5 Best Wine-Country Towns In Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s countless rural counties have steadily been focusing on developing winemaking traditions. From the lakefront vineyards near Erie to the rolling farmland of Lancaster and Berks Counties, each community we will be discussing today shows off a distinct side of the state’s growing wine culture.

Many of these towns combine already longstanding agricultural heritage and scenic landscapes with tasting experiences that appeal to both casual travelers and dedicated wine enthusiasts. The following destinations represent some of the Garden State's most rewarding locales for anyone who appreciates a glass or two.

Saylorsburg

Set in Monroe County’s Pocono foothills, Saylorsburg has quietly become one of eastern Pennsylvania’s best emerging wine-country towns. The surrounding ridges and valleys provide ideal conditions for cool-climate grape varieties, supporting wineries such as Blue Ridge Estate and Sorrenti Family Estate, both known for their scenic tasting rooms and locally grown blends.

The town’s rural setting gives you access to winding backroads lined with an assortment of orchards and farms, all paired with mountain views, making it a favored stop on the Pocono Wine Trail. Saylorsburg itself maintains a relaxed pace typical of your average small countryside town, with a number of small restaurants, markets, and even a few downtown tasting rooms, like that at Homecoming Winery, for you to enjoy.

Nearby outdoor destinations, including Beltzville State Park and a section of the Appalachian Trail, round out the experience for those who want to hike or kayak in the area, too.

Manheim

Situated in the heart of Lancaster County, Manheim anchors one of Pennsylvania’s most established wine regions. The surrounding countryside boasts vineyards such as Waltz Vineyards Estate Winery and the highly popular Mount Hope Estate, both producing European-style wines that are grown in the area’s fertile limestone soil. Manheim’s longstanding roots in farming are evident in its historic farms, covered bridges, and 18th-century architecture, all of which add to the ambiance of this beautiful region of the country. The town’s proximity to Lititz and Mount Joy adds yet more opportunities for wine touring within a short drive, too.

Downtown Manheim also houses a number of tasting rooms and local breweries, many of which are clustered around Market Square. Give Glasshouse Wineworks a try, or for a cold brew or some honey wine, head on over to Artifice Ales & Mead. On top of it all, annual events like the Manheim Farm Show and local wine trails further highlight the experience.

North East

Positioned along the shores of Lake Erie, the town of North East is the center of Pennsylvania’s largest and most productive grape-growing region, one that has traditionally served the famed Welch's company. However, its mild lake climate supports thousands of acres of vineyards that have also operated for generations. Wineries such as Mazza Vineyards, Penn Shore, and Arundel Cellars anchor the local wine economy, producing a wide selection of varietals.

In town, several wine shops are open to serve travelers exploring the Lake Erie Wine Country trail. You can also sample before you buy at locales like Yori Wine Cellars and Driftwood Wine Cellars. Furthermore, each September, the North East Wine Festival brings together regional vintners and growers for personal tastings and harvest events that highlight the area’s best offerings.

With direct access to Presque Isle Bay, beaches, and scenic farm roads, North East offers a complete experience as an authentic, working wine town framed by scenic Great Lake views and vineyard-covered hills.

Hunker

Sitting just south of Pittsburgh, the tiny community of Hunker rests within a growing wine corridor in southwestern Pennsylvania, where its rolling farmlands and densely forested ridges have turned to grape growing in recent decades. The area’s current wineries, such as Bella Terra Vineyards, and a little further north, Greenhouse Winery, specialize in traditional blends and fruit wines.

Hunker itself remains a small, unhurried borough surrounded by rural landscapes, with easy access to the nearby city of Greensburg and the Laurel Highlands. There really isn't much else to do here, though. You can spend some time at the Youngwood Historical Museum in the neighboring town, or head on over to downtown Greensburg, where most of the region's best restaurants, bars, and shops can be found.

Kutztown

Located between Reading and Allentown, Kutztown is a central stop in eastern Pennsylvania. The town is surrounded by productive farmland that now supports an increasing number of vineyards, including Folino Estate and Setter Ridge Vineyards. These producers emphasize regional varietals shaped by the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.

Kutztown’s heritage as a Pennsylvania Dutch settlement is reflected in its traditional farmsteads, local markets, and variety of taverns and restaurants. And, if beer is more your style, then certainly pay a visit to the Kutztown Tavern for both its selection of microbrews and casual, yet tasty food.

Other nearby attractions, such as Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and Blue Marsh Lake, give you several more ways to embark on some fun outdoor recreation between vineyard visits.

Explore Pennsylvania's Growing Wine Industry Today

These wine towns reflect this state’s surprising cultural depth and regional diversity, where each community contributes a unique chapter to its ever-growing winemaking story. Whether along Lake Erie’s vineyard-covered slopes or among the hills of the Poconos and Lancaster County, these places combine craftsmanship, small-town hospitality, and eye-catching landscapes in equal measure. So, get out soon and try the land's bounty during your next road trip in Pennsylvania.