Best Lancaster Wineries
The best Lancaster wineries make it easy to slow down together, one glass at a time. Pennsylvania Dutch Country is known for its farmland and Amish heritage, but tucked between the covered bridges and quiet back roads are vineyards that turn a simple afternoon into a small getaway. Whether you're marking an anniversary or just looking for a reason to wander, a day spent tasting local wine is one of the most relaxed ways to experience Lancaster County together.
Many of these same wineries show up again during the county's craft festivals in Lancaster, PA, hosting live music and artisan vendors throughout the warmer months. You don't need a festival on the calendar to visit, though. Here are a few of the best Lancaster wineries worth building a day around.
Nissley Vineyards: An Afternoon Among the Vines
Located in Bainbridge, Nissley Vineyards is the kind of place that rewards an unhurried visit. The estate is set among rolling hills, vineyard rows, and a stone arch winery, with plenty of room to spread out a blanket or claim a table on the lawn. On Friday evenings in summer, Nissley hosts Summer Evening Getaways with free admission, live music, and food trucks, while its ticketed Music in the Vineyards series on Saturdays brings the bandstand to life.
Waltz Vineyards: Bold Wines in Manheim
A short drive away in Manheim, Waltz Vineyards has built a reputation for Bordeaux-style wines and a tasting room with a clean, modern feel that stands apart from the county's more rustic wineries. It's a good stop for couples who want to work through a flight together and compare notes on which bottle to bring home.
Deerfoot Vineyards and Winery: Something a Little Different
For something a little different, Deerfoot Vineyards and Winery combines handcrafted wines with scenic views, food trucks, and a steady lineup of live music celebrating Lancaster County's creative side. It's an easy add-on if you're already spending the day near Manheim and Bainbridge, or a destination on its own for a laid-back evening out.
Turn It Into a Wine Trail Day
If one winery isn't enough, Lancaster County makes it simple to visit several in a single day. Discover the Lancaster County Brew Trail connects dozens of local wineries, breweries, and distilleries, so you can map a route between tasting rooms and stop wherever the view convinces you to stay a little longer. Pair it with a scenic drive through the farmland outside Lititz and Bird in Hand, and you have the makings of a full day together without ever feeling rushed.
Return to the E.J. Bowman House
After a day of tasting your way through the county, there is something to be said for coming back to a quiet room instead of driving home.
The E.J. Bowman House offers a historic, comfortable place to end the evening, close enough to Lititz and Lancaster City to make wine touring easy without a long drive back. Pair your visit with a stop at one of the area's mud sales or a stroll through downtown Lancaster, and you will see why the best Lancaster wineries are just one part of a Lancaster weekend worth savoring.
