Photo via Penns Woods Winery

Penns Woods Winery in Chadds Ford started as a passion project by Italian immigrant and USMC veteran Gino Razzi. In the U.S., he started a wine importing business with his brother in the 1970s, importing wines from small wineries. He also spent time back in Italy, making wine in Abruzzo.

Photo by Erin Ingraffia

In the early 2000s, Razzi chose to start a winery in Pennsylvania, buying an old farmhouse with an established vineyard, then known as Smithbridge Cellars.

Photo by Erin Ingraffia

“There were five acres here of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Viognier,” says Carley Razzi, Gino’s daughter and current president of Penns Woods. “The vines were a bit of a mess, and so they were cut and retrained.” There are now 12 acres on that site as well as three additional vineyard sites throughout the region, farmed with sustainability in mind.

Photo via Penns Woods Winery

“We’ve reduced vineyard chemicals like herbicides or pre-emergents, utilizing cover crops to rebuild soil fertility,” says David Creato, head winemaker, who also oversees vineyard management. “Creating an environment populated with different root systems increases the soil's microbiome population, which is the connecting block for plant nutrient absorption.”

Practicing canopy management—the process of directing the leaves, shoots, and grapes to go a certain way—also creates sun exposure and airflow, which means Creato and his team can reduce the impact of pathogens and minimize the need for protective applications.

These vineyard management practices, along with Creato’s skill in the cellar, produce some quality wines.

Photo via Penns Woods Winery

The Wines

Creato came from Italy to Penns Woods to be mentored by Gino Razzi, and that mentorship turned into a full-time job. With his daughter now at the helm and Creato making wines, Gino has retired to Italy, knowing the winery and the wines are in the hands of those who care about Penns Woods as much as he did.

Visitors to the tasting room in Brandywine Valley will find an array of well-made wines, all from Pennsylvania grapes.

“Our most popular wine is our Moscato—both the white and the rosé,” says Carley Razzi.

The naturally low ABV wines have the moderate sweetness many people love in a Moscato, but they also have the right amount of acidity to balance out that sweetness. The wines are refreshing, never cloying.

The Willow White, a blend of Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Moscato, is also a crowd-pleaser, particularly in the warmer months. It gives “the most likely to be enjoyed watching the sunset on your patio” vibes.

Photo by Erin Ingraffia

On the drier range of things, Penns Woods crafts fine Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Rosé, wines that frequently take top spots in the annual Sommelier Judgment of PA Wines. In the most recent 2026 judgment, Penns Woods' 2021 Ameritage Reserve was judged best red.

Also of note, the Prosecco-style Blanc de Blanc made from Chardonnay will please those looking to get their bubbles on. For those looking for a wine that no one else has, Penns Woods has the only Carmine Franc, a cross between Cabernet Franc and Carmine, in the region. The winery also makes a cider from local apples.

Photo by Erin Ingraffia

Wine Enthusiast recently honored Penns Woods by nominating it, along with four West Coast wineries, for American Winery of the Year in the 27th Annual Wine Star Awards, saying the Pennsylvania winery is “proving that excellence can exist from coast to coast.” The winner will be announced at the 27th annual Wine Star Awards black-tie gala on Monday, January 25, 2027, in San Francisco.

“This nomination belongs not only to our family and team, but to Pennsylvania wine. For 25 years, we have believed deeply in this land and in what can be grown here,” says Carley Razzi.

The winery was also recently honored when the readers of Main Line Today named Penns Woods a 2026 Best of the Main Line & Western Suburbs winner for Best Winery.

Photo by Erin Ingraffia

The Hospitality

Penns Woods hospitality is as world-class as its wines. The exceedingly family-friendly winery is the “heart, soul, and center of our world. It’s a lifestyle,” says Carley Razzi. Both she and Creato, who is married to Penns Woods’ CFO and wine club manager Andrea Creato, have their children at the tasting room property when possible.

Photo via Penns Woods Winery

The Creatos’ daughter is known to walk around with a wagon filled with produce from the property’s garden to sell to visitors, telling them about how the vegetables are grown naturally. The kids from both families can sometimes be seen helping out, doing age-appropriate jobs, all for a little pay, of course.

The expansive lawn where visitors can bring their own food to enjoy while sipping on Penns Woods wines has an adults-only section where those who want things a bit more serene can go.

Photo by Alyssa Murphree

The winery’s team hosts many events, especially during the warmer weather, almost always with families in mind. From May through October, live music plays outdoors on Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting. Fridays are added in the summer. Food trucks appear from time to time, such as Cousins Maine Lobster (imagine a lobster roll paired with Blanc de Blanc). When food trucks are on premises, guests can still bring their own food to enjoy on the lawn. Visitors can also purchase light bites, including local cheese and charcuterie.

Photo via Penns Woods Winery

Seasonal events include a Valentine’s Wine & Chocolate Pairing, an Easter Egg Hunt that sells out every year, Derby Day, a Wheels & Wine Car Show, a Harvest Celebration, a popular Hay Maze, Pumpkin Picking, and more. During the colder months, special wine cocktail classes take place indoors.

Events can be found on the winery’s website and on its Instagram page.

Hours of operation: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday (closed Tuesday): noon-6 pm; Friday & Saturday: noon-7 pm.
Address: 124 Beaver Valley Road, Chadds Ford, PA
Connect: Penns Woods Winery on Instagram