farm and land
RIGHT PLACE
right time
STORY AND PHOTOS BY SALLY SCHOLLE | LIKE MANY PENNSYLVANIA FARMS, SPRING GATE VINEYARD AND WINERY
HAS A COLORFUL HISTORY. THE 60 ACRE PROPERTY OUTSIDE OF HARRISBURG TRACES ITS ROOTS TO THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN A WORKING FARM. WHEN OWNER MARTY SCHOFFSTALL
TE ROO
D I N H I S TO R
Y:
PURCHASED THE FARM IN 1995, HE STARTED MAKING PLANS TO GIVE IT A NEW TWIST.
brewing new memories
Marty started Spring Gate Vineyard
Since opening the tasting room
wine and could start selling wholesale early.
in 2010 with his wife Diane, Rebecca
in March 2014, Spring Gate Winery has
We were at the right place at the right time,
Kline, and other business partners.
enjoyed continual growth. Rebecca says
with the right product and the right model.”
Although Diane is now the Director
weekly tasting meetings with leadership
Rebecca says part of that model is
of Operations at the winery, she was
and consultants are a critical aspect of
willingness to look beyond the ordinary.
willing to get her hands dirty as the
keeping the team on task and up to date.
“We aren’t afraid to admit mistakes, trash
vineyard took shape.
The team plans months in advance to
the idea and move on,” she says. “It’s all
ensure sound purchasing decisions and
about taking chances. We learn from our
collaborates on events and new releases.
mistakes, but we don’t dwell on them.”
“There were six of us digging holes and planting vines,” says Rebecca, describing the initial planting. “The first year we planted about five rows, and
FOR THE LOVE In addition to offering a wide selection
of the farm
Making good products isn’t the only
of beverages on site, Spring Gate Winery
reason Spring Gate continues to grow.
products are available in numerous retail
An important focus of of the business is
have 15 acres. Everyone also pruned and
establishments. “With changes in the law,
hospitality, which means attracting people
harvested the first crop—we’ve been
our wholesale business has taken off,” says
who have the hospitality spirit. “We are an
Rebecca. “We were positioned with enough
organization about people,” says Rebecca.
have been planting ever since. Now we
hands-on from the beginning.”
A CAREFULLY RESTORED FARMSTEAD CREATES THE IDEAL SETTING FOR SPRING GATE VINEYARD AND WINERY, WHERE THE COMPLETE LINE OF HANDCRAFTED BEVERAGES, INCLUDING WINES, BEERS, AND TEAS, DRAWS BOTH LOYAL AND FIRST-TIME VISITORS. WITH A COMMUNITY-CENTERED FOCUS, BOTH OWNERS AND STAFF ARE DEDICATED TO ENSURING A POSITIVE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE THROUGH HOSPITALITY AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL. THE VENUE IS A POPULAR ATTRACTION FOR THEMED EVENTS, PRIVATE PARTIES, AND WEDDINGS. SPRING GATE STAFF REMAINS COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING THE BEST POSSIBLE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE FOR EACH GUEST. VISIT SPRINGGATEVINEYARD.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION.
A G O L D S TA R
for the palate IN
CING OUR 2 U D O 01 TR
9
scholarship winners
4
| VOLUME 24 | ISSUE 2 | mafc.com
