Farm to Fork returns to Thistlewaite Vineyards in Greene County
File photo
As summer winds down, the owners at Thistlewaite Vineyards in the Greene County community of Jefferson are gearing up for the annual Farm to Fork event that showcases local flavors and promotes community pride.
This year’s gathering will take place on Saturday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., offering guests a taste of what the region grows and makes, from wine, to homemade baked goods.
The event, now in its eighth year, was created to highlight the beauty, flavor and community spirit of Greene County.
“Each year we see neighbors, friends and visitors come together to celebrate what makes our region so special,” said Carole DeAngelo, director of advertising and events at the Observer-Reporter and Herald-Standard.
VIP experience
An exclusive VIP package will include wine and food pairings with owner and winemaker Jamie Thistlewaite, a special meal prepared by Kiln to Table, a guided winery tour, a bottle of wine and a hayride through the scenic property.
Meet the host
The Thistlewaites opened the winery in 2000, using five acres of land to grow 10 varieties of French hybrid grapes. Since then, they’ve grown into one of Greene County’s best-known wineries, attracting several hundred guests to Farm to Fork each year.
Duann Thistlewaite said that they recognized the great potential in the Greene County area.
“We did a lot of research on what would grow here, initially sending soil samples to Penn State,” she explained. Duann pointed out that Pennsylvania is in a zone that is conducive to growing winter-hardy French hybrid grapes.
“A south-facing hill gets a nice wind flow and great sunlight throughout the day, so it’s a combination of the grapes and terroir,” she said.
The Thistlewaites sell wine that’s very low in sulfites, which enables the character of the wine to shine through. Their top sellers are a white Traminette, which Duann describes as medium-bodied, with aromas of tropical fruit and a tangerine-flavored finish, and Red Dawg Rouge, which she describes as a sweet-to-semi sweet with a medium body, a fresh berry aroma and a dark cherry finish. Wine will be sold by the bottle, or glass.
New this year is a port-style wine fortified with brandy called Liar’s Den. “It’s very smooth,” Duann said.
Local flavor and music
The free event will also feature music by Jake Thomas and his Band and guitarist Dan Baker.
The event also welcomes a variety of vendors. New this year is Carmichaels-based Cilly Cakes. Owner Maris Christopher will be selling cakes, cupcakes, cookies, pecan bars, brownies and sourdough, along with homemade canned goods, sandwiches and charcuterie boards.
Another highlight is Waynesburg-based Kiln to Table. Founded by Jennifer Adamson, who combined her love of good food, pottery and community to create a place to serve homemade food while displaying her wares and making lasting connections with the local area.
In 2019, Natalie Harris took over the food part of the business and has been a highly sought after vendor for catering. Harris said that they are taking part in the event because it’s important for them to not only showcase their own business, but also to support others’ efforts.
“We sell items like honey and coffee in our restaurant gallery to help promote other small businesses,’ she said.
Charcuterie is one of Kiln to Table’s signature offerings. “We create anything from intimate two-person boards to grand-scale tablescapes. Choosing charcuterie for the event not only allows others to see the visual impact, but also showcase local delights,” said Harris.
These are just two of the many vendors who will be on hand selling everything from hard tack candy, to baked goods, cigars, wings, produce and more.
A Greene County tradition
DeAngelo said that as summer winds to a close, Farm to Fork is a great way to experience what the area has to offer.
“Whether you come for the flavors, the music, the landscape, or simply the sense of community, Farm to Fork is the perfect way to spend a fall day in Greene County.”
To learn more, or purchase VIP tickets, visit http://farmtoforkevent.com/.