Pennsylvania is home to well over 300 wineries creating distinctive, award-winning wines for every palette. October is Pennsylvania Wine Month, which gives us an opportunity to toast the brilliant wines, wineries and winemakers who call PA home. What’s more, as you honor PA wineries, you lift up the local makers and producers who collaborate with them.
We chatted with Abigail Miller and Virginia Mitchell of the Pennsylvania Wine Association. They shared some of the best ways to make the most of this month-long celebration.
PA Eats: Can you tell us about Pennsylvania Wine Month?
Miller & Mitchell: Pennsylvania Wine Month, celebrated in October, highlights the state’s growing and thriving wine industry and the diverse styles and varieties of Pennsylvania wines. October is a fitting time, because it coincides with the grape harvest season in Pennsylvania, when many vineyards are busy with harvesting their grapes and producing wine. It’s a time to celebrate the efforts of local winemakers and promote the state’s growing wine culture. Additionally, October’s cooler weather is perfect for enjoying wine and attending various wine-related events and tasting rooms that showcase Pennsylvania’s unique offerings.
What makes this time of year special for wine, wineries and wine drinkers?
October is grape harvest season in regions across the state. This time of year often features special activities, like tasting room events, harvest celebrations and wine festivals that highlight local food and wine. This allows a behind-the-scenes look into the start of the next vintage. October is the perfect time to support local wineries. By visiting a PA winery, you are supporting a small business and contributing to your community’s economy.
What are some ways people can celebrate PA Wine month?
Our “Wine Wishlist” during PA Wine Month includes the following activities to enjoy throughout October:
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Enjoy a Wine Tasting
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Attend a Winery and/or Vineyard Tour
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Explore and taste a unique Pennsylvania grape variety
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Plan a picnic in a picturesque PA vineyard
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Pair a bottle of PA wine with your your favorite fall inspired meal
If someone is on a tight budget or short on time, what’s a good way for them to celebrate PA Wine month?
You’re never more than an hour from a winery in Pennsylvania, so plan a quick (or lengthy) trip to support your local winery during PA Wine Month. Whether you’re there to enjoy live music, an event, a relaxing afternoon in the tasting room, or just to take your favorite bottle home to enjoy, your local winery will be ever thankful for your support of enjoying a local bottle.
Can you suggest how to plan a PA wine itinerary?
- It’s about crafting an experience for your palate. You’ll not only sample a wide variety of flavors, but you’ll enjoy them amongst some of Pennsylvania’s finest scenery. You’ll trek through vineyards, converse with the winemakers, observe flavors you’ve never noticed before, and enjoy a Pennsylvania sunset over lush, green fields. Maybe your wine trail experience will be an intimate weekend with your partner, or a celebratory evening with friends. Pennsylvania’s Wine Land is what you decide to make it. The passionate, hardworking winemakers of PA are here and ready to toast with you. Begin exploring!
- Always plan ahead! Whether you’re visiting one right down the road or making a weekend getaway out of it, be sure to check the winery website for hours and any details regarding reservation requirements, kid/dog friendly, food stipulations, etc.
- A full list of the over 400 PA wineries are listed at https://pennsylvaniawine.com/find-wineries for you to easily find wineries to visit right in your backyard or find new ones based on your favorite wine varietals produced, events, vineyard views, etc. The possibilities are endless!
- Two to four wineries are recommended in a day to visit so you have time to taste, tour and experience all that a winery has to offer. To that, visit the “Create My Itinerary” (https://pennsylvaniawine.com/create-itinerary) to select the wineries you’re interested in visiting so you have the perfect route!
To plan your perfect October, check out the Pennsylvania Wine Association’s guide to Pennsylvania Wine Month. Try its interactive Wine and Cheese Pairing Guide to match cheese with your favorite wine style, get wine picnic planning inspiration, create a custom itinerary and plug into the many winery events across the state!
The PA Vines & Wines series was created in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Wine Association with Round 8, Act 39 grant funding from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB).
The Pennsylvania Winery Association (PWA) is a trade association that markets and advocates for the limited licensed wineries in Pennsylvania.
- Photos: Pennsylvania Wine Association
