No Whining In PA About Wine

PENNSYLVANIA —When you think of Pennsylvania, soft pretzels, water ice, cheesesteaks, covered bridges, the Liberty Bell, Ben Franklin, the Phillies or Pirates, the Eagles or Steelers, may come to mind.

Wine is not something the average person associates with the Keystone state.

But actually, wine has been part of Pennsylvania’s history for over three centuries.

Back in the late 1600s, William Penn planted a vineyard in Fairmount Park. Over the years, Pennsylvania’s wine industry has become fifth in the nation, with wineries sprinkled all over the state, according to the Pennsylvania Winery Association, based in Harrisburg.

There are 300 wineries in Pennsylvania, producing more than 2 million gallons of wine a year.

Here are some interesting facts about Pennsylvania Wine:

• Pennsylvania’s wine industry attracts more than two million visitors a year.
• Pennsylvania’s climate is closer in comparison to European wine regions than many other areas in the nation
• The birth of wine in the United States predates the birth of our nation.
• There are more wineries in Pennsylvania than covered bridges.

Grapes begin to grow

Fall is the favorite time of year for Pennsylvania wineries.
The grapes begin to grow in March throughout the more rural areas of Chester, Lancaster, Montgomery and Bucks counties, and other wine growing regions such as the Lehigh Valley and the Lake Erie area.
In September and October, the grapes are harvested for winemaking.

Off the beaten path

Jason Kirkpatrick, owner of Stargazers Winery, Newlin Township, Chester County, said the harvest process concluded about two weeks ago.

He said the summer drought did not have a negative impact on the harvest.

“Grapes grow very well in Pennsylvania,” he said. “We had a good harvest here. We have a full production facility here. We ferment the wine here. The wine is sold in Pennsylvania state stores.”

Kirkpatrick noted that California is not the only place to make wine.

The wine industry began to ramp up when a state law was passed to allow wineries to produce wine with grapes grown in Pennsylvania.

“The wine industry started to grow in the 80s,” he said.

At Stargazers, wine aficionados have a wide variety to choose from. The wines include Chardonnay, Riesling, Marion Blackberry, Pinot Noir, and more.

In March 2019, Kirkpatrick and Michael Vorauer, natives of Texas, purchased Stargazers from founders, John and Alice Weygandt. The new owners had worked at other wineries in Adams and Berks counties.

When they heard Stargazers was for sale, they jumped at the opportunity.

The winery is open Wednesday to Friday, 2 to 7 p.m.; Saturday 12 to 7 p.m. and Sunday 12 to 6 p.m.
It offers wine tasting with charcuterie. Visitors can reserve spots to enjoy fire pits. Guests can bring their own chairs and blankets.

The winery is also hosting an event called “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Barn Dance” from 7 to 10.p.m. Friday, Oct. 28. The event offers folk dancing with live fiddle music.

Wine can be ordered by bottle or glass. Tickets are available here. To make reservations, call 610-468-0422.