Things to do / Travel Guide
When one thinks of eastern Pennsylvania, images of vineyards and wineries aren't typically conjured up. Nevertheless, the region's moderate climate and rolling terrain actually provides some of the best grape-growing conditions on the East Coast. The more than 90 wineries in the eastern Pennsylvania region produce a delightful array of wine varieties. Among the region's award-winning wines are Cabernet Sauvignon, Catawba, Cayuga, Chambourcin, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Reisling, Seyval Blanc, Vidal Blanc, Vignoles, and wine made in the Champagne manner.
Brandywine Valley
- Chaddsford Winery, Chadds Ford - Visit this small estate winery to taste premium, nationally-acclaimed wines like Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet, and Pinot Noir. Tours of the winemaking and barrel-aging cellars are available along with wine tastings of the current vintage.
- Paradocx Vineyard, Fairville - Tucked away in the rolling hills of southern Chester County, the Paradocx Vineyard is run by an independent premium vinifera and hybrid wine grape grower. The unique mesoclimate conducive to grape growing in this area can be attributed to the moderating influences of the Chesapeake and Delaware bays and the southern sloping mica soils. Take a tour and then visit the tasting room to sample some of their wine list, which includes Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, and more.
- Twinbrook Winery, Delaware Water Gap - This is a beautifully-restored 19th-century barn housing state of the art wine-making facilities. A wide selection of wines is produced here, including varietals made from vinifera and hybrid grapes, as well as delicate blends. You can visit their tasting room and take a tour.
- Va La Vineyards, Avondale - This winery consists of one small farm, seven acres of vines, and one family dedicated to doing unusual things to unusual grape varieties. Their tiny wine production operation focuses on creating unholy marriages of rare Italian and French varieties. Their regular wine tastings often include local artisan foods.
Berks County
- Bashore & Stoudt Country Winery, Shartlesville - More than 20 varieties of wines, among them apple, strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, six different plum wines, three different cherry wines, apricot, and nectarine, are produced at this winery. There's also a unique Concord wine that is not as sweet as is typical for this variety.
- Manatawny Creek Winery, Douglassville - Blanc de Blancs, Chardonnay, Riesling, Vidal Blanc, Niagara, Autumn Blush, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chambourcin, Concord, and Red Raspberry are among the wine types produced at this winery. Tours and tastings are available by appointment only.
Bucks County
- Buckingham Valley Vineyards, Buckingham - The wines produced here include still and sparkling red, white, rosé, grape, and fruit, very dry to very sweet, and nouveau to oak aged reds.
- Rose Bank Winery, Newtown - This winery depicts the romance of Bucks County. Housed in a 1719 stone home and an adjacent 1835 barn, Rose Bank brings to mind the history of the area. The winery's specialty is DeChaunac, a red with a mellow, distinctive flavor.
Wineries in Philadelphia, Lancaster, the Poconos, Eastern Pennsylvania
Wineries
Bashore & Stoudt Country Winery
Buckingham Valley Vineyards
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