Programs for AWS Pittsburgh

Having a unique family history that included a grandfather whose first attempt at growing grapes and making wine in the United States ending in frustration; to Mark's incessant attention to details about wine making and vineyard plantings, Evergreen Valley Vineyards is a Pennsylvania winery treasure.

Nestled in a sheltered valley in the cool central highlands of Pennsylvania, near the highest point on I-80 East of the Mississippi River, Evergreen Valley Vineyards produces fine European wine grapes. In the vineyard as well as in the winery,Mark Gearhart works in partnership with the grapes to help bring out the fine flavors imparted by our unique climate, thus creating award winning wines of distinctive styles for your enjoyment

In the fine old tradition, he creates his wines from a single type of grape, rather than by blending together many different types of grapes. He then bottles the wine by vintage year, with the name and the origin of the grape clearly indicated right on the label.

As Mark pointed out in his presentation, "One of the wonderfully unique things about wine is the fact that all the wines of the world taste different. This is not just due to the different grapes grown in different countries, it is not simply a difference in the winemaking styles of different wineries. It is also a matter of geology, of soil and of the chemistry of the living vine." He even spoke about how he has gone into the detail of "tasting" the rocks in the vineyard so he could have an idea of the taste that will be added to the grape!

We also learned that telling Mark "no he can't" is a challenge that he takes on to show you that you are wrong! Some examples include his stories of being told he could never grow grapes on the land he had, or the notification from the electric company that unless Mark spent $25,000 to get the power grid to his property, he would never have electricity. Today he is creating award winning wines, and is self-sufficient, making his own electricity, from solar and wind power!

Take a day-trip up to Luthersburg and see what Mark and his wife Lorraine along with the family have created. It is a nice trip and the location is a rather peaceful and picturesque spot. A map to Evergreen is located at this link.

For more information on Evergreen Vineyards, the winery's Web-site is located at this link.

Program Notes
	June 9, 2005 - Evergreen Valley Vineyards: Mark Gearhart, Vintner
- Home page - - Meetings page - January program February program March program April program May program June program September program October program November program	Having a unique family history that included a grandfather whose first attempt at growing grapes and making wine in the United States ending in frustration; to Mark's incessant attention to details about wine making and vineyard plantings, Evergreen Valley Vineyards is a Pennsylvania winery treasure. Nestled in a sheltered valley in the cool central highlands of Pennsylvania, near the highest point on I-80 East of the Mississippi River, Evergreen Valley Vineyards produces fine European wine grapes. In the vineyard as well as in the winery,Mark Gearhart works in partnership with the grapes to help bring out the fine flavors imparted by our unique climate, thus creating award winning wines of distinctive styles for your enjoyment In the fine old tradition, he creates his wines from a single type of grape, rather than by blending together many different types of grapes. He then bottles the wine by vintage year, with the name and the origin of the grape clearly indicated right on the label. As Mark pointed out in his presentation, "One of the wonderfully unique things about wine is the fact that all the wines of the world taste different. This is not just due to the different grapes grown in different countries, it is not simply a difference in the winemaking styles of different wineries. It is also a matter of geology, of soil and of the chemistry of the living vine." He even spoke about how he has gone into the detail of "tasting" the rocks in the vineyard so he could have an idea of the taste that will be added to the grape! We also learned that telling Mark "no he can't" is a challenge that he takes on to show you that you are wrong! Some examples include his stories of being told he could never grow grapes on the land he had, or the notification from the electric company that unless Mark spent $25,000 to get the power grid to his property, he would never have electricity. Today he is creating award winning wines, and is self-sufficient, making his own electricity, from solar and wind power! Take a day-trip up to Luthersburg and see what Mark and his wife Lorraine along with the family have created. It is a nice trip and the location is a rather peaceful and picturesque spot. A map to Evergreen is located at this link. For more information on Evergreen Vineyards, the winery's Web-site is located at this link.