Starting up the Fall

Greetings all of you that love our winery. Thanks for being fans as long as you have and helping us through the dog days of summer. Alas the kids are going back to school the colder weather is arriving. We, like you are getting busier and busier as the fall approaches.

In the vineyard we are approaching the harvest schedule. We start with the whites and progress to the reds. We will pick, process and start the wine fermenting. First is the Pinot Blanc and Pinot Grigio, which quickly moves to Chardonnay and Sauvingnon Blanc. At this point we need to pick all the grapes before the deer and birds do, the amazing race of man and nature. We do use balloons that some how scare or deter the deer and birds. Soon after the inital picking there will new smells of fruity fermentation to start the process of the new vintages you will all soon enjoy. (soon is defined as a few years)

Sales of the paint cans are going well; we have been pushing sales in Delaware and Maryland. In Maryland Deckers in Bel Air as well as Liquor Stop have started to carry our cans. In Delaware we now have the Right Bottle in Smyrna and Smyrna Wine and Spirits. Dover Outlet Liquors (obviously in Dover) now carries the cans and in Lewes DE there is the Grog Shop. Avenue Liquor in Wilmington is the our newest store in Wilmington.

We now have a sale going on at our Winery Stores. Buy two bottles/cans for regular price and you will get 3 bottles/cans 1/2 (50%) off. What a deal, could buy a whole slue of wine for Labor Day BBQs or Parties.

**CANS AND BOTTLE SALE TO MAKE ROOM FOR HARVEST, GET TO THE SALE WHILE IT LASTS**

We have a few new wines to add to our list. A new red called Petit Verdot displays a nice earthy peppery taste that is just delightfully satisfactory. Also Detour is back on the market, thats right our dry Rose is back and tastes better than ever.

Need to get away from it all for the day, come on by our winery. Our neighbor, Schmidt's Christmas Tree Farm is using some of our land for all around fun. We now have a Corn Maze, Peddle Racers, Pumpkin Shoot, and some other activities. So what better way to take care of the kids but drop them at the entrance of the maze and tell them to start walking. This can be also done for your wife, husband, sister, brother, mom, dad, or co-workers. Then while they are in the maze's hands you can sit back and enjoy some of the wine and watch the world go by.

I myself have been through the maze and its kind of ridiculous, I did it in like 25-30 mins, so see if you can do better, you probably can I'm not the best at them but I made it. Butterflies make it nice as they flutter by and the corn just towers over you as you try to not get more lost then you are.

Or you can go on a Hay Ride and see the vineyard. All this and more can be your experience at the A-Maze-Ing Wine and Harvest Adventure. Other than that enjoy your early fall and prepare to become a Leafer and travel north to watch the leaves change. Instead come here and be a Leafer and have a glass of wine. Happy Trails.

-PDX

A Summer of Change

Greetings to all you fellow wine lovers. Sorry it has been a while since I have written a blog, been busy and lost at the same time. So without further adue the Blog...

As a first we shall tell you about the vineyard; luckily she has survived the wet weather that we have been having as of late. Our Vineyard Manager has working diligently to keep the vineyard in good health.
The grapes themselves are going through Verasion. This is when the berries change from hard green to the soft and final color. Marks the beginning of ripening. Each variety has its own unique color.
This all means that Harvest time is just around the corner. Yes harvesting, picking, processing, stomping (not that much) and creating will soon take place. Then the new vintage of wine will fall into our hands to be molded into your new favorite wine.

Now with the summer season nearing its end, we think of those days left when we can go to the beach. Can you think of a better way to celebrate these last few weeks?...I can. Our Paint Cans are now at the beach. Rehoboth and Dewey to be exact. Atlantic Liquors, Dewey Beach Liquors, and Outlet Liquors now all carry our cans. So if you want to be the coolest family on the stretch, get a paint can and you will get awkward stares and nervous laughter. However you will be drinking our Premium wine and we know your worth.

For those of you like myself who have sadly not made it to the beach yet. There is hope for you yet, if you are not able to make it to our vineyard or are taking a stay vacation, you can now find our paint cans at more local outlets. In Maryland we have pushed our sales of cans with success. State Line Liquors, Weaver's Discount Liquors, and Wesley's now carry our wine. Also we are still being sold in Fair Hill Liquors and Mills Fine Wine and Spirits (Annapolis).

Delaware is still doing well for us, Kreston's Liquor Mart and Kreston's Wine and Spirits, Village Wine and Spirits, and ABC are some of the long running vendors.
*:ATTENTION:* U of D 21 and uppers you can get our Paint Cans at Fairfield Liquors on 896 next to the Superfresh.

This weekend we look forward to seeing you at our next two concerts. The Blue Bayou plays this weekend and then the Christinia River Steel Band on the 5th of September.

Until next time we hope you have a good August, stay safe, drink well (and Responsibly), take an adventure to find a paint can and Happy Trails.

-PDX

Weeks in falling

Sorry I have not written in a while it has been crazy and busy lately.  We've been doing well with our concerts and seem to gaining popularity with each one.  We have more concerts scheduled for the rest of the summer period and as well as events coming up for the rest of the summer and the fall.

I have been doing tastings in Philadelphia for First Fridays and they have been going well.  Hopefully we will be in the state stores soon and will be able to be sold through out PA.  The Philadelphia crowd will be happy once we do.

In the vineyard we are suckering, which is like pruning for the gapes.  The good branches are directionalized so that they will grow better and develope more fruit.  While the bad branches are cut off and mulched up into nutrients.

Other than that we are working on our wines to get them better for you.  barn Red has sold out as well as Leverage and Merge, but we should have more of these for sale soon.  The Barn Red should be back out by August.  

Sorry this blog isn't that detailed still waiting to get some other info on whats going on around the winery but I will get a better blog to you later this week.

_Alex

My Own Summer

Greetings all I hope your weekend went well.  Ours was busy enough for us.

At the Winery there was a concert, well playing of Rory Sullivan, a nice bard of a guitar that plays songs for us and other wineries.  

I was in Phladelphia Friday night at Pinot Boutique doing a tasting.  It was fun there was a new artists showing his work.  Samuel Formica does wonderful paintings in mixing the ideas of abstract, impressionism, and wine.  There are images of wine and grapes i the paintings as well as corks.  I gave him some of our corks so possibly he could have a PDX painting at somepoint.  Pictures were taken by Philly2night so feel free to look at there website for Pinot Pics.  They are not up yet but will be soon.  

Our new wines at the winery seem to being going well.  We have a Muscat Ottonel that should be ready by the end of the summer.  A sherry that smells wonderful and a late harvest chardonnay that we're going to do something with.  Then later this year we shall start the port.  Most of you have tried the Merge.  The prominent grape in that is the Touriga Nationale which is one of the grapes used to make port.  We will use that as well as some other reds to make our own port. *excited*

As far as I know the grapes are doing alright in the vineyard.  Everything seems to be full of life, wonder and pollen, which is great for those of us whom have allergies.  But aif you do or don't come out and enjoy the summer.  Soon most of you with kids will have to deal with them 24 hrs a day and what better way to relax then to come by and have some wine at either of our locations. 

Also every friday at the Tasting Room in LW the Acoustic Groove Project will be playing in the evening for us.  Also Firework shows have started at Longwood Gardens.  We happen to have a wonderful vantage point for this.  So look on our website as well as Longwood Gardens to find out when they are and come by bring a friend a chair and have a glass to watch the show.

Other than that this friday I will be at Village Wine and Spirits in Middletown DE from 4 till 8 doing a tasting if anyone is in the area stop on by.  Have a good week and Happy Trails.

-Alex

Wine Women and Song

Greetings all...

This weekend was good as far as I can tell.  I was at a tasting at Hockessin Liquor on Saturday from 3 to 6.  It was actually a successful tasting, 14 bottles were sold strictly from people who tried the wine then and there.  During the tasting I met a member of a band called The Collingwood.  They are progressive rock alternative if I can say that as a genre.  Hopefully we will be able to get them into a show at some point.  

Speaking of shows, starting every friday night at the Tasting Room in Longwood there will be live jazz.  The Acoustic Groove Project is a group that has played a few times for us and they will continue to.  Also there will a concert this weekend at the winery.  Check website for details.

This week we started some new wines this week; Muscat Ottonel (The long awaited), A Sherry, and a Late Chardonnay.  So this week I have to check the fermentation, temperatures, and overall wineness (makes me feel special).  

Sales in Maryland have been going well.  Fair Hill Liquors has picked up our cans, yield, chardonnay, pinot grigio, and viognier.  Capenter Street Saloon in St. Michaels still has our cans as their house wine.  Key Lime Cafe in the same town is picking up our Viognier.

Friday night in Philadelphia I am doing another Wine Tasting at Pinot Boutique  on 227 Market Street.  From about 6 to 9ish  the whole street lights up with freebies and an aura of community so stop out if you like.

Other than that have a good one.

-Alex

Rainy Days

Greetings all, hope your Memorial Day went well.  The Flavor Fest in Manheim wasn't as busy as last year but still a fun event.  With the beer, food, entertainment, the people, and of course the wine.  Hopefully next year will be better.  We sold like 25 cans and maybe a case of wine.  People said they liked us more then alot of others but it is always curious to why they won't buy after that statement.  

So to help us along this year, anyone who loves our wine (assuming all of you do) ask your favortie restaurants to give us a call or to look us up on the internet.  Then get back to me or the info site and email your wishes.  Soon we can have wine everywhere.  Hpefully we will once our new website goes up and if we can get the state of PA to start carrying our wine in the state stores

This saturday is once again another concert I believe, check our website to see who.  Also Saturday at some point (either 12-5 or 5-9) I will be at Hockessin Liquors doing a tasting.  So feel free to come one by and hi.  

If any other magical events arise I will let you know.  Enjoy

-Alex 

Elavator Music

Sorry I didn't get back to all of you about the turn out of the events.  It was a busy week and then I was on vacation in wonderful Boston.  I brought a few of the cans with me and as far as I can tell with whom got to see them they were well liked.  At the winery there was a wedding of a couple of friends of the winery.  

This week should be interesting.  We have an event down in Aberdeen MD on Wednesday.  Its a sort of trade show I believe.  If anyone is in the area feel free to stop by.  

Also this weekend is Flavor Fest which os held at Mt. Hope in Manheim (The PA Renn Fair for those of you who do not know where MT. Hope is) and it should be a pretty good event.  I didn't go last year but I herad it was fun.  Basically it is composed of local wineries, restaurans, and local produce.  As well as speakers, musical delights, and all around fun.  It is 17 for adults and 7 for kids per day.  So if you find yourself bored this weekend feel free to come by.  

Also at the winery the tasting room is open every Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 5.  

Thursday I believe I will be doing sales in MD and DE so maybe you'll see me.  Maybe we can start a Spot Alex and get a free glass of wine or something...

Have a good week.

-Alex

Wine to the Masses

Well as far as I can tell we had a successful weekend.  I haven't gotten all the numbers but I will let you know soon.  

Friday night was a little slow at Village Wine and Spirits in Middletown DE.  There was a demand for our Leverage though.  So that means that they will be carrying that by the end of next week.  The demand for win is growning in the southern reaches of my sales so thats cool.

Saturday was a busy day of Mowing, weed wacking, and preparing for the Bud Bash.  Luckily I got to leave and go to a tasting at ABC Liquors in Bear DE.  It was a little bit of a success I think people now realize that our wine is in the area and that it is good.  Now if they could handle paying for premium wines we would have more success.  ABC will soon be bringing in our Pinot Grigio and Pail Pink.

The Bud Bash from what I've heard went well and there were a lot of empty bottles and cans when I came back at the end of the day.  The fire took a while to start but when it picked up it went well with the overall atmosphere.  

Sunday was ridiculous for a short time at the Willowdale Steeplechase.  It was cool from what I could see out of my little niche in the tent.  Aside from almost blowing away we sold out of our first wave of whitewash and barn red.  Richard had to run off to get more, which ironically we didn't sell.  It seemed like a success overall for the day and it was an overall fun event.

As far as I heard for the Mother's Day Event at the Winery and at the Participating Restaurants Mother's Day was a lot of fun for everyone.  I will get the specs to you when I get them myself.  And until we cyberspace again...

-Alex

The First of Many

Greetings all fans of Paradocx Vineyard;

My name is Alex Karat and I do sales, deliveries, and winery assisting at PDX.  I am a fresh college graduate and trying to figure out the world and get by in it.  So I will be writing this blog a few times a week just to let all of you know what is going on at or related to the winery.

I guess for news as of yet starting tomorrow you can find our Paint Cans in St. Michaels at the Carpenter Street Saloon.  Also I will be doing a wine tasting tomorrow evening at Village Wine and Spirits in Middleton Delaware from 4 till 9 or 10.  So if anyone is in the area or just bored come on by to one of the new locations that now sells PDX wine.

If anyone would like to see PDX wine in your area either look at the website (www.paradocx.com) to find a local venue or go out to your favorite liquor stores or restaurants and inquire about us.  Granted most of them will not be carrying our wine, but with you asking for it it could spark an interest of that said store or eatery.  If you could as well send an email or message to me (alkarat@operamail.com) I will try and contact them.  Then quite possibly there will be PDX wine closer to you.  However we would still love you to come by either of our tasting rooms.

With all this rain is been hard to try and set up for our upcoming events this weekend.  So most of my time has been related to sales and setting up tastings.  The buds on the vine are starting to come more and more everyday.  To celebrate this we are having our annual Bud Bash this Saturday.  (Bud as in flowers not the beer...) So feel free to come by with your friends and family to enjoy the renewing of life at the vineyard.  There will be a tasting, bon fire, music I believe, and depending on the water condition possibly even a hay ride.

Also that day I will be doing a tasting at ABC Liquors in Bear, Delaware from 1 to 5 or so.  Feel free to come by for some wine and the atmosphere of a different liquor store.  

Sunday for Mother's Day allows for a few different possibilities.  At the winery we are having a special tasting with a cheese, croissant, and chocolate tasting to pair with the wine.  Also with that whole day you may buy a package deal that includes a little gift for your favorite mom as well as a special glass.  With this glass you may take it to either Bistro on the Brandywine in Chadds Ford, PA, Blue Crab Grill and Home Grown Cafe both in Newark, DE.  You can show up and have lunch or dinner and if you show them the PDX glass you will get your first glass of wine on us.  Make sure to call the restaurants ahead of time to see if there is space and also mention the PDX Mom's Day wine.

Also Sunday in Willowdale there is a Steeplechase that I will be serving wine at for the day.  I believe it runs from 12-5 so once again if your bored feel free to come by.

Other than that as far as events you can see its a busy weekend.  I will write again Monday or Tuesday to tell you all how the weekend went.  See you there.....

-Alex

Paradocx Vineyard & State Rep. Thomas Hougton Celebrate National Ag Day

Paradocx Vineyard and PA State Representative Thomas Houghton Celebrate National Agriculture Day
On Friday, March 20, 2009, in recognition of the 36th Annual National Agriculture Day, Paradocx Vineyard Co-owners, Mark Harris and David Hoffman, hosted the Honorable Pennsylvania State Representative Thomas Houghton for a tour of the winery. We were delighted to be able to show Rep. Houghton around our winery, tasting room and vineyard, and were pleased to hear that Rep. Houghton, who sits on the PA Agriculture Committee in the House of Representatives , is open to our thoughts on making farming in PA more viable and sustainable.

In Pennsylvania, agriculture is the leading industry, with 58,105 farms and 7.7 million acres of farmland, and products that have earned a worldwide reputation for quality.[1] Paradocx Vineyard is situated on 100 acres of farmland, 30 of which are under grape vines, and produces 150 tons of grapes and 5,000 cases of wine annually. So support of agriculture in the state is extremely important to us!

We were proud to participate in National Agriculture Day and look forward to working with Rep. Houghton in the future!

1: http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/papreferred/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=140045