Morgantown, West Virginia has a lot to offer. It’s a university town, home to West Virginia University. The walkable downtown has historic sites, a collection of great arts and vintage shops, and plenty of local eateries. About five miles northeast of downtown, close to its namesake river, lays the Forks of Cheat Winery & Distillery.
Meandering country roads just outside of Morgantown lead to Forks of Cheat, which sits only about a mile from the Pennsylvania border. The beautiful fifteen-acre complex seems worlds away from the busy streets and big box stores in Morgantown. Outside, beautiful landscaping, Koi ponds, and a keen sense of quiet greet you. Inside, there’s a comfy tasting and salesroom that also features a nicely-stocked gift shop featuring everything from custom barware to country baskets. Back outside, you’ll find a beautiful deck and pavilion overlooking the beautiful West Virginia countryside.
I spoke with Eric Deal, co-owner of Forks of Cheat. He began by narrating the rather unusual story of how his father Jerry and Mother Susan started the business. “It’s a family run business; It started from my father’s hobby in the 1980s,” Deal described. “We grew up as a farming family. My father planted some grapes; then planted some more grapes. Pretty soon it got out of hand. He had all those grapes he couldn’t sell, so he turned to the joys of making homemade wine.”
Actually, there’s a more humorous starting point to the story. Apparently, Jerry Deal was prone to snacking on grapes from a neighbor’s vines which grew over onto the Deal’s property. After being chastised for the infraction, Jerry figured he would grow his own grapes. It didn’t take long before the harvest proved so prolific, eating all the grapes was unfeasible; winemaking was an obvious solution.
After several years of home winemaking and winning a number of amateur competitions, Mr. Deal decided to take the plunge and start the winery business. That was 1990 when the facility had less than an acre of grapevines. Today, Forks of Cheat Winery has grown to over fifteen acres and has become the largest producer of wine in West Virginia. The hobby-turned-business now produces almost 100,000 bottles across more than 20 varieties of wines annually.
Just two of the spectacular fruit wine offerings from Forks of Cheat Winery. [Photo provided]
Their award-winning wines (they’ve received over 200 awards from regional, national, and international wine competitions) are crafted from French hybrid and American varietal grapes along with locally-sourced fruits. Their red wines range from sweet to very dry and include Cabernet Sauvignon and Chambourcin, a red French hybrid. Whites also span sugar levels and vary from tart and crisp to soft and fruity. They include Niagara, an American varietal, and semi-dry Vidal Blanc.
Their fruit wines are particularly tempting. Deal said, “We make a lot of interesting fruit wines. They are culturally appropriate to this part of the country.” He continued to describe their local significance, “People who settled here had to make do with what they had. Blackberries grew around the strip mines. There were always apples.” Their fruit wines include strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, peach, apple, plum, and cherry, all made from 100% of the fruit on the label.
That’s the winery; but, there’s the other side of the house - the distillery, which specializes in authentic small-batch, Appalachian style spirits. It was started in 2008. When I asked Mr. Deal what prompted them to get into making spirits, he said, “In 2005, the first legal distillery opened in the State of West Virginia. They asked us if we were interested in learning.” The distillery side started with making brandy. “It seemed like a natural fit,” Deal said.
The brandy line now includes peach, pear, blackberry, cherry, and apple. And, they’ve expanded into other spirits. Deal pointed out that their whiskey is very popular as is their moonshine. “We’re getting ready to bottle some apple moonshine,” he added. Then there are specialty items like a small-batch applejack brandy, barrel-aged for four years and an Italian spirit called Grappa. Despite all the offerings, the distillery remains a boutique part of the business. “Seven employees work on the winery side. On the distillery side, it’s just me,” Deal chuckled.
When you visit, you’ll find every product on display and available for sampling. The staff is amazingly helpful in describing the products and teaching their guests about the finer points of wines and spirits. So, whether you are a newbie or connoisseur you’ll appreciate their guidance. You’ll also find their prices to be very reasonable; so, enjoy making some selections. In warmer months, after you sample, grab one of your purchases and sit on the deck enjoying the bucolic scenery and amazing views.
Forks of Cheat Winery & Distillery is located at 2811 Stewartstown Rd., Morgantown, WV 26508. They are open for tours and tastings Monday-Saturday from 10 AM-5 PM and Sunday from 1-5 PM.
If you’d like to visit Forks of Cheat Winery and Distillery and the Morgantown area, there are three RV facilities located close-by, and another only about 35 miles away if you happen to be in the bordering state.
Located just 13 miles from Morgantown off Interstate 68, McCollum Campground has 25 sites, all with electric hookups. A central bathhouse has showers and laundry facilities. Wi-Fi is available for registered guests. Leashed pets are welcome.
Located near Cooper's Rock where visitors can enjoy local rock climbing and hiking, Sand Spring has 21 back-in and 10 pull-through sites, all with water, electric and sewer. There are five additional back-in sites with just water & electric. Amenities include a seasonal swimming pool and game room.
Surrounded by Coopers Rock State Forest and the West Virginia University Forest, 10 miles east of Morgantown, Chestnut Ridge has 12 back-in sites with 30-amp electric and water.
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Mill Run
If you are heading south from Pennsylvania, make sure to stop at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Mill Run. From pup tents to motor homes, the resort style park has something for every camper.
Business, Entertainment, Features, Open Road, Outdoors, West Virginia