I recently spent a lovely weekend with my mom in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, area enjoying the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail. While it is not Napa or the Finger Lakes, it is a hearty area with a lot of “grapeful” people. We were able to visit five of the wineries on the trail and truly had a great experience.

The Chambourcin grape is a popular one featured on the Lehigh Valley wine trail. The grape is best grown in cooler climates, so Pennsylvania makes for the ideal geographic location. In October the wine trail hosts a Chambourcin Weekend, on which you can find additional information here.

Of the eight wineries that make up the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail, we visited and enjoyed our time at the following:

1. Tolino Vineyards: Great spot to enjoy outdoor seating, live entertainment and a friendly staff with excellent wine! I personally favored the Papa’s Red.
2. Franklin Hill: Run by a female winemaker, the vineyard includes a variety of wines for the sweet drinker to the dry. I highly recommend the Evanswood for its peppery aftertaste and smoky aroma.
3. Amore: Set in a quaint rustic tasting room, this winery offers venues and custom wine labels for special events. If you’d like a port-style wine but do not want to commit to the true Port, may I suggest the Rapport for its medium-bodied sweetness as an after-dinner selection.
4. Cloverhill: A modern, bright and spacious tasting room awaits you as you enter the Clover Hill winery. It is pleasant and also has plenty of room for events. The Turtle Roc Red is a personal favorite, and the staff is accommodating!
5. Vynecrest Winery: A fabulous feature of this winery is the membership opportunity. If you purchase a tasting for $5 to try six of the wines on the list, then buy three bottles of the wine, you get your tasting fee reimbursed and you receive a membership card for complimentary tastings for yourself and two guests for the remainder of the calendar year.

The wineries were a wonderful experience but nothing compared to the joy I had spending time with my mom. She’s my best friend and a fellow wine enthusiast. If you are asking yourself whether or not to take a drive and tour the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail, I say wine-not?!

— Stephanie Makowski, account executive