Pennsylvania - Chester Couonty - Stargazers

Stargazers Vineyard - Aug 2015 - Just as their website states, follow their directions. As part of my dry run for the fall TVCEF trip, I made the trip here through the Brandywine Valley. Although not situated along the Brandywine Creek, they are close to it. As I drove to the end of the little development, I pulled in their driveway and drove into the vineyard.

Unfortunately, you only get to try the five wines opened for the particular weekend, but I was able to try the following: chardonnay sparkling wine - although not one for sparkling wine, once I got past the effervescence, the dryness and flavors made me want to try the traditional chardonnay. Lucky for me, that was also on the list. Stainless steel aged, much better than the sparkling version. The next on the list was a varietal I had not head of, gruener veitliner. A dry wine withe some citrus aromas; I enjoyed this better than the chardonnay. The last white was the vidal; it's the sweetest wine they have at the moment. The only red on the menu was the Warp Drive, a petit verdot blend. Another grape that I'm enjoying, this dry red was filled with flavor/ Starting with the deep color, this red left me wanting to try some others (but there are no others).

There is another varietal on the list that I was able to try, the Arneis. This dry white was better than all the others I tried; I'm glad I asked if there was any to taste. I purchased one for another evening dinner.  

Pennsylvania - Chester County - Black Walnut

Black Walnut Winery  - Jan 2020 - We tasted all available wines except for the ports. The Chardonnay was light and fruity, with a tart apple and light buttery finish. Mischief, a blend of Chardonnay and Malvasia was very aromatic with honeysuckle and an apricot, slightly tart, smooth finish. Their Apple is a nice blend of apples. Sassy, a blush made from finished red and white wines had a cranberry flavor while Iridescence, another blush made from finished wines had more cranberry on the sweet finish. Their Vidal Blanc is done in a semi-sweet style, which changes the typical acidity.

The 2014 Merlot had a dark hue, with drying tobacco aroma, plum flavor and medium tannis. The 2015 Pinot Noir was light in color, with earthy and pepper spice aromas, mild, not distinguishable, flavors and heavier tannins, slight overpowering. The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon was very dark in color, with leather aroma, dark cherry flavor and heavy tannins, like the Pinot, but it could handle it. The Bank Barn Red, a blend of Norton, Syrah and Merlot, served chilled, had dried grape aromas and a finished similar to a semi-sweet Concord.

We had the pleasure of Valerie, the winemakers wife, pouring the wines, while she hosted another customer who was preparing for their wine and chocolate pairing later in the month.

Feb 2017 - The 2013 Sauvignon Blanc is still available so I decided to taste to see how it has aged - light oaking and a tangerine finish, while the Blanc Franc did not excite me this time.

But I enjoyed tasting the 2011 and 2012 Merlot side by side. Both were fruity, medium bodied but the 2013 I had in the fall had more flavor. The 2014 Cabernet Franc, recently released, had more body and nice cherry flavor, while the 2013 Syrah, bolder in color and tannins, had dark cherry and plum flavors. The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon had dark cherry notes.

Oct 2016 - I got to do another side-by-side tasting, but this time it was the 2013 and 2014 Sauvignon Blanc. The 2014 had nice green apple flavors with a mineral finish, but the 2013 did not impress me. Based on the notes below, it probably should have. The 2012 White Cabernet Sauvignon was a blush wine made from the free run juice. The 2013 Merlot had nice plum aromas, medium body and a nice oakey finish.

Oct 2015 - I was telling my friends how I was able to sample the two Sauvignon Blancs side-by-side and was hoping to do it again, but they had just sold out of the 2011 vintage. The 2010 Blanc Franc gave me a peach after taste, while Sassy, Pinot Noir and Cayuga blend, had honeysuckle on the tongue and tart apple finish. The 2010 Amethyst gave me sour cherry notes and a smooth finish, 2011 Merlot had plum notes and a subtle oak finish, 2013 Syrah, with dark cherry notes and pepper finish, 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon with dark cherry notes and Bank Barn Red, their Norton was served chilled.

Aug 2015 - In preparation for the fall TVCEF trip, I stopped at the winery in Sadsburyville. It's a (rare) treat to be able to try two vintages of the same wine and I was able to do that with their Sauvignon Blanc, 2011 versus 2013, which was just released. Both were good, but the 2013 was young and if it can live up to the 2011, then they are on to something. The 2013 was light in color and full of flavor, but it was the 2011, with its golden honey color and lemongrass taste that teased my palette. Their 2010 Blanc Franc, an off-dry rose made from Cabernet Franc, closed out my whites. It did what no other franc has done; I bought a bottle to take home.

For their reds, I tried the 2010 Amethyst, a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah. I was able to taste the plum and strawberry. I finished off with the 2013 Syrah, another recently released wine. It was not disappointing with a smooth pepper taste at the end. As a surprise, the Lance, the vitner, brought me a sample of their Cabernet Franc; I enjoyed it and asked when it would be released. Well, he is teasing me as he does not plan on releasing it for another year.

While I was there, I got to see the facility and how they could accommodate the group. Valerie and Kitty were gracious hosts. I know we'll enjoy this stop.

Mar 2015 - After visiting Taste, we went to the tasting room in Phoenixville to try some additional wines. Some of the names are deceiving, but their blends are smooth. Their Mischief is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillion; it has a mineral finish while their Pinot Gris has extra time with the grape skins and allowed for the crispness to flow though to the end. Switching to red, the Amethyst is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah, but I enjoyed Swindled, a Cabernet Franc blend, better. The Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon were traditional reds which held their own. I ended with Tryst, a 50/50 blend of Pinot Noir and Merlot.

Massachusetts - Hardwick - Harwick Winery

Hardwick Winery - While walking around Salem, we stopped in a gift store and saw that they had wines made in MA. We looked at the wineries first since we had plans on visiting a few in the area while we were on vacation. Hardwick was chosen since we would not be going in that direction. We purchased their Massetts Cranberry, a blend of grape and cranberry. I was surprised that it was mostly cranberry, with the tartness that I was hoping for. It was similar to Ten Gallon Hats version, but more tart and when we crushed lime in it, it went to the next level, just like TGH.

Pennsylvania - Montgomery County - A'Dello Vineyard

A'Dello Vineyard and Winery - November 2019 - I purposely stopped in to get a bottle of the new Silk vintage when Tina told me Dominic had released some new red wines. The Sangiovese is fruity and nicely oaked; I added several bottles mixed in with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon..

November 2018 - Tina called to say Silk had been released - their premier "secret" blend. While there, I tried all their available reds, purchasing Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and the Hungarian-oaked Cabernet Sauvignon.

January 2018 - My wife saw that Dominic had created an oaked Riesling and said we had to make a trip; it had been awhile since we were there together.  We tried all the wines on the list between the two of us. In true A'Dello style, the dry reds were bursting with fruity flavors and the right amount of oak and tannins. I'm not a big fan of Chambourcin, but Dominic's is starting to win me over with it's strawberry and raspberry flavors. The fruit wines are exactly as described.. But the oaked Riesling was a surprise. The sweet grape beginning gave way to pear and apple flavors with just the right hint of oak on the finish. We came home with a case, two of which were the oaked Riesling.

Aug 2015 - While on vacation in New England, I was called and told their cabernet franc was available. Since I enjoyed it previously, I asked them to hold me six bottles. When we got home, I made the trip one day after work. I'm glad I did with a nine page waiting list. I purchased the six bottles and six others to make a case. That evening, I opened a bottle of the cabernet franc. The oak hits just as it touches your palate, and its smooth until the spice finish. I'm looking forward to the other bottles.

Apr 2015 - A'Dello was a busy place when we arrived for our TVCEF tasting. We were taken back to their storage/bottling room where we were treated to the wines that were available. Unfortunately, the cabernet franc was not available, but we are on the list for when the next barrel is bottled. I purchased several bottles of merlot to hold me over.

Mar 2015 - We read about the winery in the Reading Eagle and made the trip to check it out. As part of the tasting, you get to sample all their available wines; we did not get to sample the pearberry. I enjoyed the merlot, cabernet franc and reserve chardonnay; my wife enjoyed the niagara, cellar door (blush) and passionate peach. The owners were very welcoming and excited to be part of the TVCEF tasting tour.

California - Modesto - Dark Horse

Dark Horse Wine - I was in a state store the other day and wanted something different and read just about every label in the red section until I noticed the Dark Horse cabernet sauvignon on the shelf.It was a good buy. Light on oak, but bold on finish.

Pennsylvania - Berks County - Ridgewood Winery

Ridgewood Winery - Facebook link - formerly Moonlight Winery (Dec 2014) - We have been seeing advertisements for this winery and decided to make a swing trip on our way to finish our Christmas shopping and we are glad we did.The tasting fee allows you to try all the available wines. At the moment, they have mostly sweet and fruit wines, but the dry ones are waiting to be bottled. My wife enjoyed their dry Gewurztraminer while I enjoyed the riesling, Ridgewood white (sauvignon blanc) and chardonnay (American oak and buttery finish). Their cabernet sauvignon had a good oak finish. My wife enjoyed the Niagara and Diamond (Niagara hybrid), but the biggest surprise was the blackberry. Moonlight uses this one as their "chocoholic" wine - taste it with some good chocolate and it is like the burst you get with a cherry cordial (without the cherry sweetness). As we were visiting, we watched the last of the Diamond disappear off the rack.

(Mar 2015) - We made a stop here on our way home, planning a tasting and ended up being here for three hours. Their new vintage whites were available. The reds are a few weeks (May) away. While we were discussing the tasting tour Tracy took a group of people on a tour of the mansion. It's great to see the passion the owners have for their winery and historic property. We enjoyed our visit and purchased a Diamond to taste the two vintages (we still have the one from our Dec visit) side by side.

(Apr 2015) - Tracy and Bill welcomed us, even running late, with open arms. So they could accommodate us better, Tracy took half on a tour while the other half did their tasting. We then switched. It is the added touch that allows Moonlight to stand out among wineries.

Father's Day 2015 - What a way to celebrate. My wife and I spent Saturday evening with Blush and Brush Art Parties, Tracy and friends painting the picture of a wine glass having wine poured into it. Prior to getting to the winery, we left our three children at home after a baseball game that went way too long . . . a good time was more important.

We purchased a bottle of the Diamond to drink and some cheese from September Farms to snack on while we painted. We went upstairs to the board room and joined the other guests. After putting on our smocks, we were asked to stretch our imagination. My wife chose to do a painting similar to the host, a white wine on a grey background, but I went in a different direction with a "red idea", having a merlot or cabernet flowing into a stemless glass on a reddish background. While drinking our bottle of wine and eating cheese, we painted masterpieces. We learned how to use different brushes, strokes and blending of colors to get the right picture. Pictures are attached

This is how gracious the family is when they have company; Bill, Jeremy and Michelle came in periodically to check on us, making sure we had everything we needed.

We are glad to hear Jake loves Tracy's painting and approves of the good times.

Memorial Day 2015 - The name and signage have changed, but not the owners or the wine.My wife and I visited here twice this weekend. We decided to spend a relaxing Saturday evening out and enjoyed a bottle of Diamond on the front porch. Jeremy was a gracious host and Bill spent time with us giving us some details of what to expect in the next few weeks. We took home a cabernet sauvignon to replace the bottle finished off earlier in the week.After church services on Sunday, we were talking to a couple and decided to make it a parents day at the winery as a way to relax on the holiday. We took our picnic supplies and enjoyed a table on the front lawn. While we were there, we enjoyed the Diamond, food and friendship.Each time, Bill and Jeremy made us feel like family.

Summer 2015 - My wife and I have been spending quite a bit of time at Ridgewood. Here are some of the things we've done with Tracy and Bill:

Children's painting - Tracy is making the winery a family affair and is coming up with more ideas to include children. This particular day, the children got to do the activity while Mom and Dad sat back, relaxed with a picnic lunch and enjoyed a bottle of Diamond. The children got to do a painting, each one was different from a scenery perspective. We even ran into friends while we were there.

Cork painting - Take over 170 corks, glue them to the canvas and viola, you've only just begun to create another masterpiece. Taking their popular painting series to another level, we created a wine bottle scene using the corks as the background. It was a learning experience, but one well worth the time and effort.

Ice cream and wine - well not together unless that's what you want to do. Ridgewood paired up with Scoupe deVille to offer five varieties of ice cream to enjoy with your wine. I took it to another level, which Tracy is starting to find out, I'm an outside the box kind of guy, buy having some merlot over my chocolate chocolate chip ice cream - yum. My wife enjoyed sipping her Diamond alongside the salted caramel ice cream. They had a second one during the season, but we couldn't attend (we heard it was packed)

Night with the Reading Phillies - Our family was invite to spend the evening with the Ridgewood family at the baseball stadium. The Phillies put on a good show and won the game!!

Pennsylvania - Chester County - Barrel Wine Bar

The Barrel Wine Bar - A'Dello Winery, located in Perkiomenville, Montgomery County, has opened a wine bar in Phoenixville. My wife and I went on an early Saturday evening to see what it was like. We decided to have a flight of wine so we could try some of the mixed drinks and wines available. Out of the barrel, I enjoyed the pinot noir, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay and vitners spring white (not available in the bottle or at the winery (at least the last time I was there)). My wife enjoyed the margarita (made with the vintners white), sangria and peach iced tea (all made with A'Dello wines), the niagara and passionate peach. While we enjoyed our flights we had a turkey and cheese stuffed pretzel served with a spicy thai sauce, and a personal pizza topped with chicken, roasted red peppers, bacon with ranch dressing used as the sauce. The pinot noir and margarita went well with the pretzel and both the whites and the sangria went well with the pizza.