Fall at the Vineyard: A Different Kind of Harvest Year at Starr Hill

There is a moment in early October when the hills around Curwensville turn gold and red, the air gets that first real bite of cool, and the vineyard takes on a quiet that feels earned. If you have never visited Starr Hill Vineyard & Winery in the fall, you are missing the best version of this place.

This year, though, fall looks a little different for us — and we want to be honest with you about that.

A Late Frost Changed Everything

Farming is humbling. You can do everything right and still have a season that does not go the way you planned. This year, a very late frost hit our grapes hard. The damage was significant enough that we did not harvest our own grapes this season.

That also means no grape stomp event this year. We know a lot of you look forward to that, and we are sorry to miss it. We will be back at it when the vines give us what we need.

Winemaker Tony Starr has been through seasons like this before. It is part of growing grapes in Pennsylvania — the climate is real, and some years it reminds you who is in charge. We are already looking ahead to next year.

The Property in Fall

Even without the harvest, the property in October is something to see.

The vineyard rows turn shades of yellow and amber as the leaves change. The surrounding hills — already beautiful in summer — become a panorama of fall color. The gazebo, the hillside views, the open sky: all of it is more dramatic in autumn light.

This is peak photography season at Starr Hill Vineyard & Winery. Couples come for engagement photos. Families come for the backdrop. Guests who have been here in summer come back just to see it in fall. We do not blame them.

Fall Wines Worth Trying

Autumn calls for certain wines. When the air gets cool and the days get shorter, you want something with a little more body, a little more warmth.

Our dry reds are a natural fit for fall — wines with depth and structure that pair well with the heartier meals of the season. If you are a sweet wine person, our fruit wines take on a different character in fall, pairing beautifully with apple desserts, roasted vegetables, and the flavors of the harvest table.

Ask our tasting room team for fall recommendations when you visit. They know the menu and they know the season.

Free Wine Friday & Saturday Continues Through Fall

Fall does not slow us down. Free Wine Friday & Saturday runs every week, year-round. Every Friday and Saturday, every guest receives a complimentary glass of sweet wine — no reservation, no ticket, no catch.

It is the perfect way to start a fall afternoon at the winery. Come in, warm up with a glass, and let us show you what the season tastes like.

Plan Your Fall Visit

Fall weekends at Starr Hill Vineyard & Winery fill up. If you are planning to visit with a group, give us a call ahead of time at (814) 236-0910 so we can be ready for you.

We are located at 861 Bailey Road, Curwensville, PA 16833 — about 10 minutes off I-80. The drive through Clearfield County in October is worth the trip on its own.

Come see the hills. Come taste what a Pennsylvania fall tastes like. The vines will be back next year — and so will we.