. That land would become known as a quality wine producing region. With Bordeaux to its North, the Bordelaise had passed regulations known as ‘Police de Vin’ ensuring its Bordeaux region wines preferentially made it to market before those of South West France and it seems that, to this day, while those rules are long past, we tend to forget about the wine growing regions of Irouleguy, Bearn, Madiran, Juracon, Cahors and Gaillac. As an aside you may recognize the region’s more famous brandy – Armagnac. We will take a look at the history and wines of these less-famous areas that call themselves “the quiet Southern neighbors of Bordeaux.”
Join us on Sunday, April 10th at 3:30 pm Eastern on Zoom (link shown below) with a bottle of wine from any of the aforementioned areas of South West France as we explore an ancient winemaking region where wines are of excellent quality, though lesser-known and somewhat underappreciated.
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Meeting ID: 885 0225 5986
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Pennsylvania Wine Excellence Tasting and Awards Ceremony XIX
2022-05-01 14:00 - 17:00 | Hilton Harrisburg, 1 North Second Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17101, United States
20 years ago, Frank Fritsch told me he thought we should be doing something to recognize the Pennsylvania wineries. He especially felt we should encourage them to make the kind of wines we like to drink. I had learned a lot about judging wines from attending American Wine Society conferences and a few other wine events that involved a jury, so that we made a good pair. We put together the first judging which was a great success and then presented the top scoring wines at a tasting. We’ve had the judging and a tasting event every year since until Covid came along.
This year we will have our presentation of the top ten wines along with our ceremony where we announce the top scorer and the runner up. We will also hear from the winery representatives who will tell us about conditions in the vineyard, as well as decisions made in the winery that led to their outstanding wine. Attendees will taste the top 10, and at the end of the afternoon we will announce the winners. The top scorer gets our beautiful decorative plaque to hang on the wall at the winery; the runner up is awarded a framed plaque. Come and enjoy the tasting, be pleased by what Pennsylvania has to offer, and cheer the winners!
The top 10 wines in alphabetical order:
Armstrong Valley Cabernet Franc
Armstrong Valley Chambourcin
Bella Terra Estate Briar Valley Lemberger
Presque Isle Lake Erie Teroldego
South Shore Sparkling Riesling
South Shore Chardonnay
South Shore Pet Nat Rosé
Waltz Cabernet Franc
Waltz Chardonnay
Waltz Cherry Tree Merlot
Join us at the Hilton Harrisburg on Sunday, May 1st at 2:00 p.m. to recognize and celebrate the fine efforts of our Pennsylvania wineries.
100% COVID 19 vaccination proof with follow-up 14-day waiting period completion is required to confirm event reservations. All Center for Disease Control and Pennsylvania Department of Health distancing and safety precautions as well as the Hilton Harrisburg’s practices and policies will be followed as we are their guests. Tables of 4 persons each may be reserved via communication with your reservation notes, or email to the Treasurers. Click here for reservations.

Member: $55 Patron: $50 Nonmember: $65

Wines of Grandview Vineyard
2022-05-15 15:30 - 17:00 | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
We are pleased to announce the Pennsylvania Wine Society Virtual Wine Education topic for Sunday afternoon May 15th at 3:30 pm Eastern/New York time, when we will feature the wonderful wines of Grandview Vineyard.
If you have not tasted wines from Grandview Vineyard, then make a point of joining us on Sunday, May 15th at 3:30 pm. We will be joined by the winery’s co-owner Sarah Haines, as she walks us through an overview of the history and wines of her second-generation family owned and operated Pennsylvania winery!
During this tasting, we will feature three wines from Grandview Vineyard: Albariño, Chardonnay, and their award-winning Grande Rouge. These wines are offered at a 15% discount and may be shipped to your location. Tasting notes on the wines and purchase and pricing details follow.
The three-bottle kit is titled “PWA Virtual Wine Tasting Collection” and is now live on the Grandview Vineyard website shopping page.
To purchase, go to http://www.grandviewwines.com/shop
Choose your preference – Tasting Room Pick-Up, Ship to PA, or Ship to another State.
Click on Wine Kits and Gift Sets to find the PWA Package
The full retail price before discounting is $95. Use Coupon Code “PWA2022”, which will bring the price down to $79.99 (plus tax / shipping). When you add the kit to your online cart, it will say $95, but when you check out, you will be able to enter a coupon code, which will apply the 15% discount and reduce the price.
All orders placed for shipment must be placed by Thursday May 5 to guarantee arrival. Pick up orders can be placed online or in the tasting room any time prior to the May 15th event at: 1489 Grandview Road, Mount Joy, PA 17552. Call to reserve order for pickup (717) 653-4825.
After the tasting (and, until May 19), this 15% discount will be extended.
Please remember to use the Coupon Code “PWA2022” for 15% off all wines!
2020 Albariño
Dry White, 0% sugar, 13.1% alcohol
The Albarino is similar to a Sauvignon Blanc, without the grassy notes on it. It is much more citrus driven and is a bright, zesty wine with hints of lemon and refreshing citrus flavors.
The Albariño is the premier white wine in Spain, grown primarily in the Rías Baixas, in Galicia. These grapes thrive in misty, cool climates.
Suggested pairings: Albariño pairs well with seafood, i.e. white fish, seafood, grilled vegetables, citrus/high acidity foods. Grapes grown at Grandview Vineyard.
Steel fermented. First planted in 2011, Replanted in 2013. First harvest in 2016. First release was the 2016 Albariño in summer 2017.
2017 Chardonnay
Dry White, Dry 0% sugar, 12.6% alcohol.
Toasty oak and buttery notes with ripe peach and pear flavors.
Awards: 2014 Bronze Medal from the San Fran International Wine Competition.
Suggested pairing: rich foods with higher fat content, buttery/nutty or cream sauces, Salmon, seafood with butter, grilled chicken.
Grapes grown at Grandview Vineyard. Fermented and aged/stirred on the lees in oak barrels (mostly French oak) for approximately 9 months.
Lees refers to deposits of dead yeast or residual yeast and other particles that precipitate to the bottom of the barrel after fermentation and aging. Normally the wine is transferred to another container (racking) leaving this sediment behind. Some wines (notably chardonnay) are sometimes aged for a time on the lees (a process known as sur lie) leading to a distinctive yeasty aroma and taste. The lees were stirred every 2 weeks in order to promote uptake of the lees’ flavor (toasty, nutty “hazelnut” quality and gives additional depth and complexity to the wine).
2016 Grand Rouge
Dry Red, Dry 0% sugar, 13.1% alcohol
Our flagship estate wine. Dark and jammy fruit-like scents fill the nose on this big wine, packed with elegance and bold notes of black current, cocoa/mocha on the tongue with hints of pepper. The Grande Rouge has soft tannins throughout and is an overall very pleasing dry red. A blend of 48% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot.
Suggested pairing: Higher fat content meats, such filet mignon, beef brisket, pork, dark meat turkey.
Aged 21-22 months in French oak barrels.
Awards: The 2013 Grande Rouge was submitted to San Fran National Wine Competition and won a double gold. This means that all judges voted unanimously for it to get a Gold Medal. Grandview was the 1st winery east of the Mississippi to win this award in the Bordeaux category in over a decade and, according to their website, it has only ever happened one other time in the 36 years of holding the competition!
Please join us at the Zoom link below on Sunday, May 15th at 3:30 pm Eastern/New York time for an enjoyable hour with a trio of wonderful wines from Grandview Vineyard!
_________________________________________________________________________________
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82797082509?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 827 9708 2509
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Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kPGq7pdPf

Vino Italiano
2022-06-24 19:00 - 21:00 | Hilton Harrisburg, 1 North Second Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17101, United States
On Friday evening, June 24 at 7:00 pm at the Hilton Harrisburg, we will experience a special event featuring nine carefully selected wines from Italy. We will be pouring four white wines and five red wines representing nine different wine appellations from seven different Italian regions (states). Our wine tour of Italy will cover Piedmont and Veneto in the north, Tuscany in central Italy and Campania, Molise and Sicily in southern Italy. We will also have a beautiful wine from Sardinia that kind of defies the easy geographical labeling of the rest of Italy.
One thing that is easy to say about Sardinia is that it’s a perfect place to grow its preferred wine grapes. Our wine from this island will be a Vermentino. Most Italians will tell you the very best Vermentino comes from Sardinia…and this one is delicious. It is a crisp white with a tantalizing taste of lemon.
We will be pouring an Arneis from Piedmont. This is a smooth and flavorful white from a native grape of the region produced by Damilano. region produced by Damilano. They are a prestigious, family-owned winery that we were fortunate to visit. Their wines are fantastic!
Sicily is Italy’s largest region (state) in both population and land area. It has more vineyard land than any other region. Our white from Sicily is 100% Carricante. This grape produces a lively, crisp wine with lots of minerality; not surprising considering Sicily’s volcanic soil.
Our last white is a beautiful and very interesting wine from Campania east of Naples. It is made entirely from Coda di Volpe. The translation is Tail of the Fox. That is the grape. I’m wondering how many of you have ever had that wine?! Well, you will experience it at this event!
Our first red in the lineup is a very nice Nero d’Avola from Sicily. It is Sicily’s most prominent native grape. This wine is deep and rich with black-fruit flavors and a hint of exotic spice.
Our next red is from Molise. How many of you have ever heard of Molise…probably not too many, let alone taste wine from there. This is a nice little gem. It is 85% Montepulciano. This is a red grape that grows mainly along the east coast of Italy. But it doesn’t grow near the City of Montepulciano. Go figure.
Of course, we couldn’t have an Italian wine event without having reds from Tuscany. We have two. If we have two reds from Tuscany, then one has to be a super Tuscan…and it is. It is Toscana Rosso from Altesino. My wife and I had an opportunity to taste this wine at the winery.
We really loved it. It has a Sangiovese base, 80%, with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. Sangiovese is the noble grape of Tuscany but both Cab Sauvignon and Merlot grow very well here and their acreage is increasing.
We go back to northern Italy for our next red. It is from Zenato in Veneto located in northeastern Italy. It is a wine you don’t see very often. It is 100% Corvina. While Corvina is the leading grape of Veneto, it is virtually always included in a blend with Rondinella and Molinara, also sometimes with Oseleta. Zenato is a leading winery in Veneto and this is one of their best wines. It is very expensive but worth every penny.
Our last wine is from Tuscany. It is a Chianti Classico DOCG from the heart of the greater Chianti area. This wine is 100% Sangiovese made by Castello di Bossi. This estate has been producing wine since the ninth century AD. It is located in the southern section of the Classico appellation near Siena. The grapes for this wine are from a single vineyard, Bossi. The grapes are grown at an elevation of 1,155 feet with a southwestern exposure facing Siena.
This will be the ONLY PWS Italian wine event for the year. You will not want to miss this exceptional tasting. Join us for an evening enjoying some of the finest wines Italy has to offer. We will also have a selection of fine cheeses and Hilton baguettes.
100% COVID 19 vaccination proof with follow-up 14-day waiting period completion is required to confirm event reservations. All CDC and PA DOH distancing and safety precautions as well as the Hilton Harrisburg’s practices and policies will be followed as we are their guests.
Tables of 4 persons each may be reserved via communication in your online reservation notes or to the Treasurers. Click here to reserve seats online. Hope to see you there.
Member Reservation—$60
Patron Reservation—$55
Nonmember Reservation—$70

Armstrong Valley Wine & Dine
2022-10-23 13:00 - 15:00 | Armstrong Valley Vineyard & Winery, 212 Rutter Rd, Halifax, PA, 17032, United States
RESRVATIONS CLOSED October 16th. Check out our other upcoming events!

Our October tasting event is coming up soon at the award-winning Armstrong Valley Vineyard and Winery, so get your tickets, for another memorable afternoon of great food and wine!
The event is Sunday, October 23rd, from 1-3 p.m. and will include six of Armstrong Valley’s award-winning wines: Chardonnay (un-oaked), Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Armstrong Red (Bordeaux blend), and Pinot Noir.
Armstrong Valley Vineyard and Winery (http://armstrongvalleywinery.com) is located a scenic 40-minute drive north of Harrisburg, in Halifax, PA. Enjoy the fall foliage on the way! The winery resides on 100 acres of historic farmland dating back to 1769. Robert Armstrong, namesake for the valley area and the creek that runs through the property, started the homestead, which includes a main stone house, barn, summer kitchen, outhouse, tack house, icehouse, granary and stable.
The original property was given to Robert Armstrong by the Penns (probably as payment for military service) and included roughly 200 acres. All the wines are made in the 200 year old bank barn.
Renowned Chef Loic Jaffres will prepare small plate tapas including an onion and brie tart for an appetizer, lifter steak (beef) with mushroom sauce as an entrée along with rice pilaf with carrot Vichy and caramelized cabbage as sides, followed by carrot cake with caramel sauce for dessert.
Chef Loic brings a lifetime of French culinary skills to our event. In the 18 years leading up to his recent retirement, he owned and operated his own French restaurant in Maryland.
This is my first time hosting, so please let me, Barry Einsig, know if you have any questions or suggestions at barryceinsig@gmail.com.
Hope to see you there.
100% COVID 19 vaccination proof is required to confirm event reservations. Safe distancing and safety precautions will be followed based on any CDC or PA DOH reported geographic regional exposure risk at the time of the event.
Reservation DEADLINE is Sunday, October 16th at 5 p.m. Tables may be reserved via communication in your online reservation notes or to the Treasurers. Click here to reserve seats online.
Member Reservation: $65
Patron Reservation: $60
Nonmember Reservation: $75

DEADLINE to register for Champagne Brunch
2022-11-27 00:00 - 17:00 | PA

Champagne Brunch
2022-12-04 12:00 - 14:30 | Greystone Public House, 2120 Colonial Rd, Harrisburg, PA, 17112, United States
Last Day to Register – Sunday, November 27th
Going, going, gone! Seats to the Champagne Brunch on December 4 are almost sold out and the time to buy the remaining seats ends soon. You do not want to miss this Champagne and small plates event at Greystone Public House. The Champagnes have been specially selected to pair with the gourmet food of Chef Jason Viscount. In selecting the Champagnes, we focused on affordable but high-quality small house wines and not the mass marketed Champagnes that are ubiquitous around the holiday season. We also sought variety in style (from Extra Brut to Demi-Sec) and in grapes (100% Chardonnay to blends featuring Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir). This event is for the Champagne aficionado as well as the novice. Join us for food, fun and most importantly CHAMPAGNE! Register today at pawinesociety.org!
MENU
Gathering & Greeting
Gaston Chiquet Tradition 1er Cru

Smoked Salmon Rillettes with Everything Bagel Crostini
Drappier Brut Nature

Spicy Korean Cauliflower Wings, Chogochujang Sauce, Baby Cilantro,
Cucumber Ginger Salad
Waris Hubert Lilyale Blanc de Blancs Zero Dosage

Corn Fritter, Fried Oyster, Horseradish Crème Fraiche, Chives,
Petite Herb Salad
Andre Jacquart Vertus Experience Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs 1er Cru

Smoked Duck Breast, Creamed Wild Rice, Pecan Cranberry Chutney
Ruinart Champagne Brut Rosé

French Pear Tart, Almonds, and Blue Cheese
Piper Heidsieck Champagne Demi Sec Cuvée Sublime

Include any food sensitivities and allergies to be considered in the “notes” section of your online reservation. If you have any questions about the menu, please email treasurer@pawinesociety.org. We can help you with special needs.
Current COVID 19 vaccination proof is required to confirm event reservations. Safe distancing and safety precautions as well as Greystone’s practices and policies will be followed as we are their guests. Precautions will be based on any CDC or PA DOH reported geographic regional exposure risk at the time of the event.
Reservation DEADLINE is Sunday, November 27th at 5 p.m. Click here to reserve seats online.
Member Reservation: $120
Patron Reservation: $115
Nonmember Reservation: $140
