Pennsylvania Winery

Thistlethwaite Vineyards

This past summer I had the pleasure of visiting a friends winery in a small country town in Jefferson Pennsylvania.  I took a short 15 minute drive from my home in Carmichaels Pennsylvania through green rolling hills and charming countrysides.  Below is a picture of the beautiful winery that sits on 208 acres of farmland.  About 5 acres are dedicated to vineyards.  The first acre of vineyards was planted in 2000 and Thistlethwaite is Green County's first winery!  

Due to the cold and wet weather in Pennsylvania they do not have the luxuries of optimum growing conditions as we do here in California.  Therefore, they grow french hybrid grapes. Within their very high deer proof eight acre fence line, you will find 10 varieties of grapes.  They include Traminette, Vidal Blanc, Vignoles, Seyval, Marechal Foch, Leon Millot, Chambourcin, Villard Noir, Cabernet Franc and a small amount of Riesling.  The pictures below show veraison beginning on the Leon Millot berries and a row of vines showing their VSP (vertical shoot position) trellising system.  As you can see, the berries on these vines are very small. The harvest at Thistlethwaite Vineyards is all done by hand and the winery produces between 1100 and 1200 cases per year.   

The winemaker extraordinaire is Jamie Thistlethwaite. I love the story that Jamie shared with me on how he decided to start his winery.  He shared that he was telling his dad about how he had a dream of being a winemaker.  Shortly after their discussion, with his fathers blessing and encouragement, he went to Missouri to study wine making.  Once Jamie arrived at the Missouri winery that he had his mind set on, the owner turned him away stating they did not need any help. Jamie had perseverance!  He was there every single morning ready to work until the owner agreed to invite him in for a volunteer internship.  This internship lasted 5 years.  Jamie returned to Pennsylvania and continued his education.  Jamie collaborates to this day with his wine making peers.  Jamie stated, "I believe in artisan wine and sharing of knowledge so everyone can make great Pennsylvania wines!"  With his fathers help, Thistlethwaite Vineyard opened their tasting room doors in 2008.

The tasting room walls, floor, and bar are made from cherry wood and the Vine Room is surrounded by Beech wood from the farm.  The trees were turned into boards using a portable saw mill.  

  

My mom, Nelda Lee, Jamie Thistlethwaite, and me (Crissy Knox) walking in the vineyards!

Thistlethwaite Vineyards holds many events throughout the year at their winery.  Please visit their website Thistlethwaite Vineyards or visit their Facebook page to join in on the festivities offered and learn more about Thistlethwaite.