Shade Mountain Vineyards: New Wines and Exciting Plans for 2026

Shade Mountain Vineyards & Winery in Middleburg, Pennsylvania, is gearing up for a busy 2026. After a quiet January, the winery, which opened in 1999 but started planting grapes a decade earlier, has big plans. The 2025 harvest was a standout year for the winery. The warm, dry weather stressed the vines, but it also led to fewer, higher-quality grapes. This means the wines from this vintage will be exceptional, assuming no major issues arise. The winery is introducing two new wines. First, a Chambourcin Reserve, made from select estate-grown grapes. This dry red wine will have a full body, red fruit tones, and mild oak barrel aging. It's perfect for pairing with red meat, Italian food, and summer BBQs. Second, they are bottling a 2026 Saperavi. This full-bodied, bold red wine is high in tannins with dark fruit, spice, and tobacco notes. The Saperavi grape, originally from Georgia, has gained popularity in the Finger Lakes region and grows well on the East Coast due to its cold hardiness.The winery has also expanded its outdoor space with a new patio. This area offers tables, umbrellas, and chairs, giving visitors a great view of the vineyard as it grows throughout the year. Looking ahead to 2026, Shade Mountain Vineyards has a packed schedule of events. They are planning Sunday Fundays with live music and food from a local Moose. There will also be Walk Through Vineyards events, craft classes, a Wine & Whoopie Pie Saturday for Valentine's Day, and a True Crime & Wine event with a local history professor. The winery will also host its Annual Harvest Weekend in October, celebrating the year's harvest. With all these exciting plans, Shade Mountain Vineyards is set to make 2026 a memorable year for wine lovers.