Photo: Instagram | Philly Wine Festival
Philadelphia, is a city known for its rich cultural history and impactful role in the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the constitutional convention of 1787, the underground railroad movement among many other historical references.
Popularly referred to as the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia is unique for so many things amongst them its vibrant wine experience. For a city located in the state of Pennsylvania that boasts of several wineries, Philadelphia offers visitors and residents alike the opportunity to experience the finest wines at this year’s Philly Wine Festival.
For the Black community in the city, this year’s wine festival offers an opportunity for Black businesses within the city to showcase the diversity of the wine and spirits it has to offer, as well as the opportunity to provide an immersive experience of food, music, and Black culture for residents and visitors alike.
More importantly, it also provides a platform to encourage more investments in the winery industry especially for the Black community who are not represented enough in the industry in Pennsylvania in the size of Mitchell and Mitchell Wines.
The Philly Wine Festival offers a great opportunity to create that awareness and recognition especially as products from various Black wine brands not around the Pennsylvania area would also be on display providing an opportunity for visitors to experience what the Black wine community has to offer.
Rich cuisines from numerous Black restaurants and businesses around or with access to the Philadelphia Zoo would also be offering guests an array of culinary delights beyond the glass flavours. Visitors are sure to be treated to music and dance that reflects the rich connection of the Black community in Philadelphia.
On 17 May, 2025, the Philly Wine Festival will be taking place at the Philadelphia Zoo. Holding on the Zoo’s Impala lawn, the event will showcase over two dozen wineries providing a wide selection of red, white and other flavoured wines for all guests to savour.
With live performances made available for entertainment of visitors, the event will hold for two sessions. Visitors are free to choose between the hours 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm or 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm to access the venue.
Also lined up as part of activities at the event are wine sampling events which cut across regional, local, and national wine collections. Commemorative take-home Philly wine festival glass and an opportunity to purchase and take home selected full bottles of wine from the exhibitors at the event.
Ticket cost for the event would range from $39 – $55 and purchase of these tickets would afford visitors the opportunity to explore the sites and attractions of the Philadelphia Zoo before the commencement of the festival. The event is open only to adults within the age of 21 and older who would be required to provide a valid identification.
For those looking forward to participating in the event, organizers are encouraging use of public transportation or ride sharing apps to limit the hassles of finding parking spaces within the premises. Visitors can also visit the site https://www.phillywinefest.com/tickets to get all information and purchase their tickets in order to participate in this year’s fun filled event.
Okechukwu Nzeribe works with the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, in Anambra State, Nigeria, and loves unveiling the richness of African cultures. okechukwu.onicima@gmail.com
