Lancaster Vineyards and Wineries

It's a shame that not enough people know about the Lancaster vineyards and wineries that produce some of the finest wine in Pennsylvania.

Visit a winery in June and you will catch the aromatic fragrance of the grape blossoms as the tender young grape leaves unfurl. Throughout the spring and summer months, the vineyard workers busily tye the expanding vines onto their arbors and remove unneeded clusters.

By mid-August, the first plump grapes are ready for harvest. The juice is soon pressed from grapes brought into the winery fresh from the vineyards. Ultimately, the juice becomes the bottled wine that everyone can enjoy.

Lancaster County's fertile region produces many different varieties of wine that will appeal to nearly every taste. The wines range from dry to sweet, dry oak aged Chardonnay to Pinot Gris, semi-dry Vidal Blanc to sweet and fruity Vignoles.

Using a variety of Vinifera, French-hybrid and Labrusca (Native American) grapes, as well as cherries, apples and raspberries, the wineries create a very distinctive flavored wine as you will find out by attending one of the wide-sampling tours that the Lancaster vineyards offer.

Lancaster County Winery Tours

Winery tours are fun and educational. The entire family is welcome. However, visitors under 21 will only be able to sample the wineries' home-made grape juice.

During the tour you will learn about all that is involved in the local wine production and distribution as you travel around the scenic vineyards, cellars and pressing facilities with their stainless steel tanks and filters.

Normally guided winery tours are arranged by reservation at certain times of the day and week. The price may vary from $5.00 and up per visitor.

However, most of the Lancaster County wineries allow guests to conduct their own tour, at their own pace, with the help of a colorful guide booklet. There is usually no charge for the self-guided tour.

In any case, the wine tour will be followed by complimentary wine tasting.

Special Events

Some of the Lancaster vineyards and wineries offer special activities throughout the year, especially during the summer months.

The most popular of these events are the music concert series featuring regional bands playing swing, big band and light rock music.

Because of the large and pretty grounds, these vineyards make an ideal place to stretch out under the stars, listen to music, and enjoy a flavorful bottle of wine.

Picnicking with your family on the spacious grounds and patios of the vineyards is also a popular way for families to enjoy an afternoon.

Also, some of the wineries offer opportunities for bicycling as well.

Occasionally, the vineyards host special festivals on select occasion. You might want to call ahead to see if any are scheduled during your stay.


If you would like to visit one of the Lancaster vineyards, here are some recommended Lancaster wineries worth checking out.

If you would like to visit one of the neighboring vineyards just outside of Lancaster County, here are some recommended Pennsylvania wineries that are worth seeing.

If beer, lager, and ale are more your thing, you might want to visit one of the Lancaster breweries where you can not only sample some of the great-tasting brews crafted with the purest ingredients right here in Lancaster County, but you can also take a brewery tour. On these tours, you'll discover first-hand how the beer is produced as well as learn the history of the breweries of Lancaster County.

The breweries also offer some fine restaurants where you can enjoy traditional and modern food in very atmospheric settings.

Moreover, like the Lancaster vineyards and wineries, these local breweries often host live music, art exhibits, festivals and other special events that you won't want to miss.

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Lancaster Vineyards and Wineries