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All wines at Mount Hope are made in Northeast Pennsylvania and shipped to the Lancaster locations for tastings and purchase. The winery was established in 1980 and is now entering its 28th year in business. The facility was actually started first, and the Faire was added later as a way to bring more customers to the grounds.
"Our most popular wines are our sweeter wines. With America being part of the Pepsi generation, our palates appreciate sweet flavors," Marketing Director Barb Lacek, said. "As one continues to drink wine, the drier ones begin to appeal to the taste buds."
The winery sells more than 20 wines. Mount Hope recently added champagne, which is made in champenoise style. This means the second fermentation takes place in the same bottle the customer is purchasing. A sherry also was added recently. Mount Hope will be adding a port and a pinot noir in the next year. Two of the company's most unusual products are its Honey Mead and its Ice Wine.
"The honey … has to be watered down and then fermented to 10 or 11 percent alcohol. It is a real challenge to work with as it takes a lot of time to make sure it ferments properly," Mario Mazza, chief oenologist (wine expert) for Mount Hope, said. He explained the difficult process involved in making ice wine.
"The grapes are frozen on the vine naturally to 17 degrees Fahrenheit or colder. We pick them when they are frozen and press the sweet juice out of them at that time," Mazza said. Less juice comes from these grapes, so it takes a lot more grapes to make a smaller bottle of wine, so this dessert wine will have a higher price tag.
For more information on the Renaissance Faire, visit www.parenfaire.com.
Editor's note: This occasional series takes a look at various local wineries.
