Pierre Legaux founded Pennsylvania’s first winery in the late 18^th Century — the Pennsylvania Wine Company, located along the Schuylkill River near Philadelphia. Early in the 19^th Century, winemaking facilities could be found in York County and in Pittsburgh along the Ohio River, but eventually Erie County became the largest grape-growing area in the state.

When prohibition went into effect in the 20^th Century, many winegrowers kept the bills paid by planting Concord grapes for the juice sold by Welch’s Grape Juice Company. After the ban on alcohol was lifted, growers were back in the winemaking business and Pennsylvania became a monopoly state, controlling all wine sales, making small wineries obsolete.

But with the birth of modern growing techniques came people who were once again interested in owning small wineries, but they couldn’t operate without the state’s permission. Douglas Moorhead, who currently owns a winery, was instrumental in bringing about Pennsylvania’s law, the 1968 Limited Winery Act, which gave the small companies permission to operate.

By using old Eastern, old European Vinifera and modern French/American grapes, Pennsylvania’s wineries offer some of the most varying and diverse wines in the world.

Nearly 600,000 people tour Pennsylvania’s wineries each year. If you would like more information about the many wineries in Pennsylvania, check out the informative web site www.travelenvoy.com/wine/pennsylv.htm.

If you have an appreciation of exceptional wines, plan to tour the many vineyards located throughout the state. Listed below are a but a few wineries located near the Turnpike.

Blue Mountain Vineyards, nestled in the Lehigh Valley, not only features high quality wines including the French Hybrids like Chambourcin, Vignoles and Vidal varieties, as well as Cabernet, Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varieties, but they also offer breathtaking scenery. The winery sits on 21 acres with exceptional views of Blue Mountain.

DIRECTIONS: From the Turnpike’s Northeastern Extension (476) exit at the Lehigh Valley Interchange (Exit #33), taking Interstate 78 to Route 100 north for about nine miles to Route 309 north. Go 1.25 miles, turning left onto Route 143. Drive ¼ mile to New Tripoli and follow the signs onto Madison Street. Go one mile to the winery.

Naylor Wine Cellars in Stewartstown, Pennsylvania (south of Harrisburg) features an outstanding variety of wines including sweet white, rose, and red, fruit and berry, semi-dry red, dry white, and oak-aged red. Visitors can also browse through their selection of wine accessories, collectibles and beautiful gift baskets perfect for the holidays.

DIRECTIONS: Exit the Turnpike at the Harrisburg-West Interchange (Exit #18), taking Interstate 83-north to Exit 1, Shrewsbury. Turn left on Route 852 to Stewartstown. Turn left onto Route 24-north. Drive two miles north of Stewartstown to Vineyard Road.

Glades Pike Winery in Somerset, Pennsylvania is like a mini-vacation in itself. The winery is a peaceful place where visitors are encouraged to take their time sampling the wines. The staff is always available to answer questions. Guests are offered a variety of wines made from Native American, French Hybrid, and other European grapes that include Concord, Niagara, Steuben, Diamond, Leon Millot, Seyval Blanc, and Vidal Blanc. The winery is open for tours and wine tasting from noon until 6 p.m. daily.

DIRECTIONS: Exit the Turnpike at the Somerset Interchange (Exit #10). The winery is located six miles west of the interchange.