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

Press Release

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

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 wines worthy of any table.

Chaddsford Winery

Photo by R. Kennedy 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 seven 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 (Twin Brook Winery, Folly Hill Vineyards, Va La Vineyards, Chaddsford Winery, Kreutz Creek Vineyards and Paradocx Vineyard), host 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. Some Brandywine Valley Wine Trail highlights:

Folly Hill Vineyards in Chester County is the first vineyard/winery in the region to open an on-site bed and breakfast for tourists. So far, owners are renting out a remote mid-19^th-century stone carriage house and a converted 19^th-century smoke house. Another six rooms—to be constructed in the 150-year-old barn—are scheduled to open by the end of the year. In addition, Folly Hill has just received its license to produce wine on premises from the grapes it grows; so far the winery is turning out its first vintages of cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay. Husband-and-wife owners are also experimenting with buying grapes from a local grower, which they’ll use to make a Riesling, petit syrah, port, spiced apple and Bordeaux blend. 700 Folly Hill Road, Kennett Square, (610) 388-5895, www.follyhillvineyards.com
Celebrating its 25^th anniversary in 2007, Chaddsford Winery, the biggest winery in Pennsylvania, is also one of its oldest. International awards, such as the Tasters Guild International Wine Competition Gold Medal, keep piling in for the husband-and-wife owner team, who boast about all of their premium varieties, with special emphasis on their Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and spiced apple wine. The winery hosts a free Brandywine River Blues Festival on Memorial Day and a Jazz Festival on Labor Day weekend. Summertime Friday nights also mean live music under the stars. Located in a in a restored 17^th-century barn, Chaddsford is open seven days a week. 632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, (610) 388-6221, www.chaddsford.com
Paradocx Vineyard – So named because its four principle owners are doctors, Paradocx is opening its new on-site tasting room to the public for special events this year, while its off-site tasting room has moved to The Shops of Longwood Village. In fall 2007, the vineyard will also open a new wine-making facility that will open on weekends for tours. Already, Paradocx is winning awards: most recently its 2004 Sangiovese took home prizes at the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition. 1699 Fairville Road, Fairville, (610) 255-5684, www.paradocx.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 (Buckingham Valley Vineyards, Crossing Vineyards and Winery, New Hope Winery, Peace Valley Winery, Rose Bank Winery, Rushland Ridge Vineyards and Sand Castle Winery, Wycombe Vineyards), all within a few minutes driving distance 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 a few stops on the Bucks County Wine Trail, www.buckscountywinetrail.com:

Wycombe Vineyards is this year’s latest addition to the wine trail, and 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
Crossing Vineyards and Winery is located on a 200-year-old estate, less than a mile from the place where George Washington crossed the Delaware River in 1776. This winery prides itself on its modern and sophisticated equipment and strives to make wine in the most environmentally responsible way possible. Crossing has just launched an estate series that took a bronze medal at the prestigious International Eastern Wine Competition. 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, (215) 493-6500, www.crossingvineyards.com
Wine enthusiasts looking for an opportunity to get closer to the land can pick their own grapes each harvest season at Peace Valley Winery, overlooking Peace Valley Park. Four acres of land are stocked with two red 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 20 estate-bottled wines, now available to taste for seven days a week. Old Limekiln Road, Chalfont, (215) 249-9058

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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