California winery with Pa. tasting room expands into full-service restaurant
Turks Head Wines in Pennsylvania’s Chester County is redefining the traditional winery restaurant with the expansion of its wine-first dining experience. The California winery with its West Chester tasting room, wine lounge, and private event spaces has started a full lunch and dinner service, transforming from a destination known for thoughtfully curated winery bites into a full-scale culinary experience where every dish is intentionally designed to complement the wines — not the other way around. The new format was introduced the week of Aug. 3, according to media release. Unlike traditional restaurants, where chefs create dishes before recommending wine pairings, Turks Head Wines has chosen to follow a wine-first dining philosophy. Founder and Level 3 Certified Sommelier Allison Owen first curates the wines she wants guests to experience before collaborating with newly appointed Executive Chef Dave McDonald to develop seasonal dishes that highlight the unique character of each varietal. Every menu item is accompanied by two recommended wine pairings, inviting guests to explore how different wines can completely transform the same dish. “We’ve never wanted to be a restaurant that simply serves wine,” said Owen, the president of Turks Head Wines, which opened its initial retail space, The Bottle Shoppe, in October 2023. The full tasting room and wine lounge**,** at 120 N. Church St., officially opened later on Aug. 29, 2024. “Wine has always been the starting point. Most restaurants create a dish and then decide which wine pairs best with it. We reverse that process. We begin with the wine and build every plate around it. That’s what makes our wine-first dining experience so unique, and we’re excited to expand it into a complete lunch and dinner destination.” The new seasonal menus, developed in collaboration with Consulting Chef Jason Cichonski of Ampere Hospitality Group, aim to showcase the winery’s wine-first philosophy through thoughtfully composed dishes designed to elevate Turks Head Wines’ award-winning California wines. Standouts from the new dinner offerings include: Herb Brined Chicken Breast ($28 - white beans, fennel, salsa verde) 2024 Sémillon, Sonoma Valley 2023 BDX Blanc, Wildwood Vineyard, Sonoma Valley Confit Duck Leg ($36 - cherry gastrique, beets, black garlic, sunflower crunch) 2022 BDX Reserve, McCoy Vineyard, Fountaingrove District 2023 Merlot, Olson Vineyard, Sonoma Mountain Seared Scallop ($26 - watercress, chorizo vinaigrette) 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, Suisun Valley 2024 Melon, Alexander Valley Sweet Corn Agnolotti ($24 - brown butter, summer squash) 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, Big Valley District 2025 The Semi Q White Blend, Sonoma County Chilled Shrimp ($21 - cucumber, fennel, nectarine salsa) 2024 Sauvignon Blanc, Ryan’s Vineyard, Napa Valley 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, Exposition West, Sonoma Valley Heirloom Tomato Salad ($19 - whipped ricotta, almond chimichurri) 2023 Barbera, Sonoma Mountain 2025 Rosé, Sonoma County Lunch highlights include: Porchetta Sandwich ($18 - broccoli rabe, salsa verde, served on ciabatta) 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, Suisun Valley 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, Exposition East, Sonoma Valley Chilled Shrimp Roll ($21 - lemon aioli, pickled fennel, shaved cucumber, served on buttered brioche) 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, Suisun Valley 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, Exposition East, Sonoma Valley Prosciutto Focaccia ($19 - grilled nectarine, whipped ricotta, hot honey, arugula) 2024 Sémillon, Sonoma Valley 2025 Rosé, Sonoma County Additional offerings include oysters, steak tartare au poivre, seasonal salads, artisan cheeses, and charcuterie. “Every ingredient on the plate has a purpose,” McDonald said in the release. “We’re not trying to compete with the wine—we’re trying to elevate it. Whether it’s the sweetness of summer corn, the richness of duck, or the brightness of fresh herbs, every flavor is chosen to help tell the story of what’s in the glass.” With the addition of lunch and dinner service, Turks Head Wines continues to blur the line between winery, restaurant, and wine education, offering a uniquely immersive experience. Additional beverage selections include an array of beers from local breweries such as Levante Brewing, and Turks Head’s take on classic cocktails (Vodka Martini, Negroni, Old Fashioned, Spicy Margarita, and beyond) — as well as non-alcoholic options, including zero-proof wine and beer. The expanded culinary program marks the next evolution for Turks Head Wines, which has grown into a destination where guests can enjoy curated tastings of their award winning California wines, educational wine classes, seasonal pairing dinners, weekly live music, community events, private celebrations, and private CRU Club membership experiences — all centered around making wine more approachable, engaging, and memorable. Turks Head Wines sources, produces, and bottles handcrafted Bordeaux-style wines in the heart of Napa, California. The winery’s catalogue of offerings utilize grapes grown in a variety of American Viticultural Areas (AVA) and vineyards, each with their own distinct flavor profiles. Here’s a link to the page on the Turks Head website that features its wines. The winery’s name and logo pay homage to The Turks Head Tavern, which played a vital role in the early history of West Chester. Locals would refer to where they lived as “near the Turks Head” and the town affectionately took on the same name. Though the original tavern is gone, the winery continues to honor its legacy through the Turks Head Wines brand. It’s open 4 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, 4 to 10 p.m. Fridays, noon to 10 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 7 p.m. Sundays. Turks Head Wines are available for purchase at the Bottle Shoppe, located For more information about private events, tastings, and wine club memberships, fill out the contact form at www.turksheadwines.com. ALSO READ Founder of Pa. tasting room, wine lounge calls recent awards ‘incredibly meaningful’ When ‘at-home pizza’ doesn’t cut it, winery finds the answer in an accomplished consultant Growth continues to be ‘pretty remarkable’ for Finger Lakes passion project
