For my first blog post of 2021, I would like to salute Setter Ridge Vineyards, a surprise treasure that my husband and I discovered on our way back from our Finger Lakes trip in September. Named for the owners’ beloved English Setters, Setter Ridge delivers French-inspired wine in the fertile hills of Kutztown, Pa. Indeed, its location was specially chosen by winery founder Richard Blair because of its resemblance to the hillsides of central France. And what a spectacular sight indeed – a panorama of rolling hills, rich farmlands, and ripe vineyards.
Setter Ridge offers a self-guided tasting of 4 wine samples for $10 which includes a souvenir glass. Reservations are $15 but the fee is refunded via a gift card. Our semi-sweet palates relished the 2015 Gewurztaminer, the Setter Ridge White with its nectarine notes and Lovers Leap with its strong grapefruit finish, all of which were very reasonably priced.
Setter Ridge’s airy, contemporary tasting room opens out to an appealing, covered porch area that is both pet and family friendly and offers live music and food trucks in warm weather. That afternoon my husband and I were lucky enough to catch the captivating Jules Marie whose passionate voice enthralled us with a variety of styles from Guns and Roses to Adele.
That afternoon was a magical mix of beauty, great food, excellent wines and fantastic entertainment and as we enter the cold days of winter, I often catch myself thinking back to that wonderful day at Setter Ridge.