Your weekly guide to the events and happenings in and around Boyertown, PA

What to do? Where to go? Here is your one stop list of community events, music, arts, food, business specials, and historic events for Boyertown and beyond…

As a Boyertown graduate, a real estate agent at Glocker Realty, and also a proud member of Building a Better Boyertown, I have had the joy of watching our little town grow. I enjoy having any part in helping our community to move forward. I hope this weekly blog will help shine a light on all the great things happening in and around Boyertown, PA

Here is what’s going down during the week of 1/14/2021 – 1/20/2021

There’s a lot to Cheers About in Bechtelsville!

_{Owners of Ridgewood Winery – Bill & Tracy Smith}

Over the past week or so, I have gotten to know Bill and Tracy Smith, owners of Ridgewood Winery. Between having them as guests on my Podcast, The Cast at Glocker, and Bill granting me a taste and tour interview (see video below), I got to learn a bit about their story. I also, quickly learned how friendly they both are and how passionate they are about their wineries. Although they started their wine endeavors only seven years ago, it has exploded to the point that they had to expand their facility to fulfill their vision. Luckily that vision landed them right here in Bechtelsville, PA!

The whole thing started 38 years ago when Bill & Tracy first became partners in marriage. Over the years they both worked separate jobs while raising a family, just like many of us do. As time went by Bill became interested in wine making from Tracy’s grandfather, who made a strong, raw, wine of sorts. Bill then tried his hand at wine making. He found a lot of success in his attempts. Their friends were extremely impressed by the taste and quality of each batch. One of Bill’s friends, who also dabbled in wine making, pushed him to enter his wine in a competition. With some resistance Bill finally decided to throw his hat in the ring. After receiving numerous medals at his first competition and receiving many more awards over the next couple of years, Bill and Tracy decided to take the next step and start their own winery.

In 2013 they purchased an old stone farmhouse in Birdsboro, PA and in 2014 they opened for business! Bill and Tracy worked together as a perfect team. Bill concentrated on the making of the wine as Tracy wrapped herself in the events and business planning. In just months of opening, it became clear that their, once hobby, was going to become so much more. Ridgewood wine was here to stay! As the business in Birdsboro grew, it was quickly realized that the demand was outgrowing the site. It was time to look for a second location. The new location had to be large enough to see their vision through, but also fit the Ridgewood Winery brand. In Bechtelsville, PA they found a beautiful Stone farmhouse for sale that included a bank barn, out buildings, and 28 acres where they could spread their wings. It was perfect!

Stone-farmhouse-1 — *Ridgewood Winery, Bechtelsville*

So, after purchasing the 28-acre estate in Bechtelsville, the planning began. They had grand ideas for this second location. These ideas included a large indoor and outdoor wedding venue, music pavilion, new bar and retail outlet, outdoor seating, expanded parking, bottling facility, vineyards, and a walking trail. So, while these ideas were being designed, they decided to open the tasting room in March of 2020. Well, you all know what happened then. COVID-19 hit, and everything shut down. Bill and Tracy made the best of the situation by moving forward with their upcoming projects and concentrating on how to champion the unknow future.

Once businesses re-opened in July, so did Ridgewood Winery. With Covid restrictions in place, they found themselves thinking outside the box to keep both businesses running. Collaborating with local food establishments, hosting arts and craft parties, and take-out tastings are just a few of the ideas that help them through this tough time. But Bill and Tracy see the light at the end of the tunnel and have no hesitations for what is yet to come.

With plans in place for the final stretch of their vison, the future looks great for “Ridgewood Winery on Daffodil Hill Farm”. It will be a great addition to Bechtelsville, and I expect that it will become a regular destination for people all around the area. I know it will be for me.

Visit Ridgewood Winery at two locations:

215 Township Line Rd, Bechtelsville or 2039 Philadelphia Ave, Birdsboro

Watch a tour of Ridgewood Winery’s newest location in Bechtelsville, PA!

THE CAST AT GLOCKER livestreaming every Wednesday at 6PM at Glocker Realty & Insurance on Facebook or YouTube. Hosts Matt Green & Jeff Frederick bring you news, events and conversation for Boyertown and the surrounding communities. This week we were live at The State Theatre in Boyertown to speak with Charles Haddad & Shannon Anthony. There were technical difficulties that led to our video feed freezing, but the sound and slideshow proceeded to the end. Watch below…