Oxford High School graduate Alexandra Cherniavsky is one of a growing number of sommeliers who are discovering and then sharing their appreciation for Pennsylvania wine, writes Caroline Hatchett for Wine Enthusiast magazine.

Pennsylvania wines started showing up on the lists of a handful of sommeliers in the mid-1990s. However, there were not enough bottles that were affordable and exceptional enough to be offered by the glass, so the state’s wine never really took off.

Cherniavsky, an advanced sommelier, truly began to notice Pennsylvania wines several years ago, during a series of blind tastings organized by Scott Zoccolillo in Berwyn.

“It was a turning point for me,” she said. “These wines were well made, interesting, and exciting, and they came from 30 miles outside the city.”

Now, at The Love in Philadelphia, Cherniavsky’s team is happy to offer samples to guests who are hesitant to order Pennsylvania wine.

“People are always open to a sip,” she said.

Local wine’s popularity was also boosted four years ago, when Pennsylvania updated some of its arcane liquor laws, allowing breweries like Levante Brewing in West Chester to serve state wines by the glass.

Read more about Pennsylvania wines in Wine Enthusiast magazine here.