Kreutz Creek Wine Tasting Room

Philly’s restaurant darlings are the BYOB’s. Well, West Chester just turned the tables with local PA winery Kreutz Creek’s BYOF Wine Tasting Room. That’s right, BYOF as in food!

Kreutz Creek Vineyards opened a wine tasting room a few weeks ago right in the heart of college student-saturated downtown West Chester after learning from their initial tasting room opening in Media, PA. Before you go thinking stuffy wine tasting room with snobs serving up samples and a harpist in the corner, this joint feels like a real bar – ya know, people out for relaxed, good-time drunk-bonding with friends.

Sidle up to the bar and sample four of the locally made wines for free, or sample ten for $5. Then buy a glass or bottle of one of their red, white, rose, sparkling, or dessert wines when you decide which one you like. And don’t forget to bring your own food!

On a visit this weekend, high bistro tables lining the wall were filled with diners eating takeout containers of eggplant Parmesan, hoagies, sushi, and even cookies from home – all at the same table. A party in the back of the room ordered in pizza. No, really. They had it delivered to the tasting room.

No one at Kreutz Creek is going to kick you out for bringing in outside food. The tasting room does offer a cheese plate, but that’s it.

Kreutz Creek is selling wine. And good wine. But I’m afraid the wine may be lost on some of the mostly college crowd that fills the bar on the weekends.

Overheard as I sat at the bar and shared a $20.99 bottle of Kordeaux, a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot:

College Girl: This is the worst wine I’ve ever tasted. It’s horrible.
College Guy: Yeah, I’m not a fan. I’m just chuggin’ it.

We, of course, snickered.

At Kreutz Creek’s Tasting Room you’re getting an outstanding bargain: bar ambiance ($0), quality bottle of local wine at retail price ($10.99 - $49.99), and an invite to bring in your own food ($0 - $?). There’s also free entertainment ($0) on the weekends. That’s why we were there; to see our friend sing. (Her singing head and toned strumming arm is at the end of the bar in the picture.)

Fabulous idea, even if the wine is lost on a few folks.

Kreutz Creek Vinyard's West Chester Tasting Room, 44 E. Gay St., West Chester, PA, 19380
Hours not determined as of this post writing.