The wine enthusiast knows that March Madness means being out and about touring the eight wineries along the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail for food and wine pairings, wine education, and a month of fun.

March Madness along the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail involves purchasing a Passports, for $35, at any of the eight family-owned wineries and then planning a strategy to visit each of the eight wineries each weekend in March.

As you visit the eight wineries you will be offered various wine and food pairings, your passports will be stamped during each visit, and then entered into a drawing for additional prizes. Each passport holder will also receive a Lehigh Valley Wine Trail commemorative cheese board. Passports are already sold out at most wineries (see below), so be sure to call ahead before making a trip to a winery to purchase your passport.
 
It is recommended that you plan on visiting no more than 3 or 4 wineries a day, so you can get the most enjoyment out of your experience. Even plan a stop at a local restaurant, along your way from winery to winery, as there are many great options along your travels. As we get closer to the start of March Madness be sure to check back here for wine and food pairings for each of the eight wineries for each weekend in March.
 
To best serve you and our other visitors large groups are discouraged but if you are a group of 12 or more reservations are required. Since the wineries are all family owned and operated we all have our own set of house rules so please check with individual wineries if you have any questions. We look forward to meeting you on the trail! 

UPDATE - 2/18: A limited number of passports remain! Big Creek Winery in Kresgeville is now the only winery with passports left for sale. All others have sold out.

Click here to see food and wine pairings

This event takes place mid-spring as bud break occurs on the vines. It celebrates the importance that terroir (soil) plays in the development of the grapes, their flavor and the resulting taste of the wine, and stresses the importance of the A.V.A. designation (American Viticultural Area) in further legitimizing the Lehigh Valley for wine making.

An A.V.A. designation was awarded in April 2008 to the wineries in this region after a five-year application process. In order to receive the designation a least 75% of the grapes used to make the local wines must be grown within the region. Wineries in the region are permitted to list “Lehigh Valley” as the growing region on their labels.

Click here to see food and wine pairings

Hit the road and head to Penn’s Peak in nearby Jim Thorpe for this festival which includes wine samplings from each of our eight wineries in your own commemorative glass. Relax with a glass of wine on the panoramic outdoor deck with a view of Beltzville Lake and the Pocono Mountains. Or stay inside in air conditioned comfort while listening to live musical entertainment.

Browse through the displays from local artisans and crafters selling handmade décor, accessories, and food items. Or purchase food to pair with your wine from the Penn’s Peak kitchens.

Tickets are required for this event and will go on sale in July 2012. Tickets are $14 in advance or $16 at the door the day of the event. The event is noon - 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For driving directions to Penn's Peak, click here.

When fall rolls around, it’s time to celebrate the kick-off of harvest season!

At this event, the wineries proudly promote the state’s “Pennsylvania Preferred” program by partnering with manufacturers of other Pennsylvania products to showcase their high level of quality.

Wine pairings, vineyard tours, food, music and other special activities are featured.
 

Taking place after the harvest is over, this event celebrates the “official wine grape of the Lehigh Valley,” the Chambourcin.

This versatile wine is available in Nouveau, Rose, Semi-Sweet, Sweet, Dry Barrel Aged, Sparkling, and Port.

This is the earliest chance to sample the first vintages of the new harvest. Nouveau wines are light, fruity and semi-dry to dry red wines.

It’s also a great opportunity to purchase wines for the upcoming holiday season to give as gifts or to drink at dinner.

Tip: March Madness passports also go on sale this weekend. Get them before they sell out!