CHADDS FORD, PA – This autumn, Pennsylvania’s premier winery, Chaddsford Winery (632 Baltimore Pike, 610-388-6221), will host an exciting array of special events. October’s weekly “Lessons From a Locavore” Food and Wine Events, the autumn schedule offers a great reason for just about anyone to visit the scenic winery and enjoy winery proprietors Eric and Lee Miller’s hospitality and wine.
“People are more interested than ever in finding and enjoying local products, and our wines are a fine example of all that Pennsylvania has to offer,” says Lee Miller. “Whether our guests are music enthusiasts or ‘foodies’ looking to pair wine with local foods, we’ve got a great event planned during the harvest season.”
The autumn event line-up is as follows:
Saturday and Sunday, September 26 and 27 and October 3 and 4: Brandywine Harvest Festival
12 noon – 6 p.m. daily; $8 Tasting fee (or guests can purchase a $25 passport to cover tastings at all eight vineyards on the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail). Enjoy wine tastings in the cellars, live music on the outdoor deck from 2 until 5 p.m., picnicking on the grounds, Chaddsford’s famous Sangria Slushies, and more. Food will be available for purchase from BBQ caterers Nick’s Chicks, or guests can bring their own picnic. During the Harvest Festival, all Chaddsford wines will be on sale at 20% off. Music schedule includes:
Saturday, 9/26: WXPN singer-songwriter Josh Komorowski
Sunday, 9/27: Classic rock by Beats Workin’
Saturday, October 3: Rock, blues, folk and soul duo Hake & Jaremma
Sunday, October 4: Rock, blues, folk and soul duo Hake & Jaremma
Thursdays in October: “Lessons from a Locavore” Food and Wine Pairing Classes
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.; $40 per person, limited to 36 people per event, includes multiple small plates composed of local food offerings prepared by Pace One restaurant, wine pairings with each course, and question-and-answer sessions with host Eric Miller and the week’s locavore guest.
Thursday, October 1: Anthony Ianni, whose family has grown mushrooms in Kennett Square for four generations
Thursday, October 8: Glen Brendle, of Green Meadow Farm, and his fresh produce
Thursday, October 15: Sue Miller of Birchrun Hill Farms cheeses
Thursday, October 22: Bill Elkins, of Buckrun Farms, and his grass-fed beef
Also in October, winemaker Eric Miller will debut his newest wine, the 2007 Essence, his first ever “terrior blend” as part of his esteemed Portfolio Collection. Crafted from all the varieties of red grapes grown on his Miller Estate Vineyards, Essence is the culmination of Miller’s career to date, reflecting the unique terroir of his vineyard and region.
Boasting a seven varietal blend that includes 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Pinot Noir, 14% Barbera, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Syrah, 9% Merlot and 4% Sangiovese, all grown at Chaddsford’s proprietary Miller Estate Vineyards, the wine has a bright, dark plum smell with hints of smoke and vanilla, an elegant, medium body with fine, grainy tannins and clean acidity, with flavors of plum, coffee, toffee, chocolate and red fruit. It is the first time that Miller has crafted such a blend, meant to reflect less the character of a specific varietal and more then character of the land and people that produced the wine.
Chaddsford Winery is Pennsylvania’s premiere winery. In 2008, Wine Enthusiast named Chaddsford Winery one of “America’s Top 25 Tasting Rooms”; to be considered for this honor, “wine quality was paramount,” but “decor, staff savvy, amenities and more ephemeral characteristics, such as overall quirkiness or warmth” were considered as well. The 2005 Chaddsford Miller Estate Vineyard Chardonnay was featured in Food & Wine magazine (April 2008) as one of the “67 Best American Wines ($15 and Under).”
Chaddsford wines are available directly from the winery in Chadds Ford or at Chaddsford’s Bucks County Tasting Room in Peddler’s Village, Lahaska. Wines may also be ordered on-line at www.chaddsford.com; please visit their website or contact Chaddsford Winery at (610) 388-6221 for more information on wines, events, upcoming festivals and tastings.
