A tasty challenge
Bucks County Wine Trail to host Passport to Bucks, a unique opportunity to visit wineries for a discounted cost
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
It’s time to break out the passport for the adventure of a lifetime. The best part? No luggage is required, only a thirst for some handcrafted wine (and probably a car). Beginning Nov. 1 and continuing through April 30, the nonprofit Bucks County Wine Trail is hosting its second annual Passport to Bucks challenge. With the purchase of a special “passport,” participants can visit all eight wineries for a discounted cost in a self-paced tour and be entered to win a grand prize at the end.
Passport to Bucks kicked off in 2016 as the brainchild of Rushland Ridge Vineyard and Winery’s Ed Ullman. The owner thought it would be a great enticement for people to not only visit one stop on the Wine Trail, but multiple. To him, it was a surefire way to bring both locals and regional guests into the area. Ullman’s idea was a hit with both Bucks County locals and visitors, and the limited number of tickets sold out immediately.
“It was so successful we decided to do it all again,” said Jerry Forest, president of the Bucks County Wine Trail.
This year is slated to have more tickets available, though Forest encourages people to purchase them as soon as possible. Throughout the timespan of the event, visitors with a Passport to Bucks card will earn punches at each winery visited. Every location has its own unique punch design to ensure the participants actually go to all eight. Though the card doesn’t look like a real passport, it does resemble a credit card, which can be easily carried in a purse or wallet.
Once all eight wineries have been visited and the card has eight punches, a form is filled out at the final location to be entered into a drawing for one of several Bucks County-related prizes. These include a VIP night at Parx Casino ($200 at Parx Grill and $200 in free slot play); a family four-pack of activity passes to Shady Brook Farm; a family four-pack of tickets to Sesame Place; a gift certificate for four tubing or canoeing passes at Bucks County River Country; and a Bucks County weekend getaway package. Last year’s prizes included a balloon ride and overnight stay at Peddler’s Village among several other smaller prizes.
New on the Passport tour this year will be Bishop Estate Vineyard and Winery, a new location set to open this fall. According to Forest, the owners are filling out the final paperwork and will be ready for business “momentarily.”
Guests are able to visit the wineries anytime they wish between Nov. 1 and April 30 to enjoy everything from picturesque views and changing foliage in the fall, to cherry blossoms and vibrant flowers along the countryside in the spring.
In addition to these breathtaking nature scenes, Forest explained how Passport to Bucks is cost efficient. For $30, guests can enjoy wine tastings at all eight locations, an experience that would cost approximately $65 without the card.
“It’s a fantastic value,” he said.
In conjunction with Passport to Bucks, the Bucks County Wine Trail is set to host Nouveau Weekend Nov. 11–12 during which wine lovers can taste the newest varieties of wine, and the annual Holiday Celebration Dec. 9–10, which will feature elaborate decorations and spiced wine.
Participants can purchase a Passport self-guided wine tasting card for $30 at any of the eight wineries: Bishop Estate Vineyard and Winery, 2730 Hilltown Pike in Perkasie; Buckingham Valley Vineyards, 1521 Durham Road (Route 413) in Buckingham; Crossing Vineyards and Winery, 1853 Wrightstown Road in Newtown; Rose Bank Winery, 258 Durham Road (Route 413) in Newtown; Rushland Ridge Vineyards, 2665 Rushland Road in Jamison; Sand Castle Winery, 755 River Road in Erwinna; Unami Ridge Winery, 2144 Kumry Road in Quakertown; and Wycombe Vineyards, 1391 Forest Grove Road in Furlong.
Passports can also be purchased at Visit Bucks County, 3207 Street Road in Bensalem. For more information, visit buckscountywinetrail.com. ••
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
