New Whitemarsh Winery Takes First Place

Pennsylvania's newest winery isn't nestled in the hills of Erie County. It is right here, in Montgomery County. 

The Whitemarsh Township-based Karamoor Farms has been making wine for five years now, but its recent win of top billing for its Meritage 2008 is something that may make the local winery owners stand out.

According to a report on CBS Local, Nicholas and Athena Karabots decided to convert their 240-acre farm into a winery a few years back. Athena says the couple's decision was based largely on the economy.

"[Nicholas] decided and said ‘well you know what perhaps we should do something fun," Athena said of her husband to CBS Local. "If we’re going to lose money, let’s lose money big time and when things get bad, we come into the winery and we sit and enjoy our wine.'"

Nicholas told CBS that the wines they make are a unique blend compared to other wineries in the state.

"We wanted to do some Northern Italian wines, but we’re not in the right parallel with Northern Italy here, so Bordeaux though works here and the wines are very dry and this is what we love," said Nicholas in an interview with CBS's Brad Segall.

The Whitemarsh Township couple took home a first prize for their Meritage 2008 at the recent Pennsylvania Farm Show wine competition. The blend was awarded best vinifera and dry grape.

A "meritage," according to "Education Cultivation" is a Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot-based blends that are "made by members of the Meritage Association." Most members, however, reside in California. 

The Karabots said they enjoy briging the dry blends, so named by combining "merit" and "heritage" to Pennsylvania.

"I decided that there aren't many good real Pennsylvania wines," said Nicholas to phily.com in a recent feature on the Farm. "Why not do a good Pennsylvania wine that effectively will mirror the European mode - the dry wines?" 

After 57 years together, the couple says they know what they like and work well together as partners.

"But we are by no means experts," Nicholas told philly.com.

"We know what we like," added Athena.

You can find the Karabots' wines in select Pennsylvania State Stores. It is $26.99 for the cabernet franc and merlot and is $28.99 for the award-winning Meritage, according to philly.com. Currently stores in Ardmore, Jenkintown and King of Prussia carry the Karamoor Farm's Meritage 2008.