Setter Ridge Vineyards

Setter Ridge Vineyards consists of two vineyards located in the rolling hills of Berks County, Pennsylvania. Both vineyards are planted on south facing hills at high elevation, lending to perfect conditions for ripening cold climate grapes of northern Europe. Our rocky soils have warm afternoons and cool evenings allowing our fruit to reach its full varietal character. Our philosophy is to grow only European grapes of noble heritage, from which we make wine of similar European styles. This is done through carefully tending to each vine and handpicking the fruit at maturity. Our belief is that growing quality grapes make quality wines, so viticulture is a top priority.

The Stonehedge Vineyard

Our family has owned the farmland and hillsides in Rockland Township for generations. The Stonehedge Vineyard sits on top of South Mountain at 1050 feet above sea level.   The vineyard’s south facing slopes are surrounded by oak forests. It was here that Richard Blair’s dream of owning a vineyard began. The love of wine and the appeal of the wine country enticed him to plant grapes on the higher and steeper hillsides of the family farm. The first row was planted in 1998 with only knowledge read from a book. There are currently 9 acres of vines planted, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Gris.

The Richard J. Vineyard

In 2007, we purchased an additional 35 acres of land in foothills of the Appalachian Mountains to expand the depth of Setter Ridge Vineyards.  Named after owner, Richard Blair, the Richard J. Vineyard sits 300 feet lower than the Stonehedge Vineyard with south facing hills of 10% to 15% grade. The grapes ripen a week earlier here than our Stonehedge Vineyard because of increased sun exposure. We currently have 23 acres of vines planted in 10 different varietals, with more acres left for a possibility of other wines. The varietals planted at the Richard J. Vineyard are Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc & Syrah.  We are also in the process of planting Petit Verdot.