The year was 1973, and Bill Radomsky started to plant vines at Allegro. Of course, at that point, it wasn't called Allegro (that happened after John and Tim Crouch showed up.) But that spring, Bill planted about an acre and a half each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. He had spent a couple years looking around south-central PA to find the best place to grow grapes, consulting soil maps and talking to folks.
This is why we're in Brogue. It's the worst place in the world to sell wine, but the best place to grow grapes. There are only a handful of other vineyards in Pennsylvania that were planted for grape-growing purposes only. Most people--wisely--start a winery and vineyard near people so that they can sell wine. This is a prudent business decision. But that's not necessarily what we're about here at Allegro. We're about growing the best possible grapes.