Word of mouth is how we got there. Two of Gary’s cousins live close by the vineyard and had been talking about it for a while. Since vineyards were allowed to open during the COVID-19 Yellow Phase, we thought it would be a great opportunity to connect with family while still being able to social distance.
Britain Hill Winery & Vineyards is slightly further out than most vineyards. On the other hand, that’s what makes it quiet and relaxing. And large enough to have a pretty good sized crowd, even with social distancing. All of that makes it a nice place to relax and enjoy a glass of wine.
We had the opportunity to meet the owners, Ken and Debbie Helm. They are truly wonderful people and were very open to sharing their story. Like many other small business owners, they’re working out their dream with passion and it shows.
The Place
The winery is actually pretty easy to find. It’s just a few miles off of the main road, not far off of either PA SR 222 (approaching from the north) or SR 272 (from the south). The signage allows you to find the place and the parking is obvious. From there, it’s just a short walk to the wine!
The main building looks fantastic inside and out. Ken himself almost exclusively constructed the building through the 2019-2020 off season. The structure has an authentic rustic appearance and houses the tasting room, banquet hall, and covered deck/porch.
On the ground floor is the tasting room. This is where you go to order. There’s a small space off to the side that could be used for semi private tastings. In addition, there’s still plenty of room in the bar area.
The building has a really large reception hall on the second floor, with a balcony that seats people as well. One can envision wedding receptions and large parties being accommodated.
The Wine
From their Cream Sherry to the Cabernet Franc, Britain Hill has quite a large selection of wines. There’s pretty much something for everyone, but apparently the Spiced Apple was quite popular this during our 2020 COVID year.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions and the vineyard’s subsequent policies, there were no wine tasting offered at the time we attended. Instead, we bought three glasses of different red wines. We chose the Cabernet Franc, the Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Privilege Red (a blend).
We definitely gravitate towards the bolder reds. This was our version of a wine a tasting so that we could get an overall viewpoint of the different wines offered.
Needless to say, we found all their wines flavorful and fun to drink. Ciders were also offered.
Everything Else
The day we went A Taste of Philly was the food truck.
We had already eaten, but definitely wanted to snack. The candied bacon was…wow. Maybe WOW. Nice thick bacon with great flavor.
Like most other wineries of this type, they offer music throughout the outdoor season. Typically on the weekend they feature local bands during warmer weather and when there isn’t a storm coming through.
At the end of the evening, you almost hate to leave. We had to share just a piece of the view that you see when you’re there.