While my preferred drink is usually a lemon and ginger herbal tea, I simply have to tell you about my favorite local winery. As the name might suggest, Chaddsford Winery is located here in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania – it offers a charming, bucolic atmosphere, and it’s even housed in an historic dairy barn. Its social, inclusive atmosphere is perfect for entertaining visitors, relaxing with friends, or simply just exploring the fascinating process of making wine. If you are planning a visit to the Brandywine Valley, I would highly recommend adding this lovely spot to your itinerary. This article contains a bit about the winery’s history, as well as some tips for planning your visit and selecting wines!

Chaddsford Winery is one of the oldest vintners in Pennsylvania. Aptly named, this Chadds Ford winery produces more than 30,000 cases of wine every year! It was founded in 1982 by Eric Miller. Although Miller was originally from California, he also lived in Burgundy, France, and upstate New York before opening Chaddsford Winery. The Millers were well known for their European-style wines, and they were some of the first winemakers in the Brandywine Valley to develop unoaked chardonnay and innovative red wines created from northern Italian grapes. 

The Millers sold their business to the Pagliaro family and retired over ten years ago, but the winery continues to expand its offerings – according to their website, Chaddsford Winery aims to “make approachable food-friendly wines and share them in a casual, fun environment.” Their portfolio includes dry, sweet, and sparkling wines aimed to help wine drinkers of all kinds find something they enjoy.

Chaddsford Winery is the perfect place to visit no matter the time of year – you will be greeted by colorful blossoms in the spring, lush landscapes in the summer, vibrant autumnal colors in the fall, and a cozy, quiet atmosphere in the winter.

One of my favorite things about this winery is that there’s something for everyone. If I’m planning a relaxed evening with a few friends, I usually make a reservation for table service, which allows us to order our own tasting flights, food, and wine or beer by the glass. If I have friends or family in town who are wine aficionados, I make sure to book a reserve tasting, where visitors are fully immersed in the Chaddsford wine portfolio and wine-making process. I enjoy visiting the Barrel Room, where the intimate tasting sessions allow us to truly enjoy and experience each wine we sample. 

Locally, Chaddsford Winery is also well-known for its popular outdoor events on weeknights and weekends. I have enjoyed many evenings there with my family, sipping Chaddsford’s fabulous wine, enjoying a meal from a local food truck, and dancing with my grandkids to live music. You can even bring your dog!

If you love wine and are looking for something fun and cozy to do this holiday season, then check out Chaddsford Winery's Festive Faves specialty tastings. You'll get to taste five different award-winning wines paired with an assortment of cheeses, and you can learn more about grape growing and winemaking from experts. No matter the time of year, however, a weekend visit to Chaddsford Winery is a must. If you’d like a locally-inspired adornment to go with your wine tasting outfit, don’t forget to check out some of my jewelry designs available in the shop today!