Back at the Farmers Market of Hershey

  Cassel Vineyards returns for our 3d year at the Farmer's Market in Hershey.  The Market has made some very positive changes and the attendance is improving with the weather.   Last year we suffered through week after week of rain and cool temperatures.  However, this year has been beautiful with fair skies and sunshine every week thus far.  The new weekly concerts on the lawn started slowly but the attendance has increased each week and concert attendees are buying chilled bottles of wine to enjoy on the lawn while listening to the exceptional local talent.  It has been a pleasure to see the market change and grow and we look forward to this week (Thurs. June 28th) when we will provide samples of our white sangria on a hot summer day.  Our sangria was a real hit last year at the Taste of Hummelstown and several customers continue to come back to our winery to buy the ingredients to create their Cassel Vineyards Sangria.  Hope to see you at the Farmer's Market of Hershey (locate behind the Cocoa Beanery off of Bullfrog Valley Road, across from the Hershey Medical Center) on Thursday from 2:30 - 6:30.  Plan on staying around for the concert which begins at 6:00 and usually goes until 8:30.

Pruning the Vines as the Weather Heats Up

     Today we worked in the vineyard to get the Cabernet Franc vines pruned and ready for the hot Summer weather.  The top picture shows the vines before we went through and put the top and bottom shoots behind their catch wires.  We train our Cabernet Franc vines using the Scott-Henry (a.k.a. Smart-Dyson) technique.  This technique forces the vines to grow downward in a direction it would rather not grow.  The vines react to the stress of the shoot placement by putting more energy into the fruit production.        
      The picture at the bottom shows the vines after the catch wire on the bottom has been pulled down to trap the lower shoots and force them to grow downward. 
      Now as the hot weather adds more stress to the vines, the growth of green shoots, leaves and stems will cease and the plant will shift into fruit productions mode.  As we complete the pruning and work to refine the taste of the fruit you will get a chance to judge for yourself if the work we put into the vines and ultimately the wine is worth our efforts.  We believe you will think they are.

The View from the Porch

Yesterday we sat on the back porch of the tasting room in the shade with several of our guests and enjoyed a very relaxing evening.  The weather was perfect and the swallows were swooping over the vines picking up bugs and singing their gurgling songs.  The conversation came easy and we solved most of the world's problems.  Our new friends had never experienced an evening on the farm and couldn't believe something this serene and peaceful could exist just 4 miles from downtown Hershey and their work at the Hershey Medical Center.  We invite you to spend an evening unwinding and enjoying a little slower pace of life.  The swallows and I will keep a seat and a glass of wine ready for you.

Winery and Vineyard Tours

  Each weekend, I am available to give vineyard and winery tours.  Here is a picture of one of the tours that ended in the winery production area.  It takes about 15 minutes to give an overview of how we prune the vines and harvest the grapes.  Then we head inside as I explain the processing of the grape from crush to bottle.    Everyone seems to have a lot of fun or maybe it's just that we finish each tour with a wine tasting.  If you would like me to give you or your party a tour, just give me a call before you come. 

33 at Fort Hunter Wine and Music

  Today and tomorrow June 9-10, Cassel Vineyards of Hershey is serving at Fort Hunter Wine and Music Festival.  We had a great time meeting people on the first day and found out that Greg and Ann worked the Festival despite celebrating their 33 anniversary behind the table serving customers.  First, a big thank you for helping out on such a special day.  Second, Congratulations on such a great accomplishment.  We had a great time and hope you did too.  If you never made it to the Fort Hunter Festival, we will be there again today so you still have time to stop by and wish Greg and Ann a happy anniversary.  The music and food are fantastic as well and who can forget the wine.  The weather today is going to be fantastic so stop by, pay $20 and try the wine from around the state of PA.  Its a lot of fun, just ask Ann and Greg!

What An Opening Day

     It is hard for me to begin to thank everyone who made yesterday's Grand Opening of Cassel Vineyards of Hershey's new tasting room such a huge success.  There were so many people who helped including all of our friends and family who have not only supported us with kind words but showed up yesterday to set up, participate, pitch in and clean up.  We were able to entertain hundreds of people and showcase our wine and the beauty of our farm without any mistakes or mishaps.  We have had hundreds of messages, pictures and words of support from gracious customers, classmates, workers and friends.  I can't imagine pulling something like this off without the everyone's support.  A huge thank you goes out to all of you. 
     Some of the best photos of the day were posted on-line and given to me by family, friends and customers.  I would like to share this first set today and will continue to share many more in the near future.  Thanks Beth,  these photos really capture a little bit of everything that happened yesterday from the tasting and tours to the friends and fun which everyone seemed to experience. 


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