They say that not all who wander are lost… and those who wander in the Hershey Harrisburg region in search of vineyard adventures just may find themselves welcomed by the unabashedly straight-shootin’ proprietor “Buddy Boy” at Buddy Boy Winery & Vineyard in Duncannon. This eclectic and fun-loving wine joint features a robust schedule of live entertainment, a menu of amazing food cooked up in the wood-fired ovens, free wine tastings, and a selection of wines made the old-fashioned way in this tucked-away, mountainside gem. Come here to enjoy it all and meet the people (and resident pets) who have inspired the wines and flavored the personality of this down-home winery that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
When you show up at Buddy Boy Winery, it’s like rolling into a family and friends’ cookout – a literal party in the backyard of the Buddy Boy homestead, where y’all are welcome to hang out as long as you’d like. And many do, drawn in by the food, wine and live entertainment. The laid-back atmosphere and covered porch deck is perfect for a hosting a revolving selection of acoustic, Appalachian Mountain Music, Bluegrass and Country singers and bands to entertain the crowds on Friday and Saturday evenings. Here, the stories flow as well as the wine, and there’s always lots of laughter and maybe even a visit from one of the winery’s resident cats… possibly Kitty Smalls or Smoke Kitty (you’ll also find them on some of the wine labels).
In the early, heady days (quite literally, as the first batches over-fermented and packed quite a punch!) of Buddy Boy winery, the wine process was refined by trial and error and wine names were developed from late-night storytelling. But in the past ten years, the wines have developed a bevy of awards from New York Finger Lakes wine competitions and a loyal following from visitors near and far. Buddy Boy’s personal favorite, It’s Just That Simple, is a raspberry merlot and another crowd favorite is The Bushwacker, a black raspberry port that is named after Buddy Boy’s brother-in-law and the resident Chef in the winery’s kitchen. Their old-fashioned country wine making philosophy and process is to “let the wine be wine” and they don’t interfere with the flavors with a lot of oaking or aging. In the tasting room you can sample five free wines, and then settle in with a glass from the bar or choose from a wide selection of bottles to go. The bar also features 10 beers on tap as well as Pennsylvania spirits in seasonal drink specials and on the rocks.
In the back of the tasting room, the real magic of the place happens. Several wood-fired ovens cook up a tasty menu of pizzas, thin-crust strombolis, ¾-pound Angus burgers, chops and steaks, while from the smoker emerge delicious specialties such as the seven-cheese smoked macaroni, smoked lasagna, and legendary smoked wings. On select Sundays you can also enjoy the whimsy and the good eats of Kick The Pig Sunday (the second Sunday of every month) featuring pork chops like you’ve never eaten before and seared to juicy perfection, and Dead Cow Sunday (the third Sunday of every month) featuring hand-cut, 16-20 oz. Rib Eye steaks flash cooked over thousand degree coals. Follow their Facebook page for announcements about other menu features such as hand-breaded oysters, alligator bites, and “smoked ribs so good, you’ll take them to bed with you!” (this literally happened, they are that good!)
As part of your off-road wandering to visit Buddy Boy Winery and Vineyard, you may also want to include stops at nearby attractions including Old Sled Works, a nostalgic antique store and craft market in Duncannon, The Bucks Valley Winery, The Winery at Hunters Valley, and Armstrong Valley Winery. You can also plan a morning or afternoon hike at Hawk Rock or on the nearby Appalachian Trail, or hop on the Millersberg Ferry for a picturesque Susquehanna River crossing between Millersburg in Dauphin County and Buffalo Township in Perry County. As far as time of year, Buddy Boy Winery is open year-round and always ready to welcome you anytime you wander in.
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