By CARL LAVO
Bucks County Courier Times
January 24, 2007 7:57 AM
ROVING DINER - Pedigree means a lot when it comes to the fine wines.
The route is often paved with awards for quality wine making.
At this year's Pennsylvania Farm Show, the Pinnacle Ridge Winery of Berks County outscored all others in the annual wine competition by capturing 10 medals including four Gold Medals.
Pinnacle Ridge located outside of Kutztown in Berks County won four gold, five silver and one bronze medal for its maximum 10 entries. The awards include Best in Show for its 2005 Blanc de Blanc (Best Sparkling) and 2005 Chambourcin Reserve (Best Hybrid).
The Knapp family which owns the vineyard earned additional medals for its 2005 Brut Reserve, 2005 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine, 2005 Pinot Noir, 2005 Cayuga White, and 2005 Concord, 2005 Pinot Noir and 2005 Chardonnay.
Pinnacle Ridge, founded in 1993, is one of the few wineries in Pennsylvania known for producing what the owners consider “world-class, sparkling wines.”
Vyncrest Winery, founded in 1989 in Lehigh County, marched off with eight awards including two golds and Best Vinifera for eight wines entered.
Both wineries are a part of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail linking nine vineyards.
The only Bucks County vineyard to earn awards at this year's farm show was Crossing Vineyards established in 2000 in Washington Crossing. It won four bronze medals for its 2003 Cabernet Franc, 2004 Cabernet/Merlot, 2005 Chardonnay and 2005 Viognier.
Crossing Vineyards is part of the Bucks County Wine Trail linking eight vineyards, the most wineries of any single county in Pennsylvania. The vineyards offer wine tastings to visitors at their stores.
Pennsylvania is home to more than 70 wineries and is fifth nationally in production of wine grapes.
PINNACLE RIDGE WINERY, 407 Old Route 22, Kutztown. 610-756-4481. On the Web: www.pinridge.com
VYNCREST WINERY, 172 Arrowhead Lane, Breinigsville. 610-398-7525. Thu-Sun, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. On the Web: http://www.vynecrest.com/
CROSSING VINEYARDS, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing. Open daily noon - 6 p.m. 215-493-6500. On the Web: http://www.crossingvineyards.com/
Carl LaVO can be reached at 215-949-4227 or clavo@phillyBurbs.com