Take a trip to Starr Hill Vineyard & Winery

As I drove between the rolling hills of Curwensville along the I-80 Frontier Landscape, I marveled at the pines that lined our path. Even in early February, there was still greenery, with a mist weaving through the valley. As the car made its way up the hill, the trees parted to reveal a rolling hill with a building sitting neatly on top. We had made it to Starr Hill Vineyard & Winery.

Parking by the tasting room, I look out at the vineyard. Even in the winter, the view was spectacular, and I was eager to make a trip sometime in the warmer months. The Starr Hill Vineyard currently has 3,000 vines lined down the hill, but it humbly started with just 12 vines in 1994. The tasting room of the winery building welcomes you in with warm-colored wood lining the floors and ceiling, and more than 30 varieties of handcrafted Starr Hill wines line the walls. 

Above is Starr Hill Vineyard & Winery’s tasting room in Curwensville, PA

During my visit, I was able to talk to the president of Starr Hill Vineyard & Winery, Kenn Starr.
Kenn has taken a family hobby of making great wine and turned it into a thriving business with six store locations and multiple awards earned. Kenn gave me a quick tour of his winery operation, which exists just below the tasting room. When the winery first went commercial in 2005, the winemaking, filling and bottling were done by hand. Today, while the winemaking is still handcrafted, the process has been automated over the years, allowing more wine to reach more customers.

While Kenn is the epitome of an entrepreneur, a trait that was certainly passed down by his parents and grandparents, he also recognizes the importance of giving back. His two newest wines, Foundation and Squatch N Berry, show this care for the community.

Check out Kenn’s take on the wild Squatch N Berry wine release in the video below! And when you get a chance, take a trip to the Starr Hill Vineyard & Winery at 861 Bailey Rd., Curwensville, PA 16833.