For more extensive selections, from Italian-inspired bottles born in Lancaster to Kennett Square field blends and Northern European-style whites, the bars and restaurants below are where Pennsylvania terroir really shines. Philly-area restaurants like Vernick Food & Drink, High Street on Market, Tria, White Dog Cafe, Vintage, Terrain, Amis, and Olly often have a locally made wine or two on hand. It took a while, but recently winemakers in “Penn’s woods” have been stepping up their game and producing some very good juice. The state’s wine-making history dates back to 1683 when William Penn planted vines from Bordeaux in Fairmount Park. Courtesy of Pennsylvania Winery Association Why? Alexandra Cherniavsky, sommelier at The Love and Pennsylvania wine ambassador, chalks it up to three factors: Bad marketing, lack of representation on state store shelves, and the fact that although Pennsylvania has been producing wine for centuries, as a major wine region, PA is still relatively young. Pennsylvania is home to over 270 wineries and five AVAs, or designated wine-growing regions, but looking at the majority of the city’s wine lists, you’d never know it.
But when it comes to Pennsylvania wine, sourcing close to home often isn’t part of the equation. At a bare minimum, even the divey-est of dive bars has bottles and drafts from local brewers like Yards and Philadelphia Brewing Company.
Restaurant menus having been calling out local farmers and producers for so long that names like Green Meadow Farm and Birchrun Hills have become part of the city’s culinary lexicon. Philadelphia’s hometown devotion run deep.