A taste of knowledge
Crossing Vineyards is hosting its own back-to-school season just for adults
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
Last week, alarm clocks across the nation woke unhappy children from their slumber, a rude awakening after three months of rest and relaxation. It’s officially back to school season. But this doesn’t need to be a bad thing…or just for kids. This fall, parents can break out their pencils and notebooks at Crossing Vineyards and Winery in Washington Crossing, where they can learn how to properly taste wine, paint a masterpiece and enjoy a multiple-course dinner.
For more than 10 years, Crossing has hosted its own 21-plus version of back to school season. Adults looking to pick up a skill or educate themselves before they’re faced with that massive wine list at a restaurant can choose from a number of classes taught by wine specialist Eric Cavatore.
With his deep wine knowledge and exquisite French accent, attendees will almost forget they’re still in Pennsylvania. In Cavatore’s Wine 101 series, he tackles a different area in each of the six classes. According to events manager Kate Sielski, many of Crossing’s classes are lighthearted and almost silly, but that’s not the case with these.
“It’s for someone looking to learn quite a bit,” she said.
Though educational, Wine 101 is far from stuffy. There will be a PowerPoint presentation or two, but Cavatore also includes wine sampling and a tour of the vineyard, which Sielski said is beautiful in the fall. Classes are held on Mondays from 6:30–8:30 p.m., and provide a primer on how to have the most enjoyable wine experience. Classes are kept at an intimate size to encourage more participation.
The Wine 101 series includes Introduction to Wine on Sept. 11, The Different Types of Wines on Sept. 18, Wines of the World — Classifications and Labels on Sept. 25, How to Taste Wine — Compare White Wines on Oct. 2, How to Serve Wine — Compare Red Wines on Oct. 9 and Principles of Food & Wine Pairing on Oct. 16. Cost is $30 per person per class, or $150 for all six classes.
On Sept. 28, Crossing will host the not-so-average art class, Paint & Sip. While most wine and painting classes take place in a studio or home, Crossing prides itself on holding it right at the winery. Guests are surrounded by wine barrels and tanks that adds more depth to the whole experience. The class starts with a wine tasting, followed by an opportunity to purchase some. Guests are then directed to their painting station where an art instructor guides them through creating the same picture, which they can take home with them. Cost is $55 per person.
Unlike middle school, no detentions are given at Crossing for eating during class. During Pairing Wine & Cheese on Sept. 17 and Nov. 25, guests can enjoy five to six cheeses ranging from soft to hard and made from both cow and goat’s milk.
“It’s an in-depth tasting experience that’s always changing,” Sielski said.
Each of the cheeses are paired with either a red, white, sweet or sometimes wildcard wine, and guests have the opportunity to create and experiment with pairings of their own. Cost is $40 per person.
The second class where guests can drink and dine takes place on Nov. 4. Food & Wine Pairing includes several appetizer-sized plates of various courses, according to Sielski, add up to a full dinner. Each dish is paired with wine, for example an individual pot pie with chardonnay. Before each course, a wine expert gives a brief introduction, but the purpose is for people to eat and enjoy themselves.
“It’s all hearty, fall-inspired cuisine,” Sielski said.
A cheese plate and dessert course are included as well. Cost is $65 per person plus tax, gratuity is not included.
Finally, wine lovers can take in the beauty of nature on Oct. 18 during Wine & Flower Arranging. Led by an expert from Yardley Florist, guests will enjoy a wine tasting while learning the basic principles of how to create a flower arrangement with a set of stems and a vase. According to Sielski, the event is a huge hit with mothers and daughters and groups of friends looking for a unique bonding experience. Cost is $65 per person.
Reservations are required ahead of time for each of the classes, and can be made at crossingvineyards.com. ••
