Four southcentral Pennsylvania wineries that emphasize quality collaborated on an event in late July called “PA Wines of Distinction.” It took place at Melhorn Manor in Mount Joy, Lancaster County, on July 28. The group included Waltz Vineyards, Nissley Vineyards and Grandview Vineyard from Lancaster County and Armstrong Valley Winery from Dauphin County for an afternoon of food and high-quality wines.
A three-hour event, it included the chance to sample a variety of award-winning estate-grown wines as well as wine and food pairings. VIP tickets offered early admission and a guided wine educational session followed by a meet and greet with winemakers. General admission was $40 and the VIP tickets were $75 apiece.
The idea, at least in part, borrowed from the pages of the New Jersey Winemakers Co-Op, founded nine years ago with, according to the website, “the common goal of increasing the quality and perception of the fine wines of New Jersey.” The wine and food pairings were crafted by Festive Board Catering of York County. Wines of Distinction In addition to meeting as a group, co-op members hold industry seminars and public tastings.
Today there are six member wineries. Knowing what the co-op has accomplished, it prompted some questions to Sarah Haines, who runs Grandview Vineyard in Mt. Joy with husband Scott and was involved in the planning of the multi-winery tasting.
Q, About what was the turnout? What did Melhorn offer that made you all decide to go there rathe.