To enjoy a delicious glass of wine where it was made, you barely have to leave your backyard. Celebrate this year’s wines during the 8th Annual Brandywine Valley Wine Trail Harvest Festival on Sept. 25, 26, Oct. 2 and 3 from noon to 5 p.m.
Wine lovers can enjoy wine samples, picnics featuring local foods, winery tours, live bands, and chances to see the the winemaking process straight from the winemakers themselves.
Passports for the festival are $30 and include tastings at Black Walnut Winery, Chaddsford Winery, Kreutz Creek Vineyards, Paradocx Vineyards, Patone Cellars, Penns Woods Winery, Stargazers Vineyard and Twin Brook Winery. They can be bought online or at the vineyards, and are good until Dec. 30. In fact, participants are encouraged to spread out their visits to savor each sip of wine.
Winemakers predict this year will be a good one. According to Lee Miller, co-owner of Chaddsford Winery, drought years are the best harvest years. “The Harvest Festival is the culmination of the whole year. It’s like being pregnant for nine months and finally you get the baby” Miller said. “Everyone is in a good mood, especially during a good harvest
year. The winery is filled with all kinds of different smells and excitement.”
Black Walnut Winery, 3000 Lincoln Highway, Sadsburyville
Black Walnut Winery offers old-world charm and is nestled in a 200-year-old bank barn. They will be offering light fare during all Harvest Festival days. A second location has just been opened at 260 Bridge St. in Phoenixville.
Chaddsford Winery, 632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford
Enjoy an outdoor picnic lunch with BBQ from Nick’s Chicks, sip on a Sangria Slushie, taste some vino in their wine cellar, and get a 20 percent discount on all wine bottles. Chaddsford opened in 1983, and it’s the largest winery in the state.
Kreutz Creek Vineyards, 553 S. Guernsey Road, West Grove
Have you ever wanted to jump in a vat of grapes and get your stomp on? On Sept. 25 and Oct. 2, you can during the Second Annual Grape Stomping Competition. Spaces are limited, so call Carole to reserve a spot at 610-869-4412. Don’t forget to wear old clothes, be at the winery by 12:45, and start working on your foot work!
Paradocx Vineyard, 1833 Flint Hill Road, Landenberg
Paradocx Winery was founded by four physicians (pair of docs, get it?) and occupies 100 acres in southern Chester County. A doctor’s note won’t be required to sample their wines, along with a barbecue picnic.
Patone Cellars, 1051 Wickerton Road, Landenberg
Patone Cellars is the newest addition to the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail and is open exclusively for this festival. Come see how construction is going at this vineyard in progress from noon to 5 p.m. during all Harvest Festival days.
Penns Woods Winery, 124 Beaver Valley Road, Chadds Ford
Penns Woods just received gold and silver medals during the 2010 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition for two of its wines. Enjoy the harvest with live music, art shows, and naturally infused olive oil and 15-, 25-, and 50-year-old balsamic tastings by L’acetaia.
Stargazers Vineyard, 1024 Wheatland Drive, Coatesville
To go along with your wine, Stargazers will be offering artisan cheeses from God’s County Creamery and chocolate truffles from Fat Spike Lavender Company to sample and purchase. Get a crash course on how and when grapes are selected for blending to make delicious wine during their Blending Workshop at 1 p.m. for an additional $5 fee.
Twin Brook Winery, 5697 Strasburg Road, Gap
You can view Twin Brook’s vineyard while on a hayride, enjoy local cheeses, and sample some Victory Brewing Company BBQ and beer.
“A lot of times, I’ll hear different comments like, ‘I didn’t know this wine was made in Chester County,’ or ‘I really discovered something new about wine,’” said Karen Klein, Brandywine Valley Wine Trail administrator. “This is a great opportunity to go, because you’re going to taste a lot of different varietals, types and styles of wines from different
wineries in the area. Come out and enjoy a local event and support your local wineries.”
To view full schedules of events for the Harvest Festival, visit www.bvwinetrail.com or call 610-444-3842.
