HARRIS TOWNSHIP — Six years after moving back to his hometown of State College to start his own business, Jeff Proch needs more space to grow grapes.
Recently, he received approval to build the University Wine Company’s first winery in Harris Township. Construction will begin next year, and after it is completed, the company will have one building and 2 acres of grapevines on Misty Hill Drive.
“Our production facility needs more room and we’ve been looking for a long time. Initially, we looked at existing buildings,” Proch said. When nothing fit the bill, Proch and his family, who help run the business, decided to build their own.
It will take about two years for the grapes to mature enough for Proch to turn them into wine, he said. Until then, the company will continue producing wine with grapes grown in Erie.
Erie, known for its vineyards, is the location of Welch Food Inc.’s largest grape source. Concord and Niagara grapes are American varieties that thrive in Pennsylvania. According to the Penn State’s manual “Fruit Production for the Home Gardener,” they hold up through the winter better than their European counterparts.
Proch’s not sure what kinds of grapes he’ll settle on, but said he will try more than one.
“We’re narrowing it down. It’ll be a little experimental,” he said.
Proch said he’s starting with four varieties and keeping the ones that do better. If all goes according to plan, he believes the 2 acres of grapes could produce around 2,000 gallons of wine annually.
When the winery opens, it will be the fourth in Centre County. Added to a single cidery, a handful of distilleries and numerous breweries, Proch hopes the area can become a tourist spot.
“It’s certainly an attraction, and I’d like to see (Centre County) become a wine tourism destination,” Proch said. “People come to explore the wineries and the craft beverages. It’d be another reason to come and enjoy the scenery.”
The company will need help in the tasting room for a few people looking for part-time work next year.
“Hopefully, we’ll grow and need to hire more people,” Proch said. The proximity to Penn State’s campus offers an added bonus for both Proch and students.
He’s hoping to get hospitality and recreation, park and hotel management students to help out in the tasting room.
“It’s a great opportunity for them to learn about wine, and the agriculture folks can work in the field,” Proch said.
The University Wine Company currently sells its wine in The Branch and The Vine store in downtown State College and at The Greek restaurant.
