If you’re looking for an interesting getaway this fall, you should definitely consider taking a ride to Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, and pay a visit to the Galer Estate Vineyard and Winery. Nestled behind Longwood Gardens at 700 Folly Hill Road, owners Brad & Lele Galer have lovingly transformed the old Folly Hill Winery into an oenological force to be reckoned with.
Several years ago, Mrs. Galer, an artist who works in community and school art advocacy, told her husband, a renowned physician and expert in the field of pain control, she thought he needed a hobby. The good doctor decided he wanted to own a winery. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Well… not quite. Knowing the importance of research – and also knowing that he knew precious little about grape growing and winemaking – Dr. Galer did a good bit of it before jumping into his new venture. He also hooked up with some of best consultants in the business, including wine educator Mark Chien, viticulturist Lucie Morton – “Only hire me if you are serious about growing A+ grapes” – master winemaker John Levenberg, and onsite winemaker Catrina North.
The Galers harvested and produced their first wines in 2008; and the results have been impressive… as have the awards, which have been pouring in since 2011.
Of particular note is the Winery’s tasting room, which exudes a charmingly eclectic rusticity embellished with Lele Galer’s beautiful artistic touches. The perfect spot to do some serious tasting. And if you do pay a visit, I would highly recommend the following vintages for purchase…
2011 Huntress White Wine Blend ($25.00): To my surprise, my wife, an unabashed lover of oaky chardonnays, preferred the Huntress White Wine Blend to the Winery’s highly touted 2011 Reserve Chard. This was certainly my choice, as the wine exhibits a variety of interesting nuances. The blend is dominated by 68% Chardonnay, but also benefits from a 23% shot of Riesling. This is rather unusual, as Riesling usually doesn’t blend very well with other varietals. When it is blended, however, it is generally with Chardonnay… and here it brings a crisply refreshing acidic punch to the party. The real kicker, however, is provided by 9% Traminette, a white wine grape that is a cross of Gewürztraminer and a French-American varietal that was made in 1965 but not officially released until 1996. A relatively recent addition to the world of winemaking, it is rapidly gaining popularity among wine drinkers. Like its parent, Gewürztraminer, this grape adds pleasant spicy, floral notes to the wines in which it is infused, as well subtle flavors of honey and apricot.
2012 Rosé Wine ($19.00): This is a blended wine composed of 62% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is produced using the saignée method. The French term literally means “bled,” and refers to a wine-making technique that results in a Rosé wine made by running off, or “bleeding,” a certain amount of free-run juice from just crushed dark-skinned grapes after a short pre-fermentation maceration. But forget any notions you may have about those sickeningly sweet White Zinfandels or White Merlots; this wine is bone-dry, incredibly fresh, and beguiles the palate with the subtlest hint of strawberry. And this, perhaps, the first time I have ever been in complete agreement with restaurant critic Craig LaBan of the Philadelphia Inquirer: “As minerally complex as a balanced blush from the south of France, this may be as close as we can get to a taste of Provence in the Brandywine.”
2011 Huntress Red Wine Blend ($29.00): This blended red wine is comprised of 86% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Petit Verdot. Of all the wines I’ve tasted at the Galer Estate, this is undoubtedly my favorite. Many of the Bordeaux-like blends I’ve sampled at East Coast wineries have often been rather harsh around the edges… not so this Huntress Red. Barrel aged for 12 months, this elegant medium bodied wine is as smooth as silk, exhibiting understated hints of spice and oak. And it is also beautifully balanced… just enough fruit, just enough oak, just enough tannin, just enough acidity. The 2011 Huntress Red is easy on the palate and eminently food friendly… Unfortunately, it’s not so easy on the pocketbook. At $29.00 it is a little pricey… but, in my opinion, certainly worthy of the expenditure.
During the fall months, Galer Winery will be open Thursday – Sunday for tasting, imbibing & purchasing with the following schedule…
Thursday, 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.: From 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. the Winery will host “Pop-Up Artist” shows, featuring a different artist each week.
Friday, 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.: From 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. there will be food pairing with the cheesemonger of the Country Butcher. During this time only, wines will be available at $5.00 per glass with a 10% bottle discount.
Saturday, 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.: Live music from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: Live music from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
In warmer weather, the Winery’s deck is open to enjoy a glass of wine and a view of the vineyard. During the winter months, the decks are heated and the “Tree Room” is available for guests to enjoy wine by the fire. Special appointments may be made by calling the Galer Winery at (484) 899-8013.
Cheers!
TAD
{ 0 comments… add one now }