The Bucks County Wine Trail is thriving in its third full year of existence. It connects eight locally owned wineries, all within a few miles of one another. The wineries currently sponsor concurrent harvest festivals in October, "Nouveau" festivals in November and holiday festivals in December.
Here's a look at the stops on the Bucks County Wine Trail:
Buckingham Valley Vineyards
1521 Route 413Buckingham, PA
215-794-7188
This family-owned operation cultivates a folksy, welcoming atmosphere but uses some of the most sophisticated machinery on the market. Owners have just invested in new pressing and bottling equipment and have made the switch over to more eco-friendly screw-top bottles. Tours and tastings run six days a week and are self-guided, self-poured and free.
Crossing Vineyards and Winery
1853 Wrightstown RoadWashington Crossing, PA
215-493-6500
Although located on a 200-year-old estate less than a mile from where George Washington crossed the Delaware River in 1776, Crossing prides itself on its extremely modern and sophisticated equipment. Always striving to make wine in the most environmentally responsible way possible, owners are adding solar panels to their facilities and plan to run their entire operation on solar energy within two years.
New Hope Winery
6123 Lower York RoadNew Hope, PA
800-593-WINE
Set in a quaint red 17th-century barn, this winery is open seven days a week for tours of its facilities. While wine drinkers can find a nice assortment of popular varietals, adventurous sippers can sample more unusual flavors like blackberry and almondeira, a grape wine accented with hints of natural almond and vanilla.
Peace Valley Winery
Old Limekiln RoadChalfont, PA
215-249-9058
Wine enthusiasts looking for an opportunity to get closer to the land can pick their own grapes each harvest season at this winery that overlooks Peace Valley Park. Four acres of land are stocked with two red white varietals (Fredonia and Steuben grapes) and one white varietal (Niagara), which pickers can scoop up for $.75 per pound. After spending a few hours hunched over the vines, visitors can sample from the winery's 18 estate-bottled wines, now available to taste seven days a week.
Rose Bank Winery
258 Durham RoadNewtown, PA
215-860-5899
Situated on a picturesque tract of land originally deeded by William Penn to his daughters, Rose Bank Winery captures the history of Bucks County with its 1719 manor house and 1835 stone barn that overlook lush pastures stocked with Baby Doll sheep. A second-story deck provides a sweeping view of the vineyard.
Rushland Ridge Vineyard & Winery
Rushland RoadRushland, PA
215-598-0251
The family that owns this vineyard and winery began growing grapes in the suburbs of Philadelphia in 1968 and family members now fill four acres with Chambourcin, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay grapes. Tastings are free and open to the public four days a week.
Sand Castle Winery
755 River RoadErwinna, PA
800-722-9463
After years of planning, a full castle-like building set upon a cliff will open this year to house the winemaking facilities at this approximately 20-year-old winery. Winemakers here produce wines grown exclusively from their own harvest of vines cloned from Europe.
Wycombe Vineyards
1391 Forest Grove RoadFurlong, PA
215-598-WINE
The latest addition to the wine trail, Wycombe is open on weekends for visitors to taste its 2005 and 2006 vintages of Pinot Grigio, Traminette, Chardonnay and Chambourcin. The elegant tasting room now offers seating to more easily relax and sample the fruit of the earth. All wines are produced exclusively from grapes grown at the vineyard.