Wine Tastings
Wine tasting provides an opportunity to sample the wines that we produce. Nearly all Nissley wines are available for tasting, and you may select those which suit your personal preference. The cost of the tasting is $6.00 for 6 wine samples. Effective 5/3/21, the cost of a tasting will be $8 for 6 wine samples.
Tastings are conducted at various places in the winery depending on the day and the weather: cold-weather Saturdays by the fireplace in the main production room, warm-weather days under the archway (al fresco), and other days in the wine shop.
At our extension shops, wines are currently available for tasting on a limited basis depending on the shop location. Please see Shops & Hours.
The Wine Tasting Experience in Spring & Summer During the Pandemic
Updated 4/23/21
At the Winery, wine samples are currently served in flights of six wines ($6.00 per flight; effective 5/3/21, $8.00 per flight) as you relax at a small table. Following the tasting, (or instead of the tasting) you can extend the experience with a glass or bottle of Nissley wine, or a local brew.
To embellish the tasting experience we offer a variety of meats, cheeses and crunchies. For example, a wedge of local artisan cheese with crackers costs $8.00 and can serve up to 4 people. (As of April 4, 2021 food purchase is no longer required by the state.) For outdoor picnics on the patios and spacious lawn, you may bring your own food.
Our small tables seat up to 4 people. Some are positioned just outside the wine shop on the covered porch, where heat towers and fire pits give warmth on a chilly day. Other tables are available on the open-air patios across the lawn from the wine shop. In warm weather months, the patios are shaded by tall trees. Table space is limited, so you might want to pack your own lawn chairs if it is a beautiful day, just in case.
Due to the state Covid-19 restrictions, the porch tables may not be moved together. If you have more than 4 people in your group, plan to use the picnic patios and stay 6′ away from any other group. For a group of 9 or more, a reservation is strongly recommended to avoid being turned away due to limited space.
On weekends there may be a scheduled special event you would enjoy. Please see events.
Winery Tours – Currently Unavailable
At Nissley Vineyards & Winery Estate, you will be visiting an actual operating winery in a scenic setting. A portion of the tour takes place outside the building, with a short walk to the nearest grape vines. Inside the winery, you will pass among tall wine tanks, as you learn about the wine-making process. In harvest months (late summer and early fall), you are likely to see grapes coming from the vineyards, then being crushed and pressed. In the spring, you are likely to see the bottling operation. We are open year-round, and every season has an appeal of its own.
Self-Guided Tours – Currently Unavailable
The visitor is guided by a booklet which he carries through the winery. The booklet can be shared among several people in the same group, with one person reading to the others. Color photos and descriptions of the wine-making process make the tour very educational and enjoyable. A self-guided tour usually begins as soon as the visitor arrives. Allow 30 to 45 minutes for the tour and tasting. There is no fee for the self-guided tour alone.
Availability for Self-Guided Tour
| 1 – 8 people | Every day. A reservation is not needed. |
| 9 – 20 people | Saturday and Sunday only. A reservation is strongly recommended to avoid being turned away due to space limitations. We cannot accept a group of this size on weekdays due to production conflicts, and splitting the group is not an option. |
Arrival Time for Self-Guided Tour
| 1 – 8 people | Mon. to Sat. 10:00 am. to 4:15 pm. Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. |
| 9 – 20 people | Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| More than 20 | Sorry, we cannot accept a group of this size for the self-guided tour or tasting. Splitting the group is not an option. Please see the Guided Tours section below. |
Guided Tours– Currently Unavailable
A well-informed tour guide leads the group through the winery and conducts the wine tasting at the end of the tour. Wines purchased by members of the group qualify for the case discount price. Allow 1 to 2 hours for the guided tour and tasting, depending on the size of the group.
Tour/Tasting Fee for Guided Tour
| 1-9 people | $90.00 minimum |
| Additional persons | $10.00 each |
Start Times for Guided Tour
| 9 – 40 people | Friday morning 10:00 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. only. A reservation is required. |
| More than 40 | Sorry, we cannot accommodate a group of this size. |
Reservations & Advance Notice
To make a reservation, please call the Winery Office, Monday thru Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m at 717-426-3514. For a guided tour reservation, we must receive your non-refundable $90 deposit at least two weeks ahead.
Bus Restrictions
Buses are accepted on Friday mornings only, and a reservation is required.
Wine Shop
The wine shop carries the same Nissley wines that are served for the wine tasting. It also carries an assortment of quality wine accessories, such as corkscrews, wine glasses and gift items. The hours are Monday thru Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. You will want to purchase wine when you visit because Nissley wines are not widely distributed.
Minors
Persons under age 21 must be accompanied by their own parent or legal guardian. Sharing wine with your children is not permitted.
About Group Sizes
Please note that the winery is an operating production facility. A small group (eight or less) can easily pause to watch the winemaking activities and have enough space to taste wine afterward. However, on most days there is not enough space for a larger group to do so. Tour and tasting availability has been established so that the winemaking process can proceed efficiently.
