Pennsylvania’s Land of Wine and Beer

Pennsylvania is known for rolling hills, picturesque farms, brilliant fall foliage and even a town built by chocolate.  But did you know that USA Today ranked Pennsylvania number six out of the top ten states for drinking locally crafted beer?  And it’s not all about beer.  According to the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Pennsylvania is the fifth largest wine grape producer in the country behind California, Washington, New York and Oregon.

With all the wineries and breweries scattered throughout the state, where’s a drinker to go to sample these liquid treasures?  Head to Central Pennsylvania where a band of brewers have come together in Hershey Harrisburg to showcase some of the finest handcrafted beer in the state.  These 10 independent craft breweries have perfected a vast selection of unique handcrafted brews.  And of the over 90 wineries in Pennsylvania, several can be found along the Hershey Harrisburg Wine Trails.

Let’s start by checking out a few of the wineries … since that’s my favorite.  Each of the 15 wineries along the Hershey Harrisburg Wine Trails produces award-winning varieties of handcrafted red, white and blush wines.  The wineries have collaborated to sponsor signature events through the year including a Valenwine’s Day Celebration in February, Spring Sensations in March, June’s Music & Wine Festival, the Jazz & Wine Festival in September and Cornucopia Wine Quest in October.

At the Cornucopia Wine Quest, guests have the opportunity to travel between 15 wineries over two weekends to experience a progressive festival.  Each winery offers a unique experience in addition to wine tasting.  Demonstrate your craftiness by making a grapevine wreath at Armstrong Valley Vineyard & Winery.  Paint a pumpkin at Buddy Boy Vineyard & Winery and chunk a pumpkin at Tamanend Winery.  At Nissley Vineyards, try your hand at the “toss the cork” game to win a bottle of wine or go on a scavenger hunt at West Hanover Winery.  There’s plenty to keep you entertained and plenty of wine.

Nissley Vineyards is one of the original vineyards in the area.  J. Richard Nissley had been making wine at home for many years before starting the vineyard and winery in 1978.  At the time, his daughters thought starting the winery would “keep Dad out of trouble” but it became much more than Dad’s little project and today the family business is run by his daughters.  The picturesque vineyard is known not only for quality wines but also for its Music in the Vineyard series of romantic summer lawn concerts.

Sit a spell and chat with the owner and namesake of Buddy Boy Vineyard & Winery and you’ll quickly realize this character is perfect for his own reality show.  Located down a beautiful country lane on property that has been in Buddy’s family since 1964, this apple orchard turned vineyard grows several varieties of grapes in the rich Appalachia mountain soil.  Buddy offers a selection of dry and sweet wines along with some fruit wines.  Buddy describes his winery as “a hobby that kinda got out of control.”

The Vineyard & Brewery at Hershey offers something for everyone with an extensive selection of wine and beer.  The concept started in 2008 when Mike Wilson was enjoying a glass or two of Merlot at a local piano bar in Harrisburg.  Three guys walked in, sat down at the opposite corner of the bar and ordered the same wine Mike was enjoying. The guys started discussing the hope they had for Pennsylvania wines. They wanted someone to make a better class of wines – venturing beyond the sweet fruity wines the area was known for at the time. Mike joined the conversation expressing the same ideas for the grapes of Pennsylvania.  Paul Vezzetti was one of the guys in the conversation. Hailing from an Italian wine-making family, Paul had been making wines since his early high school years. The challenge was on.

In 2009 the plan took root with the planting of vines on a 40-acre historical farm, and in 2012 the winery opened.  It was an immediate success proving these thirty-something bar buddies weren’t the only ones craving better wines in Pennsylvania.

But why stop with wine when you can also have beer?  The guys started a search for a brew master to join their team. The search ended with the finding of Ryan DeLutis whose creations “knocked their socks off!”

The Vineyard & Brewery at Hershey was founded on the principle that enjoying a bottle of wine or your favorite brew is meant to be a shared experience with family and friends.  With numerous events throughout the year like Kegs & Eggs – the breakfast of champions – and the annual Merlot Mike Release Party, The Vineyard & Brewery at Hershey has become a favorite destination for locals and tourists.

Another great brewery on The Craft Beer Country Tour is the Appalachian Brewing Company brewpub located in historic Harrisburg and housed in an impressive three-story brick and heavy timber structure circa 1915.  Throughout the brewery antique brick walls, massive wooden beams, hardwood floors and ceilings provide a warmth rivaled only by the beer.

Tröegs Brewing Company produces six year-round and five seasonal beers with cool names like JavaHead, Dead Reckoning Porter and The Mad Elf.  Their new 90,000 square foot facility was designed to be a unique brewing experience for Tröegs’ guests, featuring a 5,000 square foot tasting room that opens into an outdoor seating area where you can observe the brewing process firsthand. Tröegs also provides guided tours of the brewhouse on designated days.

Since 1997, Chris and John Trogner have been working hard to get Central Pennsylvania on the brewing map by handcrafting world class beers that combine traditional English brewing techniques with the eclecticism of new American brewing. It looks like they’ve succeeded.