A TRIP TO AUSTRALIA… .AND A VINEYARD BECAME A WINERY
Winery co-founder Joe Carroll spent a lot of time on the family farm back in Indiana as a boy. So when he and wife Betty purchased their 65 acre property on the side of Mount Nittany in 1983, it was natural for him to return to his farming roots. In 1987, Joe and Betty began planting what would become a six acre vineyard. The southern exposure and elevation of the site proved to be an ideal micro-climate for grape growing. Their plan at that time was to supply grapes to another local winery in the area.
Then came their trip in 1988 to Australia to visit daughter, Linda Weaver, and husband, Steve, who had been transferred to Sydney. The four visited many small wineries in the Hunter Valley and Barossa Valley, and Joe spent a lot of time conversing with the owners of these family-owned establishments. He and Betty returned home with a new vision for a winery on their 65-acre mountain property.
Joe had been an amateur winemaker for years starting in the 1970’s, learning the craft from local aficionados and other winemakers across the state at a time when there were only 30 wineries in the state of Pennsylvania. Having the skills he needed and, being a mechanical engineer by training, the idea of building a commercial winery seemed feasible. Mount Nittany Vineyard and Winery opened for business in 1990, with Joe behind the counter in the charming chalet styled tasting room that still welcomes guests these many years later.
Twenty-six years later, Linda and Steve assumed ownership of the business built by her parents. Linda is General Manager, overseeing operations and sales, and Steve is Vineyard Manager, assisted by George Stine. Tasting Room Manager, Debbie Mulhatten, join the team in 2022.
