Lancaster County PA Realty Check: Pennsylvania: Bainbridge

The Blue Moon Big Band makes an appearance on the beautiful grounds of the Nissley Vineyards in Bainbridge, PA Sunday evening.

                         Entering the grounds of the vineyard - an eighteenth century stone mill.                                                   

                       The original farmhouse of the vineyard.

                                                                A storage barn on the premises.

In spite of rain predicted for the evening, lots of folks bring their picnic tables and chairs in preparation for the concert under the stars.

                 Some regular attendees go all out:  tablecloths, gourmet food and even candelabras!

                                        The band starts out well protected from the rain under a tent!

Some enthusiasts get up and start dancing the jitterbug to "Little Brown Jug" by Glenn Miller.

                                        Soon the dance pavillion fills up as everyone gets "In The Mood"...

                             Darkness falls as the rain cools things down and the band heats things up...

Visitors to Lancaster County, PA are  aware of the popular Amish and tourist areas of the eastern part of the county.  Less well known is that there is some beautiful countryside up the Susquehanna River in the northwest corner of the county.

One point of interest that shouldn't be missed is the Nissley Vineyards and Winery Estate in Bainbridge, PA.  This is an operating vineyard and winery in a particularly scenic setting, with a stone barn and farmhouse surrounded by the rows of grapes clustered on their vines, shielding the estate from any sign of modern civilization.

The grounds are beautiful in the summer.  Every Saturday night through the summer, lawn concerts are held.  People bring their own picnic baskets, or gourmet sandwiches, wine and food are available from the concessions onsite.

Some folks bring small folding tables, tablecloths and even candelabras as they eat and await the start of the lawn concerts.  Programs run the gamut from soft rock to big band to oldies.  There is even an area where couples can get up and dance to the music if they wish!

Dancing under the stars to a big band or more modern music is a special experience not to be missed.

If you're looking for a beautiful location to visit this spring or summer, why not plan a trip to the Nissley Vineyards and Winery in Bainbridge, PA?  As you ride down Vintage Drive, off Route 441, you'll feel like you're entering a different century, with rolling hills and farmhouses.  As you near the vineyards, neat rows of grape arbors begin to take over from the farmland.

Wind in past the ancient stone farmhouse to the manicured grounds and you'll see the stone winery and wine shop.  Nissley has a great reputation in Pennsylvania for a variety of excellent wines. 

In the summer, there is a wonderful series of evening lawn concerts, from big band to oldies to smooth jazz.  During the concerts, and in the hours leading up to the shows, you'll see folks with their blankets and picnic tables  set up with tablecloths, tasty-looking food, and sometimes even candelabras!  Gourmet light food is available at reasonable prices in the concessions for those who choose not to bring their own with them.

As the evening progresses, you'll see some people coming toward the bandstand to dance to the music.  This really is one of the most civilized experiences available in Lancaster County - try it, you'll agree!