I've been making wine for over twenty years. All kinds of wine for all kinds of people. I've always said that the easiest part of the wine industry is the winemaking, and I still believe it. The hardest part is selling it (growing it is a close second.)
Pennsylvania has one of the most unique liquor sales and licensing systems in the U.S., and I've yet to meet very many people who feel confident in understanding all of the regulations. I grew up in the Midwest, so it's a minor miracle I ended up making wine here on the East coast. That said, I sometimes feel as if I take more pride in supporting local products than folks who have lived here their entire lives.
Years ago--when I first entered the wine industry--"local" wasn't really a thing. In 2009 when the country was beginning to struggle with the effects of the Great Recession, there was a movement towards "Buy Local" and "Farm-to-Table" restaurants. Like most small businesses, we persevered through those tough economic times because of the people who went out of their way to find us on their "stay-cations." Social media might have allowed us to share our story with the world, but it really enabled us to connect with the folks down the street.
What is unique about Pennsylvania wine is that no other alcoholic beverage reflects its local roots more than wine. Locally grown malt barley and hops account for less than 1% of the ingredients in PA beers and even less for PA spirits. More than 70% of Pennsylvania wines, on the other hand, are from grapes grown in the Commonwealth (and most of the balance of the fruit is grown in East coast states like New York and Maryland.)
All of these wines are available to any Pennsylvania restaurant or tavern, directly sourced from the winery. Most wineries are even happy to deliver the wine directly to the restaurant as well as do select tastings for staff and customers. We're proud to make wine here, and proud to share it with our neighbors.
I once knew a chef in York county who used to say "Eat like you live here," and I couldn't agree with him more. We're all local to where we live, and there's nothing more important for us than to be part of and support our community. The next time you go to a restaurant and see locally grown tomatoes and locally raised beef and locally made cheese, be sure to support what they are doing.
And if you see that they only have wine from California or France or Australia, tell them you like to drink like you live here, too.
#drinklikeyoulivehere
Pennsylvania has one of the most unique liquor sales and licensing systems in the U.S., and I've yet to meet very many people who feel confident in understanding all of the regulations. I grew up in the Midwest, so it's a minor miracle I ended up making wine here on the East coast. That said, I sometimes feel as if I take more pride in supporting local products than folks who have lived here their entire lives.Years ago--when I first entered the wine industry--"local" wasn't really a thing. In 2009 when the country was beginning to struggle with the effects of the Great Recession, there was a movement towards "Buy Local" and "Farm-to-Table" restaurants. Like most small businesses, we persevered through those tough economic times because of the people who went out of their way to find us on their "stay-cations." Social media might have allowed us to share our story with the world, but it really enabled us to connect with the folks down the street.
What is unique about Pennsylvania wine is that no other alcoholic beverage reflects its local roots more than wine. Locally grown malt barley and hops account for less than 1% of the ingredients in PA beers and even less for PA spirits. More than 70% of Pennsylvania wines, on the other hand, are from grapes grown in the Commonwealth (and most of the balance of the fruit is grown in East coast states like New York and Maryland.) All of these wines are available to any Pennsylvania restaurant or tavern, directly sourced from the winery. Most wineries are even happy to deliver the wine directly to the restaurant as well as do select tastings for staff and customers. We're proud to make wine here, and proud to share it with our neighbors.
I once knew a chef in York county who used to say "Eat like you live here," and I couldn't agree with him more. We're all local to where we live, and there's nothing more important for us than to be part of and support our community. The next time you go to a restaurant and see locally grown tomatoes and locally raised beef and locally made cheese, be sure to support what they are doing.And if you see that they only have wine from California or France or Australia, tell them you like to drink like you live here, too.
#drinklikeyoulivehere
Comments
Post a Comment
By posting on here, you are guaranteeing that what you say here is worthwhile and worth saying. And something that you would say in the presence of your mother. If not, I will be forced to remove it.