Vynecest Launches Springtime in the ‘Skeller

The sounds of spring drifted throughout Vynecrest Winery  Saturday, where patrons lining the perimeter of the tasting bar, sipping and sniffing their favorite vino, put down their glasses for a trip downstairs, where dozens of music and wine lovers filled the winery’s rustic Vyneskeller.

Bartenders and staff weaved in and out of the crowds, delivering cheese and crackers to tables and high tops, where groups of friends and family emptied bottles of their favorite signature wines.

It was all a part of Vynecrest’s live entertainment series, which hosts local performers in the Vyneskeller every Saturday from April through December.

This week, folk rocker Arianne Rox performed to a crowd of fans, friends and first-timers during the second week of the series. The Bucks County native covered classic crooners like Johnny Cash and The Beatles, as well as some of her own songs, including “Dead Flowers” and “White Magic Woman.”

Most performers might prefer water during sets but when in Rome, you do as the Romans do. Arianne and her bass player, Nick Roberti, were happy to oblige, and sipped glasses of Vynecrest’s wines in between songs.

Although the duo has established a faithful following locally and regionally, they won’t let it go to their heads. Even after being named the Best Americana Performer in the last year’s Montgomery/Bucks Music Awards, Arianne remembers the early days of her career.

“When I first started out, I was playing at blues open mic nights. The audience didn’t want to hear me play something that wasn’t the blues,” she said.

Fortunately, that didn’t stop her from pursuing her love of performing. While she typically performs in Montgomery and Bucks County, she can’t resist an opportunity to visit Vynecrest.

“The Lehigh Valley is a great music scene, and I’ve been playing here for years. Vynecrest really is my favorite place to be and my favorite room to perform in,” Arianne said. “The owners are great people and the audience here is always so kind to me.”

Arianne is just one of the 45 artists who will be performing in the Vyneskeller this year during this year’s series. The idea for the event came three years ago, when Sam Landis and his family, who own the winery, decided to change people’s minds about wineries.

“At most wineries you’ll visit, you probably try a few wines, buy a bottle and that’s it. At Vynecrest, we want you to come down, get a glass of wine and a plate of food and enjoy the music. It’s more of an experience than a visit,” Landis explained.

Apparently, an experience is exactly what locals were looking for. Since the idea’s inception in 2009, the audience has grown. In its first year, the entertainment series had 12 performances scheduled. This year, 11 different performers are slated to play for 45 performances through December.

“It’s been a grass roots growth, but we see people coming out now once a month or once every two weeks, as opposed to every six months to pick up a few bottles of wine,” Landis said.