Twisted Vintner at 7 years old

Posted by ChaddsFordLive on June 11, 2017

It started as a simple contest for amateur winemakers to strut their stuff, but the annual Twisted Vintner has turned into much more.

Twisted Vintner began as a competition among amateur winemakers, but has turned into the Concordville-Chadds Ford Rotary's major fundraiser. All money raised goes to the Rotary's charitable efforts.

Twisted Vintner began seven years ago in the showroom at Garnet Ford on Route 202, but quickly outgrew the space. For the past several years it's been under a large tent in the parking lot of the Concordville Town Centre.

The event is a major fundraiser for the Concordville-Chadds Ford Rotary that, according to event chairman Don Culp, raised more than $200,000 during its first six years. During the seventh Twisted Vintner, held June 8, Culp said while there was no specific financial goal for the 2017 event. And while the final numbers weren't readily available, Culp said he's more than pleased no matter how much is raised.

Don Culp, chairman of the Twisted Vintner event, does double dad duty. He said there was no financial goal for the June 8 event, but the more money that's raised, the more gets returned the community.

"I'm happy with whatever amount we make," he said, "but the more we make, the more we can give to local charities. And people can name their own charity, if they like, as long as it's legitimate. It's all about the community."

He said the charities, sponsors and donors are all local, such as Brandywine Youth Club, Rachel Kohl Library, Casa, and Camp Bournelyf among others. Culp, of Delco Alarm Systems, was said he was especially appreciative of Acme Markets, the event's largest sponsor.

Team Toyota is Twisted Vintner's major automobile sponsor. Lisa Diskin, the general manager of Team Toyota of Glen Mills, said she's doubly happy about being part of the fundraising effort and proud that her group donated $10,000 this year.

"It's for local charities and I grew up here. But I also have a nephew who goes to Camp Bournelyf," she said.

It starts with wine, but all the money raised goes to Rotary charities.

Bournelyf is a day camp in West Chester for special needs youth.

Visitors to the event, such as Mary Krug, all said the same thing: While Twisted Vintner is fun and a great way to sample wine and eat good food, it's all about the Rotary's charitable efforts.

In addition to Acme, The Meat House, Pescatore's Restaurant, Bardolino Italian Steakhouse and others provided the food. Libation, in the form of beer and wine, was provided by numerous wineries such as Penns Woods Winery, Wayvine and Paradocx. McKenzie Brew House, Victory Brewing and 2SP were among the breweries.