Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Vote for Member of the Year





We want your votes!
The Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Wine Society is reviving a past award for Member of the Year, and we want your votes.  Many of our members contribute time and effort to making our tastings the best around. We’d like to recognize their efforts. Simply click on the link below and enter the name of the member that you believe has contributed the most to the Chapter in this past year.
The person need only be a member in good standing.  Votes are not limited to Board Members.  Any member is eligible for this recognition.  The votes will be tallied, and we will announce the winner  and present the award at the first tasting of 2015!

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

It's a Road Trip!


 

Yadkin Valley Wine Trip
 

Join us on a spring trip to the Yadkin Valley of North Carolina to visit and sample the best of North Carolina wineries and wines June 5-8.
 

The Yadkin Valley is an easy seven hour drive from downtown Pittsburgh and is probably the fastest growing wine region in the U.S.  When we first visited in 2001, there were less than six wineries in the area – there are now over 50!  The Yadkin Valley as well as Swan Creek areas have been designated AVAs.
 

We are hoping to start the weekend off with a welcome reception on Thursday at Round Peak Vineyards located in Mt. Airy.  Then off to the motel in Yadkinville.  We plan on visiting four wineries on Friday and again on Saturday.  I am working on us touring the Surry Community College’s Center for Viticulture and Enology again this year.  One of the lunches will be North Carolina Pulled Pork prepared by Snooks Bar-b-q, rated as one of the state’s five best bar-b-que shacks by Saveur Magazine.  We will also have a wine dinner with winemakers in attendance to talk about their particular wine being served with each course.
 

We are also invited to the home of Tom & Linda King for a casual cook-out – and weather permitting, to swim in their pool – so pack your bathing suits and towels.  Linda is a long-time AWS member and is one of the founders of the Pittsburgh Chapter.  She retired last year as a winemaker and consults for wineries in the Yadkin area.
 

An estimated cost of around $275 per person includes all winery tasting fees, lunch both Friday and Saturday, the cookout at the King’s residence, the winemakers’ dinner and all taxes and gratuity.  Your motel and travel costs are your responsibility (the motel is less than $80/night).
 

If you are interested, please e-mail me at kristofik432@comcast.net to be put on the list.  As soon as I have all the particulars nailed down I will be able to give you a firm price.