By Wayne Laepple
If you’re a wine enthusiast, or want to become one, the annual Susquehanna Heartland Wine Trail is an event you don’t want to miss.
Each weekend in March, seven regional wineries will hold special events featuring, naturally, products of their vineyards.
Centered around specific wines and foods they enhance each weekend, the wine trail events also include entertainment at four of the wineries.
Participating wineries include Beniga’s Creek Winery, Klingerstown; Brookmere Winery, Belleville; Hunter’s Valley Winery, Liverpool; Nittany Mountain Winery, Centre Hall; Shade Mountain Winery, Middleburg; Seven Mountains Wine Cellars, Potter’s Mills; and Spyglass Ridge Winery, Sunbury.
Right here in the Valley, Shade Mountain Winery on Route 104 between Penns Creek and Middleburg will present the Ann Kerstetter Band on March 6 from 1-4 and Bachman, Trasatti and Noaker on March 7 from 1:30-4:30. Next weekend, Kimbo is there on Saturday and the Lowlander Highlanders entertain on Sunday. The Folk Justice Band is there on March 20 from 1:30-4:30, and on the 27th, the Pepper Street Band is there from 1:30-4:30.
Meanwhile, at Spyglass Ridge, on Plum Creek Road a mile off Route 890 outside Sunbury, a full slate of bands includes Nate Myers and the Aces on March 6 and the Frank Wicher Band on the 7th. PA Crude Blues is there on the 13th, and two band, Lux Bridge at 1 p.m. and MacAlum Band at 3, are on the slate for the 14th. The Michael O’Brien Band is there on March 20, followed by Dirty Nickels on the 21st. The month wraps up with the Blind Chitlin Kahunas on March 27 and the Ann Kerstetter band on the 28th. All shows are 2-5 except the double bill on the 14th.
Down the road in Liverpool, Hunter’s Valley Winery features Ruby and the Hummingbirds on March 6 from 3-5 and the Harp Sisters on the 13th. Tom Edmonson will be there on the 20th with his keyboards and vocals, and Joel Toluba wraps up with month on the 27th with his gypsy-style accordion.
Last but not least, Seven Mountains Wine Cellars features Joe Bonson and Coffee Run each Saturday and T&J; Music on Sundays.
For more information, directions and details, take a look at the web site www.pawinetrail.com.
To take part, purchase a ticket at any of the participating wineries. That ticket entitles you to visit all seven during the month to sample wines and foods. Tickets are $20 per person or $35 for a couple.
