Mercer County is a wonderful destination for those looking to celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, or just looking for a relaxing weekend getaway.
Enjoy beautiful scenery with many opportunities to participate in a variety of activities, comfortable convenient accommodations, and delicious restaurant diverse menu options, Mercer County is the perfect place to unwind.
Among all of the exciting activities available to Mercer County visitors is the unique Mercer County Wine and Brew Trail featuring the area’s finest wineries, distilleries, and breweries. Enjoy locally-produced wines, beers, and spirits along with small bites and cheeseboards for a day of delicious fun!
Black Dog Wine Company is an intimate boutique winery, featuring a beautiful rustic atmosphere. The Black Dog Wine Company has five locations throughout Pennsylvania, with the Grove City location, located in the heart of Olde Town Grove City on South Broad Street, participating as part of the Wine and Brew Trail.
They produce their award-winning wines in the country-side of Allegheny County, with much of their fruit sourced from local farms. Tricia Young,manager at the wine bar, said they opened last year on June 15th.
“Many people enjoy our back outdoor deck with our little fireplace. Every Friday and some Saturdays we have live music. We also are infamous for our wine slushies that we also now can sell to go!” Young said.
They offer a wide variety of wines from reds like their Wine Farm Red, a sweet wine with cranberry, vanilla, and honey flavors, to white wines like their Riesling with bright pear, melon, and citrus flavors. Their wines also include blush/rose wines as well as fruit wines like their Johnny Applespice featuring apple, clove, and cinnamon flavors.
While you enjoy their wines, you can also enjoy perfectly paired cheeses, chocolates, and more to enhance your tasting experience. “We offer a cheeseboard with a variety of cubed cheese, pepperoni, grapes, and chocolate,” Young said.
The family-owned Volant Winery, founded by Gary and his son Bryan Rhodes, has been crafting wine, mead, and cider in Western Pennsylvania for 15 years using fruits from Pennsylvania orchards and vineyards as well as from their own.
“We make everything that we sell. We have 25 varieties, everything from dry to sweet. We also have some very unique wines,” said Bryan. Their unique offerings include hot mama jalapeño, mead honey wine, chocolate wine and hard cider. “We also sell Pennsylvania craft beer, mixed drinks, and wine slushies,” Bryan Rhodes said.
In addition to their extensive wine list, they also offer wine-related merchandise for the perfect gift. Volant Winery has two locations one in Volant, Pennsylvania and one in Mercer County, Pennsylvania.
Bryan said the town of Volant has a variety of events coming up where they will be offering tastings and selling their wines, including the WANDerful Wizarding Weekend July 27th and 28th.
Nova Destinations includes Nova Wine Cellar, Knockin Noggin Cidery and Winery, Brew 32, Fractured Grape, and Hop Asylum.
Nova Destinations began with Nova Cellars which opened in 2012. Nova Wine Cellars specializes in dry wines but does offer some sweet wines as well. The scenic location offers a more rustic feel for visitors. “We get some of the grapes from California and Washington for some of the drier ones there.,” said Walter Novosel, President/Winemaker of Nova Destinations.
Fractured Grape Wine Cellars was opened in 2013, offering a wide variety of Pennsylvania wines with its main purpose being to give back and donate to various charitable organizations. “We do a lot of giving. A portion of every bottle sold goes to a different charity. Each bottle is linked to a charitable organization or fund,” Novosel said.
In location with Fractured Grape Wine Cellars, Hop Asylum Brewing, more edgy craft beer IPAs experimental small batch beers. “We donate portions of the pints and growlers to various organizations,” Novosel said. They also offer food such as wraps and salads to enjoy with one of their unique, cold beers. Located in the brewing area, you can see the production area while you enjoy your drinks and food. Indoor and outdoor seating is also available.
In 2014, Knockin Noggin Cidery was founded, offering 10 ciders on tap as well as wine, experimental wines and small batch wines. This cidery offers an Isaac Newton-themed atmosphere with bottles labeled to resemble the periodic table and ciders names after different laws of science.
In location with Nova Wine Cellars, Brew 32 was started in 2016, offering a variety of easy drinking craft beers brewed by Nova Destinations. Brew 32 also offers a food menu that includes flatbreads and dips that perfectly pair with their craft beers. Live music can also be enjoyed on Fridays and Saturdays. The brewery also offers a scenic view on 150 acres featuring a 2-acre pond, 3 playgrounds where the whole family can find something to enjoy.
MLH Distillery was started in 2017 by four local families the Myers, Livingston, Hogue, and Hefner, offering a variety of spirits made with local ingredients. “Everything in our tasting room was built locally or we sourced it locally for our bar. It’s a very comfortable and relaxing atmosphere,” said Brian Myers, owner of MLH Distillery.
Myers said their ingredients are sourced locally from people such as a farmer in Butler and George J. Howe Coffee Company in Grove City. Myers said they purchased their picnic tables for their outdoor seating area from a local man who has recently started making his own picnic tables.
From vodka and gin to amber rum and coffee liqueur, MLH Distillery offers a variety of high-quality spirts that can be enjoyed on their own or as part of a delicious cocktail. They also serve PA crafted beers and PA wines. In addition to their spirits, MLH Distillery also has food trucks come in on the nights they are open.
They also sell t-shirts and hats with their logo on it. The facility can be toured for free during regular business hours. Myers said to take a look at what customers say on their social media when it comes to what makes them unique. Many of the reviews share similar sentiments saying that MLH Distillery offers friendly and passionate staff, a great selection of spirits and food, and a great atmosphere.
This locally and family-owned brewpub that opened in 2012 in Meadville, offering a variety of handcrafted beers and a quality casual dining experience. Their Grove City location opened in 2015. TimberCreek offers craft beers light enough for those who have tried them as well as unique choices for the craft beer enthusiasts to sample. They also offer a variety of seasonal craft beers.
All of their beers are made on site with original recipes. Their food menu features farm fresh meats, shareable appetizers, and signature sandwiches and more, all made from scratch. TimberCreek Tap & Table welcomes visitors to their table to enjoy quality food and beers crafted with care and passion.
Whether you are looking for a unique way to celebrate your birthday, anniversary or other special occasion, the Wine and Brew Trail makes for the perfect getaway.
Transportation is included with your ticket and can accommodate groups of 13 or less, with pick-up and drop-off. Enjoy locally-produced wines, beers, and spirits and the scenic views of the Amish countryside and the beautiful lakes of Conneaut, Pymatuning, and Lake Wilhelm.
Schedule your next corporate event, plan your anniversary celebration, or gather your friends for a fun day and come to Mercer County, PA for an unforgettable day of food, brews, and fun! For more information or to book your trip on the Wine & Brew Trail, click here.
