South Philly Native's Journey From Sidewalk Wine To Kensington Winery

PHILADELPHIA — Wine is often a celebration libation, with countless glasses being raised every day as friends, family, and others gather for a myriad of reasons.

And South Philadelphia native Tom Caruso is celebrating with his own wine, having just opened Pray Tell Wines in Kensington on Saturday, Aug. 3 after spending his childhood making wine on South 9th Street and Oregon Avenue with his Italian immigrant grandfather.

Caruso said he helped his grandfather and his friends make wine on the sidewalk in South Philadelphia as a kid.

"There was so much camaraderie and community around that tradition when the grapes were picked each fall," he told Patch. "I always loved the way it brought everyone together."

Later in life, Caruso started dreaming of making his own wine while working at a Brooklyn winery.

Caruso headed out to California and Oregon to learn all things winemaking.

Now, a dozen years later, he's back in Philadelphia, "ready and hopeful to make world-class wines in my own hometown near family and friends."

Pray Tell's lineup of wines includes gamay noir, syrah, dolcetto, pinot noir, and red blends. Check out its wines online here.

With Pray Tell, Caruso hopes to provide a better opportunity to share the wines and allow guests a space to be up close to the winemaking process in Philadelphia.

Caruso tapped the Kensington location — which stands at more than 3,000 square feet and features a temperature controlled barrel hall and an open concept production/hospitality space — for Pray Tell's home due to a family connection to the area.

"My mom has been running a family business in Old Kensington for over thirty years," he said. "I worked every summer in this neighborhood and have been amazed to see the growth of small businesses in the area."

Caruso said he's excited to offer an educational tasting experience he's calling The Saturday Table.

Up to eight guests will gather around a particularly special table to Caruso: it's his grandparents' 50-year-old dining table that was sanded down to raw wood and refinished with natural oils.

Guests will get to enjoy a flight of six to eight wines from Pray Tell's library as well as Caruso's personal cellar of global producers that inspire us and what we do. These wines will be paired with charcuterie from Di Bruno Bros.

Caruso said he is planning events for the fall and winter and said those interested should check Pray Tell's website and Instagram for news on its goings-on. Pray Tell is also available for private events.

Pray Tell is located at 1615 N Hancock St. in Philadelphia and is open Friday through Monday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m