Over 20 years ago, Shauna Thompson’s family contemplated what to do with 27 unused acres on their Milton farm. The small parcel, too overgrown for modern farm equipment, remained peaceful despite its fallow state. To diversify operations, they decided to establish a winery and vineyard, even though the land lacked electricity and water access.
“We love wine and have enjoyed visiting vineyards in California for 30 years,” Thompson says. “We recognized what a unique and beautiful piece of property we had.” In 2013, they planted grapes, and in April 2023, they opened Twin Branch Winery.
Twin Branch is now part of a quartet of beach-area wineries that have become social hubs and tourist attractions. Visitors can savor a local product in a distinctive atmosphere and take home a tasty souvenir.
While three of these businesses craft wine from grapes, the fourth’s sweet source might surprise you.
In Milton: Twin Branch Winery & Brimming Horn Meadery
Located off Route 16, Twin Branch’s tasting room is steeped in local lore. The house, once owned by Bernice Harmon, who illegally sold alcohol during the state’s Sunday blue laws, has been transformed into a charming tasting room. The renovation involved lowering the basement and raising the upper levels and roof.
Because the soil here is only suitable for certain grapes, Twin Branch sources additional grapes and juice from wineries in Virginia, Maryland, and California. However, four varietals currently grow on-site, and the winery specializes in blends. “Every year’s vintage is different from the year’s before and after,” Thompson explains.
Reservations are required for parties of 10 and up, and guests can bring their own food or purchase meats, cheeses, and crackers in the tasting room. Food trucks often visit for special events. Entertainment includes cornhole, horseshoes, and solo musicians.
The main attraction, however, is the bucolic peace that permeates the farm.
14756 Twin Branch Road, Milton; 470-0695
Brimming Horn Meadery is also in Milton but closer to Harbeson. If you think mead is a liqueur, guess again. The fermented beverage is made from honey, water, and yeast, and has ancient roots. Vikings celebrated battles with mead, and English newlyweds toasted their nuptials with it on their honeymoon.
The tradition lives on at the Nordic-themed Brimming Horn, conveniently located on Route 9 near the Georgetown-Lewes Trail.
Co-founder Jon Talkington notes that regulars are well-versed in the nuances of mead. “However, we still have a lot of work to do in dispelling misconceptions about mead,” he acknowledges.
There are typically 12 meads on tap for customers to sample, including eight traditional styles and four with light carbonation. The meadery’s food truck, Hammer and Horns, is usually on-site. Celebrations include a Halloween party in October and a Yule market in December. See the event listings on the website.
28615 Lewes-Georgetown Highway, Milton; 664-1188
In Lewes: Nassau Valley Vineyards
In 1987, Peggy Raley-Ward planted grapes on her father’s land outside Lewes, despite state laws prohibiting wineries. The Sussex County native was undeterred. With a background in agriculture and wine—she’d previously worked for “Friends of Wine” magazine, published by Les Amis du Vin International, a Washington, D.C.-based wine society—Raley-Ward was well-prepared. As a jazz singer, she also had a big voice and wanted to be heard.
After successfully lobbying to change the law in 1991, she opened the winery in 1993. Since then, Nassau Valley Vineyards & Winery has earned national and international awards for its wines, and there are typically 14 to 15 varieties at any given time.
Located near Five Points at Route 1, the winery provides a scenic setting for the Sunday farmers market during the season. It also serves as the backdrop for weddings, festivals, and events, and hosts musical performances and drama programs. Don’t be surprised if you hear jazz—Raley-Ward and her husband, Sherman, founded the True Blue Jazz Festival.
The winery also features an art gallery with monthly exhibits. “Wine is agriculture and chemistry, but it is also art,” Raley-Ward says. “I’ve always believed that it was my duty as a local wine producer to celebrate all art.”
32165 Winery Way, Lewes; 645-9463
In Frankford: Salted Vines Vineyards & Winery
The small town of Frankford, not far from Fenwick Island, is home to Salted Vines Vineyards & Winery. Fourth-generation grape grower Adrian Mobilla and his wife, Jessica, who grew up on a Kansas wheat farm, purchased 26 acres in Frankford in 2015. They closed their previous venture, Fenwick Wine Cellars on Route 54, and planted vines, opening Salted Vines in 2016. The winery’s motto, “Come for the wine, stay for the fun,” is reflected in its busy event schedule, packed with concerts and food truck visits.
The venue also hosts weddings and other celebrations, with facilities including a tasting room and patio that can accommodate up to 150 guests. While charcuterie items are available for purchase, patrons can bring their own food. There is both indoor and outdoor seating, but be sure to pack a foldable lawn chair if you plan to spend an afternoon on the farm. In winter, cozy up around the stone fireplace with a nice red and some good company.
32512 Blackwater Road, Frankford; 436-1500
Related: Your Guide to Food Samplers and Drink Flights in Delaware
