The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) today kicked off October as Pennsylvania Wine Month at the grand re-opening ceremony for the Fine Wine & Good Spirits Premium Collection Store at Hershey Square Shopping Center, 1158 Mae St., Hummelstown.

"Our remodeled stores, like the beautiful one we're celebrating today in Hummelstown, prominently feature 'Made in Pennsylvania' sections because the PLCB is proud to support Pennsylvania winemakers and distillers" said Board Chairman Tim Holden. "Wineries make up an important part of Pennsylvania's culture and economy, and we recognize consumers' interest in buying local and the significant impact Pennsylvania wineries have on the commonwealth's agriculture and tourism industries."

As part of the grand re-opening celebration, Nissley Winery head winemaker Jennifer Wampler was on hand to discuss Nissley wines with consumers and offer samples to those 21 years of age and older. Meet-the-winemaker events in Philadelphia and Wexford, Allegheny County, featured winemakers from Paradocx Vineyard and Winery and Mazza Vineyards, respectively, Monday afternoon.

The focal point of the redesigned Hummelstown store is the center table, where Wampler offered samples. There, customers can find staff to answer questions or provide individualized recommendations, as well as a collection of educational materials including the following:

Answers to frequently asked questions about wine and spirits

• A vintage chart
• A food pairing outline
• Party planning guide
• Calorie chart
• Tips for responsible hosting and consumption

The store, which is located in a popular shopping plaza and co-located with a grocery store, offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere for consumers to browse the extensive selection and taste featured wine and spirits. The store features 11,000 square feet of space and more than 4,200 wines and spirits, including Premium Collection luxury items and Chairman's Selection® wines, which are select, highly rated wines at significant savings over nationally quoted prices. A wine specialist is available to help consumers select the perfect wine for any occasion.

In celebration of Pennsylvania Wine Month, Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores across the state will feature specialized signage, product displays, and tastings of Pennsylvania wines. All Fine Wine & Good Spirits Premium Collection stores will feature Pennsylvania wines at in-store wine tastings on Friday, Oct. 7, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

The Pennsylvania Winery Association, a trade association representing more than 100 member wineries and advocating on behalf of the state's growing multi-billion dollar wine industry, is also making available at select Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores a touring guide featuring a list of Pennsylvania wineries and a map.

Dozens of events celebrating Pennsylvania wines and wineries will be held across the commonwealth this month, including farm and vineyard tours; festivals featuring music and celebrations of the fall harvest; and tasting and food pairing opportunities. More information is available at www.pawinemonth.com.

"With the passage of Act 39 liquor reforms earlier this year, Pennsylvania wineries have even more opportunities to grow their businesses," Holden said. "Not only can they now put their wines on the shelves of a growing number of grocery stores and other licensees selling wine to go, but they can also add Pennsylvania-distilled spirits and Pennsylvania-brewed beers to their winery menus. These changes allow Pennsylvania wineries to appeal to new customers and grow their local economies.

In 2015, Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores stocked 217 different Pennsylvania wines, generating nearly $6.5 million in sales from these stores alone. These figures do not account for Pennsylvania wine sold at local wineries, at festivals, or at restaurants that buy directly from the wineries.

The Hummelstown Fine Wine & Good Spirits Premium Collection Store will be open from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM Monday through Saturday, and from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Sundays. The phone number of the store is 717-534-2494. To find additional store locations, visit www.FineWineAndGoodSpirits.com.

The PLCB regulates the distribution of beverage alcohol in Pennsylvania, operates more than 600 wine and spirits stores statewide, and licenses 20,000 alcohol producers, retailers, and handlers. The PLCB also works to reduce and prevent dangerous and underage drinking through partnerships with schools, community groups, and licensees. Taxes and store profits – totaling $15.1 billion since the agency's inception – are returned to Pennsylvania's General Fund, which finances Pennsylvania's schools, health and human services programs, law enforcement, and public safety initiatives, among other important public services. The PLCB also provides financial support for the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, other state agencies, and local municipalities across the state. For more information about the PLCB, visit www.lcb.state.pa.us .