The Herald, Sharon, PA Published Monday, September 1, 2003

Tasters treated
to area winery's
very best vintages

Herald Staff Writer

Trisha Morrison of Fredonia was engrossed in pouring and popping the corks of various bottles of wine.

Fruit. Red. White. Blush.

Ms. Morrison was joined by other wine servers Sunday at The Wilhelm Winery, 590 Georgetown Road, as people surrounded the square bar to taste succulent, full-bodied flavors.

People from near and far attended the Wilhelm's fourth annual "End of the Summer Wine Fest."

The Wilhelm Winery was established in 2000, created from a passion that started in a basement and grew full-scale. In 1998, Gary and Trish Shilling and Gary Rhodes began the process of planting and cultivating the vineyard's grapes. The wine festivals are held annually, at the start of summer -- Memorial Day -- and the end of summer -- Labor Day. There is an array of wine -- 17 different choices -- and tours. A lunch banquet, cheese and other munchies are also offered to heighten the tasting experience.

The winery is said to use only the finest quality grapes because without them, it would be impossible to make fine quality wine.

Guests at the wine fest seemed to agree that the wine was top-rate. They were offered a taste of whatever they chose.

"Five glasses of Fredonia please," one man requested.

Fredonia Red is a sweet, fruity wine bursting with flavor. Not to be confused with Wilhelm Red, a semi-sweet, full-bodied wine for any occasion. Both were among the wine tasters' favorites.

Across the street, family and friends in the picnic area enjoyed entertainment and food, all the while sampling the various wines available.

Bill Paden and friend Bo Boughner, both of Franklin, joined friends, among them Bill and Connie Birkheimer of Oil City, who enjoyed a vast array of fermented juice at their picnic table. Swirling and tasting a glass of Wilhelm's red, Mrs. Birkheimer said it was good, but that she especially liked the Pink Catawba best.

Empty bottles of each, along with bottles of Vidal table wine collected on the table.

"We're having a blast," Birkheimer said, who sat back appreciating the music and entertainment.

"It's a good time," Paden added. "There's good food and good entertainment."

As wine tasters ate cheese and toasted their glasses, Picks and Hammers, a mountain and hammer dulcimer musical group, tickled the audience with their acoustic sounds of fiddle, mandolin, spoons, guitar and vocals.

Besides wine, visitors explored what is touted as the only Antique Winemaking Museum in the northeast United States. In the second-floor museum, the curious browsed early-period gadgets, books and mechanisms used to make wine.

A showcase of work by nature artist Janice Patton was also on exhibit. Her creations, produced on turkey and peacock feathers, look versatile. Her work was on view both Saturday and Sunday.

Talking of using feathers in her canvas, Ms. Patton said, "being a part of some of the creatures I paint, they take on a life force of their own."

Information: 724-253-3700 or www.wilhelmwinery.com

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