PA trail votes for name change this weekend

A Pennsylvania wine trail with a name that many saw as misleading and unoriginal is asking consumers to pick a new one.

The UnCork York Wine Trail, a name seemingly ripped-off the older "Uncork New York" marketing motto -- and an odd pick considering the fact that it meanders over several counties other than York County -- will be renamed and rebranded to better publicize the region that stretches across south central Pennsylvania.

Visitors to the wineries this weekend for the 4th annual "Tour de Tanks" will be asked to vote for a new name. Voting will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at four wineries:

• Adams County Winery/Farm Winery, Orrtanna, Adams County
• Allegro Vineyards, Brogue, York County
• Cullari Vineyards & Winery, Hershey, Dauphin County
• Nissley Vineyards & Winery Estate, Bainbridge, Lancaster County

"As the UnCork York Wine Trail continues to grow, it is important that the trail’s identity reflect the experience and footprint guests enjoy during their visit," said Anne Druck, president of the York County Convention & Visitors Bureau. "To achieve this goal, the UnCork York Wine Trail has been working on a rebranding effort to expand the trail’s identity, further establishing its reputation as one of the top Pennsylvania trails."

The trail began in 2005 with 10 member wineries. It now has 13 wineries across York, Lancaster, Dauphin and Adams counties. It is the largest of Pennsylvania's 11 wine trais.

Voters will get to select from among three proposed new names and mottos. They are:

"Vine to Vintage: Central PA’s Premier Wine Trail"

"Central PA Reserve: Experience the Area’s Premier Wine Trail"

"UnCork PA: Central Pennsylvania’s Premier Wine Trail"

Curious possibilities. None falls trippingly from the tongue, and I don't understand the logic of calling something the area's "premier" trail. An area has only one trail. Why not try something simpler and more to the point, something without two parts -- such as "Vintage Pennsylvania" or "Keystone Wine Trail"?

By the way, anyone who cannot make it to one of the four winery "polling places" can vote online this weekend. Trail officials will reveal  the new name this summer.

To Dowd's Guide to American Wine Trails
To Dowd's Spirits Notebook latest entry.
To Dowd's Tasting Notes latest entry.
Back to Dowd On Drinks home page.