Pennsylvania - Lehigh County - Franklin Hill Vineyards

Franklin Hill Vineyards - (Dec 2013) - we were planning the spring TVCEF tasting tour and one of our guests recommended this winery. We arrived and explained what we were attempting to do; while we were there, we decided to have a small taste. I tried the chardonnay while my wife tried the catawba (blush). I moved to the cabernet sauvignon while my wife had the Kiss (their medium-dry blush). I finished off with the Trio and my wife the Thin (acai berry). We enjoyed all that we tasted.

(Feb 2014) We still needed to confirm logistics with Franklin Hill for the spring TVCEF tasting tour and we decided to visit the winery again. Our original plan to visit for Valentine's Day was foiled by a snowstorm, but we were able to visit the following day. This is the first time we've been to a winery in the heart of winter. We arrived and drove down the farm path to the winery; we were not the only ones visiting the winery. We started with the White Jade (vidal blanc) and Katie's Creek (vidal blanc and cayuga blend). Katie's Creek, even though on the sweet side, was crisp and refreshing. I tried the seyval blanc while my wife tried Kiss (rose). I was able to get my wife to try the Red Head (chambourcin and merlot blend infused with creme brulee) just for the fact that is should be dessert in a bottle; it was as expected. I tried the Trio (blend of three grapes) and enjoyed the balanced nature. My wife went to their speciality wines adn tried the Desire (mango) and Passion (strawberry-kiwi), which reminded her of fruit punch. I opted to stay with the reds and tried the Sir Walter's Red and the Fainting Goat (black cherry).

(April 2014) They say that the third time is the charm, well the TVCEF tasting finally arrived and our group was seated on their patio. It was a beautiful spring day; perfect for outdoor wine tasting. Although our tasting was planned for us, we were able to taste any wine on their menu. While giving us the history of the winery, they stared us off with their White Jade (for those who like dry) and Katie's Creek (for the sweets). They then poured the seyval blanc and their newest release, Carnival, cotton candy infused wine, reminescent of the carnival or county fair. As we moved into the reds, we were treated to a tour of their winery. We tasted the Evanswood, Trio, Sir Walter's Red and the Fainting Goat. The group enjoyed our visit here.