Inspired by the Brandywine Valley’s natural beauty, Stephanie Corfee turns each Watercolor Series label into a whimsical work of art.
Perched atop a quiet hill in Chadds Ford, the Penns Woods Winery Tasting Room is a reflection of the Brandywine Valley itself. Originally an 1800s farmhouse, its weathered woodwork and colonial charm tell the story of a place deeply connected to its surroundings.
That same philosophy extends well beyond the vineyard.
At Penns Woods Winery, “local” doesn’t end with the grapes. It extends to the people whose talents shape every bottle—from the vineyard team cultivating Pennsylvania-grown fruit to the artists who help tell the winery’s story. Every label is an opportunity to celebrate the landscape, history and creativity that make this region unique.
For more than half a decade, local artist Stephanie Corfee has been an integral part of that story.
Based on Pennsylvania’s Main Line, Stephanie is an artist, illustrator and author whose work is inspired by the beauty of the natural world. After beginning her career in graphic design and later owning a wedding gown studio, she turned her focus to fine art, publishing and art licensing. Today, she creates original paintings, commissioned portraits and licensed artwork from her home studio while teaching and inspiring artists through her books and online classes.
Penns Woods Winery first partnered with Stephanie in 2019 to create the original artwork for the Watercolor Series. Drawing inspiration from the native wildflowers that bloom throughout the Brandywine Valley—and many that can be found growing around the winery itself—she transformed each bottle into a small work of art.
Today, her watercolor illustrations define the identity of the Watercolor Series, appearing on labels including Blanc de Blanc, Ruby Brut, Sauvignon Blanc, Willow White, Moscato, Moscato Rosé and Pinot Rosé. Each wine is paired with its own botanical illustration, thoughtfully chosen to reflect the wine’s personality while celebrating Pennsylvania’s native flora.
As the partnership has grown, so has Stephanie’s artistic contribution.
For Carmine Franc, she stepped away from watercolor to create an elegant pen-and-ink illustration that mirrors the wine’s bold yet refined character. This year, she drew the original pen-and-ink artwork for the Keystone Trio, a commemorative collection of three 375mL bottles featuring Penns Woods Winery’s award-winning Chardonnay Reserve, Rosé and Pinot Noir. Together, the labels form a triptych celebrating Pennsylvania’s heritage through iconic imagery including the Bald Eagle, the Liberty Bell and William Penn’s historic country estate, Pennsbury Manor. Released in honor of America’s 250th anniversary, the collection offers a tour of Pennsylvania terroir through wines crafted exclusively from 100% Pennsylvania-grown grapes.
The Keystone Trio photographed by Jessica Plasha in Old City’s historic Elfreth’s Alley
While many of Stephanie’s illustrations celebrate the landscape, others capture the people—and animals—that have shaped Penns Woods Winery’s story. Her original watercolor for Due Cani honors Charlie and Harper, the beloved vineyard dogs who spent more than a decade greeting guests, wandering the vines and becoming cherished members of the Penns Woods family. Though both passed away in 2022, their legacy lives on through this special blend and the artwork that memorializes their enduring friendship.
Whether working in watercolor or pen and ink, Stephanie approaches each label as more than packaging. Every illustration tells a story—of a vineyard, a season, a place or a piece of Pennsylvania history. Her artwork reflects the same philosophy that guides Penns Woods Winery’s winemaking: honoring tradition while embracing creativity, always with a deep respect for the place both call home.
As Penns Woods Winery looks ahead to its 25th anniversary, Stephanie is once again putting brush to paper. She’s currently creating an original piece to commemorate this milestone, continuing a creative partnership that has become woven into the winery’s identity. Like the labels before it, the anniversary artwork will celebrate the people, places and Pennsylvania roots that have shaped Penns Woods Winery for nearly a quarter century.
Together, the wines and artwork create something larger than a label.
They create a connection between the vineyard, the artist and the people who gather around the bottle.
Because every bottle has a story—and sometimes that story begins with a paintbrush.
Learn more about Stephanie Corfee and explore her artwork at stephaniecorfee.com, or follow @stephaniecorfeeartworks on Instagram.
