Eat, drink, relax at Wine in the Woods
On Saturday, Sept. 17, the School of the Sacred Heart will host its 6th annual Wine in the Woods Festival at Basilica Picnic Woods. The school's development committee started the festival in 2011 as a way to give back to education at the school.
Related: Fall Community Education Series can enrich your life
"Everyone that’s on the committee are just parents and volunteers at the school," said Mike Hardin, chairperson for Wine in the Woods.
One-hundred percent of proceeds from the festival go toward supporting students.
Six wineries will be featured at this year's festival, with three returning from last year. Wineries Allegro Vineyards, Brookmere Winery & Vineyard Inn, and High Rock Winery have been participating since Wine in the Woods started.
"They like to give back," Hardin said.
Related: Adams Co. Winery donates to SPCA
Each year the festival hopes to bring in some new wineries to share their craft. New additions for the 2016 festival include Buddy Boy Winery & Vineyards, as well as Jackson Square Vineyard and Thunder Ridge Vineyards — both located near Spring Grove.
Boneyard Barbeque provides signature smoked pulled pork and brisket, with other local craft and food vendors on site. Hanover Area Parrot Head Society DJ, Breeze-Mon, returns with music for the festival.
"He's a local favorite," Hardin said. “He gets the crowd involved and is very interactive."
Last year's festival saw about 500 people gather to enjoy wine, food, and the shade of the woods, but the festival was also competing with another weekend event, so Hardin expects a large crowd this year.
Here's a look at this year's featured wineries and vineyards:
High Rock Winery
What’s new this year: Red’s Union, a blend of three red grapes, and Velvet, a smooth, dry black raspberry wine
Featured at Wine in the Woods: Black Lab, a blend of red grapes and black raspberries, and Red’s Union
Did you know? High Rock offers a large selection of sweet wines and signature blends.
Location: Hanover
Allegro Winery and Vineyards
What’s new this year: Allegro's 2013 Bridge, a Bourdeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot; Allegro's 2012 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon; and, Allegro's 2014 Reserve Chardonnay. In October, fall favorite Apple Cinnamon will return.
Featured at Wine in the Woods: Sonata, a dry Riesling blend; Allegro’s 2014 Merlot; Suite, Punk, and Harmony, made from Niagara, Catawba, and Concord grapes, and two Sangria- style wines — a white called Tango, with citrus and mint, and a red, Fusion.
Did you know? Allegro is York County's largest winery. Opened in 1981, it is one of the oldest in Pennsylvania.
Location: Brogue
Thunder Ridge Vineyards
What’s new this year: Seven Stars, a blend of seven white wines; Peach and Black Raspberry, sweer fruit wines; Marquette, a sweet red; Grüner Veltliner, a crisp dry white, and La Crescent, a dry white with citrus flavors.
Featured at Wine in the Woods: Thunder Ridge Rose', a sweet blush blend; Seven Stars, and wine slushies
Did you know? Thunder Ridge uses 36 varieties of grapes, some of which are unique to the area. The small boutique winery offers an intimate atmosphere.
Location: Spring Grove
Buddy Boy Winery & Vineyards
What’s new this year: New wines coming this fall; Buddy Boy could not be reached for comment.
Featured at Wine in the Woods: Miss Pissy Pants, a carbonated strawberry wine; Hard Ass Hard Cider, and 4 on the Floor, a blend of four red wines
Did you know? Buddy Boy uses no extracts or artificial flavoring. Its fruit wines are 100 percent fruit.
Location: Duncannon
Brookmere Winery & Vineyard Inn
What's new this year: Menno White, a semi-sweet white; two returning seasonals: Kronsbeere, a cranberry wine, and Apple Wine, a semi-sweet made from 100 percent apples
Featured at Wine in the Woods: Bearies Gone Wild, a sweet fruit wine; Frog Hollow, a sweet blush; Kronsbeere and Apple Wine; Red Foxx, a sweet and spicy red wine; and two sample wines: Alexander Red, a dry red, and Riesling, a semi-dry white
Did you know? Brookmere uses all Pennsylvania-grown grapes and fruit. The winery has a large population of Amish and Mennonites in the area, which is reflected in its wines, such as Menno White.
Location: Belleville
Jackson Square Vineyard
What's new this year: Blueberry, a wine made from 100 percent blueberries; Mint Tea, a grape wine steeped with tea
Featured at Wine in the Woods: 18 wines, including Blueberry, Mint Tea, and Peach Mango, a peach and grape blend
Did you know? Jackson Square has a broad scale of different wines, focusing on unique flavors such as Mint Tea and Guilty Pleasures, a flavor which begins as a raspberry and ends with a hint of dark chocolate.
Location: Spring Grove
If you go
What: Wine in the Woods Festival
When: Saturday, Sept. 17
Location: Basilica Picnic Woods, 3113 Centennial Road, Mount Pleasant Township
Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tickets: $13 in advance, $15 day of event, $5 non-tasters
To purchase: Call the Sacred Heart school office at 717-632-8715, purchase online at mkt.com/shspa, or at any of the participating wineries