PA Wine Land Is Family-Friendly

Not everyone who visits a winery in PA Wine Land ends up at the tasting bar.  In fact, some members of the family may never go inside the winery or tasting room at all.

The youngest family members may be playing outside in a sand box or on a swing, elementary-age kids could be finding their way through a cornfield maze, and teens may come along to enjoy a musical concert.

“We never promote as ‘adults only,’” says Caryn Dolan of Paradocx Vineyard in Landenberg.  “Our winery is family-friendly daily, and we actually have a swing set on-site. We encourage everyone to come with the kids.”

Carley Razzi, whose family owns Penns Woods Winery in Chadds Ford, says many of their promotional events are geared to family participation.  “We have an egg hunt the Saturday before Easter for children 13 and under,” Razzi says.  “This is followed by games all day, live music and a cupcake food truck.”

Some Pennsylvania wineries hold special family events for holidays and seasonal observances.  This may include special activities for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, fireworks on the Fourth of July and harvest activities, especially at Halloween.  Razzi says that Penns Woods, for example, plans to have a pumpkin-painting event for children this October.

For several years, Paradocx has had a local farmer densely plant corn in a field next to their winery.  Then a maze specialist cuts a design while the corn is small, and the maze is opened during the fall when the corn is fully grown.  Next to the maze is a field of pumpkins which can be purchased for the family to take home.

Other wineries report activities such as 5K runs through and around the vineyards and outdoor movie nights, in addition to night-time concerts.

To find out more about family activities being sponsored by individual wineries and by the 12 wine trails located throughout Pennsylvania, log onto www.PAWineLand.com.  The site also has maps and contact information for the more than 150 wineries spread across the state as well as wine tips and wine information.  And if you’re on the road, find nearby wineries by using the mobile website at m.pennsylvaniawine.com.

Of course, adult couples and individuals are still invited to come to the wineries and just enjoy a taste of wine – no games necessary!  After all, most wineries report that each year a few gentlemen decide in advance that having a glass of wine in a romantic setting is a great place to propose marriage.

Which is good, as some wineries also host weddings in their vineyards – but that’s a story for another day!