By Sara Bozich
If a were a betting woman, you couldn’t dare me to place a wager on the amount of wine being produced in Pennsylvania. With more than 140 wineries and 11 wine trails, our great Commonwealth is making a name for itself in wine. And, in the Hershey-Harrisburg area, there are plenty of these wineries to visit, sip and enjoy!
Armstrong Valley Vineyard & Winery in Halifax is one of the area’s newest wineries. They offer five white and five red varieties, ranging from sweet to dry, so there’s a little something for everyone. They also make a series of fruit wines, with flavors like apple, cherry, peach, blackberry and more. Armstrong Valley Vineyard & Winery also hosts live music on its patio on Friday nights.
Hunters Valley Winery in Liverpool produces about 3,500 gallons or 18,000 bottles of wine yearly in nearly 20 varieties. Their winery offers a breathtaking view of the Susquehanna River. The vineyards are on-site, just a short walking distance from the building, where the wine is fermented bottled and sold. Tours and tastings are free. Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic to enjoy with their wine.
West Hanover Winery has been a staple of the area for more than 22 years. They create award-winning wines and host events - from weddings to summer concerts - at their Harrisburg location. From dessert wines to dry wines, they offer 38 varieties. West Hanover Winery implements the latest fermenting technology to create a faster, quality wine to impress the most discriminating tastes.
The Susquehanna Heartland Wine Trail represents 10 area vineyards, including Benigna’s Creek Winery, Hunters Valley Wintery, Mount Nittany Vineyard & Winery, Seven Mountains Wine Cellars, Brookmere Winery, Shade Mountain Winery, Spyglass Ridge Winery, Red Shale Ridge Vineyards and the soon-to-open Fero Vineyards and Happy Valley.
Cassel Vineyards of Hershey is set to reopen this June with a brand new tasting room. Plus, coming soon -- two new local wineries. The Vineyard at Hershey opens this winter; Buddy Boy Winery is expected to open in Duncannon in November.
For more information VisitHersheyHarrisburg.org