The Pocono Mountains is a four-county region that is known for the natural, scenic beauty that surrounds its resorts, 150 lakes, and quaint, historic towns. Because of the variety of landscapes the region offers, it is tourists, and gallivants can experience various experiences ranging from peaceful walks to heart-stopping adventures, there’s an activity for the entire family.
What most don’t know, though, is that Pocono is filled with wineries and distillery serving fine liquor. Now, if you’re more of a wine enthusiast in search of new wines to taste and discover, then it’s time to add the Pocono Mountain regions into your travel list. Take a tour and unwind at their vineyards, where you can also sample the varieties of wine they offer.
Must-Try Wineries in the Pocono Mountains
Here are some wineries to include in your itinerary:
Mountain View Vineyard Winery and Distillery
If you’re planning to spend your afternoon just relaxing and sipping wine, then the Mountain View Vineyard Winery and Distillery. Located in Stroudsburg, Mountain View has been owned by Randy and Linda Rice since September 2009, commemorating the 20th Anniversary of their wedding. Now, the estate has a 100-acre vineyard, which is surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges.
Mountain View Vineyard Winery and Distillery offers four types of wine- white wines, blush wines, red wines, sparkling wines, and dessert wines. Since they’re also a distillery, Mountain View also offers a wide range of beer and other liquor. Their wines also received three American Wine Society Awards. Now, you have something else to look forward to other than the Caymus wine you have stored in your pantry.
RAW Urban Winery and Hard Cidery
Established in 2008, the RAW Urban Winery and Hard Cidery is a family business that both creates and serves wines and hard ciders. Also located in Stroudsburg, RAW Winery is an urban winery. This means the location of their winemaking facility is situated in an urban setting, unlike the traditional rural setting just close to the vineyards. However, for RAW Winery, with their technology and careful transportation, their grapes reach the winery in pristine condition.
RAW Winery offers vegan and gluten-free wine, along with hard cider. The winery strays away from the traditional use of fining agents such as hydrolyzed wheat gluten isolate, gelatin, egg whites, and fish glue. Bentonite is RAW’s chosen fining agent, which is a naturally occurring earth clay.
Blue Ridge Estate Winery
In Blue Ridge Estate Winery, you can have a 360-degree view of the vineyards. Taking root in Saylorsburg and still operating after ten years, the winery is owned by couple Randy and Tiffany Detrick. It is nestled on top of a hill overlooking the vineyards and their wine facility.
Offering dry, red, and sweet wines, Blue Ridge Winery also has a wine club you can join. By signing up, you’ll be able to learn more about wine and see the behind the scenes of their winemaking process. Blue Ridge Winery will provide wines for members, which will be delivered at their own home, four times a year. However, membership slots are limited.
Sorrenti Cherry Valley Vineyards
Another winery located in Saylorsburg, this time in the heart of Cherry Valley, Dominic Sorrenti founded Sorrenti Cherry Valley Vineyards in 1981. In a climate that isn’t deemed suitable for establishing a vineyard, Sorrenti was one of the pioneers when it comes to winemaking in Pocono. Using fruits and the local vitis labrusca grapes (fox grapes), Sorrenti was the one who set the bar for the future of winemaking in Pocono.
Nowadays, the winery has a wide array of wines you can choose from. Next to a winery was the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge, which is a reserve that hosts hundreds of different species of wildlife. Guests are encouraged to learn about the sanctuary and partake in delicious wine right after the tour.
Eagles Rest Cellars
Eagles Rest had been operating in the Pocono Mountains since 1993. To create their wines, they use a northern variety of grapes, which complements the soil, climate, and topography of the winery. Aside from different grape varieties, the Eagles Crest also grows Christmas trees and has been operating for over 30 years.
Eagles Crest offers wine tasting experiences like no other. They have two wine tasting options: Classic Tasting and Flight Tasting. For $5, the classic tasting option will offer you to sample five of their wines, let you keep your glass, and have your inquiries answered by their servers. In flight tasting, 2oz of four wines will be served with disposable glasses on a carrying tray, all for $8, and can be taken anywhere you want.
Takeaway
Experiencing different types of wine doesn’t have to be expensive or abroad. The Pocono Mountain Region is home to some of the best wineries in the United States. With their rich history and wide varieties of wine, the wineries of the Pocono Mountains can offer you a unique experience that you won’t find anywhere else.