Mystery owner buys Galer Winery

Posted by Rich Schwartzman on September 18, 2023

Lele and Brad Galer are no longer winery owners.

It’s the end of one era and the beginning of a new one for Brad and Lele Galer. Sunday was the last day for Galer Estate Vineyard and Winery, and plans are underway for the couple to move to New England.

Members of The Wine Club enjoy the atmosphere at Geler Winery during its last few hours.

As previously reported, the Galers were selling and now the winery has been sold. New owners take over this week. But who that new owner is remained a secret Sunday.

“I’m not allowed to say,” Lele Galer said when asked to identify the buyer. “But it’s theirs come Wednesday.”

The Galers are moving because Brad Galer, a medical doctor, has a new job with a biotech startup in Boston and is spending most of his time there. Lele Galer said she’s glad her husband won’t have to commute the way he has been.

Brad and Lele Galer bought Folly Hill Winery in 2008, then spent three years in construction and opened the doors to the public in November of 2011.

Bill Hake entertains at Galer Winery on Sunday afternoon.

“It was lovely to create the space that we had envisioned to be a community space, but not something super crazy,” Lele Galer said. “We don’t like big crowds or buses. We wanted to make high-quality wine and have a nice community of people who enjoy their wine and enjoy being here, and I think we did that. We’re very happy about that.”

She hopes the new owners will keep that same atmosphere of community, in a space where they can enjoy wine.

She did say she learned one thing about herself during the last 12 years. “I’m a terrible business owner,” she said with a big laugh. “I’m terrible at small business. I was in the non-profit world for a very long time, and I understand that model. The nitty-gritty of a small business is not me.”

The couple will be looking for a home in Massachusetts, but they’re not moving just yet. Lele Galer said they’ll likely be here for another year.

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.