Ridgewood Winery Review
Address: 2039 Philadelphia Ave Birdsboro,Pennsylvania 19508.
Phone Number: 484-509-0100
Tasting Hours: Thurs-Fri 4:30-8:00, Sat 12:00-8:00, Sun 12:00-6:00
Region: Lehigh Valley AVA, Pennsylvania
Reviewer: Kat Collins
Review Date: 5/6/2016
Reviewer: Kat Collins
Rating: 3
The Review
When the Lewis family, and later the Dick family, built Ridgewood Farm, in 1725 and 1811, Im sure they didnt plan on having it listed as a National Registered Historic Site. First settled in 1725 by Welsh Quaker James Lewis and acquired in 1800 by Jacob Dick and his wife Susannah who built the magnificent Federal house and barn, the past, present, and future collides. It has been a well-intended, but short -lived childrens museum, another well-intended, but even shorter-lived veterinary science museum, a pig farm, and for centuries before any of these transformations, a working farm.
And now, it hosts a winery known as Ridgewood Winery and special events such as showers, weddings, and meetings. Ridgewood Winery began as a hobby for William and Tracy Smith in 2014. He had been the amateur grand champion winemaker in the state for four years, and we decided to open our own winery, Tracy said. The only thing I asked for is that it would not be at our home, but be close to home and be a place with character. I think she found all of that in spades.
The architecture is stunning and evokes a bygone era. In the parlor, which is now used for private art classes as well as private events, you can still imagine the more formal gatherings that took place at the farm. Its a room of Quaker simplicity with its full size working fireplace, ladder-backed wooden chairs, white linen covered tablecloths, and braided floor rug. For those that love the paranormal and are ghost hunters, there is also a rumor that the winery is haunted by Jacob Dick.
Despite the simple Quaker beginnings and potential ghosts, Ridgewood Winery is the place to be for fun, entertainment, and sweet, fruit wines. They often have events at the property such as the Bark For Life fundraiser for American Cancer Society that took place on the day we visited the winery. Nothing like canines and wine to brighten the day!
Ridgewood Winery offers a tasting of 8 wines for $5.00. While we werent impressed with their dry wines, we were sufficiently pleased with their sweeter wines. They have the traditional Concord and Niagara wines but were sold out of the Concord when we visited. The Peach Splendor is 100% peach juice and tastes like a juicy peach right off the tree. Summer Blush is made as a wine cooler style wine with only 8.5% alcohol and bursting with watermelon Jolly Rancher flavors, a perfect summer sipper. Our favorite was their notable Blackberry Wine which recently won its second Bronze medal at the 2016 PA Farm Show Wine Competition. It won a Bronze medal in 2015 as well. It is 100% Blackberry juice with big fruit flavor and taste. I could easily see making a reduction with this wine and serving it atop vanilla ice cream or pancakes.
For a taste of history, stunning architecture, and paranormal adventures, make sure you plan a visit to Ridgewood Winery in Birdsboro, Pennsylvania. But stay for the fun atmosphere, sweet wines, and wine slushies which only make your day better.