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Backgrounder A Robust Selection Of Wineries Entice Visitors To Philadelphia’s Countryside

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BACKGROUNDER
A Robust Selection Of Wineries Entice Visitors To Philadelphia’s Countryside

PHILADELPHIA, October 23, 2007 - Southeastern Pennsylvania is continuing to emerge as a major force in the nation’s wine industry. For several wineries, 2007 is ushering in major changes that promise to significantly enhance a visitor’s experience, while Pennsylvania wines as a whole are continuing to make steady gains in quality, quantity and recognition. Over the past seven years, the number of the state’s wineries has nearly doubled, increasing from around 60 in 2000 to 111 in 2006. And, by winning top awards at the prestigious San Francisco and Los Angeles County Fair Competitions, Pennsylvania vintners have proven they can craft worthy wines.

VaLa Vineyards

Photo by J. Smith for GPTMC

The Philadelphia countryside is ideally suited for winemaking. The temperate climate, paired with gently rolling hills and large bodies of water, makes for warmer soil that nurtures a long annual growing season. The soil itself is flecked with limestone and gravel—qualities that enhance the fertility of a wide range of grapes. This means wine lovers can find many of their favorites in Pennsylvania’s Delaware Valley, and while no one varietal has yet emerged as the region’s signature, local winemakers point to the popularity and flavor of their Chardonnays, Pinot Grigios, Pinot Noirs and Cabernets.

Many of the area’s wineries grow their own grapes; those that don’t, buy them locally, resulting in a tremendous spirit of cooperation among vintners. They’ve joined together to establish two wine trails in Philadelphia’s countryside: the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail bridges six Chester County wineries, and the Bucks County Wine Trail unites eight wineries just north of Philadelphia. Visitors can spend an afternoon or even a full weekend touring the trails. They’re situated in the middle of historic and lush landscapes, near dozens of quaint bed-and-breakfast (B&Bs) establishments and close to attractions in Center City Philadelphia, New Hope, Washington Crossing and the Pennsylvania Dutch Country.

Brandywine Valley Wine Trail:
The wineries along the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail are geographically spread out, which allows a dedicated visitor to tour a large swath of this famous region. Each of the six wineries/vineyards hosts regular tastings, concerts, crafts fairs, wine dinners and many other activities that provide a perfect excuse to spend an afternoon or evening sipping in the sunlight or under the stars. Information about Winetasting Passport Packages at nearby hotels and B&Bs is available at www.bvwinetrail.com.

Chaddsford Winery – The biggest and one of the oldest wineries in Pennsylvania is celebrating its 25^th anniversary in 2007. To celebrate, vintners have paired up with Body Restoration, a Center City skin and bodywork day spa, to create the region’s only Vinotherapy program. Using grapes procured from the winery’s 2006 harvest, Body Restoration has developed spa services using proprietary scrubs, wraps and massage oils. Plus, international awards keep piling in for the husband-and-wife owner team, who will be constructing a new café near the winery’s picnic area to serve gourmet food and wines by the glass to visitors who flock here for Chaddsford’s many outdoor concerts, festivals, special events and regular tastings and tours. Chadds Ford Winery, 632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, (610) 388-6221, www.chaddsford.com; Body Restoration, 1611 Walnut Street, (215) 569-9599, www.bodyrest.com
Folly Hill Vineyards – Folly Hill is the first vineyard/winery in the region to open an on-site bed and breakfast for guests. So far, owners are renting out rooms in a 19^th-century stone carriage house and a converted smoke house. Another suite is scheduled to open by next year in the historic farm house’s music room. In addition, Folly Hill’s owners have just received their license to produce wine on premises from the grapes they grow. 700 Folly Hill Road, Kennett Square, (610) 388-5895, www.follyhillvineyards.com
Kreutz Creek Vineyards – This winery’s new tasting room is now open five days a week in West Chester, with live music scheduled every Friday and Saturday night. A second tasting room in Media also programs live music every weekend, while special events throughout the year liven up tours and tastings at the vineyard itself, where all 18 wines can be sampled. 553 S. Guernsey Road, West Grove, (610) 869-4412, www.kreutzcreekvineyards.com
Paradocx Vineyard – So named because its four principle owners are doctors, Paradocx opened its new on-site tasting room to the public this year, while its off-site tasting room has moved to The Shops of Longwood Village. In late 2007, the vineyard also unveiled a new wine-making facility open for tours. 1699 Fairville Road, Fairville, (610) 255-5684, www.paradocx.com
Twin Brook Winery – This 18-year-old winery is located on land granted to the Religious Society of Friends by William Penn’s brother nearly 300 years ago. Built into a restored 19^th-century wooden barn, the winery still retains its historic character. A fall concert series adds to the summer music schedule and means live music sessions run until mid-November. 5697 Strasburg Road, Gap, (717) 442-4915, www.twinbrookwinery.com
VaLa Vineyards – Wine lovers can combine their passion for the grape with an affection for art at VaLa Vineyards, where the works of local artists are on display in the “Galleria,” located in a loft overlooking the vineyards. This charming winery has a definite sense of humor and an irreverent image, but that doesn’t keep winemakers from crafting their small batch wines with serious fervor. 8820 Gap Newport Pike, Avondale, (610) 268-2702, www.valavineyards.com

Bucks County Wine Trail:
The Bucks County Wine Trail is thriving in its third full year of existence. It connects eight locally owned wineries, all within a few miles of one another. The wineries currently sponsor concurrent harvest festivals in October, “Nouveau” festivals in November and holiday festivals in December. Here’s a look at the stops on the Bucks County Wine Trail, www.buckscountywinetrail.com:

Buckingham Valley Vineyards – This family-owned operation cultivates a folksy, welcoming atmosphere but uses some of the most sophisticated machinery on the market. Owners have just invested in new pressing and bottling equipment and have made the switch over to more eco-friendly screw-top bottles. Tours and tastings run six days a week and are self-guided, self-poured and free. 1521 Route 413, Buckingham, (215) 794-7188, www.pawine.com
Crossing Vineyards and Winery – Although located on a 200-year-old estate less than a mile from where George Washington crossed the Delaware River in 1776, Crossing prides itself on its extremely modern and sophisticated equipment. Always striving to make wine in the most environmentally responsible way possible, owners are adding solar panels to their facilities and plan to run their entire operation on solar energy within two years. 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, (215) 493-6500, www.crossingvineyards.com
New Hope Winery – Set in a quaint red 17^th-century barn, this winery is open seven days a week for tours of its facilities. While wine drinkers can find a nice assortment of popular varietals, adventurous sippers can sample more unusual flavors like blackberry and almondeira, a grape wine accented with hints of natural almond and vanilla. 6123 Lower York Road, New Hope, (800) 593-WINE, www.newhopewinery.com
Peace Valley Winery – Wine enthusiasts looking for an opportunity to get closer to the land can pick their own grapes each harvest season at this winery that overlooks Peace Valley Park. Four acres of land are stocked with two red white varietals (Fredonia and Steuben grapes) and one white varietal (Niagara), which pickers can scoop up for $.75 per pound. After spending a few hours hunched over the vines, visitors can sample from the winery’s 18 estate-bottled wines, now available to taste seven days a week. Old Limekiln Road, Chalfont, (215) 249-9058
Rose Bank Winery – Situated on a picturesque tract of land originally deeded by William Penn to his daughters, Rose Bank Winery captures the history of Bucks County with its 1719 manor house and 1835 stone barn that overlook lush pastures stocked with Baby Doll sheep. A second-story deck provides a sweeping view of the vineyard. 258 Durham Road, Newtown, (215) 860-5899, www.rosebankwinery.com
Rushland Ridge Vineyard & Winery – The family that owns this vineyard and winery began growing grapes in the suburbs of Philadelphia in 1968 and family members now fill four acres with Chambourcin, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay grapes. Tastings are free and open to the public four days a week. Rushland Road, Rushland, (215) 598-0251, www.rushlandridge.com
Sand Castle Winery – After years of planning, a full castle-like building set upon a cliff will open this year to house the winemaking facilities at this approximately 20-year-old winery. Winemakers here produce wines grown exclusively from their own harvest of vines cloned from Europe. 755 River Road, Erwinna, (800) 722-9463, www.sandcastlewinery.com
Wycombe Vineyards – The latest addition to the wine trail, Wycombe is open on weekends for visitors to taste its 2005 and 2006 vintages of Pinot Grigio, Traminette, Chardonnay and Chambourcin. The elegant tasting room now offers seating to more easily relax and sample the fruit of the earth. All wines are produced exclusively from grapes grown at the vineyard. 1391 Forest Grove Road, Furlong, (215) 598-WINE, www.wycombevineyards.com

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases business and promotes the region’s vitality. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit www.gophila.com or call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676.

Note to Editors: For photos of Greater Philadelphia, visit our Photo Gallery. On the pressroom, you can also subscribe to RSS feeds to receive updates on topics that are specifically of interest to you: What’s New, Dining, Events, Seasonal Travel, Hotel Packages and Tourism Research.

CONTACT:

Donna Schorr, GPTMC
(215) 599-0782, donna@gptmc.com

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