The Wyalusing Valley Museum will be publishing a ‘Winery of the Week’ feature article each and every Friday from now until the Wyalusing Valley Wine Festival on Saturday, Sept. 15, in an effort to highlight the many loyal Pennsylvania wineries and vineyards that have sampled and sold their beloved varietals at the festival throughout its 15-year history.
This week, our ‘Winery of the Week’ is Grovedale Winery and Vineyard.
The site of the Grovedale Winery and Vineyard, located right here in beautiful Wyalusing, has a long and proud heritage that has made it a prime attraction for history buffs and wine lovers alike.
Located on Grovedale Lane, just off Wyalusing-New Albany Road, Grovedale is a bicentennial farm that has been in the Homer family since before 1800. The farm is on the National Historic Registry and tours are offered regularly.
Jeff and Kim Homer moved onto the property and used the farmland to plant a vineyard that was finished in 2005. By September of 2008, the two opened a tasting room that has become a favorite among the local crowd.
Jeff, who is president of Grovedale Winery and Vineyard, said he was inspired to establish the vineyard because of his love for working outdoors as well as the challenge it represents.
“No two seasons or vintages are the same and require an always evolving set of tools and techniques to produce world class wines,” he said.
Consistently overcoming those seasonal challenges, Grovedale has grown into quite the operation with a staff of four full-time members and 10 part-timers who work the tasting room, production room and many acres of vines.
“We grow eight acres of vines, with nine different varieties, that include Gruner Vetliner, Frontenac Gris, and others,” said Jeff.
Grovedale also sources grapes from local growers like Chris Turrell in Sugar Run who has 11 acres of grapes, including Riesling; and Jim Bresnan in LeRaysville who grows four acres of grapes that include Muscat.
Almost all of Grovedale’s wines have received multiple awards. Jeff said he is most proud of the “Marquette” talking a gold medal in the International Cold Climate Wine Competition, which is really the only competition that has a significant amount of Marquette varietals to choose from. Also, the “Riesling” won a gold medal (only five given in the category) in the International Eastern Competition Riesling competition. Grovedale’s was reportedly the only Riesling of the five finalists that was outside of the Finger Lakes region to receive a gold medal.
While the Marquette and Riesling have brought home prestigious medals, tasting room customers seem to gravitate toward another Grovedale award winner – the “Susquehanna Sunset” – a sweet red that pairs easily and has been made since the winery opened.
“Grovedale Winery & Vineyard is a winery rooted in heritage and tradition,” said Jeff. “We are very proud to offer our guests a unique wine tasting experience as well as a unique local venue to host weddings, family gatherings, corporate functions, and much more.”