HARRISBURG, Pa. — At the 2020 Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg, three wineries were awarded the Governor’s Cup. They are The Vineyard at Hershey of Middletown in Dauphin County; Armstrong Valley Winery of Halifax, also in Dauphin; and Mazza Vineyard of North East in Erie County.
Wineries from Berks, Dauphin and Erie counties were awarded Best in Show in six overall categories.
The Vineyard at Hershey won a Governor’s Cup for the Best in Show Dry Wine with Merlot (2017). Merlot, the second most popular red grape in America, is a dark blue-colored wine grape variety. This full-bodied, fruit forward Merlot has initial flavors of cherry, softer flavors of tobacco, leather and oak peak out on the finish. This winery opened in 2012 and is located a 40-acre historical farm.
Mazza Vineyard earned the Governor’s Cup for the Best in Show Sweet/Desert Wine with Ice Wine of Vidal Blanc (2017). It is a true ice wine made from Vidal Blanc grapes frozen naturally on the vine and pressed while still frozen. This wine is intensely flavored with hints of fig, honey, marmalade and apricot. Mazza Vineyard is a second-generation operation and has expanded into making beer and spirits.
Armstrong Valley Vineyard was honored with a Governor’s Cup for the Best in Show Fruit Wine with Blackberry Merlot (2018). Blackberry Merlot is a blend of full-bodied merlot and natural blackberry flavor. The winery and vineyard are located on a Revolutionary War era farm. The current owners acquired the original parcels to re-establish it as a working farm.
“It is impressive to see the participation of wineries located throughout the commonwealth,” said Pennsylvania Winery Association President Jennifer Eckinger. “The Farm Show Competition provides an opportunity to showcase their wines alongside their peers and celebrate the quality of PA Wines.”
Wines submitted to the competition must be made of 75 percent Pennsylvania fruit. This year’s competition included entries from 36 Pennsylvania wineries.
“The Pennsylvania wine industry contributes $4.8 billion to the economy,” said Cheryl Cook, Deputy Secretary for Market Development. “Consumers enjoy sampling and buying the wide variety of wines made right here in Pennsylvania.”
Pennsylvania is the fifth largest producer of grapes nationally, with more than 270 wineries producing over five million bottles of wine annually.
The Pennsylvania Wine Booth, featured at the Pennsylvania Farm Show, features 32 wineries from across the commonwealth throughout the course of the week. Every two days, eight wineries will sample and sell a variety of wines.
To learn more about Pennsylvania’s wine and wineries at the Farm Show, pleas visit: www.PennsylvaniaWine.com/FarmShowOpens In A New Window
Additional results follow:
Other Best in Show
Best of Show Dry Grape; Best vinifera- Vineyard at Hershey, 2017 Merlot
Best of Show Sweet/Dessert; Best Hybrid- Mazza Vineyards, 2017 Ice Wine of Vidal Blanc
Best of Show Fruit- Armstrong Valley Winery, 2018 Blackberry Merlot
Best American- Broad Mountain Vineyard, 2018 Love Rock
Best Sparkling- Stony Run Winery, 2017 Brut
Double Gold Medals
Vineyard at Hershey, 2017 Merlot
Mazza Vineyards, 2017 Ice Wine of Vidal Blanc
Broad Mountain Vineyard, 2018 Love Rock
Presque Isle Wine Cellars, Blushing Heron
Courtyard Winery, 2018 Twisted Red
Gold Medals
Stony Run Winery, 2017 Brut
Armstrong Valley Winery, 2017 Cab Franc
Benigna’s Creek Winery, 2018 Sunshine
Blue Mountian Vineyard, Rottie White
Bucks Valley Winery, 2015 Cab Sauv
Courtyard Winery, 2018 Razzle
Deer Foot Farm Vineyards, 2018 Norton
Fero Vineyards & Winery, Estate Lemberger
Hungry Run Wine & Spirits, 2018 Blue Sapphire
Nissley Vineyards, 2018 Cab Frank Reserve
Stony Run Winery, 2017 Traminette
Stony Run Winery, 2017 Gruner Veltliner
The Winery at the Long Shot Farm, 2017 Vidal Blanc
Vineyard at Hershey, 2018 Moscato
Silver Medals
Armstrong Valley Winery, 2018 Blackberry Merlot
Armstrong Valley Winery, 2018 Rose
Armstrong Valley Winery, 2018 Chardonnay
Armstrong Valley Winery, 2018 Chambourcin
Armstrong Valley Winery, 2018 Traminette
Arrowhead Wine Cellars, Scarlet
Arrowhead Wine Cellars, Pink Catawba
Arrowhead Wine Cellars, Port
Arrowhead Wine Cellars, Red Raspberry
Arundel Cellars, Remix
Benigna’s Creek Winery, 2018 Liberty White
Blue Mountian Vineyard, 2017 Cab Sauv
Broad Mountain Vineyard, 2018 Blueberry
Broad Mountain Vineyard, 2017 400
Broad Mountain Vineyard, 2017 Chambourcin
Broad Mountain Vineyard, 2018 Shooting Star
Broad Mountain Vineyard, 2018 Black and Blue
Broad Mountain Vineyard, 2018 Leading Edge
Bucks Valley Winery, 2017 Meritage
Bucks Valley Winery, 2018 Traminette
Cassel Vineyards of Hershey, 2016 Cab Franc Reserve
Chaddsford Winery, 2017 Merlot
Chaddsford Winery, 2017 Harbinger
Chaddsford Winery, 2017 Sunset Blush
Chaddsford Winery, 2017 Presage
Cherry Valley Vineyards (Sorrenti), 2018 Blackberry Noir
Cherry Valley Vineyards (Sorrenti), 2018 Vignoles
Courtyard Winery, 2017 Zweigelt
Courtyard Winery, 2018 Chardonel
Courtyard Winery, 2017 Teroldego
Fero Vineyards & Winery, Chocolate
Franklin Hill Vineyards, 2018 Chambourcin
Heritage Wine Cellars, Dark Cherry
Heritage Wine Cellars, Peach Punch
Heritage Wine Cellars, 2018 Heritage Red
Juniata Valley Winery, 2016 Royal Red
Juniata Valley Winery, 2018 Autumn Harvest
Mazza Vineyards, 2018 Riesling
Mt. Hope Estate & Winery, 2018 Peach
Nissley Vineyards, 2018 Strawberry Kiss
Nissley Vineyards, 2018 Chardonnay Reserve
Presque Isle Wine Cellars, 2017 Saudade
Shade Mountain Winery & Vineyards, 2017 Chardonnay
Sleepy Cat Urban Winery, 2018 Feline Fine Fredonia “F3”
Stone Mountain Wine Cellars, 2017 Norton
Stone Mountain Wine Cellars, 2018 Orchard Blush
Stony Run Winery, 2016 Cab Franc Reserve
The Winery at the Long Shot Farm, 2018 Fletched
Tolino Vineyards, 2017 Gracie
Vineyard at Hershey, 2018 Blackberry Portrait
Waltz Vineyards, 2018 Stiegel Rose
Whispering Oaks Vineyard, 2016 Niagara
Whispering Oaks Vineyard, 2016 Chardonnay
Wood Lodge Winery, 2018 Semi-Dry Riesling
Wood Lodge Winery, 2018 Red Dog Road
Wood Lodge Winery, 2018 Queen of Hearts
Bronze Medals
Armstrong Valley Winery, 2018 Spicy Apple
Armstrong Valley Winery, 2017 Cherry
Arrowhead Wine Cellars, Rosso
Arrowhead Wine Cellars, Elderberry
Arrowhead Wine Cellars, Chardonnay
Arrowhead Wine Cellars, Moscato
Arrowhead Wine Cellars, Dazzling Niagara
Arundel Cellars, 2016 Sunset Rose
Arundel Cellars, 2016 Traminette
Benigna’s Creek Winery, 2018 Spice
Benigna’s Creek Winery, 2018 Delight
Blue Mountian Vineyard, 2018 Riesling
Broad Mountain Vineyard, 2017 Rattling Creek
Bucks Valley Winery, 2017 Merlot
Bucks Valley Winery, 2017 Melange
Bucks Valley Winery, 2017 Niagara
Cassel Vineyards of Hershey, 2017 Diamond Royale’
Cassel Vineyards of Hershey, 2018 Winners Circle White
Cassel Vineyards of Hershey, 2016 Oak Chardonnay
Cassel Vineyards of Hershey, 2016 Stainless Chardonnay
Cassel Vineyards of Hershey, 2016 Chambourcin Reserve
Cassel Vineyards of Hershey, 2016 Winners Circle Red Reserve
Chaddsford Winery, 2016 Fusion
Chaddsford Winery, 2017 Chaddsford Winery Red
Cherry Valley Vineyards (Sorrenti), 2018 Raspberry Blush
Cherry Valley Vineyards (Sorrenti), 2018 Chambourcin
Cherry Valley Vineyards (Sorrenti), 2018 Cranberry Blush
Cherry Valley Vineyards (Sorrenti), 2018 Arancia Rossa
Cherry Valley Vineyards (Sorrenti), 2018 Salute
Courtyard Winery, 2017 Chambourcin
Courtyard Winery, 2018 Chocopelli
Courtyard Winery, 2018 Moscato
Courtyard Winery, 2017 Vignoles
Crossings Vineyards & Winery, 2017 Cab Franc
Crossings Vineyards & Winery, 2017 Chardonnay
Crossings Vineyards & Winery, 2018 Vidal Blanc
Crossings Vineyards & Winery, Blush
Deer Foot Farm Vineyards, 2017 Cab Franc
Deer Foot Farm Vineyards, 2018 Chambourcin
Franklin Hill Vineyards, 2018 Vidal Blanc
Franklin Hill Vineyards, 2018 Fainting Goat
Franklin Hill Vineyards, 2018 Passion
Franklin Hill Vineyards, 2018 Sir Walters Red
Greendance Winery, 2017 Ruby Noir
Greendance Winery, 2018 Pinot Gris
Greendance Winery, 2017 Sparkling Isabella
Greendance Winery, 2018 Sauv Blanc
Greendance Winery, 2017 Cab Sauv Marquette
Heritage Wine Cellars, 2018 Half & Half
Heritage Wine Cellars, Blueberry
Heritage Wine Cellars, 2018 Bubbling Niagera
Heritage Wine Cellars, 2017 Crescendo
Heritage Wine Cellars, 2018 Concord
Heritage Wine Cellars, 2018 Sweet Country
Hungry Run Wine & Spirits, 2018 Blackberry Lemon
Hungry Run Wine & Spirits, 2018 Strawberry Watermelon
Hungry Run Wine & Spirits, 2018 Rollin Rita
Hungry Run Wine & Spirits, 2018 Chardonnay
Juniata Valley Winery, 2017 A Kiss Goodnight
Juniata Valley Winery, 2018 War Horse Red
Kingview Mead, Triple Beere
Mazza Vineyards, Bare Bones Rose
Mazza Vineyards, Perfect Bubbly
Mazza Vineyards, Cab Franc
Mt. Hope Estate & Winery, 2018 Holiday
Nissley Vineyards, 2017 Chambourcin
Nissley Vineyards, 2017 Vignoles
Presque Isle Wine Cellars, 2017 Cab Sauv
Presque Isle Wine Cellars, 2017 Bluse’
Presque Isle Wine Cellars, Reflections of Lake Erie
Presque Isle Wine Cellars, 2017 Traminette
Shade Mountain Winery & Vineyards, 2016 Propretor’s Red
Shade Mountain Winery & Vineyards, 2017 Shade Mountain Blush
Shade Mountain Winery & Vineyards, 2017 Autumn Harvest
Shade Mountain Winery & Vineyards, 2018 Moscato
Sleepy Cat Urban Winery, 2018 Smokey’s Midnight Treat
Sleepy Cat Urban Winery, 2018 Sleepy Cat Red
Sleepy Cat Urban Winery, 2018 Kitty Kisses
South Shore Wine Company, 2018 Gruner Veltliner
Stone Mountain Wine Cellars, 2018 LaCrescent
Stone Mountain Wine Cellars, 2018 Cherry
Stone Mountain Wine Cellars, 2018 Sunset
Stony Run Winery, 2017 Riesling
Stony Run Winery, 2017 Viognier
The Winery at the Long Shot Farm, 2018 Chambourcin rose
The Winery at the Long Shot Farm, 2018 Sweet Mountain Mist
Thistlethwaite Vineyards, 2018 Cambourcin
Thistlethwaite Vineyards, 2018 Very Berry Good
Thistlethwaite Vineyards, 2017 Traminette
Tolino Vineyards, 2017 Cab Franc
Tolino Vineyards, 2017 Papa’s Red
Tolino Vineyards, 2017 Mama’s Rose
Tolino Vineyards, 2018 Lilly
Tolino Vineyards, 2016 Chambourcin
Vineyard at Hershey, 2018 Sunset
Vineyard at Hershey, 2017 Daybreak Moscato
Waltz Vineyards, 2017 Reserve Chardonnay
Waltz Vineyards, 2018 Rock Red
Waltz Vineyards, 2016 Baron Red
Waltz Vineyards, 2017 Old Line Chardonnay
Whispering Oaks Vineyard, 2017 Chambourcin
Whispering Oaks Vineyard, 2016 Deep Roots Rose’
Whispering Oaks Vineyard, 2017 Chambourcin Reserve
Whispering Oaks Vineyard, 2016 Chardonnay Reserve
Whispering Oaks Vineyard, 2017 Tatawha
Whispering Oaks Vineyard, 2018 Cranberry
Whispering Oaks Vineyard, 2017 White Chambourcin
Wood Lodge Winery, 2018 Traminette
The Pennsylvania Farm Show draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to our capital city every year for a mid-winter celebration of Pennsylvania agriculture. It is the largest indoor agricultural exposition in the nation, featuring nearly 12,000 competitive exhibits, including more than 5,200 animal competitions, plus 300 commercial exhibits and hundreds of educational, entertaining events. Visitors get a peek into the industry that employs nearly half a million people and contributes $135.7 billion to Pennsylvania’s economy every year.
The 2020 show runs January 4-11 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, except Sunday, January 5, when it runs 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday, January 11, when it opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. Admission is free, and parking is $15.
–Shannon Powers, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture