The Pennsylvania Wine Society is excited to present one of Pennsylvania’s best newer wineries as our very first event of the year with Kevin Danna, owner and wine maker, presenting. This event is being held on Sunday afternoon, January 28th at 2:00 p.m. at the Hilton Harrisburg.

Binah Winery, located in the Lehigh Valley area has wine awards from PA competitions as well as Finger Lakes International Wine & Spirits, Los Angeles International Wine Competition and Jewish Link Wine Guide, who also awarded Kevin Danna the 2023 Innovator Award.

Kevin’s philosophy on wine making follows: “My mission is to not only offer you handcrafted fine wine, but to bring it to you from real artisans, wrapped in the package of dependable quality, exceptional service, and accessibility. These ingredients combine to form an experience that is truly divine.”

Binah selects grapes grown in the cool-climate mid-Atlantic region. Wines are produced using traditional European-style winemaking methods. The winery offers a wide variety spanning the premium to ultra-premium categories.

Kevin selected a number of his best wines for us to experience. We will start with his 2021 Blanc de Blancs as a greeting wine. Made from 100% Chardonnay grown in Chester County, this sparkling wine adopts the old-school method of the Champagne houses where the wines do not undergo malolactic fermentation. Because the wine retains its natural acidity from the grapes, there is greater aging potential and crispness on the palate.

Kevin’s presentation starts with several white wines and will be accompanied by a small plate offering of Oiishi Shrimp Ceviche and Taro Chips. The first wine selected is his 2021 Aura – a sparkling rosé made from Adams County-grown Chambourcin.

All Binah sparkling wines are produced in the traditional méthode champenoise, which Kevin learned from vintner Brad Knapp during his tenure at Pinnacle Ridge Winery when, for a time, Kevin was assistant winemaker.

The next three white offerings are: 2021 Grűner Veltliner, 2022 dry Riesling and 2022 unoaked Chardonnay. Binah’s Grüner Veltliner is one of only a few certified-kosher offerings of the varietal produced in the world. Outside of its native Austria, the grape variety, a cousin of Sauvignon Blanc, is rather rare with only a few hundred acres or so of it planted in the US. Binah’s Grüner is produced from grapes grown on a small family farm in the heart of Berks County in the Lehigh Valley AVA.

The whites are followed by five reds and there will be a small plate offering of Gnocchi, Sundried Tomato Bolognese with Pecorino.  First will be a dry 2022 Rosé, a New Jersey appellation wine and Binah’s only out-of-state-grown offering of the 2022 vintage. Reds include 2020 Chambourcin, 2020 Chambourcin Reserve, 2020 Radiance (a light Bordeaux blend) and complete the evening with 2020 Cabernet Franc.

Please inform us of any food allergies well in advance in the notes section of your reservations or email the treasurer with concerns.

We look forward to seeing you to celebrate the start of a wonderful new year of outstanding wine events!  Reservation deadline is Tuesday, January 23rd.

   Member —$75

   Patron —$70

   Nonmember —$95

For Reservations go to the Shoppe Page on the PWS website - https://pawinesociety.org/shoppe