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Several Westmoreland County
residents have found
themselves a new pastime. It
involves corks, bottles, and
juice. That’s right, its
wine making. Thanks to Ken
Terwilliger and his wife
Robyn, owners of Duncan’s
Brew Shop located inside of
Duncan True Value Hardware,
they have exposed many
people to winemaking at its
finest.
It all started for Ken and
Robyn in 1990. Robyn noticed
that they were having a
large request for corks at
the hardware store. She
looked into it a little more
to discover that it was for
wine. After discussing it
with her husband, they
decided to begin carrying
the supplies for winemaking.
As you walk into Duncan’s
True Value Hardware Store,
you will see two aisles to
the right that are dedicated
to wine and beer making. The
shop carries everything you
would need to get started
and everything you would
need to keep it going
including an equipment kit,
boxed juices, bottles,
labels, corks, etc. There
are options about what kind
of wine you want to make
from dry, sweet, and
semi-dry. And they have
supplies for beer and wine
coolers as well.
If you are just getting
started, Robyn recommends
buying the equipment kit.
The wine turns out well and
it gives the maker
encouragement so they will
want to keep going. One kit
will produce about 30
bottles. Once you get
started you can experiment
with different flavors each
time.
“It’s a great hobby for
people because it gives them
something to do and helps
develop friends,’ said
Robyn. “You can even have
your own wine-tasting party
or use it to make gifts for
special events such as
graduations, Christmas, and
wedding favors.”
With nearly 20 years under
their belt in the winemaking
business, Ken and Robyn have
a lot of knowledge about the
hobby. So whatever level you
are at with winemaking, they
can help you and give the
best advice they can. With a
large walk-in cooler,
Duncan’s Brew Shop houses a
wide array of juices that
make the wine. Boxed juices
come from countries,
estates, and regions
throughout the year.
Pennsylvania juices are only
available in the Fall
through the first of the
year. California juices are
only available in September
and October.
Each year Duncan’s Brew Shop
hosts a wine tasting contest
and Customer Appreciation
Day. This year it was held
March 9 and it had a grand
turnout.
“Our first year we had about
ten people. But now it’s up
to about 150,” said Robyn.
“Our customers have become
our friends so we have a
great time tasting
everyone’s wine and talking
with everyone.”
At the event there is a
loosely run contest. Each
person attending the event
can vote for their favorite
wine and beer. First,
second, and third places are
given to those with the most
votes in certain categories.
This year’s winners were:
Angelo Rose, Mike Serlo,
Nick Mervish, Joe Canale,
Bob Fisher, and Gary Slafka.
Congratulations to every-one
for making outstanding wine!
The winemaking business
really exploded in the mid
1990’s. Supplies became more
affordable, books were
written about it, and clubs
began to start. Now any
person can start making wine
without having knowledge
passed down from their
ancestors. This is how the
business changed Duncan’s
True Value Hardware store.
“In order to compete with
large hardware chains such
as Home Depot and Lowe’s, we
figured we have to try new
things,” said Ken.
Winemaking was one
possibility that they were
unsure of, but has turned
out to be a blessing. Anyone
who is a winemaker in
Westmoreland County most
likely gets their supplies
from Duncan Brew Shop. They
started it at the right time
and people in this area
enjoy the hobby of
winemaking.
However, hardware and wine
making supplies are not all
you will find in this shop.
Robyn has another small
business inside as well that
is called “Robyn’s Floral,
Gifts and Balloons.” She
does everything from
weddings to birthdays and
everything in between. Also
available at the store is
bait, tackle and fishing
supplies, propane, U Haul
rentals, gift items and
cards, repair services of
lawnmowers, rescreening, and
annual flowers to name just
a few. Soon Ken and Robyn
will have to think about
changing the name of the
store to encompass all that
they do!
Hours for the store are 8
a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays,
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday,
and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on
Sunday. Stop in and see what
is available and maybe learn
how to create your first
bottle of wine. |
