While most visitors come to our area to experience the former DuPont estates, now museums and gardens open to the public, many are surprised by the number of world-class restaurants and the award-winning Brandywine Valley wineries that call the area home. It’s the soil and micro-climate here in southern Chester County, PA that make the area particularly well suited to growing many varieties of grapes. Quick tip! Grab a Gourmet Picnic to go from our Inn, the perfect pairing to a day of wine tasting.
Top Wineries in Pennsylvania
Brandywine Valley Wine Trail
Chaddsford Winery
Chaddsford Winery in Chadds Ford, PA, is the largest and best known of the southern Chester County wineries. Located less than a mile from the Brandywine River Museum it has long been a destination for tastings, concerts and events such as it’s annual Labor Day Weekend Jazz Festival an end of summer ritual offering up cool wines and hot jazz. Perhaps best known for their Chardonnay, many of their wines including Merican, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and their Chardonnays have won awards in international wine competitions. In 2008 Chaddsford Winery had the honor of being named to Wine Enthusiast’s list of “America’s Top 25 Tasting Rooms”.
Va La Vineyards
Va La Vineyards produces four wines from a small hill near Avondale, PA, a short drive from the Inn, and they sell all they produce. Here is what David Schildknecht of The Wine Advocate had to say about them in their “Best of 2012” issue. “The highly unorthodox quintet that issues from two dozen (mostly Italianate) cépages (largely in field blends!) on six acres set just back from the main drag of tiny Avondale… is worth a detour; and Vietri is passionate, experimental, articulate, and focused on vineyard excellence. Whether his orange “white” La Prima Donna; his deep rosé Silk; Cinderbox; Cedar; or Mahogany…these will cause you to lick your lips as you rethink many things you thought you knew.”
Galer Estate Vineyard and Winery
Galer Estate Vineyard and Winery is a boutique winery located less than 5 minutes from the Inn as they too are just behind beautiful Longwood Gardens at 700 Folly Hill Road. Their award-winning wines include Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and a French style Rosé. This Spring they will introduce their Cabernet Franc, Reisling and Albarino. Their motto is “Blending Nature, Science and Art”, which is evident in every aspect of design and production at Galer Estate. Open Mon.-Fri. 4-7pm, Sat. & Sun. 1-7pm or by appointment.
Penns Woods Winery
Penns Woods Winery is a family-run Pennsylvania Winery. With over 40 years of experience in the wine business, winemaker, Gino Razzi, and his daughter, Carley Razzi Mack, produce award winning wines from 100% Pennsylvania-grown grapes. Their tasting room is not far and getting there by way of the back roads will take you through some wonderful countryside. For an all-around vineyard experience visit them at 124 Beaver Valley Road in Chadds Ford township, but ask for directions if you don’t have GPS in your car. Tasting Room Hours: Open Thursday through Monday. Hours change seasonally please check their website.
Seasonal Wine Events
In March, the wineries of the Brandywine Wine Trail show off their new vintage wines with their Barrels on the Brandywine event. On Saturdays and Sundays they open their cellars and tasting rooms for barrel tastings, tours, music, art shows, food and more. To partake, you need to buy a Passport for $25. In return you get a commemorative Wine Trail glass and free access to the special events going on at the sites any Saturday and Sunday during March. Passports are available for purchase at all Brandywine Wine Trail wineries starting in January and online. To buy online you need to purchase by mid-March since the passports are mailed.
Local Breweries
Several of our favorite breweries are located just a short drive from Inn:
Kennett Brewing Company
Levante Brewing Company
Victory Brewing Company
Braeloch Brewing
Iron Hill
