Winery Exploration - From Eagles Mere PA, the "Avalon of the Poconos"

Our third winery exploration took us far up into the endless mountains of the Keystone State. For those that do not know much about our state's wine history, William Penn planted the first vineyards in North America in the 1600s. By 1900 every one of our sixty seven counties produced wines of various types. Just so you know.
So off we went heading for Eagles Mere, in remote Sullivan County. This is a real summer place, completely deserted between winter hunting seasons and Memorial Day. Lots of real classy big houses, deserted until the summer, just like Avalon. Stayed at the Crestmont Inn, a small remainder of a once grand fancy joint that was demolished to make way for crappy condos in the 80s. A fine restaurant and no Spotted Ancelins.
Started our winery checks with a place called Eagle Rock Winery in PaPorte, county seat of Sullivan County. These folks grow no grapes since "you can't grow grapes around here". Some of their wines are sold in cheap plastic bottles; nice store with wine chochkies. Proprietor may be a relocated New Yorker. She was quite wrong about not being able to grow grapes however. Decent reds, sweets.
Next was Winterland Winery, in Lopez, once known as "Sawdust City" from all the now defunct lumber mills. An eclectic place that buys local grapes from the area and from Erie PA. Some nice whites, cute store.

Winterland Winery in the "Sawdust City"

Next my favorite of all, perhaps the quirkiest of any we've seen. In Lopez PA, the Lopez Winery. Strewn and cluttered with all manner of memorabilia that some would call junk. Looks like the owner, an extremely happy man, serves as much in full glasses as sampling sips, and some locals may mistake it for a bar. Also features, from time to time, free deer stew. Eight types of grapes on 1100 vines planted in 2000. Decent reds and whites.

Real cozy Lopez Winery Tasting (?) Room that seems like a bar

Best ever winery freebie

At Laddsburg Mountain Winery (three vineyards) in Dushore PA one is welcome to write a note on the floor. And lots of taxidermy samples on the wall. Decent whites, reds I think need some work.
Last wine stop was Grovedale Winery and Brewery, in new facility on the east bank of the mighty Susquehanna. Family has been there for 8 generations, and does a nice job making reds (best on this tour), whites, and next door some pretty nice beers.
And then home, after a short hike to some of the 20 odd waterfalls at Rickett's Glen State Park, a fine place for outdoorsy types.