LaBelle Winery News
New Hampshire Wine Week 2025: Experience LaBelle Winery & New England’s Largest Showcase of Wine
Pop the cork on a great sipping adventure during New Hampshire Wine Week
POSTED: January 12, 2025
SOURCE: BOSTON HERALD | By: MOIRA MCCARTHY
From Jan. 17, 2025 through Jan. 23, 2025, New Hampshire Wine Week features a variety of wine tastings, dinners, bottle signings and educational seminars, culminating with northern New England’s largest showcase of wine, the New England Winter Wine Spectacular.
New Hampshire winemaker and vineyard owner Amy LaBelle loves what the event does not just for her as a winemaker, but for those interested in wines. “It’s phenomenal,” she said.
“It puts us right in the same space as so many. You know, good wine is being made in all 50 states; people should know that.”
LaBelle, who works with the public in the wine sphere all the time, loves this event for two reasons. First, being up close while folks try her wines – along with food pairings from great New Hampshire chefs.
“It’s all one guest at a time so we get the wine on their palate and see their eyes light up. And then they say ‘and it’s made right here?’ to which I can say ‘why yes it is!’ It’s really great.”
So too, she said, is one of the main reasons for the event: to support the New Hampshire Food Bank. “Our mind is in winemaking, but our heart is in giving,” she said of LaBelle Winery. “Since 2012, we’ve helped more than 2,400 charities. It’s infused into our DNA.”
The New England Winter Wine Spectacular features hundreds of wines for sampling, a silent auction and food from the best of New Hampshire’s restaurants. Additionally, dozens of wine personalities from across the globe will be available throughout the evening to speak with attendees. VIP guests will also have the chance to visit the Bellman’s Cellar Select tasting room for tastings of ultra-premium wines and gourmet cuisine.
Amy LaBelle and Gunter have advice for attendees: Make a plan. The event will offer an app to help with this. LaBelle suggests you choose something to focus on; a type of wine you love or a new type you want to learn about, and set your plan around that ahead of time.
“People who do it wrong are the ones who want to come and drink all the wines. This blows out your palate,” she said, “and you’re not going to actually taste anything, you’re just going to get drunk.”
Gunter agreed and also suggested you not be shy. “Talk. Have conversations with the winemakers and brokers. Every one of them wants to share.” The wines will be on sale to take home as well. And should you feel woozy when it’s time to go, they offer free limo service for anyone needing it up to 20 miles away.
But most of all, LaBelle said, they want guests to go on a world wine adventure. “Tell yourself: I want to taste wines from unusual places,” she said, ‘You know: Like New Hampshire.”
About LaBelle Winery:
LaBelle Winery has provided guests with award-winning wines since its founding in 2005. Since 2012, when its flagship facility opened in Amherst, the winery has offered outstanding cuisine, entertainment and venues for private events and weddings. LaBelle’s Amherst location is home to the winery’s production facility, The Bistro restaurant, a tasting room and wine and gift shop.
LaBelle’s Derry location opened in 2021. The Derry property is home to Americus restaurant, golf and mini-golf courses, an event center and a market offering prepared food and beverages. A tasting room and a sparkling wine production facility opened in Derry in May 2022. Along with award-winning wines, LaBelle has created a gourmet culinary product line called The Winemaker’s Kitchen. Products are currently available at both of the winery’s locations, and by 2024 will be available nationwide.
LaBelle Winery Derry is located at 14 Route 111, Derry, New Hampshire.
LaBelle Winery Amherst is located at 345 Route 101 in Amherst, New Hampshire.
Visit LaBelleWinery.com for directions and hours of operation.