October is Pennsylvania Wine Month
PA's 200-plus wineries produce more than 1,500,000 gallons of wine annually, ranking 7th in the nation in overall production
ALLENTOWN, Pa., Oct. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- October is Pennsylvania Wine Month, and winemakers, industry leaders and localvores gathered in downtown Allentown today for a tasting and toast to the multibillion-dollar industry. Pennsylvania ranks near the top nationally in total grapes grown, wine produced and total number of wineries.
The celebration was organized by the Pennsylvania Winery Association, which has been spearheading a new campaign to market the state's 200-plus wineries. There are so many wineries in fact, that residents and visitors are always within an hour's drive from at least one winery – if not more.
To build on that and promote Wine Month, association staff are crisscrossing the state Sept. 24-Oct. 2 to host events in Scranton, Pittsburgh, Allentown and Harrisburg. The road trip is similar to those highlighted for consumers in a new guide and mobile-friendly planning tools, both of which are available through PAWineMonth.com.
"People didn't always know what to expect when they heard 'PA Wine' in the past," said Jennifer Eckinger, executive director of the Pennsylvania Winery Association. "But we knew they were receptive to trying a locally-made wine – and so we've focused heavily on inviting them out to the vineyards and tasting rooms, where they can talk to the winemakers and sample wines as part of an overall experience. The market was ripe, and both consumers and winemakers have been blown away!"
Eckinger draws a comparison to the explosion in consumer interest that craft breweries experienced a few years ago. There is "a tremendous thirst for locally-made wines, spirits and even traditional ciders. This movement of grape-to-glass just continues to gain momentum!" she said.
Nationally, Pennsylvania ranks: 5th in the amount of grapes grown (including juice grapes); 7th in wine production, producing more than 1,500,000 gallons annually; and 7th in total number of wineries. PA has seen a spike in the number of new wineries opening recently: approx. 20 new in the last two years alone, Eckinger said.
The tasting events are being co-hosted by Discover Lehigh Valley, Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau, Lackawanna County Convention and Visitors Bureau and VisitErie. Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores are also highlighting PA-made wines in October; this is the second year for the cooperative effort, which includes a special section on their website too.
SOURCE The Pennsylvania Winery Association
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