Winter at the Vineyard: Where Community Warms the Coldest Season

When most people think of wineries, they picture sun-drenched summer afternoons or the vibrant colors of harvest season. But here at Grandview, some of our most memorable moments happen when the vines are bare and the Pennsylvania landscape is blanketed in winter’s quiet beauty.

Winter at a vineyard might seem like an off-season, but for us, it’s when our community comes alive in ways that surprise and delight us every year.

The Unexpected Magic of Winter Gatherings

There’s something inherently cozy about gathering at a winery in winter. Maybe it’s the contrast between the crisp air outside and the warmth of our tasting room. Maybe it’s the way a bold red wine tastes even richer when there’s snow on the ground. 

Or perhaps it’s simply that people slow down in winter, making time for meaningful connection rather than rushing through life.

Whatever the reason, our winter guests often tell us “This is exactly what we needed” as they break away from home and back around a warm community.

Winter Wine Club: The Heart of Our Community

Our winter wine club pickups have become something we genuinely look forward to each quarter. There’s a different energy in winter when things feel more intimate, more conversational. Members aren’t dashing off to their next summer activity; they’re settling in, catching up with fellow wine lovers they’ve come to know over the years, and genuinely savoring the experience.

These gatherings have evolved into something more than transactions. They’re reunions. 

Members ask about each other’s families, share recommendations, and celebrate milestones together. We’ve watched friendships form over shared bottles and similar palates.

For us, it’s a chance to share what’s happening behind the scenes with upcoming releases, exciting developments in the vineyard, and the story behind each wine in the quarterly selection.

The Wines That Define Winter

While we produce wines for every season, certain bottles seem made for winter evenings. Our Merlot is a guest favorite, a medium to full-bodied dry red with hints of sour cherry that pairs beautifully with hearty winter meals.

We were recently reflecting on the beautiful honor paid by Forbes as one of “10 American Wines For The Thanksgiving Table.” Wine writer Brian Freedman highlighted our 2014 Cabernet Franc, noting its “distinctly savory note” and “spicy” character, with “blackberry and tart black cherry” fruit and a finish “kissed with a hint of saltiness.” Being recognized alongside some of the country’s top wineries is a testament to what we’re building here in Lancaster County, quality, estate-grown wines that hold their own on any table, especially one set for Thanksgiving.

Others you may also enjoy this season:

• The Crimson Quartette, our Bordeaux-style blend, brings jammy red berry flavors with a touch of pepper and spice that feels perfectly suited to cold nights.
• Our 2022 Grande Rouge is the kind of wine that demands a slow evening and good conversation. As our flagship estate wine, this bordeaux style blend has bold, dark fruit flavors of black cherry and ripe plum, complemented by a subtle hint of pepper and spice. Well-integrated toasted oak adds depth, while the smooth, elegant tannins provide a refined finish.  A blend of 67% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.
• Our Cabernet Sauvignon, with its bold structure and depth, is another winter standout. With hints of black currant on the nose, soft hints of vanilla from the oak barrels, and tart raspberry fill the mouth. Soft tannins and some notes of spice/pepper on the finish round out this tasty dry red. 
  

Winter is also when we’re often preparing for spring releases, which means wine club members and regular visitors sometimes get preview tastings of what’s aging in our cellar. It’s like being let in on a delicious secret.

Why Winter Visits Matter

Something we’ve noted over the years is how our winter guests often become some of our most devoted supporters. There’s a self-selection that happens where people who make the effort to visit a vineyard in January or February aren’t casual tourists. They’re wine lovers, community seekers, people who understand that the best experiences aren’t always the most convenient ones.

These winter visitors take time to ask questions, to learn about our process, to understand what makes our wines distinctive. They tend to truly appreciate the story behind each bottle, from Larry Kennel’s original vision to the painstaking work our family does in the vineyard year-round.

Looking Ahead While Living Present

Even as Scott and the team prunes for the upcoming growing season, we’re not rushing past winter. This season has taught us the value of patience – the same patience that goes into producing wines we’re proud to put our name on.

The vines are dormant, but the vineyard is very much alive and so is our community.

If you’ve never visited Grandview in winter, we’d love to welcome you. Come see what Scott’s working on in the vineyard. 

Taste wines that seem made for the season.

Join our wine club community for a quarterly pickup. 

Or book a private event that your guests will talk about for years.

Winter at a vineyard isn’t the off-season. It’s just a different kind of beautiful – quieter, deeper, and every bit as memorable as the sun-soaked days of summer.

Visit Us This Winter

Our tasting room is open throughout the winter season, and we’d love to share this special time of year with you. Check our website for current hours, upcoming wine club events, and other winter happenings.

Some of the warmest moments happen in the coldest months. We can’t wait to welcome you as part of that.