Wine Toast Saturday Hopes to Break Record

The Pennsylvania Winery Association is hoping to set a world record Saturday by having visitors at about 60 wineries across the state lift their glass in a toast at the same time. They will have a tough time breaking the world record of 17,540 set in 2009 in the U.K. The association says even if the record is not set it will be a great way to bring more attention to the growing industry and a celebrate what it calls “another record setting year for the Pennsylvania wine industry.” Among the wineries taking part is the Greendance Winery at Sand Hill. Tasting room manager Diane Dilworth says they expect about 120 people at their small facility in Westmorland County. Dilworth says at 4:00 they will play a prerecorded toast from former Indy Car driver and wine lover Mario Andretti and then will make, “a very serious head count.” Pictures will be taken of the “toasters” to prove they were there. No employees will be counted. Dilworth says they have seen huge growth in the three years the winery has been open and she says Pennsylvania wines are starting to get the respect they deserve. She great wine makers are turning local grapes into wines worth noticing. Pennsylvania has a long history of producing sweet wine with very little character. A list of all the wineries taking part can be found here.