Sip, Savor and Explore Along the Mason-Dixon Wine Trail During 7th Annual Tour de Tanks

YORK, Pa., Dec. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The buttery flavor of Chardonnay after resting in oak barrels, the crispness of a Riesling aged in stainless steel, and the powerful flavors of a big, hearty Cab – these are all things wine enthusiasts can experience during the Mason-Dixon Wine Trail's annual Tour de Tanks. The event, now in its seventh year, will take place weekends March 3-April 1, 2012 and offers visitors an exclusive opportunity to taste this year's vintage while still in the barrel, giving them a sneak preview of the incredible tastes that await them.

"Tour de Tanks is an excellent opportunity for wine enthusiasts to be introduced to this year's wines," says Carl Helrich, owner of Mason-Dixon Wine Trail member Allegro Vineyards and board member of the York County Convention & Visitors Bureau.  "It's the first chance to discover the characteristics each wine exhibits after the aging process and how those characteristics may be enhanced as the wine continues to develop."

While this is the seventh year for Tour de Tanks, it's the first year under the expanded Mason-Dixon Wine Trail banner and includes all 14 wineries in Pennsylvania and Maryland along the trail. This year's event includes wineries new to the trail, giving visitors more wines to sample and tasting rooms to enjoy.

"Tour de Tanks is a great time for our visitors to come and experience the region," said Anne Druck, president of the York County Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Many of our hotels and B&Bs are offering special packages for wine enthusiasts, so visitors can take their time exploring the trail and enjoying everything our region has to offer."

This year, Tour de Tanks attendees can expand their experience with exclusive winemaker dinners across the region. Trail winemakers will pair their products with the signature dishes from top local restaurants, and those winemakers will also be on hand to discuss the pairings and the wines.

Tickets for Tour de Tanks are $25 each and include an official souvenir wine glass and exclusive 10% discount at participating wineries.  Designated driver tickets are also available. Tickets are valid for all five event weekends and are available online at www.MasonDixonWineTrail.com or at participating wineries.

Sip & Stay: Wallet-Friendly VinoCation Packages
Visitors to the Mason-Dixon Wine Trail can also take advantage of a variety of overnight packages designed to dazzle the senses during an unforgettable Tour de Tanks VinoCation. From historic bed and breakfasts to full-service hotels, visitors can now sip and stay with wallet-friendly packages during a Mason-Dixon Wine Trail getaway!

The year-round Mason-Dixon Wine Trail, a new multi-state wine region featuring 14 family-owned wineries is managed by the York County Convention and Visitors Bureau (YCCVB). Intertwining through the Susquehanna Valley in Pennsylvania to just south of the historic Mason-Dixon Line in Maryland, you'll encounter a French-style chateau, sprawling vineyards, boutique tasting rooms and welcoming winemakers. As the official tourism promotion agency for York County, the YCCVB exists to impact economic development through all forms of visitation with visitors spending more than $717 million annually. For information on planning your Mason-Dixon Wine Trail getaway, visit http://www.masondixonwinetrail.com/ or call 1-888-858-YORK.

SOURCE York County Convention & Visitors Bureau