Take the chill out of winter. Relax by candlelight and share a glass of wine from one the area’s award-winning wineries with family and friends. The Great Outdoors region has several fine wineries to choose from and most offer tasting tours all year round.
Deer Creek Winery is the newest winery in our region, it opened in September 2009. Specializing in Raspberry Wine made with raspberries from their adjoining farm plus other varieties. The farm has been providing the finest raspberries for several years. They offer free wine tasting and tours. The winery also has a gift shop inside where you will find unique items to take home or to give to another. It’s open daily from Noon – 6 p.m. and Fridays Noon – 8 p.m. The winery is located a few miles from Shippenville PA and is easily accessible from any direction. From I-80, take Exit 53 or 60. The winery is located at 333 Soapfat Road in Shippenville. For more information call 814-354-7392 or visit www.deercreekwine.com
Foxburg Wine Cellars is nestled in the majestic mountains overlooking the Allegheny River. Foxburg Wine Cellars specializes in low-sulfated, naturally processed wines. It features one of the largest tasting-retail outlet stores in Pennsylvania, offering wines, gifts, clothing, meats, imported and domestic cheese, coffee, glassware and home winemaking supplies. You can tour the winery, and fine dining is available nearby at the Foxburg Inn on the Allegheny. The winery is located 4 miles off I-80 Exit 45 at 65 Main Street, Foxburg. It’s open Sunday - Thursday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Friday-Saturday Noon – 8 p.m. For more information call 724-659-0021 or log on to http://foxburgwine.com.
The Laurel Mountain Vineyard is a small, boutique winery making eastern variety wines. Stop in 10 a.m. to 6 p.m Wed.-Sun. for a free tour and sample of its award-winning vintages. The winery also has a large gift shop featuring locally handcrafted items, customized gift baskets, unique wine accessories, gourmet foods, clothing and wine racks. The winery is located in a 100 year old barn and has an antique tool museum on site, showcasing the farm equipment that has been in the family for generations. If you can guess what the five mystery tools are, you may win a bottle of Concord or Niagara wine. The winery is located off I-80 Exit 97 between DuBois and Brockway. Take Rt.219 north 3 miles to the winery sign. For more information call 814-371-7022 or check out the winery’s website www.laurelwines.com.
Windgate Vineyards started over 30 years ago in Smicksburg, a tiny Amish community with a microclimate perfect for growing wine grapes. It’s the largest family owned estate winery in Western Pennsylvania, growing several varieties of French hybrid grapes and bottling over 6,000 gallons of wine each year. Windgate wines are priced from $5.75 to $25 per bottle. Case orders (12 bottles or more) are discounted 10%. The winery is open year-round, 7 days a week, from noon to 5:00 p.m (closed holidays). Wine tasting tours are offered and gift baskets, books about wine and other related merchandise are available. The winery is located at 1998 Hemlock Acres Rd., (2 miles off Rt. 954) in Smicksburg. Call 814- 257-8797 for more information or visit www.windgatevineyards.com.
The Winery At Wilcox opened its doors in the summer of 1994, with an inventory of 1,100 gallons in eight varieties. Just a few year’s later, it had increased its capacity to 45,000 gallons and offered 30 unique varieties of wine. This family-owned winery is just a short drive through some of the most picturesque scenery in North Central Pennsylvania and is close to the Allegheny National Forest and the East Branch Dam. The Winery At Wilcox is open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and offers wine tasting tours. Its gift shop is filled with wonderful wine related items, plus beautifully filled baskets and gift ideas! The winery is located 2 miles off Rt. 219 on Mefferts Run Rd. between Wilcox and Johnsonburg. For more information call 814-929-5598 or visit www.wineryatwilcox.net.
