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Matteo and Carolina Carozzo left their families in the Monferrato hills, to take work in a Delaware gunpowder
factory. After several years, in 1928 they were able to pool their life-savings to purchase an abandoned field near the town of Avondale. The small field occupies a knoll between a concrete factory and two manure composting plants. The ground is littered with old horseshoes, musket balls, and veins of the black mushroom soils that are infamous to the area. The first vines of the home vineyard were planted here in 1999. Pop Pop Jim ran over 100 miles of wire to erect a trellis for the seven acres of vines. The initial planting coincided with the longest drought in the regions history, which ended suddenly when 10 inches of rain fell in one evening. The next morning, a deep sink hole had opened-up in the field. At the bottom of the crevice, a large crucifix was discovered. The crucifix was mounted atop a fence post overlooking the young vines, and he became known as Vineyard Jesus." He now watches over the wine table in the tasting room. This hill has been visited by hurricanes and hail, disease and cold snaps, deer, insects, and the endless legions of birds. New members of our family have been born here, and others have left us. Great Grandmother Anna, into her late-90s, always admonished us to rack the wines on the new moon. Our daughter is now the fifth generation of Matteo and Carolina to live and work in this field. It is a place pregnant with memories, and full of ghosts. |
Before setting out to visit please call ahead to verify that regular hours still apply in cases of
inclement weather, or holidays. We attempt to post cancellations on our page in the book of faces:
Press / Social Media: Due to our modest size and facilities we respectfully request that you please
do not re-produce the information contained in this section for dissemination to the general public.
We thank you greatly for your understanding.
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Jump to: Holiday Hours and Schedule
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-- Before setting out, please see the Visit Us Page for Menu and important details -- We look forward to seeing you at the little vineyard! |
Sunday February 4
We invite you to join us in the galleria for a delightful afternoon concert with pianist,
mule skinner, and wall paper identification expert,
Mr Glenn E. Williams Jr, III. (2-5 pm).
To make a reservation request, please see the Visiting Info link on the Visit Page.
Valentine's Day Weekend at the Little Vineyard
Saturday February 10 and Sunday February 11, 2024 AD
12:01 - 5:29 pm
We will be offering wines by the bottle and glass, plus, we will be offering
wine flights featuring tastings of four Avondale field wines accompanied with
little nibbles of local artisan cheeses and chocolates, as well as, the romantic sounds of
pianist, former employee of the month finalist, and national long range staring champion,
Mr Glenn E. Williams Jr III (both days 2-5 pm) ~ $25 (US).
Seatings for this weekend will be by Reservation, for 1 and a half hour blocks
To make a reservation request, please text "reservation" to: 484-548-1681
and an actual farm person will get back to you.
Valentine's Redemption Weekend:
Saturday February 17 and Sunday February 18, 2024AD
12:01 - 5:29 pm
Our traditional Valentine's Day do-over for those who screwed it up the first time,
and those just looking for a reason to give love another day.
We will be offering wines by the bottle and glass, plus, we will be offering
wine flights featuring tastings of four Avondale field wines accompanied with
little nibbles of local artisan cheeses and chocolates, (as well as, the romantic
sounds of pianist, regional foot critic, and ex-baby fighting champion,
Mr Glenn E. Williams Jr III - Sunday February 18 only, 2-5 pm) ~ $25 (US).
Seatings for this weekend will be by Reservation, for 1 and a half hour blocks
To make a reservation request, please TEXT "reservation" to: 484-548-1681
and an actual farm person will get back to you.
Sunday March 10
We invite you to join us in the galleria for a live afternoon concert with pianist,
retired speed knitter, and former frient to all woodland creatures,
Mr Glenn E. Williams Jr, III. (2-5 pm)
To make a reservation request, please see the Visiting Info link on the Visit Page
Va La Man-Service in Kilts Day
Saturday March 16, 2024 AD:
See the sights that cannot be unseen: our farm's annual tribute to the Day of
St Patrick, as your fine servers Andy, Dave, and Doug will be in their kilts, pouring
wines and showing off their tribal pride, and hopefully nothing else.
To make a reservation request, please see the Visiting Info link on the Visit Page
Sunday March 24
We invite you to join us in the galleria for a live afternoon concert overlooking the vines,
with pianist, car owner, and retired Star Trek watcher, Mr Glenn E. Williams Jr, III. (2-5 pm)
To make a reservation request, please see the Visiting Info link on the Visit Page
Saturday March 30, 2024 AD
We invite you to join us in the galleria for a live afternoon concert with pianist,
former traveling back surgeon, and longtime coffee table owner,
Mr Glenn E. Williams Jr, III (3-5 pm).
Sunday March 31 - Easter Sunday
We are closed.
Sunday April 7
We invite you to join us for a live afternoon concert in the galleria
with pianist to the network stars, Mr Glenn E. Williams Jr, III. (2-5 pm)
To make a reservation request, please see the Visiting Info link on the Visit Page
Sunday April 21, 2024
A special Dinner at Elwood Restaurant with Va La wines, by James Beard
Semi-Finalist, Chef Adam Diltz, at his wonderful restaurant in Fishtown.
The evening's menu will be paired with several very limited Library wines
from our cellar.
Menu
Reservations
Wines will be Presented by A&R Wine Services
Elwood BYOB info
Sunday May 5
We invite you to join us in the galleria for a live afternoon concert with pianist,
loud library talker, and former professional lawn mower racer,
Mr Glenn E. Williams Jr, III. (2-5 pm).
To make a reservation request, please see the Visiting Info link on the Visit Page
Memorial Day Weekend
Saturday May 25, and Sunday May 26, 2024 AD
The Sweet Sound of Avondalia, the Mighty Mighty Glenn E.
Williams Jazz Trio returns to the little vineyard, to fill our souls
with cool, cool jazz. Yay for us!
(both days 2 to 5 pm, weather permitting.)
To make a reservation request, please see the Visiting Info link on the Visit Page
Memorial Day Monday May 27: Closed
---- SPECIAL HOLIDAY HOURS 2024 ----
January 1: New Year's Day 2024 -- Closed.
March 31: Easter Sunday -- Closed.
Monday May 27: Memorial Day Monday -- Closed.
Thursday July 4th -- Closed.
Monday September 2: Labor Day Monday -- Closed.
October 1: Avondale Lawnmower Appreciation Day -- Open normal hours.
Wednesday November 27: Special Holiday Hours
We will be open for purchases by the glass and bottle
(sorry no flights today) from 12 - 3 pm.
Thursday November 28 Thanksgiving Day - closed
~ During the December holidays,
in addition to our weekend tastings,
we will be open every day from December 13
until December 31
except as noted below:
- Christmas Eve 12/24: Special Holiday Hours
We will be open for purchases by the glass and bottle
(sorry no flights today) from 12 to 3 pm.
- Christmas Day 12/25: We will be closed.
- New Year's Eve 12/31: Special Holiday Hours
We will be open for purchases by the glass and bottle
(sorry no flights today) from 12 to 3 pm.
- New Year's day 1/1/25: We will be closed --
We wish you a safe, happy, and beautiful 2025.
For updates and announcements of new wine releases, please like our
Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram pages, or sign up for our email newsletter.
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Life at Table
American Winery Guide
East Coast Wineries Blog
Dave McIntyre's WineLine
House Industries
Avondale Music Company
David Schildknecht Vinous
On the Front Vines
The Cork Report
Drink What YOU Like
The Nittany Epicurean
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The Grapes Unwrapped
East Coast Wine Couple
The Virginia Grape
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Pietro Mushrooms
The Woodlands at Phillips Mushroom Farms - fresh mushrooms
The Mushroom Cap - fresh mushrooms
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STAYING IN THE BRANDYWINE VALLEY
Avondale Hills Farm Residence The Artist's Inn
Fairville Inn
Inn at Whitewing Farm
Inn at Montchanin Village
Kennett House
Fairfield Inn and Suites
Hilton Garden Inn Kennett
“ …an extraordinary family owned winery, my mind has finally come to grips with the conclusion;
Va La makes some beautifully well made wine, meticulously cared for by a passionate farmer… ”
—Anthony’s Wine Blog, July 2012
home again
We please ask that you take note that:
♦ We advocate the responsible consumption of wine, we do not serve minors or visibly intoxicated persons.
♦ We are a very small family farm, and regrettably unable to accommodate buses, limousines,ocean liners,
or groups over 4 persons indoors, or over 6 persons outdoors, under any circumstances please.
♦ An active, working farm facility where adults are served alcohol should not be considered an environment
conducive to children or pets. Non-Service dogs are permitted, outdoors only, as long as they are
leashed and maintain a 10 foot distance from all other guests. (The same applies to children. 😀)
©2021 Va La Family Farmed Wines. All rights reserved. Images and content are property of Va La Vineyards, unless otherwise noted
Va La Family Farmed Wines | 8820 Gap Newport Pike (Rt. 41) | Avondale, PA | 19311 | 610-268-2702