When thinking about the types of drinks that are enjoyed by Irishmen, wine doesn’t usually come to mind.
But a Berks County couple with Irish roots who make their own wine are just opened a tasting room in Hamburg.
Than Wright and Terri McCarthy-Wright opened Lucky Leprechaun Vineyard and Winery on Nov. 30 at 412 State St. in the former Kurtz Florist, which closed in June.
The Wrights, who live in Greenwich Township, said they’re both excited and nervous to open.
“It’s a mix,” Than said. “We’re really looking forward to it. But we’re a little nervous, too. We’re starting a small business.”
“The nervousness is, we want people to like our wines, but we know not everyone will,” Terri said. “Everyone’s palate is different. But that’s also where the excitement is. What person A likes, person B might not like.”
The Wrights have a 2,000-plant vineyard on their nearly 10-acre property near Lenhartsville. They also get grapes from other Pennsylvania vineyards to help make wines.
Lucky Leprechaun will have seven wines available when it opens: two Cabernet francs, two chambourcins, a Steuben, a catawba and a Niagara.
Than said he plans to offer several more varieties, but said he doesn’t want to have so many that the wine list is intimidating.
“We’re not trying to and there’s no way we can compete with the big wineries,” he said. “It’s not our intention. It’s for fun. We want people to come in and smile and not be too serious.”
The tasting room has seating for about 20 people. Customers may buy bottles to go or drink it on premises. Wine is available by the glass to drink on premises.
In addition to wine, the tasting room will offer a small selection of cheeses, meats and crackers, but it will not be available on the opening day.
Than and Terri both work for Hamburg School District, Than as the technology coordinator and Terri as a teacher. For their business, Than is the vineyard manager and wine maker, and Terri is the business manager in charge of the tasting room, advertising and events.
They have been visiting wineries, both local and non-local, for about six years. Than has been making wine for about that long.
“It’s fun,” Than said. “It’s fun to make wine, we like going to wineries, we like to talk to people at wineries.”
They had the idea to start a winery for about as long as they’ve been into wine.
“We wanted to make it at home and sell it at fairs and festivals,” Terri said. “That way we could control the schedule a little bit.”
Due to zoning issues in Greenwich Township along with a hesitation to have a winery at their home, they decided to look for a place to rent instead.
They are still clinging to hope of having a larger location one day.
“We’re not going to give up on that, but we’re just not sure,” Than said.
Lucky Leprechaun’s logo features a likeness of Terri’s father, Frank McCarthy, who was born in Ireland and lived in Hamburg for many years.
The tasting room is open Fridays 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays noon to 5 p.m.
