About Mount Hope Estate & Winery
Mount Hope Estate was the summer home of four generations of the Grubb family of iron masters. Peter Grubb bought the land in 1779, Henry Bates Grubb built the Federal-style mansion between 1800 and 1805, and Daisy Grubb enlarged it in 1895 into a 32-room Victorian. Chuck Romito bought the estate in 1979 and opened the winery in 1980; a barn was converted into a new winery in 2016, and Scott and Heather Bowser own it today.
The wine shop in Manheim is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with longer hours during events. A public tasting is $5 for five samples, $1 for each extra, and comes with a glass to take home; walk-ins of any size are welcome. Groups of 15 or more can book a guided tasting with a production tour for $11 to $16 a person, at least two weeks ahead. Besides wine, the estate's family of brands includes craft beer, cider and spirits.
The grounds are best known for the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, which fills 35 acres on 13 weekends from mid-August through late October; the 2026 season runs August 15 to October 25 and tickets sold out. The estate lists about 15 annual events, and the Barn and Barrel hall hosts weddings and gatherings. A second wine shop, the Mount Hope Wine Gallery, is in Bird-in-Hand.
Lavender Brook Farm near Hershey, about 30 minutes west, isn't open for farm visits, but its small-batch lavender goods are sold online and in local shops.
What to do
- Taste five wines for $5 and keep the glass, Wednesday to Sunday
- Book a group tasting with a production tour for 15 or more
- See the 32-room Grubb mansion from the estate grounds
- Attend the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire on fall weekends (buy tickets early)
- Sample the estate's beer and cider along with the wines
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Wine shop open year-round Wednesday-Sunday; Renaissance Faire weekends mid-August through late October
- Hours
- Manheim wine shop Wed-Sun 11 a.m.-6 p.m., closed Mon-Tue; extended hours during events (posted October 2026)
- Admission
- Public tasting $5 for 5 samples, $1 each extra; group tastings with tour $11-$16 per person (posted 2026)
Good to know
- Age
- 21 or older to taste or drink alcohol
- Reservations
- Walk-in
Tips for your visit
- Faire weekends are crowded and 2026 tickets sold out, so plan a wine-shop visit on a quieter weekday
- Group tastings for 15 or more must be booked at least two weeks ahead
- Plan a designated driver
Pair it with a lavender farm
Lavender Brook Farm · about 30 minutes away
Lavender Brook Farm near Hershey, about 30 minutes west, doesn't host visits, so pick up its lavender goods at local shops on your way.
Getting there
Questions
How much is a wine tasting at Mount Hope?
A public tasting was $5 for five samples in 2026, plus $1 for each additional sample, and includes a take-home glass.
Do I need a reservation to taste?
No. Walk-ins of any group size are welcome for public tastings; groups of 15 or more booking a tour must reserve two weeks ahead.
When is the Renaissance Faire?
On 13 weekends from mid-August through late October; in 2026, August 15 to October 25.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of Mechanicsburg, Hershey & Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
