The Franklin County Visitors Bureau started 2022 by launching the Franklin County Pour Trail to highlight beer, cider, wine, and distilled spirits in and around Franklin County PA. The trail kicked off during IceFest 2022 and featured sixteen breweries, wineries, and distilleries. To connect fans of locally crafted spirits, Franklin County Visitors Bureau is offering a Pour Trail Bus Tour on September 17, 10:45 AM to 6:30 PM.
The tour organizes at the Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center, located on the southwest portion of the Chambersburg square. Participants enjoy finger foods in the Visitors Center, pick-up a goody bag, and receive a Pour Trail Passport. The Passport is a fun way to collect Pour Trail prizes, such as t-shirts, hats, and stickers. Visit the stops along the Pour Trail, make purchases, and save the receipts. Each dollar spent equals one point. For example, a purchase of $25 equals 25 points. With sixteen stops, points add up quickly. As a bonus, all participants of the Pour Trail Bus Tour receive 100 points.
Tickets for the day-long excursion are $75/person and include a German meal at Renfrew’s Oktoberfest as well as fifteen samples of Pour Trail beverages and a signature cocktail.
The tour begins in Chambersburg with tastings at Jan Zell Winery in Jim’s Country Market, GearHouse Brewing Co., and Liquid Art—formerly Roy Pitz. Next stop is Waynesboro, where participants will have a German meal at Renfrew’s Annual Oktoberfest where they will also have a chance to try Rough Edges seasonal Lederhosen Mentality-Oktoberfest beer, then a tasting at 633 Brewing. The tour heads to Mercersburg and the James Buchanan Pub for a signature cocktail in the Beer Garden. The Pub is the boyhood home of 15th American President James Buchanan. The tour wraps up at Cold Spring Hollow Distillery, also in Mercersburg, with a special tasting of distilled spirits.
Tickets for the Pour Trail Bus Tour are available online here or by contacting the Franklin County Visitors Bureau at 866.646.8060. Seating on the bus is limited to 52.
Are you missing your favorite winery? There’s nothing like sitting outside on a warm afternoon with the sun shining down on you as you sample a flight of crisp, sweet summer wines or a bottle of your favorite full bodied delight while enjoying a charcuterie of cheeses, meats and seasonal fruits with live music in the background as friends and families relax after a long week!
That’s one of my favorite ways to spend a weekend afternoon with my family and I’ve come up with a way to bring that sweet winery experience to your own home for a little relaxation in the sun while safely bringing in all those warm “afternoon on a vineyard” vibes!
Some of our local wine and cider makers are releasing their seasonal blends and old favorites for you to order online and pick-up curbside so you can bring the local taste home! Chambersburg local JanZell Wines makes it easy to pick your favorite vino by visiting www.janzellwines.com and selecting their pick up option. Their sweet, Spring Fling wine is a local favorite and perfectly paired with seasonal fruits such as strawberries and delectable cheeses! Maybe you enjoy the smooth taste of the South Mountain? Adams County Winery is also offering online ordering and curbside pick-up. Try a bottle of their latest release, Hibiscus Riesling by ordering online at www.adamscountywinery.com.
Now you’re ready to put together that charcuterie! You don’t need to be a culinary master to make it happen. Grab an old cutting board or platter and load it up with all your favorites! You can grab artisan cheeses, crackers, pre-cut meats and fruits from The Butcher Shoppe in Chambersburg or take a scenic drive to downtown Waynesboro’s farmers market and grab some unique cheeses from Faerie Springs Farm to add to your plate. We’re thinking their Lemon & Honey Chevre Cheese would be an excellent addition to your board.
Now it’s time to create your vineyard experience! Grab a large blanket and lay it out under your favorite tree or sunny spot! Grab your wine and a few glasses, that delicious charcuterie filled with local delights and you’ve almost got it all ready! But what about the music? Just grab your wireless speaker and check out our local music spotlight section on our homepage, turn up the volume and get that live music feeling with some of our very own local talent. Perhaps you have a favorite band you enjoy seeing especially in the summertime? A lot of artists have their full concerts available for streaming! My personal summer favorite is the Dave Matthews Band and it’s easy to get that summer concert feel by streaming last summer’s full Jiffy Lube Live concert for free on YouTube! Just turn it up, grab a treat, sip that wine and you’ve got all the summer vineyard feels right at home in your own back yard. This is such a fun way to create a little staycation while also supporting our local businesses while we safely stay at home together.
