‘Wine and Spirits in Delaware: Producing, Preserving, and Presenting’ exhibit closed on Jan. 28, 2017
EXHIBIT CLOSED on Jan. 28, 2017
From April 2, 2016 to Jan. 28, 2017, Lewes, Del.’s Zwaanendael Museum featured the exhibit “Wine and Spirits in Delaware: Producing, Preserving, and Presenting” which utilized graphics as well as historical objects from the collections of the State of Delaware to tell the story of Delaware’s wine and spirits trade from the time of European settlement to the present day. Historical items on display in the exhibit included bottles, jugs and flasks used as containers for wine, spirits and mixers; decanters, goblets and glasses used for serving these beverages; and accessories including a liquor chest, trays, trivets, corks, corkscrews and a bitters shaker.
Highlights from the exhibit included displays on distillers from the past including Levy & Glosking of Dover which produced fruit brandies and rye whiskey from the late-19th century to the beginning of Prohibition in 1920, Diamond State Distilling Co. of Cheswold which produced apple jack from 1933 to 1948 and William Brown Distiller of Fruit Brandies from west of Felton which operated from the early-20th century to 1920. Present day spirits-manufacturers featured in the exhibit included Dogfish Head of Milton and Rehoboth Beach, Painted Stave Distilling Co. of Smyrna, Delaware Distilling Co. of Rehoboth Beach and Beach Time Distilling of Lewes.
Research has produced no evidence of Delaware wine-making for commercial purposes until the 1993 opening of Nassau Valley Vineyards located near Lewes. The exhibit included information on that vineyard as well as other present-day Delaware wineries including Pizzadili Vineyard and Winery in Felton, Harvest Ridge Winery in Marydel and Fenwick Wine Cellars in Selbyville.