Franklin Hill Vineyards to Receive Chamber's Award of Excellence

The announced last week that will receive the Award of Excellence at the chamber's annual dinner and awards banquet on March 24.

The banquet will be held at Shawnee on the Delaware.

Five area businesses were in the running for the Award of Excellence, including Franklin Hill, , , Med-Alert Services and AA Lapp Insurance.

To be nominated, Franklin Hill had to fill the following criteria:

• Business or individual who has started, developed, expanded or otherwise effectively managed an operation.

• Business or individual shall be cited for business accomplishments. Civic and/or volunteer work may be considered as well.

• The business or individual selected shall have contributed to the economic, cultural or social growth of the Nazareth area.

• The business or individual shall be recognized as a leader in the community.

The Lower Mount Bethel Township winery, which owns in , is an environmentally conscious grower, producer and marketer of wine of the highest quality and value, according to a press release.

"Franklin Hill Vineyards founder Elaine Pivinski is a very visible member of the community who does a vast amount of charity and fundraising events," the press release continues. "The Nazareth Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to have Franklin Hill Vineyards as an integral part of our chamber membership."

The winery -- and , the chief winemaker -- took home three medals from the in Harrisburg.

The medals are:

• Harvest Berry 2010, Silver
  Specialty Wine, Raspberry Spumante

• Chambourcin 2010, Bronze
  Red, Dry, Oak-Aged

• Pomegranate Peach 2010, Bronze
  Specialty Wine

And as a part of the , Franklin Hill will be participating in March Madness come Thursday. is a monthlong event that features wine tasting, food pairings and much more.

Unfortunately, all of Franklin Hill's March Madness passports are sold out. If you weren't able to nab a passport, there is a silver lining: The winery offers free organized tours at noon on Wednesdays, and at noon and 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Can't make a tour? Stop by Monday through Saturday anytime from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. or Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.