photo via: buckscountyalive.com
Bucks County is a wonderful weekend destination tucked within Philadelphia’s Countryside. As you drive through the area, you are greeted with rolling hillsides, working farms and picturesque towns; which to a New Yorker, like myself is something you don’t get to see too often. The 622 square mile area of Bucks County is a pleasant and inviting place, filled with 
friendly people, family activities, and even some great wineries, breweries, and distilleries!
If you’re on the east coast (NYC, NJ, CT) you’re not too far from some really fantastic wineries and food attractions. My trip during morning commuting hours was about a 2 hour to drive from Manhattan to Bucks County, which for a weekend getaway is absolutely do-able. Sometimes the best part about living in New York City is being able to leave it, and when you come back you appreciate it that much more. This quick road trip was just far enough from the hustle and bustle of the city to feel like a real vacation!
My first stop on my two day PA trip was Crossing Vineyards, where I met Winemaker Tom Carroll Jr. and the Carroll family’s beautiful Great Dane Siggy. Crossing Vineyards offers a wide variety of grape varietals and wine styles for every palate. The tasting room overlooks rows of vines, offers outdoor seating, and even an event space. They often have special events such as Wine and Yoga, educational tastings, winemaker dinners, and so much more. Be sure to make this winery a must stop visit on your Bucks County getaway, you will not be disappointed!
Want to know what I tasted at Crossing Vineyards? Click HERE for the full article!
Another vineyard to make sure not to miss is Buckingham Valley Vineyards, where they are currently seeing some beautiful verasion (color changing of grape ripening on the vines). Tastings run for around $5.00/per person and you can guide yourself from the reds to the whites and even the fruit wines. I was wildly impressed with the wines here as well as their offering of Raspberry Wine Slushies! Buckingham Valley is a family owned winery, producing a lot of wine at really fantastic prices, and great quality too. There is a wine for everyone here (I found at least five I loved) as well as quite a few sparkling wines. The wineries selection of bubbles and their Champagne style production methods made me seriously fall in love with their wines, and I absolutely recommend making it a point to grab a slushie, bottle of bubbles, and a bottle of white sangria while here!
Buckingham Valley Vineyards Champagne style wine overview: HERE
After a day of driving and wine tasting, you can check into one of the many Bed & Breakfasts in Bucks County. The 1740 House is a beautiful B&B with rooms overlooking the Delaware river. This inn has plenty of parking, 24 rooms with picturesque views, coffee and complimentary beverage service, a restaurant and full bar, in room TV, private bathrooms, as well as a very comforting “home sweet home” atmosphere. The staff are very friendly and welcoming. Every morning you can wake up to a continental breakfast with daily specials, fresh juice, and coffee service. Room rates range from $170-300+/night (Standard, Deluxe, and Suites). On the weekends enjoy a “heavier” continental breakfast with perfectly cooked bacon, blueberry pancakes, savory bread pudding, and a selection of breads. This charming b&b is one place you will want to stay because it’s centrally located and a quick ride to some great stops such as Sandcastle Winery, Peddlers Village, and so much more!
Want to see the suite I stayed in? Read more about my stay a 1740 House HERE.
Photo Via Dad’s Hat
If you’re doing a two day trip similar to what I did in Bucks County, and don’t mind a bit of a drive (depending on where you are staying) Dad’s Hat Rye is absolutely worth checking out. Herman Mihalich is the founder behind the distillery, and was inspired by his father’s dedication to quality, style, and taking the time to do things the right way. This was the basis for the Dad’s Hat Rye Whiskey, in that he too, wanted to do it the right way. All the whiskeys are made by hand, in small batches, using only natural, local ingredients and the most careful methods. There are a variety of rye whiskeys with different finishes from Whiskey finished in Vermouth Barrels and Port Wine Barrels, to Single Barrell Cask Strength Whiskey, and even a White Rye; the options are craft-fully and carefully made.
Photo via: Bucks.HappeningMag.com
After some rye whiskey, stop by (because it’s only a 10 minute drive) Broken Goblet Brewery where you will find great brews, bites, and some enjoyable live music. If you want to relax, grab a brew and take in a movie in the lounge with a 100 inch screen. Broken Goblet brews beers ranging from old standards to new flavor experiences, including their very popular tea infused ales; very craft, and very cool!
If you decide you want to stay and explore Peddler’s Village (which I also highly recommend), you will find yourself transported to a quaint shopping village with great restaurants, sweet shops, gifts, and some craft 
distillery shops. I stopped by Hewn Spirits, which recently opened up a store in Peddler’s Village. Sean Tracy, the founder and head distiller decided after 25 years of restoring barns and turning them into custom unique homes, that he was going to take his love of crafting new things from old wood, and combine it with a new love for distilling and create that, which today is Hewn Spirits. The tasting room in Peddler’s Village is a hot spot for tourists and locals and has live music, yoga and tea cocktails, daily tastings, as well as a full cocktail bar. Dana, the manager is extremely friendly, knowledgeable, and on top of her spirits game! From cold brew to classic cocktails, and everything in between, hewn has it all for spirits lovers.
Want to know what I tasted with Dana at Hewn? Full spirits tasting and cocktail feature HERE.
If you’re hungry for some cocktails and a happy hour before heading back to your b&b, grab a seat at Earl’s New American Restaurant in Peddler’s Village for some fantastic food, service, and cocktails! After a fire a few years ago, Earl’s (a Bucks County favorite) is back and better than ever with exciting new menu items, local and farm fresh ingredients, creative cocktails, and decor that will wow!
Want to know what I ate, drank, and how my overall dining experience was at Earl’s? Check out my review HERE.
Bucks County has over 100 wineries, so for those seeking to make it a winery visit weekend, check out the Bucks County Wine Trail where you will visit some of the top wineries including: Buckingham Valley Vineyards, Crossing Vineyards & Winery, New Hope Winery, Peace Valley Winery, Rose Bank Winery, Rushland Ridge Vineyards, Sand Castle Winery and Wycombe Vineyards. You’ll be able to tour the wineries, cellars, and talk with the winemakers and families that make these great wines happen. From vine to bottle, learn it all on the Bucks County Wine Trail!
Want to see and read about what I tasted at Sandcastle Winery? Read about my wine and chocolate pairing experience with some great PA wines HERE.
Bucks County is one of the best weekend getaway’s if you’re seeking a summer road trip with a gastronomic focus. As I mentioned above, I am wildly impressed with the wines and spirits in Bucks County, PA and will absolutely be back for more tasting, touring, and eating! If you’re visiting the area be sure to stay up to date and in all the action using @VisitBucksCounty and #BucksCountyMoment on social media.
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