Grapes–soon to become wine–on the vine at Black River Farms in Lower Saucon Township
A Lower Saucon Township vineyard and winery has joined an association that counts many of the Lehigh Valley’s viticultural institutions among its members.
The Lehigh Valley Wine Trail announced this week that Black River Farms has joined their nonprofit organization, which promotes viticulture in the region.
Black River Farms is a vineyard and winery located off Rt. 378 at 2472 Black River Road.
The business opened to the public in the summer of 2017 and has made a splash in the PA wine scene since then, winning awards at the 2018 Pennsylvania Farm Show and expanding to a point where some of its wines are now available in local restaurants.
Owned by Andy and Kris Warner, “the 17-acre farm was established in 2009 and features a sustainable nine-acre vineyard growing 14 varieties of grapes,” a news release from the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail states. “In addition to growing wine grapes, the farm produces and sells fruits and vegetables, flowers, and free-range chicken eggs.”
Black River Farms owners and Lower Saucon residents Kris and Andy Warner. (FILE PHOTO)
Among the red wines Black River Farms produces are Chambourcin, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese and Lemberger. White wines that carry the Black River Farms label include Traminette, Chardonnay and Vidal Blanc. Additionally, a variety of blends are available.
“We have been blessed with a site that has helped us grow very healthy and high-quality fruit,” said Andy Warner. “It is a pleasure to share our sustainable and beautiful green space, farm, and vineyard with many visitors.”
Black River Farms is open for tastings Thursdays and Fridays from 1 to 6 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.
For a $5 tasting fee guests can sample five different wines, according to the news release.
Groups of six or more must make reservations in advance in order to ensure appropriate staffing.
The vineyard also hosts a variety of special events, from painting classes to yoga to live music (click here to see a schedule of upcoming events), and most weekends food trucks are on site.
For more information, visit www.black-river-farms.com, like/follow Black River Farms on Facebook and Instagram and view the video about the winery–which was recently produced by local video channel On The Go With Justin Kline–below.
The Lehigh Valley Wine Trail is a 501c6 nonprofit organization of wineries whose mission is to promote agri-tourism and to create a premiere wine destination and grape-growing region while promoting Pennsylvania wines from the region. For more information about it, visit www.LehighValleyWineTrail.com.
A row of grapes at Black River Farms, a vineyard and winery located in Lower Saucon Township. Solar panels provide energy for the farm, which is a business with a focus on sustainability.
The vineyard at Black River Farms is inconspicuous from the winery’s main entrance on Black River Road, but actually occupies nearly 9 acres of land near Rt. 378.
