Living History: Wineries of the Brandywine Valley

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For decades, American wines — such as those produced in the early days from California — were looked down upon by connoisseurs who appreciated only those from France, Italy and other well established regions. From the 1970s onward, vintners around the U.S. have cultivated wines worthy of praise alongside those from Europe. Chester County and neighboring southwestern Delaware County hold a place in that history, with some wineries successfully producing good quality wines for over 25 years. Ten wineries grace the landscape from the north-central region down to the border with Delaware. Wine lovers can experience a wide variety of reds, whites, dessert and even sparkling wines from vineyards which have established a foothold in a region now producing a significant volume of enjoyable vintages.

Perhaps the best known of all the local establishments, the Chaddsford Winery in Chadds Ford. has been in operation since 1982 when Eric and Lee Miller opened the first commercial scale vineyard in the southern Brandywine Valley. Although the Millers have retired, they still consult with the operators of the winery, managed by Greg Kuhn. Chaddsford Winery has revamped their operations; they’ve sold vineyard acreage and now produce wines from grapes purchased throughout the region. They offer a wide variety of whites (Proprietors Reserve, Naked Chardonnay, Miller Estate Chardonnay), reds (Pinot Noir, Merlot, Essence and Merican) and specialty wines (Sunset Blush, Niagara and Spiced Apple). The winery also has events throughout the year, including their Summer concert series, the upcoming “Trick or Treat” tasting and the Zombie Ball. www.chaddsford.com

If you’re driving south on Route 202 towards Delaware, turn right onto Beaver Valley Road. You’ll come to the southeasternmost winery in the valley — Penns Woods Winery. Along with many others in the area, the operation lies on the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail and offers whites (Chardonnay Reserve, Sauvignon Blanc, Traminette), reds (Cabernet Sauvignon, Chambourcin, Merlot Reserve, Ameritage), rose’ and dessert wine. www.pennswoodswinery.com

Paradocx Winery in Landenberg, Pa. offers not only a nice variety of whites (Chardonnay, Videl Blanc) and rose’ (Pali Pink, Detour 2007), but also reds (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Merge, Petit Verdot) and dessert wines (Muscat Ottonel, Op-por-tune and T-wine, rated Best In Show at the 26th annual Mushroom Festival). They have a tasting room in the Longwood Shopping Center for those wanting a bit of refreshment after running their local weekend chores. www.paradocx.com

Black Walnut Winery up in Sadsburyville is located in a 200-year old barn renovated by owners Lance and Valerie Castle. The winery produces 10 varieties of whites (including Pinot Gris, Semillon, Chardonnay and Vidal Blanc), nine reds (Chambourcin, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah and others) along with their spiced “More Than ‘M’ seasonal wine. www.blackwalnutwinery.com

If you’re near Avondale, stop in at Va La Winery, whose beautiful tasting room opened in 2002. Servers complement their wines with an assortment of specialty cheeses, olive oils and other tasty dippings. The entryway is wonderfully rustic, stone walls and colorful displays allowing visitors to feel at home with a glass of their premier white wine (Prima Donna) or a medium-bodied red (Silk, Siranetta, Mahogany). Production is limited to about 750 cases per year. Wander the upper deck where they have live concerts; you can sit overlooking the vineyard while relaxing in the serene atmosphere. www.valavineyards.com

J. Maki Winery in Elverson. is the northernmost vineyard in Chester County. It holds the distinction of being the only American winery honored with a gold medal for Blanc de Blancs champagne at the Vinalies Internationales competition in Paris. Begun in 1993 by J. Maki, the operation nestled in scenic rolling hills produces Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Viognier and Gewurtztraminer to satisfy white wine enthusiasts, as well as Syrah, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Petite Verdot for those who prefer reds. At the top of its list are their Blanc de Blancs, Brut and Blanc de Noir champagnes to please those who prefer a bit of the bubbly. www.jmakiwinery.com

Other wineries in the area include Kreutz Creek, Stargazer’s (where Mason and Dixon made astronomical observations from a stone marked nearby), Twin Brook and Galer Estate. These wineries present enthusiasts with numerous options to sample along with live music, wine dinners and special events. If you’re taking a weekend drive and looking for something fun on a Saturday afternoon, stop by- and raise a glass.

*Gene Pisasale is an author based in Kennett Square who focuses on topics of local and historical interest. He does several lecture series and has published historical novels of Chester County, including “Lafayette’s Gold- The Lost Brandywine Treasure” and “Abandoned Address- The Secret of Frick’s Lock.” His new novel on the War of 1812 and mysteries surrounding the Star-Spangled Banner is due out by year-end 2012. Gene can be reached at Gene@GenePisasale.com; his website is www.GenePisasale.com.

About Gene Pisasale

Gene Pisasale is an historian, author and lecturer based in Kennett Square, Pa. His eight books and historic lecture series focus on the history of the mid-Atlantic region. Gene’s latest book is Alexander Hamilton: Architect of the American Financial System, which delves into the life and many accomplishments of this important Founding Father who almost single-handedly transformed our nation from a bankrupt entity into the most successful country in the history of mankind. Gene’s books are available on www.Amazon.com. His website is www.GenePisasale.com; he can be reached at Gene@GenePisasale.com.

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