Who knew a hippy from New Jersey could start a revolution? With no experience in farming our Founder, Elaine Pivinski pioneered the wine industry here in Eastern Pennsylvania. A winery in Pennsylvania was unheard of in the mid-70s, yet Elaine had a dream. She is a self-taught winemaker, businesswoman, and philanthropist with guts and determination. She planted some of the first wine grapes in the region, and in 1982, Franklin Hill Vineyards became the first winery in the Lehigh Valley.
Lehigh Valley’s Wine Rockstar
We came to this land with a dream and a promise: farm the earth to provide for our family and preserve the land for our future generations to enjoy. Growing grapes was the solution. As early pioneers in this industry, there was no instruction manual. With a lot of hope and plenty of luck, we guided these majestic vines into rows. They, in return, produced an amazing crop year after year.
Franklin Hill Vineyards is perched on a hillside overlooking the Delaware River Valley creating some of the most breathtaking views in the region. This was the perfect home for the first wine grapes planted. From the soil to the weather, our farm was the ideal place to plant young vines. With help from Penn State and Cornell Universities, Elaine learned a lot about grape growing and winemaking. At the same time, Elaine asked a neighbor if she could help with some wine work and Bonnie Pysher agreed to help for a few hours. 42 years later Bonnie continues to create amazing wines as our Head winemaker. Vintage after vintage, Bonnie has created award-winning wines that are loved by our community and beyond.
Over the years we have followed state-of-the-art wine-making techniques, at the same time honoring the craft of wine-making. Every year our wines win awards in state, national, and international competitions proving that Pennsylvania wines are world-class. With that success, our winery grew to one of the largest in Pennsylvania. Today we produce wines that are enjoyed locally and all around the world. From responsible farming practices to our 75 solar panels powering our operation by the sun, we are dedicated to the community and our planet. Our land is where we grow our future. Preserving the land is our top priority so we can ensure many generations of amazing vintages.
Cheers!