Hunt Country Vineyards will mark the release of its first ever Valvin Muscat, a rare and fragrant white wine, with a party open to the public on Saturday, April 12^th at the winery’s tasting room overlooking the Keuka valley.

The winery will offer

• a free Valvin Muscat tasting
• free winery tour
• great foods to sample
• live music
• a mystery wine tasting, and
• special offers.

The come-as-you-are party will last from 1:00pm to 5:00pm.  Admission is free and no reservations are necessary.  Guitarist/vocalist Trace Wilkins will perform throughout the event.
            
The Valvin Muscat grape has a long and distinguished ancestry.  Experts believe that Egyptians produced wine from Muscat grapes as long ago as 3000 B.C.  Hunt Country winemaker Christopher Wirth commented, “Years ago in California, I made my first Muscat wine and instantly loved it.  This Hunt Country Valvin Muscat is like falling in love again.  Our small block of Valvin Muscat grapes ripened perfectly last fall, and the wine developed beautifully with the least amount of work on my part.  Muscat wines are prized for their fragrant floral character, and this Valvin Muscat from the Hunts’ farm has a gorgeous orange blossom aroma, a hint of sweetness and a long, luxurious finish.” 

Valvin Muscat, a white French-American hybrid grape, was first developed by Cornell University scientists at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in the 1960s.  It was released in 1990 but has escaped the notice of all but a few growers.  Hunt Country Vineyards planted its two-acre block of Valvin Muscat grapes in 2002.  Valvin Muscat 2007 was produced in very limited quantity and is only available directly from the winery.