FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
VISITORS TO MERCER COUNTY WILL DELIGHT IN WINE TASTINGS AND CHOCOLATE TREATS

--Discover Mercer County’s Match Made in Heaven--

MERCER, Pa. --March 4, 2010-- Bring friends or a significant other to Mercer County and experience chocolate and wine tasting at its best. There is no better place to celebrate life than at one of Mercer County’s many wineries and chocolate candy stores.

Wilhelm Winery is located in Hadley, Pa. and offers guests the chance to tour its antique wine making museum and sample various fine wines. Guests will feel at home as they walk around and enjoy fruit, white, red and blush wines made from the highest quality grapes. Wilhelm Winery is open year round with Spring hours starting in March; Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Located at 590 Georgetown Road, Wilhelm Winery is the perfect relaxing escape.

Known for its award winning wines and various special events throughout the year, Conneaut Cellars Winery in Conneaut Lake, Pa. offers guests free tours and tastings at their 6,400 square foot building. The winery features a unique gift shop with wine related items. Wines selections include white, red, rose and sparkling. Less than 10 minutes from I-79, Conneaut Cellars Winery is located at 12005 Conneaut Lake Road off of Route 6.  Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Founded in 2005, Volant Mill Winery produces wine from their own vineyard.  Guests can sample wines or enjoy a bottle of wine and gourmet cheese by the ambient Neshannock Creek. Guests will also be able to select gift items in the wine lover’s gift shop. Volant Mill is about 5 miles away from Prime Outlets at Grove City and is located at 1229 Main Street. Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

Located in Hermitage, Pa., Philadelphia Candies has created chocolates since 1919. On Saturday, March 20, guests will be able to walk through the factory and experience the sweet delight of the candy-making process as chocolate is being made and decorated. Also available to visitors will be samples, advertised specials, raffle drawings and the Easter Bunny and friends. Located at 1546 East State Street in Hermitage, the tour will be open from 9 a.m.to 4 p.m.

Daffin’s Candies in Sharon, Pa. is the world’s largest candy store and is known worldwide for their milk and semi-sweet delectable chocolate. With more than 100 years experience making chocolate, Daffin’s Candies has become a must-see for visitors in the Mercer County area.  Featured in their store are life size chocolate animals, two large castles and an entire miniature village with chocolate houses and railroads. On Sunday March 21, Daffin’s Candies factory located at 7 Spearman Ave. in Farrell, Pa. will host “Swizzle Stick Day.” Guests can tour the factory and see how chocolate is made, in addition to receiving free chocolate samples and bunny ears. On display is a family of solid chocolate rabbits and the 700 pound chocolate bunny. Daffin’s Candies is located at 496 East State Street.  The store is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information about things to do in Mercer County, log onto www.VisitMercerCountyPa.org or call 724-662-4185.

About Mercer County:
Located in Northwestern Pennsylvania, along the Ohio border, Mercer County is home to name-brand outlets, boutiques and unique specialty stores for shoppers. The area is also known for its more than 25 challenging golf courses of inspired design. Golf Digest ranked Mercer County as one of its top golf destinations. Visitors can dine on mouthwatering cuisine in Mercer County's array of fine restaurants and then stay overnight in a well-appointed hotel, a luxurious bed and breakfast or a cozy country inn. Close to Pittsburgh, Erie, Cleveland and other major markets, Mercer County is easily accessible via I-80 and I-79. The County offers the perfect escape. For more information, visit www.VisitMercerCountyPa.org.