Eat, drink and conserve land

Wine connoisseurs and conservationists celebrate 15 years of local land protection Hawley — The Delaware Highlands Conservancy will celebrate its 15th anniversary on Saturday, Apr. 25 at the second annual “Foods of the Delaware Highlands” gala, a five-course dinner and wine tasting at The Settlers Inn. Wine Tasting begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. The inaugural “Foods of the Delaware Highlands” celebration was a sold out success, and this year’s gala is well on its way to follow suit. A limited number of reservations are available, so please reserve your seat by Monday, Apr. 20. Event sponsors include Capital Wine & Spirits, Tony Waldron, Dorothy Biddle Service and the Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau. The evening will feature a live auction of rare vintage wines from the cellars of conservancy members and friends, and a wine raffle featuring a case of fine wines hand-selected by The Settlers Inn sommelier. Live auction items include: • 1999 Condado De Haza “Alenza” Gran Reserva, Tempranillo, Ribera del Duero, Spain; 1988 Krug Brut, Champagne, France; and 2004 Montes “Folly”, Syrah, Apalta Vineyard, Colchagua Valley, Chile from Michael and Elizabeth Geitz; • 2000 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru Louis Latour, Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France from Jeanne and Grant Genzlinger; • 1999 Castello Banfi “Poggio all’ Oro” Riserva Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy from Justin and Dr. Michele Genzlinger; • 2003 Merryvale “Profile”, Napa Valley, California from John and Patti Kiesendahl; • 2005 Château d’Issan 3ème Cru Classée, Margaux, Bordeaux, France and 2005 Château Siran Grand Cru Exceptionel, Margaux, Bordeaux, France from Bill and Patsy Kiger; • 2007 Excelsior Chardonnay and 2005 Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon, South Africa from Michael Eurey’s Narrowsburg Fine Wines & Spirits; • 1999 Château Margaux Premier Grand Cru Classé, Margaux, Bordeaux, France from David and Jamie Tolson; • 2004 Lakeview Cellars Vidal Icewine, Niagara Peninsula, Canada from Sue Currier; • And a gift certificate for a 1-night stay at Ecce Bed and Breakfast. Retail value of the raffle wine case is more than $500. Raffle tickets are available in advance through the conservancy, or at the Apr. 25 gala. The wine case of 12 bottles will include: • 2003 Château Mouton Rothschild “Aile d’Argent”, Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France • 2004 Schloss Schönborn “Erbacher Marcobrunn” Riesling Kabinett, Rheingau, Germany • 2004 Chablis Louis Jadot, Burgundy, France • 2005 Etude Pinot Noir Rose • 2004 Vi-a Cobos “Bramare” Marchiori Vineyard, Mendoza, Argentina • 2004 Bleasdale “Frank Potts”, Langhorne Creek, Australia • 2000 Château Tour De Loirac, Médoc, Bordeaux, France • 2001 Bodegas Caro The Apr. 25 event at The Settlers Inn will feature delicious cuisine made with locally grown and produced organic ingredients. Highlights of the menu include smoked Blooming Grove trout mousse on apple chip; local strawberries, cream cheese and brioche sandwiches; Calkins Creamery Gouda and marinated rhubarb; Jamison Farm lamb pate and Forks Farm chicken liver mousse; Jurgenson Farm duck and Kennet Square mushroom risotto with mascarpone, parmesan and fava; and Wayne County buffalo flank steak marinated in Pa. birch beer. Vegetarian selections include crudités with unique dipping sauces; Kennet Square mushroom risotto with mascarpone, parmesan and fava; and marinated tofu and spring vegetable fricassee. Tickets for “Foods of the Delaware Highlands” are $125 per person, which includes a $75 tax-deductible charitable gift to the Delaware Highlands Conservancy. Business or corporate sponsorships are available at the following levels: $500 Platinum Protector, $250 Gold Guarantor, and $100 Silver Sustainer. For gala tickets or information, contact the Delaware Highlands Conservancy at info@delawarehighlands.org or 570-226-3164. Reservations for “Foods of the Delaware Highlands” are requested by Apr. 20.