Pennsylvania Wine Society

Wine Wednesday ~ Piemonte, Italy
2022-02-16 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
This week’s Wine Wednesday episode on February 16th at 7:00 p.m. Eastern focuses on one of my most favorite wine regions in the whole world, i.e. that of Piemonte (Italy). This region is in the northwest of Italy and is bordered on the western side by a mountain range that separates Italy and France. It is also the homeland of my maternal ancestors, many of whom were from Asti and the agrarian towns and villages to the southeast of Asti. When my grandpap told me that he grew up on a farm, I asked him what they grew. His answer was, “Grapes!”
It is difficult for me to pin down my favorite wines from Piemonte. Owing to the influence of the Romans, roughly 25% of the world’s recognized wine grape varieties are indigenous to Italy. Thus, no matter where you go in Italy, you will find local wine grapes growing everywhere! This translates into endless wine varietals. Piemonte is no slouch when it comes to grape varieties and wine varietals. And, there are almost as many white wines from which to choose as there are reds.
So, spend some time, do the research, and you will be amazed at the wines Piemonte has to offer! Then, meet us on the Zoom link below on Wednesday, February 16th at 7:00 p.m. Eastern time for Wine Wednesday! Arm yourself with a suitable bottle of wine from Piemonte and, as always, send photos of the front and back labels from your wine bottle to WineCat@pa.net by 11 p.m. Tuesday for inclusion in Wednesday night’s PowerPoint slide show.
No reservation needed – simply join us close to 7 p.m. Wednesday via the Zoom link below. We look forward to seeing you then!
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Godforsaken Grapes II ~ Wines of Lesser-Known Grapes
2022-02-18 19:00 - 21:30 UTC | 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

Wine Wednesday ~ The Veneto Region of Italy
2022-02-23 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Our topic for Wine Wednesday on February 23rd at 7:00 pm Eastern time examines the wines of Veneto, Italy. This region is in the northeastern corner of “the boot” that describes the peninsula that is Italy. It is generally a cooler climate for growing grapes. The Veneto region produces more whites than reds under the DOC designation and is notably home to the Prosecco and Soave wines. However, continued recognition for other wines from the region, such as Valpolicella, Amarone, Soave and Bardolino, help keep Veneto in the spotlight.
The red wines of Veneto are also identified with several techniques which are used to increase body, structure and intensity to various of the wines. Such processes as Ripasso and Appassimento yield stunning results that we will discuss this week.
So, secure a bottle of wine from this region and join us for Wine Wednesday on February 23rd at 7:00 pm Eastern time to learn “the rest of the story.” And, as always, please take photos of the front and back labels of your bottle and email them to WineCat@pa.net by 11 p.m. Tuesday for inclusion in our PowerPoint slide presentation. We look forward to seeing you!
No reservations needed – simply send your label photos and join us via the Zoom link below close to 7 p.m. Eastern/New York time Wednesday.

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Wine Wednesday ~ Tuscany, Italy
2022-03-02 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Our next Wine Wednesday on March 2nd at 7:00 pm Eastern (New York) Time features “the Wines of Tuscany, Italy”. Tuscany is the land of the Sangiovese grape. This wine region is located on the western coast of central Italy and is home to Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano red wines and Vernaccia di San Gimignano white wine. Such richness! And then, there are the Super Tuscans to explore! All in good time. Let’s take them one at a time as we taste and discuss!
So, secure a bottle of wine from Tuscany, Italy and join us on the Zoom link shown below. As usual, please send pictures of the front and back labels to your bottle and send them to WineCat@pa.net by 11 PM Tuesday for inclusion in this week’s PowerPoint slide show. We look forward to seeing you on Wine Wednesday this week on March 2nd at 7:00 pm Eastern Time!
No reservations needed – just send your labels and join us near 7 PM Wednesday via the Zoom link below!
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Wine Wednesday ~ The Rioja Region of Spain
2022-03-09 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Our next installment of Wine Wednesday on March 9th at 7:00 pm Eastern Time embraces the wines that emanate from the Rioja region of Spain. The Rioja (phonetic spelling RREE’-OH’-hah) is the oldest Designation of Origin in Spain (1925) and the first to earn Calificada status (1991). A broad yet landlocked geographic expanse stretching from west to east across the northcentral reaches of Spain, the Rioja is really three subregions representing three distinct terroir. Rioja is perhaps the most recognized Spanish wine region among Americans and is best known for berry-scented, barrel-aged red wines made from Tempranillo and Garnacha. It is arguably Spain’s top wine region. It is certainly the most famous, rivaled only by Jerez. There are so many other noteworthy Spanish wine regions, but we begin with Rioja, which requires much exploration before we move on to other Spanish wine regions later this year. So, enjoy Rioja while we linger in it for now!
So, please secure a bottle of wine from the Rioja region and join us on Wednesday, March 9th at 7:00 pm Eastern Time for this week’s iteration of Wine Wednesday! And, please remember to send pictures of your wine bottle’s front and back labels to WineCat@pa.net for inclusion in this coming week’s PowerPoint slide presentation. Please do so no later than Tuesday evening, March 8th.
We look forward to seeing you this Wednesday on March 9th at 7:00 pm Eastern Time for Wine Wednesday!
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Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery and the Eastern American Vinifera Revolution
2022-03-11 19:00 - 21:30 UTC | 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

Winemaking for Mere Mortals!
2022-03-13 15:30 - 17:00 UTC | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
On Sunday, March 13th at 3:30 pm Eastern (New York) Time, the Pennsylvania Wine Society will feature Virtual Wine Education event on winemaking. But this segment will be a departure from the programs you have come to know from the PWS. It will be a one-hour overview of winemaking at home, as performed by award-winning amateur winemaker Kevin Donnelly.
It discusses grape varietals, fruit wine (“country wine”) options, the equipment needed, the basic chemistry involved, and winemaking procedures. During this segment, Kevin will demonstrate how people at home can emulate the “big guys” at commercial wineries, resulting in high quality wines that are often as good as, or even superior to, the quality of commercial wines.
Kevin will discuss costs involved, starting as low as $300, and how you can grow your hobby as your interest and proficiency grows.
This is a great introduction to a centuries old tradition that will show you how you can get involved in becoming a bona fide Winemaker of quality wines that you would be proud to serve to your family and friends!
Kevin Donnelly has been a home winemaker since 2003, and consistently wines multiple awards from various Home Wine Competitions, including 2018 Best of Show “Golden Bear” award from the California State Fair. Kevin has been the chairman of the OC Fair’s Home Wine Competition for five years and continues as a board member of the Orange County Wine Society in California.
Please join us on Sunday, March 13th at 3:30 pm Eastern (New York) Time to take in this feature. It is sure to be enjoyable and informative!
No reservations needed. You can join in on the Zoom link shown below.
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Wine Wednesday ~ Wines from Washington State
2022-03-16 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Our next Wine Wednesday on March 16th at 7:00 pm Eastern Time will examine the wines from Washington State. Such a vast expanse of potential wine growing acreage, Washington State is only scratching the surface of what it will eventually achieve, both in terms of grape varieties that are continually being added to their region as well as to the absolutely wonderful wines that they are producing now! This region delivers so many wines that punch over their weight and it has become a favorite of many!
As always, please send photos of the front and back labels of the wine you choose to feature to WineCat@pa.net by 11 p.m. Tuesday for inclusion in Wednesday’s PowerPoint presentation.
No reservation needed – simply email your label photos and join via the Zoom link below at 7:00 pm Eastern Time on Wednesday.
I look forward to seeing you.
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Wine Wednesday ~ Wines from Oregon
2022-03-23 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Our Wine Wednesday episode for March 23rd at 7:00 pm Eastern pertains to a relatively “new” wine growing region on the northwest coast of the United States. That region is the State of Oregon, which has built a reputation for its Pinot Noir wines and, for white wine enthusiasts, its Pinot Gris. Still developing its reputation, this region has come on very strong since the 1960’s and will continue to advance and grow well into the future! So, get ready to explore some excellent wines!
Grab yourself an example of wine from Oregon and join us for Wine Wednesday this coming week on March 23rd at 7:00 pm Eastern. As usual, send photos of your wine bottle labels to WineCat@pa.net by 11 pm Tuesday evening for inclusion in our weekly PowerPoint Parade of Pics!
No reservations needed – just join us close to 7:00 pm Wednesday via the Zoom link below. We hope to see you then.
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Wine Wednesday ~ Wines from Northern California
2022-03-30 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Our next installment of Wine Wednesday on March 30th takes us to Northern California’s vast wine regions! What do you know about this wine region? That is your research assignment for this chapter of Wine Wednesday! You may already have a favorite region in Northern California, such as Alexander Valley, Russian River Valley, Carneros, Calistoga, Rutherford, or one of the many others. Tell us! What is your go to wine for that region? What is your favorite AVA? We would love to know!
As usual, send photos of the front and back labels of the wine you plan to feature next Wednesday, and send those photos to WineCat@pa.net by 11 pm Tuesday for inclusion in our weekly PowerPoint slide show! The wine choices from which to choose are almost endless! We look forward to learning more about the wine you plan to highlight! Join us on March 30th at 7:00 pm for next week’s Wine Wednesday!
No reservations needed – simply join us close to 7 pm Wednesday via the Zoom link below.
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Touring Austria’s Wines **SOLD OUT**
2022-04-01 19:00 - 21:30 UTC | 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

Wine Wednesday ~ Wines from the State of New York
2022-04-06 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
New York State brought recognition and established prominence to New York State as a winemaking region as early as the 1930’s and has since driven a stake in the ground as a world-class producer of (among other varieties) Riesling! Tell us about some of your favorite New York State wines and/or wine regions, from the Finger Lakes to the Hudson Valley and all points in between!
All details for each individual event are posted here closer to the actual event and distributed to PWS members via e-mail in advance of the event each week.
Please check back here the week of the event for Zoom connection information.
Most important is to reserve your Wednesday evenings now for this fun and interesting exploration of wine!

Wines of South West France
2022-04-10 15:30 - 17:00 UTC | 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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Wine Wednesday ~ Pennsylvania and Other Eastern American Wines
2022-04-13 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Our next Wine Wednesday offering on April 13th at 7:00 pm Eastern will feature Pennsylvania and other Eastern American wines. Some of us may crinkle their noses when they think about wines made in the Commonwealth or other States east of the West Coast, but there are enough great wine producers around the Pennsylvania Wine Society’s home-based State and the other many contiguous Eastern American States that I am sure we all have something we enjoy at home or when we are out and about at an event. Tell us where you go and what you drink when you consume Pennsylvania and other Eastern American wines!
So, grab a bottle of Pennsylvania or Eastern American wine and join us on Wednesday, April 13th at 7:00 pm Eastern for Wine Wednesday! As usual, send a photo of the front and back label of your bottle to WineCat@pa.net by Tuesday evening at the latest for inclusion in our weekly PowerPoint slide presentation. We look forward to seeing you then!
No reservations needed – simply send your labels by Tuesday evening and join via the Zoom link below close to 7 pm Eastern/New York time on Wednesday.

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Wine Wednesday ~ Wines from any State or Province not Previously Featured
2022-04-20 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Our next Wine Wednesday offering on April 20th at 7:00 pm Eastern will feature wines from any North American State or Province not previously featured. There are many States and Provinces remaining that we have not touched upon during the last weeks of exploring United States wines. So, pick one! We know there are tasty wines being produced in States like Virginia, New Mexico, Texas, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Missouri, and several Canadian Provinces. Let’s see who can send off our tour of the US with a surprising offering from a State or Province heretofore not featured!
To refresh your recall – we’ve already featured CA, NY, OR, PA, and WA – so those are the only areas out of bounds this week. So, grab a bottle of North American wine and join us on Wednesday, April 20th at 7:00 pm Eastern for Wine Wednesday! As usual, send a photo of the front and back label of your bottle to WineCat@pa.net by Tuesday evening at the latest for inclusion in our weekly PowerPoint slide presentation.
No reservations needed – simply send your label photos and join us via the Zoom link below close to 7 pm Wednesday. We look forward to seeing you then!
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Meeting ID: 891 3489 7627
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Wine Wednesday ~ Wines from Western Europe
2022-04-27 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Our next Wine Wednesday offering on April 27th at 7:00 pm Eastern will feature Wines from Western Europe. After our foray into Eastern American wines and wines from other random North American States and Provinces, we all deserve a trip across the pond for one of our favorite wines from the Old World. Pick anything you want from France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Portugal, or any of the lesser-known traditional winemaking regions of Western Europe (Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, and so on).
So, grab a bottle of Western European wine and join us on Wednesday, April 27th at 7:00 pm Eastern for Wine Wednesday! As usual, send a photo of the front and back label of your bottle to WineCat@pa.net by Tuesday evening at the latest for inclusion in our weekly PowerPoint slide presentation.
No reservation needed – simply send your label photos and then join us close to 7:00 pm Wednesday via the Zoom link below. We look forward to seeing you then!

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Pennsylvania Wine Excellence Tasting and Awards Ceremony XIX
2022-05-01 14:00 - 17:00 UTC | 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

Wine Wednesday ~ Wines for Cinco de Mayo
2022-05-04 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Sure, we did this last year, but there are certainly enough pairing possibilities to prop up another Cinco de Mayo wine pairing. Whether it’s something from the American Southwest, or Mexico, or just something that pairs with your favorite tacos or burritos, tell us all about your favorite wines (and, foods!) for Cinco de Mayo!
All details for each individual event are posted here closer to the actual event and distributed to PWS members via e-mail in advance of the event each week.
Please check back here the week of the event for Zoom connection information.
Most important is to reserve your Wednesday evenings now for this fun and interesting exploration of wine!

Wine Wednesday ~ -Wines of Eastern Europe
2022-05-11 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
This week’s Wine Wednesday on May 11th at 7:00 pm Eastern Time makes a course correction that takes us back across the pond to Europe and specifically to Eastern Europe. But, for this trip, we are going a little deeper into the eastern part of the continent. Get ready to talk about favorite or newly discovered wines from countries such as Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Moldova, Croatia, or The Ukraine. You will have to do a little digging to find examples of wines from these areas. But, if you can find them, you will be pleasantly surprised. Winemaking in these nations has a rather ancient history. In fact, some of the grape varieties you will encounter in your research are very ancient, although they are not necessarily household words. As wine education goes, this topic will teach us a lot about a totally different chapter in our appreciation of wine.
So, locate a bottle of Eastern European wine, take some pics of the front and back label of that wine, send those pics to WineCat@pa.net by Tuesday evening, and get set to join us for this edition of Wine Wednesday on May 11th at 7:00 pm Eastern Time!
No reservation needed – simply join us close to 7 pm on the on the Zoom link below. We look forward to seeing you then!
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Wines of Grandview Vineyard
2022-05-15 15:30 - 17:00 UTC | 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!
_________________________________________________________________________________
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Wine Wednesday ~ Wines of Africa and the Middle East
2022-05-18 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
This week’s Wine Wednesday on May 18th at 7:00 pm Eastern Time will explore wines produced in any of the African or Middle Eastern countries. Places like South Africa and Israel produce some popular wines easily found in the PA Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores, but other varieties from other African and Middle Eastern countries are out there waiting to be found by the industrious shopper!
So, put on your pith helmet and get set for some exploration! Surprise us with something heretofore unknown to the Wine Wednesday crowd!
And, after you find that unique bottle, take photos of the front and back labels and send those pics to WineCat@pa.net by Tuesday 11 pm for inclusion in our weekly PowerPoint slide show.
NO reservations needed. Simply join via the Zoom link below on May 18th at 7:00 pm Eastern Time!
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Wine Wednesday ~ Summer Wines
2022-05-25 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
Next weekend in the USA, we take pause to remember all the brave men and women who gave their lives so that we can exercise all of our freedoms, including our ability to freely talk about the wine of our choosing every Wednesday evening on Wine Wednesday. This episode of Wine Wednesday falls on May 25th at 7:00 pm Eastern Time.
Memorial Day weekend is also traditionally thought of as the unofficial start to summer; so, let’s kick it off by talking about our favorite wines for warm summer evenings spent outside while enjoying friends and family. There are so many beautifully refreshing “summertime sippers” (generally lighter white or rosé wines) to enjoy on the patio or deck or veranda. So, grab a bottle of your favorite summertime wine elixir, take pictures of the front and back labels, send those photos to WineCat@pa.net by 11 PM Tuesday for inclusion in our weekly PowerPoint slide show, and get ready to share some facts and tasting notes about the “summertime sipper” of your choice!
No reservation needed! Simply join us on May 25th at 7:00 pm Eastern Time via the Zoom link shown below!

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Wine Wednesday ~ Wines from Old Wineries
2022-06-01 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
“I love everything that is old; old friends, old times, old manners, old books, and old wines.” -Oliver Goldsmith, The Vicar of Wakefield. It sounds like old Oliver would be thrilled with this weeks topic of discussion for Wine Wednesday, as we old friends will be talking about old wines, some of which will undoubtedly come forth from old manors, as we look at wines from wineries that have been in existence for over 100 years.

All details for each individual event are posted here closer to the actual event and distributed to PWS members via e-mail in advance of the event each week.
Please check back here the week of the event for Zoom connection information.
Most important is to reserve your Wednesday evenings now for this fun and interesting exploration of wine!

Wine Wednesday ~ Chardonnay
2022-06-08 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
This week for wine Wednesday will take a look (and have a taste) at what is perhaps the world’s most polarizing wine; Chardonnay. Originally from Burgundy, used in all kinds of sparkling wines, and without the distinctive flavors of other white varieties like Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling, Chardonnay is said to be the most popular white wine on earth. On the other hand, it’s a topic of conversation so adamantly admonished by its detractors that it may keep a couple of our regulars from even opening their Zoom app to join the call. Let’s talk it through and see if those who like it can get to the bottom of what makes a good Chardonnay, while those who don’t are encouraged to show and tell us why you feel it’s worst.
All details for each individual event are posted here closer to the actual event and distributed to PWS members via e-mail in advance of the event each week.
Please check back here the week of the event for Zoom connection information.
Most important is to reserve your Wednesday evenings now for this fun and interesting exploration of wine!

Wine Wednesday ~ Anything But Chardonnay
2022-06-15 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Wherever YOU Connect with Zoom
It’s ABC Day on Wine Wednesday! Last week we looked at some of our favorite Chardonnays, and no doubt a few of you were not enamored with the topic. Well friends, this is your Wednesday, as this week we will be discussing literally any wine you want to highlight, as long as no one even mentions the word “Chardonnay.” So, bring your Cabernets, Rieslings, Viogniers, Malbecs, Albarinos, Merlots, or one of any of the hundreds of other grape varieties at your disposal, and tell us why what you picked is so much better than that stuff we discussed last week.
All details for each individual event are posted here closer to the actual event and distributed to PWS members via e-mail in advance of the event each week.
Please check back here the week of the event for Zoom connection information.
Most important is to reserve your Wednesday evenings now for this fun and interesting exploration of wine!

Vino Italiano
2022-06-24 19:00 - 21:00 UTC | 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

A Night of White
2022-07-28 19:00 - 21:00 UTC | Armitage Golf Club, 800 Orrs Bridge Road, Mechanicsburg, PA, 17050, United States
Join us in July when the PWS will be hosting its version Diner en Blanc®. Diner en Blanc® is a pop-up al fresco event held for one evening only, every summer, in major cities throughout the world.
Diner en Blanc® attendees, dressed entirely in white, bring their food and wine to a central outdoor location where seating and lighting are provided. They eat their food, enjoy their wine and share conversation with friends and tablemates for a few languid hours outside.
The PWS July event will be themed much like Diner en Blanc® but will have a few changes. Our event is called ‘A Night In White’. PWS will provide the food, the wine and an indoor venue for our attendees. The dress code for the evening is all white attire. This event is a social which means there will be no structured presentation of the wines. It is a time for attendees to gather, eat and talk to others who enjoy wine.
Our event will be held at the Armitage Golf Club, 800 Orrs Bridge Road, Mechanicsburg, PA on Thursday, July 28, 2022 at 7PM. Full buffet dinner will be served accompanied by six white wines. No red wine will be served – the wine, like the dress code, is white only. Visit our website shoppe page to make your reservation now.
PS – if there are any food allergies, please send an email to cathyboyd@zoho.com
Members $65 Patrons $60 Nonmembers $75

Armstrong Valley Wine & Dine
2022-10-23 13:00 - 15:00 UTC | 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

PWS 35th Anniversary Celebration Gala
2022-11-12 18:00 - 22:00 UTC | American Antique Car Museum, 161 Museum Drive, Hershey, PA, 17033, United States
This event is SOLD OUT. The product has been removed from the Shoppe page. Event information remains here as a reference for those attending.
On Saturday evening, November 12th, 2022 we will celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the Pennsylvania Wine Society. To commemorate this milestone, we planned a special event for PWS members and guests.
It will be held in the Main Gallery of the American Antique Car Museum at 161 Museum Drive, Hershey, PA. The Museum is on PA Route 39, a convenient location slightly north of Giant Center and Hershey Park. We start at 6:00 p.m.in the Miami backdrop section of the museum, pouring Champagne—James Bond’s favorite—Bollinger Special Cuvee. Wine Spectator loved this Champagne and awarded it 93 points.
Stroll through the museum’s remarkable number of beautiful antique cars while you sip Champagne and listen to fabulous Jazz Duo Steve Rudolph and Hassan J. J. Shakur. Steve and Hassan are well known, accomplished musicians with more than 50 years of performing experience.
You may remember Steve as the pianist at the Hilton during his 22 year gig as the house pianist for jazz programming. Steve has traveled around the world playing his music, performed and recorded with a large number of talented musicians, and has mentored many young musicians with his founding of the Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz; now in existence for over 40 years.
A native of Los Angeles, Hassan is the son of renowned jazz pianist Gerry Wiggins. He has been the bassist for the Duke Ellington Orchestra since 1974 and still tours and performs with them regularly. Hassan is a recording artist, appearing on over 150 recordings with jazz greats Scott Hamilton, Monty Alexander, Chuck Redd and countless others. He has been a resident of Central PA since 1978.
At 6:45 p.m. we move to the Route 66 section of the museum for our buffet dinner. This area is really distinctive, with various replicas of shops and scenes from America’s most famous highway, Route 66, on display. You’ll want to have the next wine in hand to finish with the first course green salad. The wine is a high-end Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc, 2020 Domaine des Senechaux. Wine Spectator describes it as “Juicy and fresh, showing a delicious core of white peach and starfruit flavors, with subtle lemon shortbread, acacia and verbena accents. It offers a nice underlying acidity that helps extend and define the finish.” Wine Spectator gave this wine 93 points.
The main course follows with entrées: Porcini Crusted Beef Tenderloin (Gluten Free) and Mushroom Ravioli with Parmesan in a sage brown butter sauce (Vegetarian). The two sides are Bundled Haricot Vert and a Wild Rice Medley with herbs and spices.
To accompany the entrées, we chose two classic reds. Chateau Montrose 2018 La Dame de Montrose from Saint-Estèphe, Left Bank Bordeaux. Review notes state
“The 2018 La Dame de Montrose is composed of 52% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc. This deep garnet-purple colored wine delivers a profound aroma of baked plums, blackberry preserves and raisin cake with touches of dark chocolate, licorice, Chinese five spice and sandalwood. Full-bodied, rich and opulent in the mouth, it fills the palate with ripe generous fruit, backed by firm, rounded tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and spicy.”-Wine Advocate, 95-96 points.
The second is Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, 2011 Ambrosan, produced by Nicolis from the Verona area in northeastern Italy. ‘’The Ambrosan wafts up extroverted and opulent, with exotic spices and cherries giving way to mocha and sweet pipe tobacco. This wine is silky-smooth, balancing both savory and sweet. There is so much depth and focus here, showing citrus-tinged plum skins with coffee and dark chocolate. The finish goes on and on, incredibly long yet balanced.” -Vinous Media, 96 points.
For a sweet finish—mini Caramel Apple Cheesecake bars for dessert. We selected Weingut Hopler Trockenbeerenauslese 2015 to pair with it. Burgenland is the source of Austria’s finest botrytized sweet wines. This blend of 35% Samling 88, 35% Welschriesling and 30% Riesling is lush and balanced with aging noted to enhance its complexity. “… spicy nose with white pepper, citrus zest and ripe yellow fruit. The palate has a high and intense sweetness with mild acidity and a plump finish.” – Wine Spectator, 91 points.
You can see that all these wines are fantastic! They are also expensive—and worth every penny. This gala is generously subsidized to reduce member reservation prices thanks to a decision of the PWS Board of Directors, and your past support of PWS.
100% COVID 19 vaccination proof is required to confirm event reservations. Safe distancing and safety precautions as well as all Museum policies will be followed as we are their guests. Precautions are based on any CDC or PA DOH reported geographic regional exposure risk at the time of the event.
EVENT is SOLD OUT! Information remains for reference for those attending.

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