What is a day like on Delaware’s Wine and Ale Trail?
As DFM News witnessed at Fordham/Old Dominion Brewing Company, it can be an impromptu drop-in. A Florida couple on vacation at the Delaware beaches decided to visit after searching for the Dover brewery on Google Maps.
Elsewhere, DFM News listened in as a home brewer brought a sample to Twin Lakes Brewing Company in Greenville for an opinion. The verdict: it was pretty good.
Meanwhile, visitors and regulars came in to fill their jugs or “growlers” with their favorite brew.
The bottom line: no two experiences on the Delaware Wine and Ale Trail are exactly alike. The trail links 13 breweries and wineries so visitors can customize their own trips.
“They can visit one or two, they can do it in a week or they can do it in a weekend,” Delaware Director of Tourism Linda Parkowski said.
Visits are centered on a tour of the brewery or winery, as well as a tasting. Larger establishments have their own restaurants.
“We have found that the type of people who come to this kind of activity have really good taste,” Parkowski added.
Delaware’s Wine and Ale Trail
Local breweries and Delaware’s Dept. of Tourism assess visitor response to the trail.
Fordham/Old Dominion Head Brewmaster Walter Trifari says the brewery often gets visitors on the tour on their way from or to another location. “[The Wine and Ale Trail] was much needed,” Trifari said. “We try to do our best by really giving a hands-on experience as a tour.”
The Delaware trail is modeled after similar, well-established trails such as those in the Pacific Northwest, California and Colorado. Brewers Association Director Paul Gatza says the trade organization gave Delaware high marks for its manageability and high quality of breweries.
In addition to marketing the Delaware trail in several surrounding states, Parkowski says the state makes a special effort to reach out to bus tour companies and organizers of meetings and conventions held in Delaware, as well as utilize social media outlets.
The tour venues are also part of the second annual Delaware Wine and Beer Festival on Sunday, October 23 at Pizzadili Vineyard and Winery in Felton. Tickets are $25 in advance and available at 800-233-5368 or ay the Kent County and Greater Dover Convention and Visitors Bureau website.
