Pennsylvania - Schuylkill - Stone Mountain Wine Cellars

Stone Mountain Wine Cellars - April 2017 - While visiting the winery, make sure to browse the farm store. We tasted Traminette, a semi-sweet with nice floral notes, 2012 Norton, from older vines, started off dry, but had a nice grape aftertaste while the 2013 Norton was similar to a dry Concord wine. The 2013 Merlot, although with nice initial plum notes, had too much bell pepper for me. The 2013 Marquette was not as flavorful as the Norton, but had better tannins.

Pennsylvania - Schuylkill - Fieldwood Winery

Fieldwood Winery - April 2017 - Some of the wine names do stand out, but not like Long Trout, we were able to make a sentence with three bottles of wine (not to be published). We tried Playful Pet, Pinot Noir, wasn't as playful as the name sounds, being weak, Ruby Bottom, Merlot, with plum flavors and medium-bodied, Mistress Manacies, Malbec, fruity than the Merlot, but similar in body, Yes Sir-Ahh, Petite Syrah, had dark cherry flavor and more full-bodied.

Naked Nymph, Chardonnay, was crisp with light buttery undertones, After Glow, Pinot Grigio, had a nice acidic finish, Sassy Wench, Saugivnon Blanc, was smoother on the palette and Velvet Touch, Viognier, was slightly sweet, but had the roughness of grapefruit.

Pennsylvania - Lancaster County - The Vineyard at Hershey

The Vineyard at Hershey - Oct 2017 -The unoaked Chardonnay was crisp, but had no flavor while the oaked Chardonnay, done with chips and barrels, had a nice smooth, light buttery finish. The Dry Riesling had nice acidity after a sweet aroma. Trilogy, a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot, lacked luster and seemed weaker than before, while Firefly, the Trilogy blend with Cabernet Sauvignon, had better flavor, but medium-bodied.

The sweet Riesling was well balanced with a slight acidic, sweet finish, while the Sparkling Moscato was sweet, but the effervescence cut it nicely. Twisted Kiss, a blend of Vidal and Chambourcin had fruity notes, but the acidity of the Vidal was intense. The Pink Catawba, balanced, would give any refreshing Niagara a run for its money.

Oct 2016 -The Chardonnay was heavily oaked with a heavy buttery finish with the Gewurztraminer had light floral notes. Trilogy, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, was full of flavor, but lighter on the body, the Merlot, with plum notes, had more body, and Firefly, another blend, was more full-bodied.

New Jersey - Camden County - Amalthea Cellears

Amalthea Cellars - Aug 2016 - We received a nice tour through the farm as we tasted our wine flights, which were done in different areas of the barn. The White Fight consisted of Green Dragon Tavern Chardonnay, CA grapes, with a light butter finish, 2011 Chardonnay Sue Lie, estate grapes kept on the lees, with citrus notes, Leda, a dry rose, with a blend of strawberry and cranberry, Green Dragon Tavern Riesling, Finger Lake grapes, with guava notes and balanced sweetness and acidity, and Traminette, with fora and honeysuckle notes.

The Red Wine Flight consisted of Carme, estate-grown, with blackberry notes, light oak and a lingering pepper finish, 2011 Old Vine Zinfandel, CA 100-year old vines, with a nice nose of raspberry, 2013 Merlot Reserve, a blend of estate and CA grapes, with plum and oak aromas and a smooth vanilla bean finish, Primivito, CA grapes, with notes of cocoa and dark roasted coffee, with anise and fennel finish, and Casta Mas, a blend of Carmenere, Zinfandel and Syrah.

The Off-Dry Flight consisted of Villard Blanc, estate grown, with grape aromas and a smooth finish, Callisto Gris, all CA, with sweet apple notes, Callisto Rouge, a Sangiovese blend, with plum and cherry notes, and Callisto Blanc, with mango and papaya flavors.

New Jersey - Hammonton - Plagido's Winery

Plagido's Winery - Aug 2016 - Had to be careful here as we could try as many as we wanted. The Vidal Blanc had a ripe cheese aroma, while the Reverence, a blend of Marquis and Chardonnay, had a nice acidic finish. The 2006 Cabernet Franc was fruity and mellow, the 2015 Vino de Casa, a blend of Chambourcin, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, was fruity with bold oak and tannin undertones, the 2008 Merlot was mild on fruit flavors, but had nice fresh tobacco notes, but also had some fresh cut grass in there too, and the 2013 Chambourcin was fruity, but heavy on the oak. Antonia Rosso, made from the Fredonia grape, reminded me of church wine. Their blackberry was tart with the right amount of sweetness while their Pole Dancer, Fredonia aged in a brandy barrel, was sweet, but light on the brandy aroma. My wife's treat was their sangia, made by adding pineapple juice to their Antonia Rosso, the pineapple added the right about of sweet/tart ot the drink.

New Jersey - Hammonton - Tomasello Winery

Tomasello Winery - Aug 2016 - On our way to a late day wedding in Avalon, my wife tried the Winter Chill White, their Moscato, which was sweet; the Cherry Moscato, which started off like cranberry, but the flavors got lost, with no distinction, when blended; the Artisan Orchard Apple Cider tasted as if it sat in the back of the refrigerator too long; the 2014 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine was too sweet and lost the typical Vidal flavors; and American Almonique was thick like syrup and the "natural" flavors were more like extracts.

The 2014 Outer Coastal Plain Dry Riesling was crisp with the right amount of acidity; 2014 Outer Coastal Plain Rkatsiteli, also crisp got better as it warmed up; 2013 Outer Central Plain Cabernet Franc Reserve was bland with a light oak finish; 2013 Outer Coastal Plain Petit Verdot Reserve was better with bolder fruit aromas, but had an overpowering green pepper finish; 2013 Outer Coastal Plain Blaufrankisch had bold flavors, better than the Franc, but probably needed more time in the bottle.

Pennsylvania - Adams County - Reid's Orchard and Winery

Reids Orchard and Winery - Nov 2018 - I took the long way home from my sensory class and stopped at the Cider House in town. The Chardonnay, a low yellow hue, had a light toast with butter aroma, light-bodied with a slight butter finish. They were light on their reds, but I was able to taste the Pinot Noir, dark grape-red hue with jammy aroma, cherry (pie) flavor, which lingered on the palette, the Merlot, more jam on the aroma with a hint of smoke, with plum flavor and a smooth finish, with pipe tobacco hidden in the tannins. Reid's Red, their blend, was bold on fruit and medium-bodied, while Troika, another blend, was still as bold as before, with cigar tobacco notes in the smooth finish.

Oct 2017 - In town for another vineyard class, I tasted the Seyve Villard because it was different. I tried some of the reds from before to see how they have aged. The Sangiovese had a spicy start with mild fruit flavor and mild oak and tannin finish while the Nebbiolo was milder than the Sangiovese, it ended spicy. The blends - Reid's Red had bold fruit flavor and a spicy ending while Troika was fruity and not as spicy.

March 2017 - I returned to the area for a vineyard class and stopped by the Cider House to see what was new on the list (and to stock up). The Pinot Grigio with tangerine notes had a crisp finish while the Muskets of Maine, their Moscato, had nice grape aroma and was not overly sweet. The Pinot Noir was light-bodied with a short finish, the Merlot was medium bodied with plum flavor, and the Seminary Ridge Red, a blend of Sangiovese and Nebbiolo, was fruity, yet bolder on the palette. I was able to try the Nebbiolo separately, which has a deep red color and a spicy finish.

March 2016 - While visiting the Gettysburg area, we stopped at the winery and tasted two whites: 2013 Chardonnay, with light buttery notes, Jennie's House White, a blend of Vidal and Cayuga, with the Vidal cutting the grape sweetness of the Cayuga, a refreshing wine which would pair well with sushi. The reds were a surprising story. Tillie Pierce House Red, a semi-sweet Pinot Noir blend was fruity, but not too sweet, the Merlot, with plum flavor had a soft tannic finish, Reid's Red, their blend of Syrah and Cabernet Franc, was bold on fruit and medium-bodied, while Troika, a blend of Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, was bold enough to captivate the palette and have a lingering finish.

It was the Petit Verdot which stole the show. Usually used in a blend, they had enough to make a batch to let it stand on its own. Dark color and dark fruit flavors with tannins to match a bold wine created a pleasing ending to the tasting.

Maryland - Forest Hill - Harford Vineyard and Winery

Harford Vineyard and Winery - March 2016 - While visiting, we got to pair our wines with a horseradish or garlic cheddar cheese, a cream of cram soup, or chocolate. The Traminette, with floral notes toned down the horseradish cheese while the Vidal Blanc with its acidity paired well with the garlic cheese. Surprisingly, the Cabernet Franc, with dark cherry flavor, paired well with the crab soup and the Cabernet Sauvignon, full-bodied all around, paired well with the soup and chocolate. The Harford Blush did not pair well with what was offered, but the wine had a weird aroma. Paint the Town Red was more like a dessert wine, possibly a Concord, than a sweet wine and it went well with the chocolate.

Maryland - Hydes - DeJon Vineyards

DeJon Vineyards - March 2016 - We tried all their available wines; most grapes are grown on site. The Vidal Blanc had green apple notes, but the Sweet Denise, their sweeter version of Vidal Blanc was better with pink grapefruit flavor. On the drier side, the Pinot Grigio was better with light pear notes and a crisp finish. To me, the stainless steel aged Chardonnay had no flavo.

Dragonfly, their blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Chambourcin, was dark in color, but reminded me of the fruitiness of a Merlot. The Malbec, with the juice coming from Chile, was fruit forward and smooth, while the Merlot, with cherry notes, was lightly oaked and well-balanced. Their Chambourcin was fruity as expected, but I could not tell if it was oaked or not, while Festivus, their sweet Chambourcin, was too sweet and the finish ruined the fruit beginning.

Pennsylvania - York County - High Rock Winery

High Rock Winery - The winery closed in 2018.

March 2016 - We tried several wines done in different styles. Kerner, a German grape, was better as a semi-dry wine, similar to a Riesling, than the dry, too acidic, or the sweet, which was missing something other than the sweet finish. The dry Niagara had light aromas on the nose, but more powerful as a sweet wine. The Velvet, a dry black raspberry, had a nice tart finish, the Merlot had a slight sweet ending, Black Lab, a blend of Concord and black raspberries was dessert in a bottle, and Winter Passion, a blend of Riesling and Niagara was refreshing with the acidity and grape aroma,

Pennsylvania - Centre - Seven Mountains Wine Cellars

Seven Mountains Wine Cellars - Feb 2019 - On my way back from Penn State and the PA Wine conference, I stopped here and tasted Ten Point, their Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petite Syrah, with cherry and plum notes, medium bodied and tannis, Petit Syrah, with black berry notes and much higher body and tannins than the blend, dry Riesling, with lemon aroma, orange flavor and a smooth crisp finish, Stonefly, a blend of Chardonnay and Riesling, with the Riesling starting the experience and the Chardonnay ending it; each was distinct, and Whippoorwill White, a blend of Cayuga, Chardonnay, Seyval and Vidal, lightly oaked with a light buttery vanilla finish

Pennsylvania - Chester - Kimberton Inn

Kimberton Inn - Feb 2017 - We saw the inn had wine and food pairing dinners and decided to try this one with US wines. The first course was linguini with clam sauce and guanciale, cured pork cheek served with Bloomer Creek (NY) Pet Nat Chardonnay. Ah, what memories of the Finger Lakes - with honeysuckle and pineapple flavors. The second course was tuna tartar with avocado and grapefruit served with Guardian Angel (WA) 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, with tart apple aroma and a crisp finish.

The third course was grilled poussin with winter squash and caramelized onion flan served with Yamhill Vineyards (OR) 2014 Pinot Noir. Aged in new French oak with mild cherry and plum flavors giving way to a crisp smoky bacon finish. The fourth course was braised venison osso buco with creamed gold potatoes and royal trumpet mushrooms served with Rombauer Vineyards (CA) 2014 Zinfandel, with fruity aromas, oaky undertones and a buttery, vanilla extract finish. The final course was chocolate chip cherry bread pudding with brandy, walnut and brown sugar ice cream, served with Clear Creek (OR) Framboise, which was like dried cherry lighter fluid.

Pennsylvania - Fayette - Christian W Klay Winery

Christian W Klay - Jan 2020 - We were walking around the PA Farm Show and saw they had wine available; we asked if the Lavender Mist was available. Since it was, we tasted. The Washington Tavern White had floral aromas and the acidic finish of Riesling. The Washington Tavern Red was fruity on the palette with a smooth finish while the Stone House Red was grapy with a slightly tart finish, like Fredonia. The Lavender Mist had more floral notes than the previous vintage we had, but the slightly sweet bubbly finish brought more balance to the flavors.

Jan 2018 - One of the more diverse wineries at the PA Farm Show, we tasted Washington Tavern White, a Riesling with a smooth not too tart or acidic finish, Washington Tavern Red, fruity with medium body and tannins, Fayette Springs White, a nicely balanced Niagara, Stone House Red, with grape sweet aromas, Raspberry Frost, which was like drinking juice, Sweet Summit Mist, a Concordish wine with nice grape aromas, which were subdued by the bubbles, and Lavender Mist, with floral aromas and a slightly sweet finish.

Pennsylvania - McKean - Flickerwood Wine Cellars

Flickerwood Wine Cellars - Jan 2018 - While visiting the PA Farm Show, we tasted Riesling, with sweet grape aroma and a semi-sweet finish, Kinzua Journey, made from Niagara grapes, was light and refreshing, Sweet Vidal Blanc, which lost its pineapple aroma to the sweet finish, and the Rose Bud Red, a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, well balanced with fruity aromas, medium-bodied and tannins to match.

Pennsylvania - Mifflin - Hungry Run Wine Cellars

Hungry Run Wine Cellars - Jan 2018 - Another winery at the PA Farm Show, we tasted Red Garnet, a blend of Chambourcin and Petite Syrah, with fruity notes and a mild tannic finish, Pink Diamond, made from Diamond grapes with a hint of peach, not overly sweet, Blue Sapphire, similar to Vignoles with a grapefruit finish, Green Apple, exactly as they described, a blend of Riesling and Granny Smith apples, refreshing and well-balanced with the tartness, acidity and sweetness, Red Raspberry, although blended with Concord, the fresh raspberries took the show, Peach, with its fuzzy undertones, Pear, mild, almost not there, and Apple, with enough cinnamon to resemble Grandma's pie.

Pennsylvania - Schuylkill - Benigna's Creek

Benigna's Creek Vineyard - Jan 2018 - As part of our visit to the PA Farm Show, we tried the Traminette, semi-dry with nice floral notes, Chambourcin, fruity with mild tannins, Benigna's Tears, made from the Cayuga grape, with sweet grape aroma and flavor, Hessian Red, made from Chancellor, similar to a church wine, Sunshine, made from Vidal, with nice citrus notes, but on the sweeter side, and Strawberry, as if we were eating ripe strawberries.

Pennsylvania - Erie - Presque Isle

Presque Isle Wine Cellars - Jan 2020 - One of the premier wineries in PA, they were at the Farm Show. On the dry side, we tasted 2013 Viognier, with tart honeydew melon notes and a buttery finish, the Blaufrankisch, with earthy notes, but the possibility of the medium oak finish masking some barnyard, the 2017 Dornfelder, very fruity with dark cherry notes, had mild oaking and tannins while the Saudade, their anniversay blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot brought out the best of the three grapes, with medium body and tannins; the best of the reds.

The sweet side had Bluse, a blend of blueberry and Seyval Blanc, with a nice notes of blueberry on a slightly sweet finish and Blushing Heron, a blend of Concord and Niagara, which brought out the Concord tartness and the sweetness of Niagara.

Sep 2016 - I was able to meet Doug Moorhead, the winemaker emeritus, and take a stroll through his vineyards. We tasted 2013 Viognier with citrus notes and a toasted oak finish, 2012 Blaufrankisch, fruity like Pinot Noir but with more body and tannins, Carmine, with a hint of root beer, 2012 Dornfelder, and 2013 Cabernet Franc. I should have taken better notes.

Pennsylvania - Lehigh County - Clover Hill Vineyards and Winery

Clover Hill Winery - Jan 2020 - 2017 Chardonnay with green apple flavor has a finish which starts crisp with acidity, but by the third taste has a very light buttery finish and the 2017 Oaked Vidal Blanc, with lemon rind flavors, had less acidity and a little bit more butter on the finish. The 2016 Sangiovese, with black cherry and plum flavor, had a lingering smooth, red cherry finish, The 2016 Pinot Noir, with tobacco and leather aroma and light (almost ripe) strawberry flavor, had a higher tannic finish, which overpowered the flavors, and the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, going towards full-bodied, had good color and black raspberry and cherry flavors with tannin to match.

March 2017 - On my way to the Eastern Wine Exposition in Syracuse, I stopped to try 2013 Oak Vidal Blanc, lemon notes with a light butter finish, which became prominent as the wine warmed. Vidal Blanc, lemon notes with an acidic finish, Riesling, with fuzzy peach aroma, 2013 Merlot, dark in color with plum notes and medium tannins, and Strawberry Pinot Grigio tasted like bubble gum.

Pennsylvania - Lancaster County - The Vineyard at Grandview

The Vineyard at Grandview - Jan 2018 - On this return trip, I tasted the 2015 Gruner Veltliner, light peach flavors with a smooth tart finish, 2016 Albarino, with a crisp acidic finish, 2015 Riesling, with sweet grape aroma and a hint of acidity, 2015 Chardonnay, toast oak aroma, with a buttery palette finish, 2015 Cabernet Franc, with fruity aromas and medium tannins, and the 2016 Crimson Quartette, their blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, it was light all around (the straight Franc was better).

Oct 2016 - I tasted the 2014 Riesling, with a nice acidic finish, 2014 Chardonnay, with oak aroma and a nice light buttery finish, 2014 Cabernet Franc, full-bodied with tannins to match, 2014 Crimson Quartette, their blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Verdot, was better than the Franc, with dark color and fruit notes to match, and the 2013 Grande Rouge, their flagship blend similar to the Crimson, but not as flavorful.

My wife tasted the 2014 Moscato with white peach flavors, Sun-Kissed, 2015 Blushing Ambrosia, Diamond Dust, Ruby Red and Precious Pink.

Feb 2016 -  The 2013 Gruner Veltliner had light peach aroma and a crisp finish. The 2014 Pinot Noir had a ruby color and nice light fruity flavor and oak while the 2014 Cabernet Franc was full-bodied. The 2013 Crimson Quartette, a blend, with dark fruit notes. the 2013 Grand Rouge and the 2014 Norton, made from grape from Virginia and Missouri.

Pennsylvania - Adams County - Adams County Winery

Adams County Winery - April 2019 - While visiting the Gettysburg area for a Penn State Extension class, I visited the winery and tried Traveller, a blend of Chardonnay and Vidal, with sweet aromas and a nice acidic finish, Chardonnay, with some lemon flavor at the beginning with a light oak, butter finish, Riesling, with honeysuckle flavor and a nice acidic finish, Moscato, not as sweet as most, with light citrus ending, Scrapple, a cran-apple wine with spices, and Turning Point, although Chambourcin, reminded me of a merlot with plum notes and mild tannins.

March 2016 - While visiting the Gettysburg area for a late Valentine's getaway, I tasted Chardonnay, with a nice lingering oak finish, Traveller, a blend of Chardonnay and Vidal, which reminded me of a pinot grigio, Riesling, with light honeysuckle tones and acidity, Pinot Noir, Turning Point, their Chambourcin, light oaked but high in tannins and Three Ships to the Wind, a blend of Chambourcin, Cabernet (Sauvignon), Noiret and peach, an interesting combination.

My wife tasted Tears of Gettysburg, a blend of Vidal, Seyval and Niagara, slightly sweet, but refreshing, President's Choice Moscato, with tropical notes and a sweet ending, Rebel Red, their Concord wine, Scrapple, their sweet, spiced, cran-apple wine, which would go well with pork, Entwine'd, a chocolate infused red wine, and Black Magic, their blackberry wine, tart and sweet.

Pennsylvania - York County - Thunder Ridge Vineyard

Thunder Ridge Vineyard - April 2018 - As part of my sensory class, we visited graduates of the Enology and Viticulture curricula at Harrisburg Area Community College. On the tasting sheet were Riesling, with notes of lemon peel and white grapefruit and a nice acidic finish, Cayuga, with notes of coconut and vanilla, was slightly oxidized, Viognier, with pink grapefruit and tangerine flavors and a slight acidic finish, Vidal Blanc, a semi-dry with grapefruit flavor, Hakuna Matata, made from traminette, a semi-sweet with floral and honeysuckle flavors, Merlot, with smoke aroma, plum and dried cherry flavors and a medium tannin, vanilla-caramel ending, and Lemberger, fruity with mild tannins.

March 2016 - While visiting the area my wife tried the Chardonel, Stone Crisp White, a blend of La Crescent and Villard Blanc, with a smooth mineral finish, Moscato, although sweet, was not like syrup, Red Raspberry, just hand-picked flavor, Thunder Ridge Rose, a blend of Concord, Niagara and Villard Blanc, slightly sweet with an acidic finish.

I tried the White Cloud, a blend of Vidal and Seyval, with a nice acidic finish, Vidal, good on its own, but better with the Seyval, Dornfelder, because I had not heard of the grape before, fruity with light body and tannins, Cabernet Franc, medium-bodied, and Cabernet Sauvignon, full-bodied.