Pennsylvania is not the first place that comes to mind when we think wine, which is all the more reason to explore the beautiful and often overlooked wineries of Bucks County. It may be small (nine wineries in total), but Bucks County Wine Trail is mighty—and incredibly friendly. And there’s much more to experience here than just what’s off the vine.
Sip
What do you get when you put together a 200-year-old estate (less than a mile from the spot where Washington made his historic crossing of the Delaware), a young, talented winemaker, and sustainable practices? Crossing Vineyards (1853 Wrightstown Road, 215.493.6500), the family-run vineyard that has been rapidly making a name for itself with its delicious, award-winning wines.
Unami Ridge Winery (2144 Kumry Road, 215.804.5445), a charming country barn with a shaded porch, lives up to everything one might expect of a farm situated in a place called Quakertown. The husband/wife team planted their first vines by hand in 2005, and their “hobby turned passion” promises to be quite, well, fruitful (and tasty). Here you’re not only sampling vino, but history in the making.
A castle with sweeping views of the Delaware sounds impressive enough, but add a pair of brothers raised in Bratislava (home to a long, genius winemaking history) and you’ve got a recipe for—dare we say it?— fairytale tasting experience. The Maxian brothers planted their first vines at Sand Castle Winery (755 River Road, 800.722.9463) in 1985, and since then, they have cultivated the art of classic European-style wines, and an incredible tasting experience.
Nibble (and Sleep)
Nibble (and Sleep)After a day spent sipping a nice dinner is in order, and it doesn’t get much nicer than the Golden Pheasant Inn on the Delaware just next door to Sand Castle Winery. You can choose to indulge in sumptuous French cuisine in the cozy country tavern, the bright French dining room, or the candlelit greenhouse. And if you choose to stay the night (from $200) all the better: the inn has packages which include dinner certificates with overnight stays.
Arrive
Take the Transbridge Bus (Doyleston/Frenchtown/Flemington line) from Penn Station to New Hope. The bus stops at the UPS Store, Logan Square (6542A Lower York Road). Once there, the wineries are pretty spread out, so the best way to get around is via a wine tour.
Editor’s Note: When we first published this article, there was a wine tour service that picked up in New Hope. Unfortunately, they have now closed but various shuttle services will accomodate groups – so grab a few friends for this one!
For more winery information and a calendar of events in the area, visit the official website of the Bucks County Wine Trail.
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram