BY CHRISTINE LEE
POTTSVILLE — Patrons will be able to find different wines to suit their taste at Black Rock Brewing Co. later this week.
Spring Gate Winery, based in Harrisburg, will open its location in the city Friday on the brewery terrace at 325 S. Centre St.
Manager Jay Hoerr said the public can expect a variety to be available that fit every palate.
“There will be something for everyone,” he said.
They include sweet and dry red and white wines and Cabernets. The atmosphere, Hoerr added, will be “a little bit classy and outdoorsy.”
“Spring Gate is going to bring products that aren’t readily available in the area,” he said.
Hoerr said the winery will operate on the terrace, and will have a bar, 10 tables and seating for 40 people, while the inside northern portion of the building will be used as storage for the winery.
In addition to the Spring Gate wines, visitors can also sample beers in the Black Rock Brewing beer line, including Black Rock Blonde Ale and Lantern Lite.
“We are extremely excited to be partnered with such an incredible winery and their team,” co-owner Bobby Weaver said. “It’s a landmark establishment and absolutely one of the best Pennsylvania has to offer.”
His wife, co-owner Abby Weaver, added that bringing the winery to Pottsville is “an honor and a privilege for us at Black Rock.”
JACQUELINE DORMER / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Jay Hoerr, manager, talks about the space where Spring Gate Pottsville will be located inside Black Rock Brewing.
In addition, rotating food trucks, including Lunch Pail, will have gourmet burgers, tacos, loaded fries and more for visitors. With the coronavirus pandemic ongoing, precautions are in place, with tables spaced out, hand sanitizer available and employees and customers wearing face masks.
The winery will be open from 3 to 10 p.m. Fridays and noon to 10 p.m. Saturdays.
On Tuesday, crews worked to put down flagstone pavers on the terrace area, as well as refurbishing the inside of the building, once home to the YWCA of Pottsville. The rest of it will be home to Black Rock Brewing, anticipated to open in spring 2021. The microbrewery was initially supposed to open later this year.
“With the current climate, it’s hard to open a sit-down, indoor restaurant or brewpub during this time,” Hoerr said of the decision to delay the opening. “We figured we’ll give it some time.”
A full list of Spring Gate’s wine, fermented fruit beverages and beer can be found at www.springgatevineyard.com.
Contact the writer: clee@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6028
