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Nassau Valley Vineyards: Delaware's Pioneering Winery

Discover Delaware's wine heritage at Nassau Valley Vineyards, the state's first winery, offering tastings, tours, and events near Lewes.

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Nassau Valley Vineyards, Delaware's first and largest winery, is a charming destination offering wine tastings, self-guided tours of its unique wine museum, and a variety of events. Founded in 1993, the vineyard is a testament to the vision of Peggy Raley, who spearheaded the effort to legalize farm wineries in the state.

A brief summary to Nassau Valley Vineyards-Winery

  • Monday 11 am-5 pm
  • Tuesday 11 am-5 pm
  • Wednesday 11 am-5 pm
  • Thursday 11 am-5 pm
  • Friday 11 am-5 pm
  • Saturday 11 am-5 pm
  • Sunday 11 am-5 pm

Local tips

  • Visit on a Sunday to enjoy the Farmers Market with live music and local vendors.
  • Take the free self-guided tour of the wine museum to learn about the history of winemaking.
  • Check the winery's calendar for special events like music bingo and other themed parties.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    Nassau Valley Vineyards is located at 32165 Winery Way, Lewes, DE 19958. From Lewes, head west on DE-9 W/Lewes Georgetown Hwy. Turn right onto Nassau Commons Blvd, then turn right onto Winery Way. The vineyard will be on your right. Parking is available on-site. Parking is free.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    From the center of Lewes, a taxi or ride-share to Nassau Valley Vineyards will cost approximately $15-$25, depending on the service and time of day. The ride is about 5 miles and should take around 10-15 minutes, depending on traffic. Confirm the fare before you start your trip.

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Discover more about Nassau Valley Vineyards-Winery

Nassau Valley Vineyards, nestled in Lewes, Delaware, holds the distinction of being the state's first and largest winery. Founded in 1993 by Peggy Raley and her father, Bob Raley, the vineyard emerged from a passion for winemaking and a determination to change Delaware's laws. Peggy Raley, inspired by her travels through wine regions while working for Les Amis du Vin International, returned to her home state with a vision to establish a vineyard. Delaware's antiquated laws prohibited farm wineries, prompting Peggy to draft and lobby for the passage of the Farm Winery Act in 1991. This groundbreaking legislation paved the way for Nassau Valley Vineyards to open its doors in 1993, marking the beginning of Delaware's modern wine industry. The vineyard spans eight acres, cultivating Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot grapes. Nassau Valley supplements its own harvest with regionally grown fruit to produce a diverse selection of wines. Visitors can explore the vineyard's unique five-gallery self-guided museum, which chronicles the 8,000-year history of wine. The museum also showcases artifacts related to winemaking, barrel making, and wine bottles. Wine tastings are available, allowing guests to sample Nassau Valley's award-winning wines. The winery also hosts a farmers market every Sunday, featuring live music, local produce, and a sangria bar. Nassau Valley Vineyards is also a popular venue for weddings and other events, offering several indoor and outdoor spaces to accommodate gatherings of various sizes.

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