(Wines&Vines) - King of Prussia, Pa.–Although William Penn planted vinifera grape varieties from Bordeaux in 1683 in what became Philadelphia, it has taken Pennsylvania more than three centuries to develop a wine industry. In 1983 there were approximately 25 wineries in the state; now, according to WinesVines Analytics, there are 276 wineries, and the wine industry has an overall economic impact of more than $4.8 billion. 

The annual conference of the American Society for Enology and Viticulture-Eastern Section met outside Philadelphia near Valley Forge National Historical Park. The 43rd conference, held July 9-11, began with a pre-conference tour of three southeastern Pennsylvania wineries: Galen Glen Winery, located in the foothills of the Pocono Mountains at an elevation of over 1,000 feet, has a cooler climate than many of the other wineries in the region; Setter Ridge Vineyards in Berks County, one of the first wineries to feel the effect of the invasive Spotted Lanternfly, lost six acres of vines last season to the pest; and Pinnacle Ridge Winery, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, produces a range of table wines as well as sparkling wines.