Vineyards

Family owned winery in eastern Pennsylvania puts its story on the labels


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This is the fifth in a series of Pennsylvania Vineyard Stories.

There are two or three things that define Wycombe vineyards apart from the more than 300 other wineries located in Pennsylvania.

A distinctive feature is the labels used on more than a dozen wines produces the Bucks County winery. They incorporated family photos into the labels, adding a special touch to what is otherwise a repeating visual element.

it is also a cellar which for years has made dandelion wine a family recipe. Owner and winemaker Rich Fraser told PennLive years ago that dessert wine is “not a sweet candy like ice wine, but definitely sweeter than, say, candy.” Riesling. Fraser said in this story that they started picking dandelions in April. “We picked what we could,” he said. There were millions of them there. Took about two month [to make]. I just had to get the tags for it. We had to get the labels.

Located in the agricultural district of the Township of Buckingham, the winery has been in the family since 1925 and consists of approximately 65 acres, according to its website. Until about 1955, the land was cultivated to support the family pork business where smoked ham, bacon, and sausage were made daily and delivered to many country stores across Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Since about 1965, the land has been cultivated almost exclusively for the production of sod. “Over the past 40 years, the deep aeration practices of the peat subsoil, which adds extra limestone to our acidic eastern soil, have resulted in a uniform soil structure that is quite unique for the soil. vineyards of the East “, explains the organic of the domain.

The addition of grapes began in 1999 with the first trial planting of classic vitas vinifera vines to determine the most suitable rootstock for soils in central Bucks County. After subsequent plantings, Wyncombe has about ’10 acres of classic vines and French hybrid grapes in various stages of maturity. Another way of looking at it is that if the rows of vines were put end to end, it would take a six mile walk to inspect all the vines, ”his biography reads.

The first vines were planted in 2000 and the winery opened in 2006.

Wycombe highlights include a cozy tasting room and a terrace connected to one side of the building, all shaded by a large (and mature) tree, so there is plenty of shade during the summer months. . A large terrace has been fitted out this year.

A view of the bridge at Wycombe Vineyards, which is open Friday through Sunday.

Fraser graduated from college in law enforcement, then entered the construction trades while waiting for the opportunity to use his degree. Eventually he opened an insurance agency in Doylestown. Today, her contribution to what is now a 15-year-old business is as a mentor to her son and son-in-law. Much of the farm has been put into preservation.

Wycombe produces about 16,000 bottles annually, which Fraser says in the bio is “about enough caps a shoulder can handle.” We live in the cellar and, with our neighbors, enjoy the serenity that the night offers.

Here are the answers to several questions PennLive sent her.

Q, What’s new there since the start of the pandemic?

A, A lot has changed here since COVID. With the recent discovery of more powerful variants, we will continue our winery operations with the safety of our visitors and staff as a top priority.

That being said, we will operate as we did throughout 2020 and ’21. That is to say:

Reservations are required for interior visits. In these uncertain times, we cannot have a tasting room appointment, nor can we have our free food unprotected. “Informative” tastings should be booked both indoors and outdoors. Generous cheese platters are available for pre-order. Wine flights (your choice of four 4-ounce glasses), wine by the glass or by the bottle are options for indoor / outdoor tours. We also have an on-premises distillery operated by my son. Sator Square Distillery has won numerous international spirits awards, the most recent of which, bronze in London for its dry gin. (previously a gold medal and a double gold medal in New York and San Francisco). These offers are also available for tastings or cocktails.

In spring, summer and autumn we have plenty of places outside in the shade or in the sun. New this year is a large patio with a fireplace and a seasonal fountain. Children and dogs on a leash are welcome outside. Weather permitting, we have a restaurateur near the grill with a different menu every Saturday and Sunday. Visitors can bring their own picnic food if they wish and bring their own camp chairs etc.

We are located in the secure agricultural area of ​​the township and “entertainment” is prohibited. We have a singer / guitarist when we have a monthly sellers market in the warmer months. So far no problem because the amplification is minimal. Fortunately, we don’t need entertainment to attract people to our basement. Word of mouth is our best advertisement.

Wycombe vineyards

According to owner Rich Fraser, “Since we grow our own grapes, the vintage changes over time. So what’s this year’s bestseller will likely be different when the new vintage hits the shelves. ‘

Every year we have an open harvest in September / October where members of the public pick the grapes and learn about the winemaking process as well as the barbecue and discounts throughout the year.

Q, Are the most popular wines different or the same as your opening?

A, Our wine offerings are pretty much the same. Mainly dry with some sweetness. Warm weather wine / spirits slushes seem to be a big favorite. Since we grow our own grapes, the vintage changes over time. So who’s this year’s “best seller” will likely be different when the new vintage hits the shelves.

Q, You have, what, wine events? Which pairs should visitors know about?

A, We organize private events, mostly under 35 people. We are no longer with the Bucks County Wine Trail as I felt their planned “events” during COVID were inconsistent with our operational protocols. I’m not sure if or when we can resume pre-COVID activities, but so far we seem to have weathered the transition pretty well.

SKINNY ON THE VINEYARDS OF WYCOMBE

Site: 1391 Forest Grove Road, Furlong, Buckingham Township, Bucks County.

Hours: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Sunday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday Saturday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

More information: Telephone – 215.598.9463. Website – https://www.wycombevineyards.com/; Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wycombevineyards; Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/wycombevineyards/

Other nearby wineries: Buckingham Valley vineyards, Buckingham; Crossing of vineyards and cellars, New city; Rushland Ridge Vineyard and Winery, Rushland.

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