If you’re planning a getaway built around trying great local wine and craft beer, the Mercer County Wine and Brew Trail should be at the top of your list. Tucked into the rolling hills and lakeside scenery of northwestern Pennsylvania, Mercer County is home to a growing collection of family-owned wineries, craft breweries, and small-batch distilleries, all within a short, scenic drive of one another. Whether you’re planning a couples’ weekend, a girls’ getaway, or a low-key day trip, the trail offers an easy way to taste your way across the county.
What is the Mercer County Wine and Brew Trail? It’s an informal driving trail connecting the county’s wineries, breweries, cideries, and distilleries. There are two dedicated loops: a Northern Lake Trail that winds past Pymatuning, Conneaut, and Lake Wilhelm, and a Southern Amish Countryside Trail that runs through the farmland and small towns south of Mercer. Along the way, you may pass Amish buggies, working farms, and some beautiful views, even more so on a fall getaway.
First, you’ll want to find a place to stay, and one of the most charming hotels near Mercer is this off-the-beaten-path estate, where everything is on-site, including restaurants and bars, an outdoor pool, and so much more. Tara – A Country Inn offers a unique lodging experience away from it all. It’s the perfect place to end your day exploring the Mercer County Wine and Brew Trail, and you’ll love feeling a world away from the bright lights and noise of the city. Start planning your next getaway this fall and book your room today!
The Best Stops Along the Mercer County Wine and Brew Trail
The Mercer County Wine and Brew Trail is always a fun adventure! Because Mercer County sits just off I-79 and I-80, it’s an easy detour whether you’re coming from Pittsburgh, Erie, Cleveland, or southern Ontario, which makes it a popular weekend escape for visitors from all of those areas. You’ll quickly see why the locals say “all roads lead to Mercer.”
Top Wineries in Mercer County, PA
Mercer County’s wineries each have their own personality, from rustic barns to lakeside patios. A few favorites worth building your day around:
- Dock Side Cellars (Clark, PA): A picturesque lakeside winery on Lake Wilhelm, and a true insider’s pick: it sits right next door to Tara – A Country Inn, so it’s an easy walk (or very short drive) from your room to a glass of wine at the water’s edge.
- Conneaut Cellars Winery & Distillery (Conneaut Lake, PA): One of the region’s larger producers, crafting wine and spirits on-site in a style shaped by the Lake Erie microclimate.
- Wilhelm Winery & Antique Wine Making Museum (Hadley, PA): Housed in a century-old rustic barn, with tastings, tours, and seasonal wine festivals.
- Gatehouse Winery (Jamestown, PA): Set on 100 acres of quiet countryside for a peaceful, unhurried tasting experience.Webb Winery (Hermitage, PA): Handcrafted wines made with locally grown produce, right in the heart of Hermitage.
- Nova Cellars Winery (Pulaski, PA): A dozen-plus wines from dry to sweet, poured in a Tuscan-inspired setting overlooking a pond.
- Fractured Grape Wine Cellars (New Wilmington, PA): A cozy stop in the heart of charming New Wilmington, easy to pair with an afternoon of shopping downtown.
- Knockin Noggin Cidery & Winery (Volant, PA): Ciders and wines with a fun, approachable vibe, located in the popular shopping village of Volant.
Best Breweries and Distilleries on the Trail
Craft beer and spirits are just as much a part of the trail as wine. Several breweries also serve food, so they double nicely as a lunch or dinner stop:
- Cobblehaus Brewing Co. by the Falls (Mercer, PA): Set on a cliff overlooking Springfield Falls, pouring beers inspired by German and Belgian brewing traditions. The setting alone makes this worth the detour.
- Mortals Key Brewing Company (Jamestown, PA): Located near Pymatuning State Park, home to Pennsylvania’s largest lake, with small-batch beers and an easygoing, artistic atmosphere.
- Brew 32 Craft Brewery (Pulaski, PA): Ten beers on tap, from classic stouts to a jalapeño-mango shandy, plus live music on Friday nights.
- Hop Asylum Brewing (New Wilmington, PA): A neighborhood brewery in walkable New Wilmington.
- Big Rail Brewing (Grove City, PA): A solid stop if you’re combining the trail with a trip to the Grove City Premium Outlets.
- TimberCreek Tap & Table (Mercer, PA): Part brewpub, part restaurant, a good option if you want a full meal alongside your pint.
- Lynchwoods Spirits (Jackson Center, PA), MLH Distillery (Grove City, PA), and Scallywag Distilling (Pulaski, PA): For guests who’d rather sip spirits than beer or wine, these local distilleries round out the trail nicely.
One of the Best Hotels near Mercer, PA
After a day of tastings, you’ll want somewhere comfortable and close to unwind. If you’re searching for hotels near Mercer, PA, consider basing yourself at one of the best hotels near Mercer in Clark, PA. Tara offers the charm of a country inn with the comfort travelers expect from a full-service hotel, plus a beautiful breakfast, and it happens to sit right next door to Dock Side Cellars, one of the trail’s prettiest lakeside wineries. Add on the on-site dining options, and you can truly settle in!
Unwind with dinner at Ashley’s Fine Dining Room or a more relaxed bite and a drink at Stonewall’s Tavern, both on-site. You can even grab lunch at Viven’s, the new poolside eatery. It’s an easy way to turn a day trip into a proper weekend getaway: explore the wineries and breweries of Mercer County by day, then come home to a comfortable room (and a great meal) without another long drive. Ready to plan your trip? Book your stay at Tara – A Country Inn and make it your home base for exploring the Mercer County Wine and Brew Trail.