Name: Armstrong Valley Winery
Rating: 3

For those who gravitate towards wines described as jammy, smooth, or bold, Armstrong Valley just might be the place that proves PA wine can indeed compete with the west coast.

Opened in 2011, Armstrong Valley Winery has become a destination for wine and history lovers alike. On a cornerstone of the property’s old barn — now a centerpiece of the new winery — an inscription reads: “Gobatsburg Farm, Established 1796, by Robert Armstrong.”

Armstrong was the first to settle in this area — just outside of Halifax, PA — acquiring a bunch of land from the Penns around 1752. Though this particular farm would be run by the Gobat family (hence the moniker), a nearby creek and the valley itself continues to bear Armstrong’s name. On the farm, several of the original buildings — which once included a stone house, summer kitchen, icehouse, bank barn, tack house and granary — remain today, and can be toured when visiting. The winery was also selected by PennLive as one of the 10 PA wineries with the most spectacular fall views.

Current owners Jake Gruver and Dean Miller purchased the house and barn in 2005, and added more farmland in 2007. Today they have around 100 acres, 20 of which are under vine. Though their most popular wines are made from hybrids into sweeter wines, they also continue to expand their dry vinifera portfolio with grapes such as Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Petite Sirah. (No word yet on whether Gruver has planted any Gruner.)

Though many PA wineries strive to emulate other cool climate regions — such as the Loire or Mosel valleys in Europe — Armstrong Valley take the opposite approach. These wines are all about the ripe, rich fruit and high alcohol that one finds in places like Napa and Australia. To be honest, I find myself shocked to see some of the alcohol percentages on these Pennsylvania wines — upwards of 14 for the whites and 15 for the reds.

Personally, this isn’t a style I tend to get particularly excited about… but that’s the beauty of wine. Not everyone has to like the same thing, and the industry is big enough to support all types. Beyond my opinion, Armstrong Valley is clearly on to something, having racked up awards in many prestigious local competitions, including the PA Sommelier Judgement, the Pennsylvania Wine Society Pennsylvania Excellence Awards, and the Pennsylvania Wine Competition.

Pennsylvania Vine Company

Seeking quality dry vinefera wines grown in PA

Armstrong Valley Winery

Armstrong Valley Winery

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