Name: Va La Vineyards
Rating: 5

Though they don’t enter contests and thus can’t boast long list of (sometimes dubious) awards, nor do they sell online or at many area restaurants, Va La has become THE critical darling of the PA wine scene. This tiny production is the epitome of artisinal, with most of their uniquely compelling wines only available at the winery and tasting room. Owner Anthony Vietri is exacting in his winemaking, considering not only differences by plot but in fact evaluating the performance of each and every grapevine, replacing any whose performance don’t meet his standards.

The property has six-plus acres of vines yielding about 25 different varieties, including some uncommon grapes like Sagrantino, Malvasia and Lagrein. But Va La’s Nebbiolo — the one grape Vietri says truly haunts him — is the crown jewel, benefiting from a steamy fog that emanates from a compost lot next door and drifts over the vineyard, providing temperature moderation. Though coveted worldwide, Nebbiolo has proven difficult to grow pretty much everywhere other than northeast Italy, yet somehow it has found another home in mushroom country, PA.

Visiting Va La adds to the aura of this place, with a wonderful tasting that includes bites of local cheese and other nearby products with each sip. Though occasional music performances and food trucks add value, the small space and strict 6-person group maximum maintains a casual seriousness that party wineries can’t match.

Being completely frank, Va La’s wines are probably not for everyone. They can be, for lack of a better word, weird. But weird in the very best way, at least from the wine nerd perspective. Just don’t expect these wines to taste like mainstream Cabernet or Chardonnay! That said, even those who find Va La’s wines too esoteric should agree that having such a unique and special place in the state only enriches the overall wine scene.

Pennsylvania Vine Company

Seeking quality dry vinefera wines grown in PA

Va La Vineyards

Va La Vineyards

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