A Nottingham vineyard’s best-selling wine has a not-so-secret ingredient. Carmine grapes, which are also grown in Mifflin and Northumberland Counties, are the special sauce for Wayvine Winery & Vineyard, run by brothers Zach and James Wilson, writes Paul Vigna for Penn Live. 

Carmine is a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Carignane and then crossed again with Merlot. This versatile wine has also been able to turn into top-selling rose. Zach says that this particular grape was made to be a cooler region red that is still flavorful.  

“It’s also cool to have a vinifera vine that is so unique rather then just an American hybrid,” he said.  

Zach recently attended a niche grape workshop a few months ago. It was part of a conference hosted by the Pennsylvania Wine Association in State College. He was part of a smaller session of wine professionals to offer insights.

The winery recently sent in cuttings this spring in exchange for 4,000 vines in order to prepare for next year’s planting season. 

Read more about the Chester County winery in Penn Live.  

Meet the winemaker at Wayvine Winery.