Formerly the Main Street Inn, the late 19th-century structure in the heart of the bustling college borough is undergoing yet another metamorphosis under the creative guidance of Andrea Folino, a principal of the growing Folino Estate enterprises. Andrea and her husband Marco are the entrepreneurial couple behind what, in less than a decade, has become the fabled Folino Estate Vineyard and Winery in the rolling countryside of northern Berks.
The estate and winery – the first vines weren’t planted until 2014 and now the vineyard has grown to include over 23,544 vines and spans some 14 acres of the property has become a popular dining, wine tasting and event destination. The ridge of the Blue Mountains provides a beautiful backdrop for their 54-acre venue along Old Route 22 near the Lehigh County line, which includes the main building with a tasting lounge, restaurant, bottle shop and terrace overlooking the vineyard. There’s even a family-friendly ice skating rink (with synthetic ice!) that’s proven very popular in the winter months. In the offing, but likely three years from reality, is an on-site boutique hotel.
The Time Had Come
To offset that delay, the opportunity to acquire the venerable Main Street Inn surfaced in the early months of 2022.
“The property had been for sale for a few years, and we had been approached by the prior owners in the past, but we just weren’t ready at that point,” Andrea says.
However, in May 2022, the deal was sealed, and the Folinos became the owners of the property, which they promptly renamed the Vintner’s Inn.
“We were getting so many guests at the Folino Estate who wanted lodging,” she says, “and this was a perfect opportunity just down the road.”
The Vintner’s Inn building was constructed in 1865, Andrea says, adding that complete renovations of the property in 2007 expanded the structure’s footprint and living areas.
There are now eight bedrooms, a common area and a covered courtyard perfect for gatherings of up to 30 people.
“We really believe this complements the estate usage,” she says.
The branding of Folino Estate links its Vintner’s Table in Phoenixville and its soon-to-open counterpart in Wyomissing to the Vintner’s Inn itself.
A Nod to the Vineyard
Upon entering the inn, a huge vase with dried vines from the vineyard greets guests. The common area has been redecorated with a nod to the Folinos’ heritage and vineyard.
“We bring old-world Italy in with touches of wine and grape motifs,” Andrea says. “For example, we use grapevine pull-backs for the curtains.”
At press time, only one of the eight lodging rooms has been redone, but all are scheduled for facelifts as is the exterior of the inn.
“We are in the process of re-doing each room, updating for more of a signature estate look,” she says. “We’re going for a more neutral color palate, employing lots of greens, whites and tans.”
Though most of the already welcoming rooms await refreshing, each one has been christened with a new name reflecting the new ownership and branding.
Have a favorite wine? Maybe that’s the room to book. The choices:
The Barbera is a more business-oriented room with private access, a business desk and a king-sized bed.
The Cabernet, on the third floor, boasts two fireplaces, one in the bedroom and one in the bathroom which features a clawfoot tub.
The Chardonnay, light-filled and overlooking Main Street, also provides a reading nook.
The Chianti, located in the quieter rear of the inn, is larger than many of the other rooms. It’s accessible from a private back door and features a balcony and king-sized bed.
The Merlot, on the second floor, also overlooks Main Street and features a queen-sized bed and clawfoot tub.
The Moscato, on the ground floor off the lobby, is ADA compliant with a lower-profile queen-sized bed, a roll-in shower with utility bars and other helpful assists. It also overlooks the courtyard area.
The Pinot, on the second floor with a separate entry off the balcony, also features a king-sized bed and clawfoot tub.
The Sangiovese, a larger room with fireplaces in both the bedroom and bathroom, boasts a spectacular canopy view of the tall sycamore trees from its balcony.
Special Offerings
For guests wanting to savor more than lodgings named for a wine varietal, the Vintner’s Inn offers treats from its Folino Estate vineyards. A complimentary glass of wine is offered to each lodger during normal check-in hours. In addition, at 3pm each day, another complimentary glass of wine and a gourmet cheese board is provided.
First thing in the morning may well be too early for wine, but it’s perfect for the inn’s complimentary European breakfast, which, Andrea notes, pays especial homage to the family’s Italian roots.
Guests can mosey on down to the common area and indulge in baked croissants, sweet pastries, fresh fruits, muffins, as well as cheese and prosciutto. She notes a favorite of those pastries is a grape cake, the recipe of which is pulled from Italian tradition. It is a “harvest” cake made with fresh grapes, olive oil and orange zest, as well as almonds and possibly a hint of thyme.
While coffee is the standard wake-up beverage for most, a cappuccino offers the same or stronger caffeine kick and is more complementary to that Italian-inspired breakfast.
For those guests savoring their privacy and wanting more, the inn staff delivers an enticing Folino-signature picnic basket to their door.
An on-site library and gift shop provide opportunities to purchase souvenirs or a good book. Lodgers can get to know each other a bit in the café area to perhaps tackle a game of chess or a challenging jigsaw puzzle.
Pathways and Parties
Guests – during their stays – also receive complimentary wine tastings at the estate, just 10 minutes down the road.
For those wanting to explore the historic borough of Kutztown and its surrounds, the inn also provides complimentary bike rentals. The estate’s very navigable and attractive website also offers a full listing of local attractions and events to aid guests in exploring the area.
“I think sometimes we forget what is in our own backyard,” says Andrea. “This is a reminder to all of us, our family and staff included.”
Andrea hopes that by midsummer, Folino Estate Winery will provide a shuttle bus that can transport guests between the venues, offsetting any concerns about impaired driving following a celebratory dinner or occasion.
The inn has the space and ability to host its own wine dinners, with a special emphasis on the beautiful, secluded – and covered – courtyard area.
On occasion, such as for full wedding parties or corporate events, the entire inn will be booked by one entity. Andrea says the innkeeper especially delights in the joyful gatherings, particularly families that bring loved ones together under one beautiful roof. The innkeeper also loves hosting guests from afar, be it out of state or out of country. Both the estate and inn benefit from the geographical location in northern Berks.
Interstate 78 provides nearly direct access from the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut metropolitan areas. The Philadelphia metro area is less than 90 minutes away, and just further afield to the south and east are Maryland and Delaware.
Andrea credits the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance and the Northeast Berks and Lehigh Chambers as being valuable promotional partners for the inn and estate. With the pending opening of the Vintner’s Table in Wyomissing and potentially another within the next three years in the Bethlehem area, the cross-promotional efforts are only likely to increase. The Wyomissing location will feature indoor and outdoor dining, a wine tasting bar and a sangria bar, a new twist.
“The sangrias are among our top sellers so we created an extra spot for this and we’re excited to test it with the local market,” she says.
“The plan is to continue to open more of them,” she says of the Vintner’s Tables and other aspects of the business which has increased the full and part-time staffs to 150.
The growth of the business is a happy mirror to Andrea’s and Marco’s growing family which includes three children, ages 9, 5 and 2.
“My husband and I have a lot pulling us,” she says, “but it’s all good and very positive.”
401 W. Main St., Kutztown | 610.683.0401
