With more than 140 wineries in the state, Pennsylvania is seventh in the nation in the number of wineries and fifth in the amount of wine produced. Since the start of 2010, Commonwealth wineries have boasted more than 75 award-winning entries in several national and international wine competitions. With numbers like these, the Pennsylvania Winery Association (PWA) is proud to celebrate the industry during October’s Pennsylvania Wine Month.
This October, wine lovers can revel in the year’s bountiful harvest as many of the wineries and trails throughout the state are offering harvest and celebration events. Here are our top picks:
1. Meet the Winemaker at Fine Wine & Good Spirits
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) and the PWA will kick off October as Pennsylvania Wine Month by hosting meet-the-winemaker events at Fine Wine & Good Spirits Premium Collection stores in Philadelphia; Hummelstown, Dauphin County; and Wexford, Allegheny County, on Monday, Oct. 3. Each event will be held from 4–6 p.m. and will feature winemaker-led tastings and an opportunity for attendees to interact with and ask questions of the winemaker.
- Gabriel Rubilar of Paradocx Vineyard & Winery will pour a selection of his wines from the Chester County vineyard at Center City Philadelphia Fine Wine & Good Spirits (1112 Chestnut St.)
- Erie’s own Carolina Damiamo Cores of Mazza Vineyards will pour a selection of her wines from the local vineyard at Wexford Fine Wine & Good Spirits (125 Towne Center Dr.)
- Jennifer Wampler of Nissley Vineyards will pour a selection of her wines from the Harrisburg-area vineyard at Hummelstown Fine Wine & Good Spirits (1158 Mae St.)
2. Celebrate at a PA Wine Month Featured Event
Spend the month celebrating the sweet, the dry and all of the interesting local varietals in between. Meet the rockstars behind the bottles and participate in harvest, tasting and educational events. Highlights include the 4th Annual Fire and Ice Wine Festival at Black Walnut Winery on October 8, Cornucopia Wine Quest at all Harrisburg Hershey Wine Trail Wineries on October 15 and Winetoberfest at Sand Castle Winery on October 16. For a full listing of events, visit the PA Wine Month website.
3. Take a Wine Trail Road Trip and Enjoy Pennsylvania’s Fall Foliage
Pennsylvania is home to more than a dozen wine trails—groups of wineries located within proximity to each other. Wine trails are designed to give visitors a richly textured wine experience. Because the growing conditions vary throughout the state, each trail offers a distinctive experience for the traveler and his or her palate.
PA Eats has visited a few of the wine trails—follow our itineraries from the Susquehanna Heartland Wine Trail, the Bucks County Wine Trail and the Southwest Passage Trail for a weekend of tasty fun!
4. Go Vine-to-Table
5. Share the PA Wine Love
Pick up a Pennsylvania wine at any Fine Wine & Good Spirits location and #UncorkPA. Tweet, Instagram or Boomerang the uncorking and share it with @PAWines using #UncorkPA and #PAWineMonth.
For more information on Pennsylvania Wine Month, visit the Pennsylvania Winery Association website.
- Photos: Alexandra Whitney Photography
