Wine-lovers like nothing better than unwrapping that oblong box under the tree.
Fortunately, shopping for wine can be as much fun (maybe more) as being on the receiving end. Many wineries in the mountains and farmland northwest of Harrisburg are holding special events during December to draw you in and reward you for your travel.
Below is a look at five wineries that will entertain you while teasing your palette—two in Perry County, one in Juniata County, one in Mifflin County and one in upper Dauphin—all within an easy drive of Harrisburg.
Winery at Hunters Valley
Last April, veteran vintners Mike and Carol Williams purchased the Winery at Hunters Valley, located just outside Liverpool in Perry County and offering magnificent views of the Susquehanna River.
Therefore, the winery is now part of the Winery at Wilcox family, one of the state’s largest producers.
I asked Jamie Williams, company vice president, about his favorite wines from Hunters Valley.
“That’s like asking me to choose my favorite child,” he said. “But all joking aside, my favorites change with each vintage and each day. This year, I’m particularly proud of our Liverpool Ruby Red, which is a port-style fortified wine. I am also very fond of this year’s dry Riesling.”
This month, the winery will host a number of holiday events, including “A Heartland Christmas,” sponsored by the Susquehanna Heartland Wine Trail. Patrons of the wine trail will receive a grapevine wreath, which they can decorate with homemade ornaments found at each of the trail member wineries. Additionally, the Winery at Hunters Valley will feature live music and a food truck on alternating Saturday afternoons in the party pavilion.
“Along with our wine, we sell many wine-related gifts,” Williams said.
Olivero’s Vineyard & Winery
Olivero’s Vineyard is a family-owned winery adjacent to a 124-year-old farmhouse located just outside of McAlisterville. The vineyard and winery are co-owned by Bill Dressler, Matthew and Sarah Dressler, and Megan and Bill Yurkovic.
“Bill Dressler and his wife, Dottie, purchased the farm in 1976,” explained Bill Yurkovic. “Dottie’s love of wine and her dream of turning the farm into a vineyard grew as she and Bill raised their children. Sadly, Dottie passed away in 2009 and never had a chance to see her dream become a reality.”
By 2012, Dottie’s dream started to take shape, one grape trellis at a time. Olivero’s is named in honor of Dottie’s Italian immigrant father, Olivero Ricci, a perfect tribute to honor her memory.
Visiting Olivero’s, you will find breathtaking views of the rolling hills and nearby mountains. Don’t forget to say hello to Buck and Vino, the quarter horses grazing in the adjacent pasture.
The winery opened in 2014 in a rural area of Juniata County where marketing can be a challenge. However, they’re proud that, through a team effort, they have more than tripled production in the past year.
I asked Yurkovic about his favorite wines. “We grow Concord and Riesling on the farm,” he replied. “We have a very popular Chardonnay, Riesling and Catawba. Something for every taste.”
Like Hunters Valley, Olivero’s is part of the Susquehanna Heartland Wine Trail, which is sponsoring “A Heartland Christmas” tour for the holidays. The owners are also opening a retail store in the State Street Plaza in Lemoyne.
Bucks Valley Winery and Vineyard
It’s been six months since Mike and Mary Pelino opened their winery.
“Since that time, we’ve had weekly musical entertainment, fundraisers, bridal showers, birthday parties, book clubs, reception dinners and have sold a mountain of pizza, far more than I had expected,” said Mike.
Located just a mile off PA Route 322 in Perry County, the vineyard’s kitchen has become almost as much of an attraction as the wine, serving pizza, meat and cheese trays and artisan breads. Mike recently added a big screen TV for Penn State football games and other events.
Mike’s favorite white wine is the Traminette, which is aromatic and spicy with a peppery finish. His favorite red wine is the Vanilla Fe. It’s a Chambourcin started with French oak, blended with some Merlot and finished with American oak. The grapes for both wines are grown on the farm.
The holiday calendar at Bucks Valley is jam-packed.
“We are planning a wine/food pairing, a wine glass painting party, a wine bottle light making party, and a number of other events,” Mike said.
Armstrong Valley Vineyard & Winery
A decade ago, Jake Gruver and Dean Miller purchased 10 acres and, in 2007, another 90 acres in the Armstrong Valley near Halifax in Dauphin County.
“Our property needed a lot of help, but the buildings had good bones and were salvageable,” Gruver said. “While cleaning up the property, we visited other wineries and found some had tasting rooms and other facilities in their barn, and we realized we could use our barn likewise.”
The winery opened in May 2011 and quickly became a social magnet for local residents, especially after turning the upstairs of the barn into an events center. Today, the winery hosts about 30 weddings a year as well as many smaller events, such as birthday parties, fundraisers and bridal showers.
“I am a dry red guy,” Gruver said. “So, I like our Armstrong Red, a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Also, I like our Cabernet Franc by itself. By the way, our semi-dry Chardonnay is pretty good, too.”
December will be a busy month at the winery.
The holiday season opens on Dec. 5 with the Passionettes, a ‘60s-style all-girl band. Then, on three successive Sundays—Dec. 6, 13 and 20—the main house, which is listed as a Patriot Home by the Daughters of the American Revolution, will be opened to the public. It will be decorated for Christmas, and a tour guide will offer details of life back in the 1700s and how those people celebrated Christmas.
The same Sundays will feature “Christmas in the Barn,” in which the barn will be decorated for Christmas, and local vendors will sell handmade items for holiday gifts.
The month of celebration will culminate with a New Year’s Eve Party featuring two bands, food and party favors.
“It’ll be a really good time,” said Gruver. “We’re proud to have created something here in Halifax that, we believe, has helped bring people and business to our community.”
Brookmere Winery & Vineyard Inn
Tucked up against a corner of the village of Belleville along PA Route 655, the Brookmere Winery is located on 38 acres that were granted to the Alexander family from William Penn. The winery itself was established in 1984. After working for the previous owners, Cheryl and Ed Glick purchased it in 2007.
“We’re very proud to be the first winery in Pennsylvania to have a bed and breakfast located next to the winery,” Cheryl said. “James Alexander built the southern mansion-type farmhouse in 1866 as a wedding present to his bride, and it has stayed occupied over the years.
I asked Cheryl about her two favorite wines. After thinking for a moment, she replied, “I think it would have to be the Cabernet Franc, which is a dry red, and the Frog Hollow, which is a sweet blush.”
Because of its location in the middle of the scenic Big Valley area northwest of Lewistown, the Brookmere Winery has evolved into a destination by offering tasty wines, a variety of events and a comfortable bed and breakfast. Wine enthusiasts can sample a selection of red, white, blush and fruit wines amidst the sprawling vineyards.
So, there you have it—five wineries just north of the city where you can pick up a special bottle while having a great time in the process. It sure beats the mall!
GOING THERE
Armstrong Valley Vineyard and Winery: 212 Rutter Rd, Halifax. Visit www.armstrongvalleywinery.com or call 717-896-7700.
Bucks Valley Winery and Vineyards: 333 Meadow Grove Rd, Newport. Visit www.bucksvalleywinery.com or call 717-204-7508.
Olivero’s Vineyard & Winery: 1271 Troyer Road, McAlisterville. Visit www.oliverosvineyards.com or call 717-877-2238.
Brookmere Winery & Vineyard Inn: 5369 PA Route 655, Belleville. Visit www.brookmerewine.com or call 717-935-5380.
Winery at Hunters Valley: 3 Orchard Rd,, Liverpool. Visit www.huntersvalleywines.com or call 717-444-7211.
Don Helin published his first thriller, “Thy Kingdom Come,” in 2009. His novel, “Devil’s Den,” was selected as a finalist in the 2013 Indie Book Awards. His latest thriller, “Secret Assault,” was selected as the best suspense/thriller at the 2015 Indie Book Awards. Contact Don on his website, www.donhelin.com.
