Sultry Summer Mornings

Summer is here and the warm steamy mornings have begun.  This weekend at the vineyard we will be starting early to beat the heat as we work to pull off shoots to limit the amount of fruit that the vines will set.  The conditions have been very good so far here at Cassel Vineyards but early reports from other vineyards are saying there was a late frost that killed many of their initial shoots.  Fortunately, we did not have that experience so our vines are heading into June at full production.  A lot can change in a short amount of time but we feel very fortunate right now.  This weekend should be the bloom as the temperatures in the 90s will allow the plants to increase their sugar production.  I will post some of those pictures on Sunday.  

Music in the Vines - Free Summer Concert Series at Cassel Vineyards of Hershey

Cassel Vineyards of Hershey is once again proud to offer our FREE summer concert series on the 1st and 3d Fridays of June, July and August.  Come out early to get a seat on the lawn or in the vineyard, enjoy a snack or dinner and a bottle of wine while you listen to a variety of music.  Here is our schedule for the summer.  We look forward to seeing you at some point. 

Summer Music in The Vineyards

@Cassel Vineyards of Hershey

(Friday nights 6-8:00 PM)

Updates on Facebook @Cassel Vineyards of Hershey

 Twitter #MITV @CasselVineyards

June 7- The FINISH LINE Quartet - Jazz
June 21- Dave Knott Electric Trio - Jazz
June 28- High Altitude – Cover Songs and Dance (US Military Band) Benefit for Wounded Warrior Project

July 5 - “Red, White and the Blues” featuring Dave Knott Electric Trio
July 19 - The Paul Bratcher Group – Jazz

August 2 – Jett Prescott  (Acoustic Guitar and Piano) Premier Video Showing of Lay  Me Down in Wine

August 16 – Jay Vonada Duo – Jazz

First Fridays in the Fall
September  7 : The FINISH LINE Quartet
October 4 : Dave Knott Electric Trio

Memorial Day Weekend Starts with Wine!

What a great way to kick off the Memorial Day weekend!  We were fortunate to be able to celebrate with several groups yesterday!  Pictured here are the ladies from one of our 2 bridal showers.  So often these events are not very enjoyable for us because the revelers forget their manners and their respect for themselves and our other guests.  Thank you ladies of both parties today for making our job as much fun as the event you were celebrating.  The key was that neither party was in a hurry.  Our ability to connect and enjoy the event, taking pictures and interacting gave us a personal sense of satisfaction.  Both celebrations were fun and memorable.  Congratulations and good luck on your wedding days.

The second event pictured was a homecoming celebration as several of our former LD High School students came out to introduce their friends, girlfriends and wives to our winery.  Celebrating acceptance to Medical school, graduation and returning home.  Thank you for sharing your smiles and kind words with us!  We enjoy these kind of events as much as you do so keep us in your celebration plans.

A Memorial Day Prelude...

Thank you to anyone and everyone 

who has served our country.  And thank you to everyone who has made the ultimate sacrifice.  Your memory lives on in the legacy of our great country.  Thank you.

Help Wanted at Cassel Vineyards of Hershey

Cassel Vineyards of Hershey is now seeking someone to work in our tasting room.  If interested, please see the add below and contact Jody or Becky at the number listed.

Tasting Room Sales Person

Cassel Vineyards of Hershey

Hummelstown, PA 17036

 Becky @ 717-919-6022

·         Part-Time Position

·         Salary - $ 8.50 - $12/hr (based on qualifications and experience)

Our small, family-run winery, in Hummelstown, PA, is searching for an energetic and enthusiastic person to join our team as part-time Tasting Room/ Wine Educator. We are seeking a person who is personable with a natural ability to sell in a relaxed, non-pushy environment.

This position offers a great opportunity to learn every facet of the wine industry. It entails Thurs – Sat work of 12-18 hours per week now through Oct.  You will be hosting and educating our customers about our wines while building our tasting room and wine club business.  Additional hours working in the vineyard and special events are possible.

Qualifications:

• Friendly outgoing personality and team player
• Computer skills for data-entry and social networking
• Ability to multi-task and take initiative on projects
• Ability to communicate effectively with consumers, employees
• Light cleaning of Tasting Room, entry way and bathrooms is periodically required
              -Must be able to lift cases of wine (40 lbs)
• Must be 21 years of age
• Valid PA Driver's License required

·    Sales experience is a plus


*Above all else, a positive attitude and the ability to "sell without selling" is key.

Please contact us at our email, casselvineyards@gmail.com and attach a resume and brief cover letter.

All resumes will be held in strictest confidence

Almost Wiped out by Frost

We dodged a bullet in the vineyards for the last two nights.  The weather turned cold after Mothers Day here in Hershey.  A cold front swept down from the Northwest and brought the cold winds and clear skies.  I found it hard to sleep but knew there was nothing we could do.  When we woke up, the temperature on the thermometer said 34 degree and there was frost in the cool, low spots.  The sun came out and after work I drove up to view the damage.  As you can see the vines have full 6-8" shoots and bud clusters.  Every 5th plant has a leaf that was nipped by the frost but none of the flower clusters are damaged.  What a relief.  Now, as the days get warmer and the sun gets brighter we have nothing to worry about... Except drought, mildew, insects and birds.  We are almost guaranteed a bumper crop!  Keep your fingers crossed.

New Performance Scheduled for June 28

Cassel Vineyards is pleased to announce a new show scheduled for June 28th in our vineyards.  As a tribute to our Armed Forces and to show our appreciation to the men and women who have served us in the military both home and abroad, we will have the US Military Band High Altitude http://www.bandofthemidatlantic.ang.af.mil/  perform at the vineyard.  As always, admission is free and we hope to bring a large crowd of civilian and military music fans.  To do our part to promote the show prior to the July 4 holiday, Cassel Vineyards  plans to offer our usual 10% military discount and we will donate 20% of our sales that night  to the Wounded Warrior Project 
http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

Please put this event on you families summer calendar and come out to Cassel Vineyards.

A Celebration of Beautiful Weather

We had such a wonderful weekend last week when we celebrated the derby and our Run For the Roses release on Saturday.  The weather was perfect and it was amazing how many people came and decided to stay all day to enjoy the events.  If you were one of our guests, thank you for spending your time with us.  We had such a nice afternoon taking care of everyone and enjoying our new RFR mint juleps.  I hope you get a chance to stop by soon.  

139 th Kentucky Derby and Run For the Roses Red

Though it may be raining tomorrow in Kentucky, the forecast @CasselVineyards is sunshine, blue sky and 70 degrees.  The weather is going to be perfect for our release of our first sparkling Chambourcin.   The article on PennLive today http://blog.pennlive.com/wine/2013/05/post_252.html
By Paul Vigna explains the inspiration for our wines genesis but doesn't actually give the context.   I just wanted to give credit to Dr. Craig Camasta who continued to insist that we develop a sparkling Chambourcin after his trips to Australia where he tasted several examples of bubbly red Shiraz and Chambourcin.  These wines go great with warm weather barbecues.  Grilled ribs or beef brisket on a warm Summer evening never tasted better than when it was accompanied by a bottle of these big, bold bubbly wines.  You will have to plan in advance because there are only 45 cases of this vintage. It certainly can sit for a year or two and will only improve with age.  My only warning is to chill it to 32 degrees and open it with an old dishrag because it is extremely carbonated!
If you simply can't make it out for the party tomorrow, stop by to sample this new red on Saturdays only through the month of May.

Run For the Roses Release Party Schedule:

12:00 - Opening of the first bottle of Run for the Roses Red with a free sample of our special RFR Mint Julep

12 - 2:00 Broadcast of last 20 Kentucky Derby Races 

1:00 Post Time For The 1st CVH Derby (first jewel in the Cassel Vineyards Triple Crown)

2:00 - 4:00 live music by Dave Knott

3:00 Break for Derby Hat and Attire Contest (Crowning of Derby King and Queen)

4:00 - 6:00 Pre-race Food and Derby Pre-race show

menu:

Kentucky Bourbon Drunk Dogs

Kentucky Caviar

Kentucky Bourbon Sauce with Pecans over Cream Cheese on Graham Crackers

RFR Mint Juleps