Dozens of Wineries Prepared to Pour at PA Farm Show

Wine is big business in Pennsylvania, and nowhere is that agricultural heritage more evident than each January at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg. More than two-dozen winemakers from across the state will exhibit during the eight-day show, the largest indoor agricultural event in the nation. Many PA wineries will also participate in events such as the Great Grape Stomp and Governor’s Cup wine competition.

“Agriculture and tourism are two of Pennsylvania’s largest industries,” said Agriculture Secretary George Greig. “Wineries are an integral part of both, and we’re excited that they play such a visible role in the Farm Show every year. The winemakers, many of them second- and third-generation farms, come to share their vintages and years of experience in the vineyards with hundreds of thousands of visitors.”

The 98^th annual celebration of the state’s commodities – which is free to the public Jan. 4-11, 2014 – includes a large booth where each day, six wineries will pour their latest vintages at a tasting counter and sell their locally made wines. With some of the most fertile grape-growing land on the East Coast, Pennsylvania ranks fifth nationally in the amount of grapes grown, seventh in wine production, and seventh in the number of licensed wineries. This past year’s warm weather yielded a particularly nice harvest, producing wines with great acids.

Wine-Related Activities

• Daily, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.: A rotating group of wineries (six each day) will offer daily tastings of award-winning wines from the Pennsylvania’s six distinct regions, complemented by a selection of local craft cheeses from PA Association Sustainable Agriculture members. Each winery also has a selection of their wine available for sale in the booth. The Pennsylvania Wines Tasting Booth is just across from the 1,000-pound butter sculpture. (Main Hall)
• Saturday, Jan. 4, 2 p.m.: Governor’s Cup honors will be awarded to the best fruit, semi-sweet and dry vintage.
• Thursday, Jan. 9, 5:30 p.m.: Two teams of politicos and media personalities compete in the 2^nd Annual Great Grape Stomp, a relay-style challenge that takes place in 30-pound barrels of grapes. (Small Arena)
• Thursday, Jan. 9 – Saturday, Jan. 11, times vary by day: Chefs from across the state cook in the Culinary Connection, with many of their recipes paired with Pennsylvania-made wines. There are also demos and an appearance by Pennsylvania’s First Lady Susan Corbett on Monday, Jan. 6, at 1 p.m. PA Wines are also featured in the accompanying cookbook. (Main Hall)

Pennsylvania-produced wines are also served at the PA Preferred™ Farm Show Reception the evening before the Farm Show opens to the public.

 Schedule of Wineries:

Each day, six wineries staff the Pennsylvania Winery Association tasting booth in Main Hall, across from the famous Butter Sculpture. The booth is open from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. daily. A large selection of Pennsylvania-made wine is available for purchase in the booth.

Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014 and Sunday, Jan. 5

1. Seven Mountains Wine Cellars
2. Winery @ Willcox
3. Sand Castle
4. Paradocx
5. Fero
6. Mazza

Monday, Jan. 6 and Tuesday, Jan. 7

1. Ten Gallon Hat
2. Shade Mountain
3. West Hanover
4. Moondancer Winery
5. Brookmere Winery
6. Buddy Boy

Wednesday, Jan. 8 and Thursday, Jan. 9

1. Vineyard @ Hershey
2. Benigna’s Creek
3. University Wine Company
4. Blue Mountain
5. Long Trout
6. Courtyard Winery

Friday, Jan. 10 and Saturday, Jan. 11

1. Starr Hill
2. Tamanend
3. Antler Ridge
4. Allegro
5. Red Shale

For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Farm Show’s website, “like” Pennsylvania Wines on Facebook or visit Pennsylvania Wines website.

• Photography: Pennsylvania Wines