For the entire month of January, eight wineries along The Brandywine Artisan Wine Trail will be celebrating the “Art of Writing” with writer’s workshops, book signings, book clubs, blog how-to’s and book sales. Winter is the perfect time to curl up with a new book, or meet up with local authors to get inspired to write your own masterpiece. From Kennett Square to Chadds Ford and Oxford, eight of the 15 wineries on the trail will be incorporating the art of writing into their calendar of events at their winery tasting rooms. Take this opportunity to converse with celebrated authors and poets, drink fine wine, and be inspired by the wide variety of talents and creativity that abounds in Chester County! These events are free, but make sure to come early to get a good spot, or contact the wineries for a reservation.
Flickerwood Winery‘s tasting room in Oxford will become an old fashioned “coffee house” on Friday, January 8, from 7-10pm. The evening will focus on the creative talents of Oxford’s under 21 crowd, by inviting them to Flickerwood to enjoy coffee and food, and asking them to share their original written works. Others are welcome to attend and have wine, but Flickerwood is trying to encourage young people to share their original poetry, short stories, raps and lyrics, and will highlight acoustic music during the event.
Galer Estate Winery in Kennett Square has a full line up of Sunday writer’s event for the month of January. Sunday, January 10 from 3-5 pm, accomplished local writer and motivational speaker, Donna Duffy, will be at the winery to discuss her latest book “Embracing Autumn- A Motivational Field Guide for Midlife Women Entrepreneurs.” Books will be available, and there will be a sign up for one of her inspiring workshops to be held at the winery in March. Anyone looking for that extra push to finally do what they have always dreamed to do, will get all the tools they need to start a new path.
Estelle Tracey
Sunday January 17, from 2-4pm famous local French chocolate blogger extraordinaire Estelle Tracey will discuss turning her passion for chocolate into an international blogging hit, and also a new book. To complement her passion for chocolate, renown chocolate maker Robert Campbell will be joining Estelle to discuss the art of chocolate and provide samples and have his award winning chocolate available for purchase. Sunday January 24, from 1-5pm, local writer Karen Myers will lead a “Plein Air Writer’s Workshop”, using “Place” as the point of inspiration. She will give guidance, and attendees will proceed to write during the allotted time, after which they will be invited to share their writings and a prize will be given for the most compelling piece. On the last Sunday in January, January 31 from 3-5pm, Schiffer Publishing house will be on hand to talk about their publishing business, how to submit an idea for publishing, and they will offer a variety of new books for sale, with authors in attendance.
At Ten Gallon Hat Winery in Chadds Ford, Sunday January 24, 6 local authors will come together from 1-3pm for a fascinating discussion about the art of writing here in Chester County. Authors include Matty Dalrymple, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, Bruce Mowday and Elizabeth Bodien. Matty Dalrymple writes suspense/murder mysteries including her latest “The Sense of Death”.
Merry Jones
Merry Jones writes that her characters “never know what lies ahead” and she also writes in the suspense and mystery genre. Her latest book is called “In the Woods”. Jon McGoran writes mysteries, science fiction and thrillers, and his latest book “Dust Up” will be published in 2016. After 20 years in journalism, Bruce Mowday is most famous locally for his Historic Walking Tours and contribution to “Reporting The Revolution” in 2012. Elizabeth Bodien is an well-published poet and writer and currently working on a book of translations and a collection of her trance writings. This terrific group of writers will meet again at Galer Estate in the Spring.
Dave Emmi
At Grace Winery on Saturday January 23 at 3pm, noted writer Dave Emmi will discuss his latest book “Divine Philly” which is about Irish immigration into the Delaware Valley. He will also discuss his research into the Irish Hemphill family and the start of Sweetwater Farm (the beautiful historic location for the current Grace Winery). The conversation will be multi-leveled and include materials from the 1700s and live music performed by the author.
Paradocx Vineyard will be hosting a monthly book club starting January 15, from 6-8pm at their winery location in Landenberg. The new monthly Book Club kicks off with “The Round House” by Louise Erdrich. Come to the book club after having read the book and relax with a glass of wine and discuss this delicious mystery/love story with other members of the club.
Penns Woods Winery will be stocking their shelves with the wonderful book “A Wine Tasting Course” by local author and wine expert sommelier Marnie Old. Wilson Vineyard will be hosting a lesson in painting a sunflower, Saturday January 16 from 1-4pm. “Art, Wine and Sunflowers” will be lead by artist Sally Wilson. For more information about each of these events, please go to the Brandywine Artisan Wine Trail website, or to the individual participating winery sites.
