SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - Schuylkill County's newest winery is bringing some new flavors to a growing industry.
Rick Watt opened Fieldwood Winery in October next to his home on Schuylkill Mountain Road, South Manheim Township.
"It's just nice to sit out here and drink a glass of wine," Watt said July 15 while giving a tour of his property.
Wine making was first a hobby for Watt.
"For me, it started as a hobby, then it grew out of control," he said. "I started making smaller batches and my family really loved it. People really encouraged me to try this and I didn't look back."
He said it took about a year to acquire all the necessary licenses to start his own winery.
"I'm not a farmer, so I'm really learning on the way," he said. "I love to try new things."
Fieldwood Winery now operates out of a 42-by-46-foot building Watt built a few years ago for his industrial electrical company, Watt Control Systems Inc. The red brick building was constructed into the side of a hill.
"It keeps everything at a nice temperature," Watt said.
Watt uses 18 stainless steel drums to age the wine, as opposed to plastic or wooden barrels. The drums have a total capacity of about 1,100 gallons.
"We prefer this because I think it gives a cleaner, handcrafted taste to the wine."
Wine can take anywhere from three to six months to properly age, so the winery can produce as many as 4,400 gallons in a year.
The winery currently produces 16 different wines. Watt uses grapes from Pennsylvania farms and when the fruit is not in season, he orders them from Chile.
Watt described the flavors as "hybrids" and often comes up with an interesting name for them. For example, one of the wines made from Cayuga grapes is called "Kinky Cougar."
"It's a favorite summer wine," Watt said. "It's a clear, easy drink and a nice wine for sitting out on the deck."
He also planted a vineyard last October, but Watt said the cold winter has hurt their growth. There are fours rows of three different grapes: Pinot Noir, Marcehal Foch and two rows of Reisling.
"I chose these because I like the grapes, but they will also grow in this climate," Watt said.
Watt said he hopes the vines will be able to produce a few hundred pounds of grapes by the end of the year.
"I think there's an increased interest in wines in Pennsylvania," Watt said. "There is definitely a growing interest in Schuylkill County and we have a lot of wines you won't see in stores."
Visitors at the winery are also treated to scenic surroundings. The property overlooks Schuylkill Haven and has a walking trail. The wooded area is also home to a nest of bald eagles, Watt said.
"I'm getting a great response," Watt said. "We have a lot of people coming back."
Watt actually grew up on the property that his parents owned since 1963. He purchased the property from them in the 1980s and they moved to Clearwater, Florida. His father has since passed away, but Watt said he brings his mother some of his wine every time he visits.
"She loves to tell her friends that her son has a winery and pour them some of the wine for them," Watt said.
The name for the winery actually came from his parents.
"My parents named the estate Fieldwood, because, well, there is a field and woods," Watt said. "I think that's another thing (my mother) was thrilled about - the name."
Watt said he has received a lot of support and help from friends and family since starting the winery, especially his girlfriend and son.
"Everyone has been supportive," he said. "It takes so much work and I really appreciate all the people who help me."
As of now, Watt said he only makes wine on the weekends and operates his electrical business during the week. But eventually, Watt hopes to spend more time making wine as he approaches retirement.
"It's more than a hobby, but it's still not a full-blown occupation either," Watt said. "I'd like to see it grow."
Fieldwood Winery, 1083 Schuylkill Mountain Road, Schuylkill Haven, is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Most of the wines are $10 and are listed along with upcoming events on the winery's website at www.fieldwoodwinery.com.