Waltz Vineyards Estate Winery Tour & Tasting

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 31^st 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.