Located in southwestern Pennsylvania, the Shields family officially opened the winery on January 1, 2008.
The story really began though with Dr. Ferenc "Frank" Androczi and his Little Hungary Farm Winery. Using knowledge and experience he gained in his home land, Frank planted a vineyard and started keeping bees in Buckhannon, WV. He began making a unique type of wine branded as "Melomel" consisting of honey, grapes, apples, and pears.
In 1994, after tasting Melomel and hearing about the old man, Leigh Shields volunteered to help him. Working over several seasons provided an opportunity to see the methods used by an old-fashioned European type winery. No stainless-steel tanks, chemical stockpile, or sophisticated bottling line. Just oak barrels, the natural ingredients, and a manual corker.
The volunteering continued until 2001 when Frank suffered a stroke and could no longer work. Without any known relatives or formal apprentices, it seemed that Melomel might disappear for good. Frank didn't want this to happen and urged Leigh to keep making it. Based on the same formula and process, Leigh experimented and was extremely satisfied with the result. In fact, Leigh expanded upon the original red, white, and rose Melomel blends to create many distinct varieties.
Directions:
Take exit 14 off of I-79 to merge onto PA-21 W toward Waynesburg, go 1.1 miles, use the right 2 lanes to turn right onto US-19 N/E High St/Mt Morris Rd., continue to follow US-19 N/E High St. for 1.2 miles, turn left onto PA-218 S/N Morgan St., continue to follow PA-218 S for 11.7 miles, destination will be on the right.