When I am with any of my other wine writer friends, a sure fire way to impress is to pull out a bottle of Galen Glen. Located in Andreas, Pennsylvania, Sarah Rhodes-Troxell, winemaker, and husband Galen Troxel, produce some stellar wines. None is more stunning or prize-worthy than their Gruner Veltliner.
Galen and Sarah established the winery in 1995 when they purchased the Troxell family double century farm from Galen’s father. Galen, a mechanical engineer and 6th generation farmer, and Sarah, a chemist, traded in corporate careers to grow grapes and launch the winery. The 7th generation to farm their land, daughter Erin, has returned to Galen Glen as head of the winegrowing team. Scientifically and culturally relevant, with a tenacious sustainable focus, Erin is a momentous commitment to the future and has already begun to leave her mark.
So it was, when fellow wine scribe Robin Swan Shreeves produced a bottle one night after a busy day of wine tasting. She had procured an open bottle form the Pennsylvania wine competition, from which she had just returned. Several of us, late at night, eagerly held out our glasses.
The Galen Glen Gruner Veltliner 2019 was amazing. According to Jancis Robinson, "Grüner Veltliner means literally 'green grape from the village of Veltlin in the Tirol." This was a big, perfume-y citrus bomb with lime, lemon and grapefruit. Hints of nectarine. The grapefruit just explodes. Also love the shock of white pepper. at the end. Absolutely stellar.
One of the best wineries on the eastcoast! Love that they are from Pennsylvania.
Super, super wine.
Congrats all!