Villanova Home Winery Makes Progress

For 25 years, Villanova resident Chris Papariello has been in the business of wine, but he's never made it before.

In a carriage house on his 1835 Old Gulph Road property, he's about six months out from starting to try.

Papariello and his wife Ann as a .

The Class 1 historic property, built in 1782, was originally called Pear Grove, and the Papariellos are keeping that name for the winery.

Papariello started out his career at E.&J. Gallo after his undergraduate work and currently manages a wholesale seller, in Wayne.

Chris met his wife Ann at a Radnor School District bus stop a mile and a half from their current home.

"We always wanted to move back to the area," said Papariello, who lived in East Goshen for 13 years before moving to their Villanova home.

"Because it's historic, we knew we could set up some kind of business," Papariello said.

Some neighbors expressed concern about it, but Papariello said they intend to keep it small, for friends and relatives. For example, for special occasions, they could make their own labels and bottles, he said.

They are still in the process of getting permits from the township for renovations to the carriage house, Papariello said.

They're going to be buying stainless steel tanks, bottling machines and a label printer and software. They'll import juice instead of having a crusher and destemmer.

"We don't really want this to be open to the public," Papariello said. "It's a passion project... I also want to learn more about my passion, and I think the only way you learn is by doing."