Wally Wine Fest Returns To Lake Wallenpaupack Wally Wine Fest returns to The Waterfront at Silver Birches, June 5-7. The indoor/outdoor event on the shores of Lake Wallenpaupack offers three jam-packed days of sampling, shopping and soaking in the scenery. Visitors may enjoy sips from more than 100 domestic and international labels, a varied marketplace of artisan goods and live music on two stages. Festivities kick off on Friday, June 5 with a Platinum Wine Dinner at The Settlers Inn. The Live Fire Dinner in Grant’s Woods features a five-course barbecue feast created by celebrity guest chef, Chad Rosenthal. The charismatic chef is a regular on the Food Network with appearances on “Food Network Star,” “Grill Masters” and most recently, “24 in 24.” Chad also has the distinction of being the only person to “Beat Bobby Flay” three times in all his appearances on the eponymously named show. Chad is an accomplished chef and restaurateur whose Philadelphia eatery, Mary, makes one of the Top 15 steaks in the city according to the “Philadelphia Inquirer.” Guests will take a seat in the open-air woodland diningvenue and watch Chef Chad prepare the feast in the outdoor kitchen. Each course is paired with a curated selection from Kobrand Wine and Spirits. Jody Jackman, a seasoned wine and spirits professional with Breakthru Beverage will guide guests through each selection, sharing regional history, winemaking insight and pairing perspective. A $200 Platinum Ticket allows access to the Live Fire Dinneras well as entry to Wally Wine Fest on Saturday, June 6. Wally Wine Fest shifts to Silver Birches Resort on Saturday and Sunday where visitors will have the opportunity to sample vintages from more than 100 domestic and international labels. Wineries from as far away as New Zealand, Italy, France, Napa Valley and the Pacific Northwest are represented. Novice wine enthusiasts will have the opportunity to sample a variety of pours and discover which wine suits their palate. Wine connoisseurs will relish the opportunity to interact one-on-one with wine makers, restauranteurs and sommeliers who are knowledgeable in flavor profiles, can discuss the differences among wine, grapes and varietals, plus point out the notes to be enjoyed for each. Bottles of every wine featured are available for sale. With prices ranging from $10-$100, there’s something to match every taste and budget. An indoor and outdoor marketplace will overflow with fine food, gift items and decor fit for wine lovers– all available for purchase. Visitors may shop offerings from places such as Bellissima Eclectic Apparel, A Girl’s Gotta Spa and Kryzan Design offering hand-poured candles in a variety of scents including some wine-inspired selections. A Silent Auction benefits Lake Wallenpaupack’s Fourth of July Fireworks and features overnight stays at some of the area’s finest accommodations plus gift cards to local restaurants and businesses. Golf and spa packages, as well asboat and paddle board rentals, are also up for grabs. Satellite events at other Hawley area venues extend the Wally Wine Fest celebration. The Settlers Inn will offer a Bubbly Brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Visitors may savor a brunch menu, live music and a tasting flight of sparkling wine. Glass-wine.bar.kitchen at Ledges Hotel will host a Tour de France French Wine Dinner on Saturday night while the deck at The Dock on Wallenpaupack is the setting for an Italia al Fresco Wine Dinner on Friday evening. Wally Wine Fest at Silver Birches runs from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday and 1-4 p.m. on Sunday. Everyone who attends receives a commemorative wine glass. Admission is $40 in advance or $50 at the door and includes 15 sampling tickets. The sampling tickets may be exchanged for wine tastings. A $75 VIP admission allows entry to the festival one hour early and 25 sampling tickets. The $200 Platinum admission price offers early entry, increases the sampling tickets to 25 and includes a seat at the Live Fire Dinner at The Settlers Inn on June 5. Admission for designated drivers is $20. Tickets are available at wallywinefest.com
Settlers Hospitality to Host Wally Wine Fest One of the most anticipated rites of spring in the Pocono Mountains returns to Lake Wallenpaupack, April 8-10. Wally Wine Fest spotlights a multitude of domestic and international brands from wine regions around the world. Festivities kick off on Friday, April 8 as The Settlers Inn hosts a Tuscan Dinner featuring Banfi Wines. On Saturday and Sunday, Silver Birches overflows with wine tastings, food pairings, seminars and a marketplace. Purchase tickets for one of three seated wine tastings on Saturday and Sunday. During the two-hour sessions, attendees will be seated at communal tables to enjoy four small plate tasting courses accompanied by three wine samples per tasting. Ticket holders will select their top three sampling choices from eight different wines for each course. Settlers Hospitality Sommelier, Claude Briere personally chose the featured wines, which include domestic and international labels. Tastings are scheduled from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., 2-4 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. each day. A Bubbly Brunch at The Settlers Inn on Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 am. to 2:30 p.m. adds a bit of sparkle to the festival. Visitors may savor a prix fixe brunch menu, live music and a tasting flight of sparkling wine. Wine seminars all weekend let attendees delve into pours from across the globe. The schedule includes sessions such as Explore High Altitude Wines with Argentina’s Capeta Zapata, Debate the King of Italian Reds: Brunello vs Super Tuscans and Australia vs California Challenge. Seminars are scheduled for Saturday at 11:30 a.m., 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. as well as Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Sessions range from $35- $50 per person. “We pour our hearts and souls into Wally Wine Fest each year to make it dynamic and engaging for visitors,” states Justin Genzlinger, CEO/Owner, Settlers Hospitality. “It’s gratifying to see the way people have embraced the event and anticipate its arrival every spring. We are thrilled to present such high caliber wineries and make these fabulous vintages accessible to both the novice wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs.” Bottles of every wine featured will be available for sale. Prices range from $10-$100. Fine food, gift items and decor fit for wine lovers overflow at The Marketplace. Visitors may shop offerings from places such as Art on the Edge, which features home/wine décor. The Silent Auction benefits Lake Wallenpaupack’s fireworks display and features overnight stays at area accommodations plus gift cards to local restaurants and businesses. Golf and spa packages, as well as boat and paddle board rentals, are also up for grabs. Live entertainment rounds out the weekend-long festivities. Everyone who attends the festival at Silver Birches receives a commemorative wine glass. General admission is $60 in advance and $75 at the door. Designated drivers may attend for $30. A $200 platinum ticket includes the Tuscan Dinner featuring Banfi Wines at The Settlers Inn on April 8. For $125, guests may attend the Tuscan Dinner only. Visit wallywinefest.com to purchase tickets. Visitors may opt to stay over and take advantage of a $199 Sunday Night Lodging Special offered at the Hawley properties of Settlers Hospitality. Special thanks to Champagne Level event sponsors Silver Birches Resort, Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, E. & J. Gallo Winery and Bold Gold Media Group, as well as Cabernet Level sponsors, AM Skier Insurance. Organizers also acknowledge the participation of Rose Level sponsorsThe Dime Bank, Wayne Bank, Chant Realtors and Lighthouse Harbor Marina. Settlers Hospitality would also like to thank local sponsors Moka Origins, Lake Region IGA and Adams Outdoor.
Go Globe Trotting at Wally Wine Fest It may not be possible to travel far right now, but during Wally Wine Fest you can take your taste buds on a tantalizing journey across the globe. The three-day event in Hawley, April 9-11, features a vast array of domestic and international brands from wine regions around the world. Guest Chef Nok Suntaranon will bring A Taste of Thailand to The Settlers Inn on April 9 for a dinner paired with J. Lohr wines to kick off Wally Wine Fest weekend. Chef Nok has garnered numerous accolades since arriving on the Philadelphia restaurant scene. She opened Kalaya Authentic Thai Kitchen in 2019, which became an overnight sensation. James Beard named Kalaya a finalist for its Best New Restaurant 2020 award and Esquire placed the eatery at number one on its list of the 23 Best New Restaurants in America. The traditional dishes of Chef Nok’s homeland will be paired with selections from J. Lohr Vineyards. Founder Jerry Lohr was a pioneer in establishing California’s Central Coast as a world-class wine growing region. The award-winning winery is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Wally Wine Fest platinum ticket holders enjoy entry to the J. Lohr Thai Wine Dinner as well as one tasting session during the weekend. Tickets may be purchased for one of three seated wine tasting sessions offered on both Saturday and Sunday at The Waterfront at Silver Birches. During the two-hour sessions, attendees will enjoy four small plate tasting courses accompanied by three wine samples per tasting. Ticket holders will select their top three sampling choices from eight different wines for each course. Settlers Hospitality Sommelier, Claude Briere, has personally chosen the featured wines, which include domestic and international labels. Tastings are scheduled from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., 2-4 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. each day. Tables may be reserved for groups from two to 10 people. A Champagne Brunch at The Settlers Inn on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am. To 2:30 p.m. adds a bit of sparkle to the festival. Visitors may savor a prix fixe brunch menu, live music and a tasting flight of three French champagnes including Veuve Clicquot. Wine seminars all weekend let attendees brush up on a classic pairing- wine and cheese. The 90 Point Wine and Cheese Seminar will feature pours rated 90 or better by Wine Spectator along with a selection of imported cheeses. Sommelier Luciana Nunez will lead the seminars, which are scheduled for Saturday at 1 and 3 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. The cost is $50 per person. “Each year we really try to raise the bar and challenge ourselves to bring a new dynamic to Wally Wine Fest,” explains Justin Genzlinger, CEO/Owner, Settlers Hospitality. “It’s the caliber of wine and variety of experiences that make this the premier wine festival in the Pocono Mountains. The adjustments we’ve made for social distancing really enhance the enjoyment of the tastings and it’s accompanied by truly wonderful cuisine.” Bottles of every wine featured will be available for sale. Prices range from $10-$100. Fine food, gift items and decor fit for wine lovers overflow at The Marketplace. Visitors may shop offerings from places such as Art on the Edge, which features home/wine décor. The Silent Auction benefits Lake Wallenpaupack’s fireworks display and features overnight stays at some of the area’s finest accommodations plus gift cards to local restaurants and businesses. Golf and spa packages, as well as boat and paddle board rentals, are also up for grabs. Live entertainment rounds out the weekend-long festivities. Everyone who attends the festival at Silver Birches receives a commemorative wine glass. General admission is $50 per person. Designated drivers may attend for $25. A $195 platinum ticket includes the Taste of Thailand Dinner at The Settlers Inn on April 9. For $125, visitors may attend the Taste of Thailand Dinner only. Visit wallywinefest.com to purchase tickets. Special thanks to Champagne Level event sponsors Silver Birches Resort, Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, E. & J. Gallo Winery and Bold Gold Media Group, as well as Cabernet Level sponsors, AM Skier Insurance and BMW. Organizers also acknowledge the participation of Sauvignon Blanc Level sponsor Adams Outdoor, Lewith and Freeman Real Estate and Guaranteed Rate. Rose Level sponsors include Honesdale National Bank, The Dime Bank, Wayne Bank, Chant Realtors, Lighthouse Harbor Marina, Lake Region IGA and Dakan Construction. Settlers Hospitality would also like to thank local sponsors Clemleddy Construction and Moka Origins.
