Wineries hope and plan for warm weather events

Preparing for the Pour

Music and other activities are on the warm-weather agenda for Harvest Ridge, Paradocx and Va La

By Ken Mammarella Contributing Writer

The rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations is growing the hopes for resuming favorite activities at Landenberg’s wineries that have been canceled by pandemic restrictions.

Several events have been placed on online calendars, and of course, the wineries have adapted to government guidelines. “We have moved our seating around to adhere to capacity and social distancing restrictions, as well as complying with all other requirements like masks, food and sanitation,” said Kristi May Wyatt, director of sales for Harvest Ridge Winery.

Here’s what you can expect.

Photo courtesy of Max and Denise Acoustic With an Edge

Max and Denise Acoustic With an Edge are regulars at Harvest Ridge.

Photo courtesy of Glenn E. Williams

Glenn E. Williams and his jazz trio have several gigs booked at Va La.

Harvest Ridge Winery

Harvest Ridge Winery is planning public events two months out, which allows for evolving government guidelines. Events include “live music a few times a month, wine and cider pairings with different fun foods, craft workshops etc.,” Wyatt said.

Harvest Ridge already has a few warm-weather events on its calendar, including the musicians Max and Denise Acoustic With an Edge and the On the Roll food truck, both once a month.

The core of Max and Denise are Max and Denise Collins, a husband and wife who have been performing for 38 years, and their quartet includes Bill Graham and Mark Arnold. “Our entire show consists of songs requested by our audience,” Denise Collins said, with the audience choosing from their repertoire of more than 170 songs. “So every show we do is entirely different than the last one.”

The winery is further out in scheduling private events and is starting to plan for off-site festivals.

“We are not doing the traditional wine tastings right now, but we have been doing wine flights and have enhanced those with providing flight towers!” Wyatt said. “It makes the flight easy to carry as well as looks really cool for the customer! We have food trucks on site Fridays and Saturdays to adhere to the ‘must eat food to drink on site’ rule. We also have charcuterie, as always, in the tasting room.”

Harvest Ridge’s Pennsylvania tasting room is at 1140 Newark Road, Toughkenamon, https://shop.harvestridgewinery.com/pennsylvania-events. It also makes Rebel Seed cider.

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Landenberg’s wineries

Photo courtesy of Exit 93

The Exit 93 Band performs June 26 at Paradocx.

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Paradocx Vineyard

Paradocx Vineyard has three concerts lined up on summer Saturday evenings. Some seating will be available, and patrons are are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Food is available for purchase from a food truck.

The Exit 93 Band, which will perform June 26, emphasizes classic rock, blues, R&B and country. Admission is free.

Spokey Speaky, a veteran reggae band from Wilmington, is making its Paradocx debut on July 10. Tickets, $12 online and $15 at the door, include a glass of wine or pint of beer. Admission is free for those under 21.

The Jake Joyce Band, which will perform July 24, is known for its Americana-infused rock ’n’ roll. Admission is free.

Paradocx Vineyard is at 1833 Flint Hill Road, Landenberg, https://paradocx.com and click on the “events” tab.

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Va La Vineyards

“Although nothing is yet set in stone, our plans are to return to our normal handful of outdoor events,” Anthony Vietri said. “These would be small music events by reservation, featuring pianist Glenn E. Williams and the Glenn E. Williams Jazz Trio, including Memorial Day weekend, July Fourth weekend and Labor Day weekend.”

Williams and his trio (with Dave Renz on saxophone and Nick D’Orsaneo and drums) are familiar faces at local venues. Williams in September is releasing an album with guitarist Jamie Brown of Kennett Square.

“Because of the chronic uncertainty, and because the safest environment for our guests, our staff and our families is outdoors, our family decided last spring to offer our wines and occasional small events in a takeout manner in the outdoor areas overlooking the little vineyard,” Vietri said.

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Photo courtesy of Va La

Va La’s picturesque setting.

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Photo courtesy of Kevin Francis

Spokey Speaky performs July 10 at Paradocx.

Landenberg’s wineries

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Photo courtesy of The Jake Joyce Band

The Jake Joyce Band performs July 24 at Paradocx.

The events feature “little islands” of socially distanced, reservations-only seating.

“Being closed indoors for the first time in 20 years was a very new thing for us, and required a bit of a sacrifice. But we count ourselves extremely fortunate that our wonderful folks have been so very understanding and very responsive to this new offering. And while it has really become an unexpected and beautiful little vibe that we get going out there, we can’t wait to step up to the next stage where we will be offering our folks indoor seating options, in addition to those outdoor seating ones.”

Va La Vineyards is at 8822 Gap Newport Pike, www.valavineyards.com.