LaBelle Winery in Amherst, N.H., Releases First Wines Produced From Grapes Grown On-Site, Amherst Vineyard Red Earns 3 Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2017

CONTACT:
Michelle Thornton
Director of Marketing
LaBelle Winery
345 Route 101
Amherst, NH 03031
(603) 672-9898
michelle@LaBelleWinery.com
LaBelleWinery.com

Amherst, N.H. – LaBelle Winery in Amherst, N.H., has recently released two new wine varieties: Amherst Vineyard Red and Amherst Vineyard White, the first wines produced exclusively from grapes grown in The Vineyard at LaBelle Winery.

LaBelle’s vines, which were five-years-old at the time of the winery’s harvest in October 2015, and which produced Amherst Vineyard Red and Amherst Vineyard White, were planted in 2012 as two-year-old plants.

LaBelle Winery’s Vintage Club members, alongside winery staff led by Winemaker and co-owner Amy LaBelle, co-owner and Cellar Master Cesar Arboleda and Vineyard Manager John Temchack, performed the harvest. The grapes were healthy, plump and abundant in spite of 2015’s dry summer conditions and the harsh 2014 winter. It was a fun and joyous morning of harvesting that included a post-harvest brunch celebration in the wine cellar.

In early March 2017, Amherst Red earned three prestigious prizes in the 2017 Best of New England Wine Competition, which showcases grape and fruit wines, cider, mead and fruit brandies made with 100 percent New England-grown products. The wine was named Best Red in New England, Double Gold, and Best in New Hampshire.

The wines’ beautiful labels, created by New Hampshire designer Wookie Jones, represent the cool October morning of the harvest. Amherst Vineyard Red’s label features co-owner and Winemaker Amy LaBelle holding the very first picked grape cluster of the 2015 harvest.

Vintage Club members were the first to enjoy a tasting of the newly released wines during a celebration held after the 2016 harvest, which took place last October.

Amherst Vineyard Red and Amherst Vineyard White are each made from a blend of the grape varieties grown at LaBelle Winery. Amherst Vineyard Red is crafted from red varietals including Noiret, Chancellor and Petite Pearl. Amherst Vineyard White includes the white varietals Cayuga, Petite Amie and Seyval Blanc. Amherst Vineyard Red is aged in French oak barrels.

Recommended pairings for Amherst Vineyard Red include beef dishes, bold cheeses and charcuterie. Amherst Vineyard White pairs well with seafood and chicken dishes and Asian cuisine.

Although the first bottling of Amherst Vineyard Red has sold out, the 2016 vintage will be ready for bottling late this summer.

Amherst Vineyard White is currently available for purchase for $19.99 a bottle at LaBelle Winery. Amherst Vineyard White is also being served at The Bistro at LaBelle Winery.

LaBelle Winery is located at 345 Route 101 in Amherst, N.H. Open daily, 11am – 3 pm Monday and Tuesday, 11am – 9pm Wednesday-Saturday, and 10am – 5pm on Sunday.

The Bistro at LaBelle Winery serves lunch and dinner as well as brunch on Sundays. The restaurant is family-friendly and offers a special menu for children.

LaBelle Winery welcomes guests, including families, for Easter Sunday Brunch in the Great Room or The Bistro at LaBelle Winery from 10am to 5pm.

Guided tours are offered from noon to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. Call (603) 672-9898 or visit LaBelleWinery.com for more information.

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