Do you dream of spending a sunny afternoon on a picnic lunch with friends while sipping an award-winning wine? The 8th Annual Barrels on the Brandywine is a celebration of local wine that runs every weekend in March and is a great way to finally say goodbye to old man winter.
Whether you are a first time trailblazer or a vino veteran, the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail is a collection of seven award-winning wineries and is worth every sip. Barrels on the Brandywine is a chance to sample winery’s favorites and get a taste of the 2011 harvest.
For $30 (a one time tasting is typically around $8), wine lovers get a passport that is good for one tasting at all the BV Wineries every weekend in March. Passports can be used throughout April (subject to the winery’s hours). Visitors get to meet the winemakers, see the behind the scenes of the vinification process in the wine cellars, get to participate in seminars and demonstrations, and receive a commemorative wine trail glass. Passports can be purchased online or at the wineries until March 31st. Barrels of the Brandywine was “uncorked” in 2003, because local vintners wanted to introduce new wines to visitors and demonstrate that quality wine can be local.
“Each March, our winemakers release the first taste of the new, developing vintage. Visitors to the Trail can get their first taste of what summer 2010 provided for our vintners. You might say Barrels on the Brandywine is our annual ‘preview party’!,” said Brandywine Wine Trail Administrator, Karen Cline. “If people haven’t visited our Trail before, Barrels on the Brandywine is a great time to visit. Our event provides tastes of the new vintage but also some tastes of our developed wines. The wineries make wonderful, award-winning regional wines..and best of all, the winemakers are local. We’re your neighbors!”
Want to win four passports to their next event, the 9th Annual Harvest Festival, September 24 & 25 and October 1 & 2? Upload your favorite pictures from this year’s Barrels on the Brandywine, and whoever gets the most “likes” by March 31st wins!
Each winery is different and has each its own style, therefore all spots deserve a visit. Barrels on the Brandywine was extended to two months to allow visitors to take their time when it comes to visiting the wine trail and savor each intoxicating sip. Worried about finding a driving? Pull up to the wineries in style by renting a limo (limo, cheese, wine, could it get classier?) or consider hiring Restaurant Valet for the day! However you arrive, you will be pleased by Barrels on the Brandywine, so grab a bunch of your friends for a great springtime outing!
Black Walnut Winery
3000 Lincoln Highway, Sadsburyville, PA 19369
Taste their 2010 Sauvignon Blanc and 2010 Syrah straight from the barrel while snacking on freshly made popcorn. Chester County Cheesemakers are back by popular demand from 1-4pm: on March 5th and 15th, nibble on Conebella Farms cheeses made pure Ayrshire cow milk and Amazing Acres will be there on March 12th. Love shopping? They will be having sales galore at their store and be happy to assist you in finding your perfect pairing.
Chaddsford Winery
632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford
Treat your palette to barrel tastings in their wine cellar of the 2010 Harvest of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Wine enthusiasts can enjoy a glass next to their firepit or in their snow bar and their special sales throughout the month. On Saturdays from 1-5pm, Winemaker Eric Miller, will be hand to sign copies of his new book, The Vintner’s Apprentice.
Kreutz Creek Vineyards
553 S. Guernsey Road, West Grove
Oenophiles can sip a vertical tasting of Kreutz Creek Vineyards Kordeax and barrel tastings of their current tastings. Be sure to sign their barrel once you are done and take advantage of the terrific sale pricing all month.
Paradocx Vineyard
1833 Flint Hill Road, Landenberg
Paradocx will be bringing back their annual “Cheeseburgers in Paradocx”, chow down on a hot dog or burger while tasting wines out of their signature paint cans.
Patone Cellars
1051 Wickerton Road, Landenberg
Patone is the newest member of the wine trail and is in the process of constructing their vineyard. This doesn’t stop them from makin fantastic wines, exclusive tastings can only be done during Barrels on the Brandywine.
Penns Woods Winery
124 Beaver Valley Road, Chadds Ford
Two brand new vintages will be debuted along with their classic wines. Sample varieties of aged balsamic and olive oils and take pleasure in their “barrels blowout sale!”
Twin Brook Winery
5697 Strasburg Road, Gap
In addition to their regular tastings, there will be barrel tastings of Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc every Saturday and Sunday in March. Steaming bowls of Tim’s world famous gumbo will be available for purchase, which was inspired by his time leaving in Louisiana (sausage shipped form LA will make an appearance in the gumbo).
For more information on the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail, visit www.bvwinetrail.com.
