Flickerwood Wine Cellars, a family-operated winery located in the bucolic hills of Kane, PA near the Kinzua Gorge, will celebrate 13 years of operation this Memorial Day weekend, May 25-27. Come celebrate the anniversary during Flickerfest, a three-day event featuring live music, vendors, art, and of course, wine tasting. The wine selection will also feature the release of Flickerwood’s newest wine, Wilderness Red.
A FAMILY TRADITION
Consumed with a passion for winemaking and the desire to make the craft a family tradition, Ron and Sue Zampogna opened Flickerwood Wine Cellars in 2000. Ron, a retired member of the U.S. Forest Service, had enlisted carpenter sons Rick and Tim the year prior to construct the cellars. Once inspections were passed, the first batch of wine was set to ferment, and ultimately the doors to Flickerwood welcomed their first customers.
Ron has honed his skills as an amateur winemaker for over 30 years, using both French and native American hybrid grapes. “Winemaking is part of my Italian heritage,” he says, “and should be continued and passed along to future Zampogna generations.”
Daughter Julie became involved as well, designing commercial labels for the cellar’s specialty wines. In 2009, she and her sister, Tammy expanded the business to southeastern Pennsylvania, opening the Flickerwood Wine Cellars Tasting Room in the small town of Kennett Square, located nearly 300 miles away from home, about ten miles outside of Wilmington, DE. All of Ron and Sue’s children, as well as their spouses, participate in the business. The Zampogna dream has indeed come to fruition by becoming a family tradition.
FLICKERFEST
This year’s celebration will take place over Memorial Day weekend, May 25-27, and will feature local artists, live music, wine tastings, concessions, and the unveiling of a new wine, Wilderness Red. This latest flavor is a tribute to the greater location of Flickerwood Wine Cellars - the Pennsylvania Wilds. The area consists of two million acres of public land and spans 12 counties. Grapes are specifically selected from throughout the region to craft the blend.
Kinzua Journey, a blend of three whites that recently won double gold at the Florida State Fair International Wine Competition, will be available as well, along with Flickerwood’s other award winning reds, whites, blushes, and specialty wines. (Kinzua Journey is a commemoration to the Kinzua Skywalk; proceeds from its sales are donated to the Allegheny National Forest Visitor’s Bureau to help promote tourism to the ANF Region.)
Whether you prefer dry red, mild white, sweet blush, or even the unique spicy peach, the cellars are sure to have an option to satisfy your palate. Just allow the knowledgeable staff to help you select. But please play it safe: With the vast array of wines to sample, make sure to designate someone who can stay sober enough to drive home!
LIVE MUSIC AND MORE
Two of Fickerwood’s own winemakers will perform Saturday, May 25. Rick Zampogna fronts XIII (Thirteen) on vocals as the weekend’s opening act beginning at 1pm. Flickerwood Founder Ron Zampogna on drums accompanies the evening’s headliner, Uncorked Acoustics, who will play from 7-10pm. The Kokomo Time Band will bring beach vibes to the stage on Sunday from 1-6pm, and Chris Denem will showcase a classic Neil Diamond performance on Monday from 1-4pm. There is no entry fee to any of the shows.
But wait, there’s more … Guests can enjoy concessions from B&N, locally known as “the best festival food vendor in the area.” Work from local artists can be perused, and guests are encouraged to stop into the gift shop, which sells wine and grape-motif items including stemware, clothing and linen, jewelry, wrought iron and black-cherry racks, carriers, decanters, winemaking supplies, handcrafted wine-bottle salt and pepper grinders, to name a few. Dress comfortably and bring blankets, lawn furniture, or whatever else you wish for a weekend of wining and dining.
BUSINESS AS USUAL
Flickerwood Wine Cellars is open seven days a week and is handicap accessible. The lounge hosts evening specials regularly, including “Winedown” Fridays and Saturdays with live music, Senior Day on Tuesdays (seniors receive a 10% discount on wine purchases), and Thirsty Thursdays, which offers every patron a 20% discount on wine consumed in Flickerwood’s comfortable lounge.
The Flickerwood establishment welcomes tours from groups and organizations, and is available to rent for any occasion - be it weddings, bridal or baby showers, business meetings, birthdays, family reunions, etc. The staff is happy to help plan any type of event to your satisfaction.
Flickerwood Wine Cellars “The Wine That Rocks!” is located at 309 Flickerwood Road in Kane, PA. Phone 814-837-7566, email info@flickerwood.com. Visit them on the web at www.flickerwood.com for additional information, wine orders, and other special events.
