The Troxell family has been farming the land in Schuylkill County since the 1820s. Back in the day, the family raised the usual farm products such as tomatoes and potatoes. There was a fruit orchard at one time. There was even a dairy.

It was in 1997 that they decided to plant a vineyard and make wine. At the time, Galen Troxell was a mechanical engineer and was looking for a way to make the farm make sense.

“I was working for a German company, and we traveled to Germany in some of the wine regions,” Troxell explained. “But, ultimately, what did it was my best friend got married and sent us a bottle of wine from Hawaii. And that was the inspiration; and, we said, ‘well why don’t we grow grapes?’”

In thirty years, Galen Glen Winery has built a reputation as one of the finest vintners in North America.

“We are one of the oldest continuing farming families in the United States,” Galen Troxell observed. “We consider that a huge accomplishment.”

Galen Troxell notes several firsts for his vineyard. The winery was the first in Schuylkill County.

It was the first vineyard planting of Grüner vines east of the Rocky Mountains, second in the nation.

It is one, if not the, first Pennsylvania winery to export wines to Taiwan, with Galen wines are being served in three Michelin star restaurants in Taiwan.

Another interesting fact, the entire Troxell farm gets 100 percent of its electricity from solar power.

“When we opened for business in 1998, we had three table wines,” Troxell pointed out. “Now, we have more than 30 wines.”

In addition to wine, the Troxell farm also raises and sells potatoes, and Galen Troxell decided to grow chestnuts.

“The most recent thing we did was we actually obtained the equipment to finish sparkling wine, like traditional champagne,” Troxell said. “I had a colleague and a friend in the industry who would do the finishing for us; but, now we have the ability to do it on site.”

Troxell also took time to thank the community.

“We’ve had family support, we’ve had community support. None of this happens without a customer base, and people being enthusiastic about what we’re doing.”

“Harrisburg has been very supportive of the wine and grape industry. Galen Glen has partnered with Pennsylvania on many projects. The continued support from Harrisburg continues to push the wine industry and Galen Glen forward.”

Galen and Sarah Troxell’s daughter, Erin, and her husband Garrett Schorran, are the seventh generation to run the farm and continue the family legacy. Erin holds two degrees from Cornell University and a master’s degree from SupAgro in Montpellier, France, and held internships in Nahe, Napa, and New Zealand, plus she worked for a time with E & J Gallo.

A celebration of Galen Glen’s 30th Anniversary was held Saturday at their location at 255 Winter Mountain Drive, Andreas.

Kylie Adams-Weiss, Senior Vice President of the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation, emceed the program, honoring Galen Troxell and their family.

“We are here to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Galen Glen Vineyards. They’re a family run, 7th generation family farm, and produce arguably some of the best wines in the Lehigh Valley,” Adams-Weiss said.

State Rep. Jamie Barton, House District 124; Schuylkill County Commissioner Larry Padora; and Christine Verdier, Sen. David Argall’s Chief of Staff all presented accommodations to the Galen Glen Vineyard.