5 unique wines to sip at the Gettysburg Wine Festival
Gettysburg will be a haven for wine lovers next month as The Gettysburg Wine and Music Festival rings in its 12th year.
Twenty-seven Pennsylvania wineries will be in attendance at the festival, and each has a few of its own concoctions to bring to the table.
From a classic sweet white to a chocolate wine slushie, there's something at this festival for everyone.
If you're an adventurous drinker, keep reading.
Olivero's Vineyard - Sparkling apple wine
Olivero's Vineyard will be bringing a sparkling apple wine to this festival. Despite what you might think, it's nothing like a cider, said Matt Olivero, owner of the Juniata County winery.
This is more "in your face," Olivero said.
“To be a cider it has to be below 5.2 percent [alcohol content],” but Olivero's apple wine is around 12 to 13 percent.
The makeup of the wine is different than a cider altogether as it’s fermented at higher levels of alcohol, giving it a very “crisp flavor,” Olivero said.
If you like a high-alcohol wine, grab yourself a glass.
Starr Hill Vineyard & Winery - Dreams
Starr Hill will be toting a few new wines to the festival this year, but one is particularly "dreamy".
"Dreams tastes like a creamsicle," said Kenn R. Starr, vice president of the Clearfield County winery.
It is a blend of natural orange and vanilla flavors that tastes just like many people's favorite summertime treat: a juicy creamsicle, Starr said.
Because really, why should you have to decide between ice cream and wine?
Hauser Estate Winery - Grapeshot
Hauser Estate's Grapeshot was a "huge hit" at least year's festival, said Crystal Mort, tasting room manager at the Adams County-based winery.
It's a sweet white that people can't get enough of, Mort said.
“We were unsure of how it would take off,” she said, “but we quickly learned that people in the area love a sweet wine.”
Worried about Hauser running out of this delight? Think again.
The winery made an extra large batch of Grapeshot for this year’s festival to accommodate the expected demand, Mort said.
Allegro Winery - Tango
York County's Allegro Vineyards is a "fan favorite," said Jennifer McCleaf, event director for the Wine and Music Festival.
And this year, Allegro is ready to introduce a new minty item to the festival.
Tango is a white Sangria-style wine with a "soft foundation of mint," finished off with light hints of orange and lime, said the winery's sales representative, Steve Hershner.
It's a refreshing wine, perfect for a hot day at a festival, Hershner said.
University Wine Company - Choco-Chill
"Think frozen tootsie pop," said winery president Jeff Proch of this chocolate-infused concord wine.
"Everybody's a little skeptical at first, and then they they taste it, and their eyes light up," Proch said. "They get this big smile on their face."
If you're looking for not only a unique wine, but a funky way to consume it as well, look no further.
The University Wine Company sells its frozen wine by the pouch.
"We sell a product called U-Freeze wine slush. All you have to do is throw it in your freezer, and in a few hours you have an adult frozen treat to enjoy," Proch said. "Like a Capri Sun, just bigger."
If you go
What: The Gettysburg Wine and Music Festival
When: Sept. 10 and 11 from 12 to 6 p.m.
Where: Gateway Gettysburg Complex, 95 Presidential Circle, Straban Township
Cost: One-day tickets bought in advance are $20. Tickets bought at the gate are $25. Two-day advance tickets are $30.
All tickets include a free wine glass, unlimited wine sampling and access to live music.
Youth/Designated Driver tickets are $12, and children 12 have free admission.
Parking: Free
For more information or to buy tickets: Visit www.gettysburgwine.com, visit the festival's Facebook page or call 717-334-8151.