Take A Peek Inside The New Waters Edge Winery & Bistro In Doylestown

DOYLESTOWN, PA — The Waters Edge Winery & Bistro will be bringing the winemaking experience, along with a touch of sophistication, to the heart of Doylestown when it opens its doors to the public on Saturday.

The new 27-table craft winery, boasting commanding views of the heart of the county seat, is located inside the newly-renovated 50 North Main Street building at the intersection of Court Street, Shewell Avenue and North Main.

"I can't wait for people to be able to enjoy the labor of our love and the fruits of our labor," said Eric Landolfi, who owns the new winery and bistro with his wife, Nicole. “We are thrilled to create a space where our neighbors can enjoy handcrafted wines and unique tasting experiences while creating lasting memories in the heart of Doylestown.”

The main dining area. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

A grand opening will follow a soft opening for friends and family on Wednesday night, a ribbon cutting with the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce and Doylestown Borough officials on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. and a private ticketed event on Friday evening.

Saturday's opening will be limited to two evening seatings at 6 and 8:15 p.m. Reservations are still being taken, but they are limited. Reservations are encouraged by calling 267-689-WINE.

"Doylestown has a lot of offerings already, but this concept of a wine production facility along with a bistro will be something unique for the community," said Landolfi. "We are bringing the winemaking experience to the heart of Doylestown."

At its heart will be its wines.

While Waters Edge is considered a Pennsylvania winery, it won't be using Pennsylvania-grown grapes in its vinification process.

The new winery is shipping in juice from well-known vineyards from around the world, including the famed wine-producing regions of California and Italy. It's then taking that juice and turning it into wine in its three stainless steel, 600 litter fermentation tanks which can hold up to 800 bottles of wine each.

Eric Landolfi inside the room where the vinification happens. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

A 2019 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

"We globally source and locally craft," explains Landolfi. "They (the vineyards) do all of the hard work of growing the grapes. I get all the benefits of their hard labor by them supplying the juice that's already pressed and ready to be turned into wine."

The winery will be offering its wine by the bottle, by the glass, and through a Wine Club membership. Bottles will also be available for purchase to be taken out and enjoyed at a favorite Doylestown area BYOB restaurant.

The winery will be opening with an inventory of more than 2500 bottles of wine, including 31 varietals of white wine, red wine, sparkling wine and sangria. They will also open with a special Armenian wine.

"We can't wait," said Eric's wife, Nicole. "Entertaining our family and friends is something we both undertake with great pleasure, and coming to our home almost always includes wine and a delicious meal. We relish in providing our guests with a superior culinary experience. At Waters Edge it is our intention to deliver to our guests that same delectable experience our friends and family have been enjoying for years. We truly believe every good meal should be accompanied by fantastic wine."

The winery and bistro occupies the cellar level and the first floor of the building, which is owned by Stephen Worth and once housed the local library and is the former home of the Bucks County Department of Human Services. Worth completely renovated the building turning it into a showpiece in the heart of town.

"There are beautiful condos and apartments upstairs. For my location, he gave me a beautiful industrial-type of setting to work with," said Landolfi. "From there, I just elaborated a little and gave it a modern industrial look, but very quaint and elegant. I left a couple of beams exposed to
give it a historical look."

The 3,000-square-foot first floor features a 75-seat bistro, a full kitchen, and a 10-seat tasting bar. The bistro will be serving artisanal selections of “farm to table” concepts including appetizers, tapas (small plates), fresh ingredient salads, burgers, panini, flatbreads, sandwiches, desserts, and more, many of them perfected during Eric's years in the food service business.

Click here to view the complete bistro menu.

The 2200-square-foot cellar at Waters Edge is where the magic happens. It is home to an on-site micro-winery, producing in-house wine for tastings and take-home bottles with customized labeling available for special events and occasions.

The cellar also features a ‘Winemakers Table’ where up to 20 guests can sample wine directly from the tanks while enjoying entertainment, light food, and tapas-style appetizers, said Landolfi.

The Winemakers Table also will be available for up to 25 guests for private events.

Click here to view the complete wine list

The Winemaker's Table. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

Eric Landolfi shows off the Bistro's wine list. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

"Our main feature is our wines, but we will also be offering craft beer and craft cocktails," added
Landolfi. "Because we are a Pennsylvania winery, we are authorized to use PA-based spirits and beverages. That's good for the non-wine drinker," he said. "You may not be a wine drinker but you can still enjoy a craft beer or a mixed drink while your significant other enjoys their wine."

A homebrewer of beer, Eric has dabbled in distilling his own spirits and is excited about the opportunity to make wine in-house.

“Being Italian, I’ve always enjoyed drinking wine and I look forward to further exploring this passion in a new way,” he said. “After meeting with the Waters Edge Wineries team, I immediately knew this concept would offer valuable resources and support as I work to build and grow a profitable local business that answers a definite need, and interest, in our local community.”

The new venue combines elements of a traditional winemaking experience with the popular wine bar concept, featuring a wide selection of wines all made in-house as well as an extensive bistro menu. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

The reception area. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

Landolfi brings extensive hospitality experience to the new winery and bistro, previously operating a family-owned café with his brother, Steve, in Yardley. The Doylestown Waters Edge will be the franchise’s first location in both Pennsylvania and the Northeast.

A Pennsylvania native, Eric worked in the paper and plastic manufacturing business for more than 25 years after graduating from West Chester University. For the past 15 years, he has managed and operated a deli and sandwich shop with his brother in Yardley, near where the brothers grew up visiting their father’s small grocery store and sandwich shop.

Landolfi was originally attracted to the Waters Edge Wineries franchise system based on the uniqueness of the concept, as well as its solid performance across various territories.

Waters Edge Wineries can be found throughout California, Illinois, Kentucky, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

Waters Edge Winery & Bistro of Doylestown will be open Tuesday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wine club memberships are available for purchase beginning at $40 per month.