When it comes to the holidays, I am always three steps ahead of everyone. I have a lot on my plate so I make sure to get my gifts, wine, and recipes ready well before the holiday rush. One might argue that the rush has already begun, which means you should take advantage of what is going on in Bucks County this week to help you prepare for the holidays.
Where to get wine? Skip the crowded liquor stores this season and check out some local vineyards and wineries in Bucks County. Most wineries have holiday hours, available tours, gift baskets, the ability to shop and buy online, and many diverse wine varieties. The holiday season isn’t quite complete without a good bottle of wine, and why not stock up now?
Vivat Alfa Winery may be one of Bucks County’s newest wineries but wine grower Rich Adamek has 30+ years of tending vines and making wine in his former home, Czechoslovakia. The wine is getting great reviews (look for a coming article from Bucks County Taste) and is conveniently just north of Doylestown, on Stump Road right off of Route 313.- Buckingham Valley Vineyards Looking for a unique gift? Buckingham Valley Vineyards also do custom label printing. There’s over two dozen varieties of wine ranging from very dry to very sweet. Located in Buckingham on Route 413.
- Crossing Vineyards and Winery Besides wine, Crossing also has a lovely shop where you can get wine and cheese gift baskets, Riedel glassware and other wine accoutrements. Check out their selection of special release and private reserve wines, available in limited quantities. Located in Washington Crossing on Wrightstown Road.
- New Hope Winery has over 27 different wine varietals, including seasonal fruit wines, reds and whites and blush wine. They’ve also got a great shop with perfect gifts for wine lovers. Located in New Hope on Route 202.
- Peace Valley Winery has medal-winning wines, dry and sweet, and a seasonal winter wine that will be released later this week. Their holiday hours are Monday through Saturday, from 10 am – 6 pm, and Sunday, 12-6pm. Located in Chalfont.
- Wycombe Vineyards offers a large collection of European reds and whites, a dessert wine, and a holiday spiced wine as well. Their winery hours are Friday and Saturday, 11 am – 6 pm, and Sunday from 12 – 5 pm. Located in Furlong on Forest Grove Road.
- Unami Ridge Winery is also a fairly new winery, opening in 2010 (vines were planted in 2005). Wine grower Jim Jenks has realized a life-long passion in his retirement although his ever-patient wife, Kathy, says it’s a “hobby gone amok.” Nevertheless, they are handcrafting some nice wine in Upper Bucks County. Stop by their tasting room and pick up a few bottles.
For more information about other Bucks County wineries and their locations, see the Bucks County Wine Trail website.
Hamilton’s Grill Room is well-known for their ever-changing menu. Now, in addition to all their great seafood and steaks from the grill, you can get wood-fired brick oven pizza on Tuesdays through Thursdays from 6-9 pm this month. Toppings change daily. Every Thursday evening listen to live entertainment by Devin Mastrich on the keyboard.
Also at Hamilton’s this week, on December 8 at 6:30 pm, there is another one of Jim Hamilton’s Atelier Cooking Classes, which you might have read about in October. This Tuesday, come for the “The Elegant Holiday Party” with Chef Max Hansen, who will demonstrate how to create holiday party pizzazz with hors d’oeuvres. You’ll get the step-by-step open kitchen demonstration, followed by a four-course dinner. Mr. Hamilton presents a guest chef each month highlighting local restaurants and farms. This event is $65 per person inclusive. Contact judybrklyn@gmail.com or call 917.499.1975 to reserve.
A full year’s worth of FREE empanadas?! Empanada Mama in Doylestown is holding their 2nd Annual Holiday Toy Drive. Bring in an unwrapped toy for a teenage boy or girl before December 21 and enter to win $300 worth of empanadas (yes, that’s a lot of empanadas, but no one says you have to share).
Want a unique gift for the foodie in your life (or yourself)? Get a Bucks County Taste Dinner Club gift certificate! Email us at info@BucksCountyTaste.com to purchase.
We’ve got three great events coming up in the New Year:
Sunday: January 17, 2016: “Meet the Farmer” Dinner at the Golden Pheasant Inn. Enjoy a delicious, locally sourced dinner and meet the local farmers who make it happen.
February, 2016 (Date TBD): Caffé Galleria in Lambertville, known for their diverse, Mediterranean-inspired menu, including great vegetarian and vegan option, will host this event, probably in early February.
Saturday, February 27, 2016: The Hotel du Village in New Hope (just north of town) has reopened as an event venue under new ownership. They have beautifully restored the Hotel, including the inn. Join us as we recreate some of the most favorite dishes from the “old” Hotel du Village restaurant. Make it even more fun and stay the night at the Inn (packages available).
Click here to join the Bucks County Taste Dinner Club email list.
For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County, or click the “continue reading” link below.
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Monday, December 7:
- Burger Night – Wycombe Publick House, 1073 Mill Creek Road, Wycombe, PA [4 – 10 pm]
- Lambertville Local Love – Lambertville House, 32 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ [5 – 9 pm]
- Locals Night – Caleb’s American Kitchen, U.S. 202, New Hope, PA [5 – 10 pm]
- Chef’s Choice Prix Fixe – Hearth, 7 East Ferry Street New Hope, PA [5 – 10 pm]
- Monday Night Mexican & Blues Night – Fran’s Pub, 116 South Main Street, New Hope, PA [5:30 – 10 pm]
- Monday Wine Special plus Surf & Turf – Yardley Inn, 82 E. Afton Ave., Yardley, PA [5:30 – 10 pm]
- Half Price Burgers Night – Continental Tavern, 2 North Main Street Yardley, PA [6 – 10 pm]
- All You Can Eat Wings – Fireside Smokehouse, 237 Elmwood Ave, Feasterville, PA [7 – 10 pm]
Tuesday, December 8:
- Cheese Steak Night – Wycombe Publick House, 1073 Mill Creek Road, Wycombe, PA [4 – 10 pm]
- All You Can Eat Crabs Legs & Trivia Night – Fran’s Pub, 116 South Main Street, New Hope, PA [4:30 – 6:30 pm]
- Lobster Fest – The Buck Hotel, 1200 Buck Road, Feasterville-Trevose, PA [5 – 9 pm]
- Locals Nights – DeAnna’s Restaurant, 54 North Franklin Street, Lambertville, NJ [5 – 9:30 pm]
- Locals Night – Quinoa Peruvian & Mexican Restaurant, 762 North Easton Road, Doylestown, PA [5 – 10 pm]
- Locals Night – Trattoria Tiramisu, 31 South State Street, Newtown, PA [5 – 8 pm]
- All-you-can-eat Spaghetti Night – Bell’s Tavern, 183 N. Union Street, Lambertville, NJ [5 – 10 pm]
- Locals Hamburger Night – Carversville Inn, 6205 Fleecydale Road, Carversville, PA [5:30 – 11 pm]
- Sushi Night in the Wine Cellar – The Inn at Lambertville Station, 11 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ [6 – 10 pm]
- Jim Hamilton’s Atelier Cooking Class Program –Hamilton’s Grill Room, 8 Coryell Street, Lambertville, NJ [6:30 – 9:30 pm]
Wednesday, December 9:
- Community Lunch – Centenary United Methodist Church, North Union Street, Lambertville, NJ [12 – 2 pm]
- Specialty Keg Tappings – Isaac Newton’s, 18 South State Street, Newtown, PA [12 – 9 pm]
- Wings & Yuengs – Wycombe Publick House, 1073 Mill Creek Road, Wycombe, PA [4 – 10 pm]
- Locals Night – El Tule, 49 North Main Street, Lambertville, NJ [5 – 9 pm]
- Mexican Night – Taste of the World, Union Square, New Hope, PA [5 – 9 pm]
- Prime Rib Night – Temperance House, 5 South State Street, Newtown, PA [5 – 9 pm]
- Locals Nights – DeAnna’s Restaurant, 54 North Franklin Street, Lambertville, NJ [5 – 9:30 pm]
- Steak Night – Fran’s Pub, 116 South Main Street, New Hope, PA [5:30 – 10 pm]
- Relax and Un-Wine: Wine & Cheese Night – Carriage House Restaurant -Route 29, Gravel Pike, East Greenville, PA [6 – 10 pm]
- The Raven Supper Club – Poe Bistro Lounge, 385 West Bridge Street, New Hope, PA [6:30 – 10 pm]
- Rib Night – Fireside Smokehouse, 237 Elmwood Ave, Feasterville, PA [7 – 10 pm]
Thursday, December 10:
- Locals Night – Taste of the World, Union Square, New Hope, PA [2:30 – 3:30 pm]
- Community Hero Night – Wycombe Publick House, 1073 Mill Creek Road, Wycombe, PA [4 – 10 pm]
- Prime Rib Night – Steam Pub, 606 2nd Street Pike, Southampton, PA [4 – 10 pm]
- Happy Hour Raw Bar – DeAnna’s, 54 N.Franklin Street, Lambertville, NJ [4:30 – 6:30 pm]
- Italian Night – Lovin’ Oven 62A Trenton Ave. (Route 29) Frenchtown NJ [5 – 9 pm]
- All You Can Eat Pasta or Wings Night – Fran’s Pub, 116 South Main Street, New Hope, PA [5:30 – 10 pm]
- Locals Night – Trattoria Tiramisu, 31 South State Street, Newtown, PA [5 – 8 pm]
- Complimentary Beer Tastings – Iron Abbey, 680 North Easton Road, Horsham, PA [7 – 9 pm]
Friday, December 11:
- Beer Tasting – Phillips’ Fine Wines, 17 Bridge St, Stockton, NJ [4 – 8 pm]
- Happy Hour Raw Bar – Deanna’s, 54 N. Franklin Street, Lambertville, NJ [4:30 – 6:30 pm]
- Spaghetti Dinner – Delaware Valley Fire Company, Headquarters Road, Erwinna, PA [5:30 – 7:30 pm]
- Prime Rib Night – Carversville Inn, 6205 Fleecydale Road, Carversville, PA [5:30 – 11 pm]
- Music, Pizza & Merlot – Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Rd., Pennington, NJ [6 – 9 pm]
- Cookie Bake Off and Book Signing with Ellen Stimson – Doylestown Bookshop, 16 South Main Street, Doylestown, PA [6:30 pm]
Saturday, December 12:
- Quakertown Farmers Market – Quakertown Farmers Market, 201 Station Road, Quakertown, PA [9 am – 9 pm]
- Wrightstown Winter Farmers Market – Wrightstown Farmers Market, 2203 2nd Street Pike, Wrightstown, PA [10 – 11 am]
- Cookies (and Wine) with Santa – Old York Cellars, 80 Old York Rd, Ringoes, NJ [12 – 5 pm]
- Wine Tasting – Stockton Fine Wines, 17 Bridge Street, Stockton, NJ [12– 6 pm]
- Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse Farm Tour – Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse, 369 Stamets Road, Milford, NJ [2 – 3 pm]
- Beer Tasting – New Hope Beverage, 6542-K1 Lower York Rd (Logan Square), New Hope, PA [3 – 7 pm]
- Music, Pizza & Merlot – Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Rd., Pennington, NJ [6 – 9 pm]
- Wine and Comedy – Old York Cellars, 80 Old York Rd, Ringoes, NJ [7:30 – 10:30 pm]
Sunday, December 13:
- Breakfast – Silverdale Fire Co, 111 Main Street, Silverdale, PA [8 am – 1 pm]
- Sunday Brunch – The Hearth, 7 East Ferry Street, New Hope, PA [9 am – 3 pm]
- Quakertown Farmers Market – Quakertown Farmers Market, 201 Station Road , Quakertown, PA [10 am – 5 pm]
- Stockton Market – 19 Bridge St., Stockton, NJ [10 am – 4 pm]
- Sunday Brunch – The Raven, 385 W. Bridge St, New Hope, PA [11 am – 3 pm]
- Cookies (and Wine) with Santa – Old York Cellars, 80 Old York Rd, Ringoes, NJ [12 – 5 pm]
- Jazzy Sundays – Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Rd., Pennington, NJ [2 – 5 pm]
For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County.
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Want to know what’s happening in Hunterdon County? See our Food Events in Hunterdon County calendar.
