Do you dream of spending a sunny afternoon at 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 winter.
Whether you’re a first-time trailblazer or a vino veteran, the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail is a collection of seven award-winning wineries that are 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 behind the scenes 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 31.
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,” said Brandywine Wine Trail administrator Karen Cline. “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.
“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 (Sept. 24 and 25 and Oct. 1 and 2)? Upload your favorite pictures from this year’s Barrels on the Brandywine, and whoever gets the most “likes” by March 31 wins.
Worried about finding a driving? Pull up to the wineries in style by renting a limo 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
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 to 4 p.m. on March 5 and 15, nibble on Conebella Farms cheeses made from pure Ayrshire cow milk, and Amazing Acres will be there on March 12. Love shopping? They will be having sales galore at their store.
Chaddsford Winery
632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford
Treat your palate 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 fire pit or in their snow bar, and browse their special sales throughout the month. On Saturdays from 1 to 5 p.m., 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 wines. 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,” so you can 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 making fantastic wines, though. 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 gumbo will be sold.
For more information on the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail, visit www.bvwinetrail.com.
