The ChaddsFord Winery and its 5 acres on Route 1 has been sold to Delaware’s Vinton family. Photo by Rich Schwartzman
The Chaddsford Winery, a fixture on Route 1 in Pennsbury Township, Pennsylvania, has new owners. The Vinton family of Delaware, who already own White Horse Winery in New Jersey, acquired the winery on September 30.
BJ Vinton, a member of the new ownership family, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition. “We are excited,” he said, noting his family’s deep connections to the area. Vinton lives in Greenville, Delaware, just 15 minutes from the winery. His father and sister also reside nearby.
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The Vinton family’s history with Chaddsford Winery goes back years. Vinton recalls visiting the winery with his father to buy grapes for home winemaking. He has also spent time canoeing and tubing along the nearby Brandywine.
While some changes are planned, the winery will retain its identity. “There have not been any renovations to the winery in well over a decade,” Vinton said. “We would like to expand both the indoor and outdoor event spaces.” However, major changes will wait until after the harvest season, which extends through Thanksgiving.
What’s next for the Chaddsford Winery?
Immediate plans include bolstering the kitchen and food offerings and making necessary repairs. The new owners are also considering potential additions to the wine portfolio. “We’ll be collaborating and sharing our knowledge, experience, and some of our methodologies to help [Chaddsford Winery] develop their dry wine portfolio,” Vinton explained.
Corey Krejcik, general manager of Chaddsford Winery, views the acquisition positively. “We wanted to find someone local who recognized the history and legacy,” he said. “The plan was always to try to find someone willing to continue it as a winery.”
Krejcik emphasized that the Vinton family, not White Horse Winery, purchased Chaddsford Winery. The two wineries will remain separate entities but will benefit from shared expertise. A key advantage for Chaddsford is access to White Horse Winery’s 25 acres of vineyards, compared to Chaddsford’s current five acres.
This marks the second sale of a local winery in 12 months, following Longwood Gardens’ acquisition of the former Galer Estate Vineyard and Winery last September.
The Petrillo family, Chaddsford Winery’s previous owners, sold the property to consolidate their portfolio. In the initial announcement of the sale, Krejcik stated, “When we began this process, our goal was to find a new owner who was the best fit for our beloved winery. We’re confident that the Vinton’s and White Horse Winery are a perfect match. Both organizations are incredibly complementary in their strengths, strategies, and personnel. Our team feels fully rejuvenated and excited for the future.”
Original story by Richard Schwartzman, Chadds Ford Live (sister publication)
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