Meet the founder
Born and raised in the Abruzzo region of Italy, Sulpizio “Gino” Razzi immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1962 at the age of 17. Following four years of service in the United States Marine Corps, he attended college in California before embarking on what would become a remarkable career spanning more than five decades in the wine industry.
In 1973, Gino, alongside his brother, founded Viva Vino Imports, later known as WinesU, with a mission to introduce exceptional Italian wines to American consumers. Traveling extensively throughout Italy, Gino sought out family-owned wineries and undiscovered producers, helping establish many iconic Italian wines in the U.S. market.
Among his most consequential discoveries was Cantina Zaccagnini of Abruzzo. Recognizing the potential of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo for American consumers, Gino worked closely with the Zaccagnini family to develop a more approachable expression of the wine and began importing it through Viva Vino. The partnership helped transform both Zaccagnini and Montepulciano d’Abruzzo from relative unknowns in the United States into fixtures of the American wine market. Today, Zaccagnini’s distinctive vine-adorned bottle is one of the most recognizable expressions of the appellation, while Montepulciano d’Abruzzo has become one of America’s most popular Italian red wines. Wine Enthusiast has credited Zaccagnini with serving as a “global ambassador for Abruzzo” and described its Montepulciano as a “club classic”—a testament to the enduring market Gino helped create.
His lifelong dedication to quality, authenticity, and the wines of his native Italy culminated in WinesU being named Wine Enthusiast’s 2025 Wine Star Award Importer of the Year, recognizing the extraordinary influence of Gino’s more than four decades in the American wine industry.
Inspired to become a winemaker himself, Gino returned to his roots to study alongside renowned Abruzzese enologist Concezio Marulli of Cantina Zaccagnini. In 1997, he released his first commercial wine, Symposium Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, which earned 95 points from Wine Spectator—the highest-rated Montepulciano d’Abruzzo ever reviewed by the publication at the time.
After decades of championing the great wines of Italy, Gino saw extraordinary potential in the vineyards of his adopted home of southeastern Pennsylvania. In 2001, he founded Penns Woods Winery with a bold vision: to prove that world-class wines could be crafted from exclusively Pennsylvania-grown grapes. He established the winery in Chadds Ford, transforming a historic nineteenth-century farmhouse into the tasting room while cultivating vineyards that have since grown to almost 50 acres across Chester County and Delaware County. Today, Penns Woods is recognized as one of Pennsylvania’s leading estate wineries and remains proudly committed to producing wines born of 100% Pennsylvania soil.
Beginning in 2011, Gino personally mentored fellow Abruzzese, winemaker Davide Creato, passing along the Old World philosophy, craftsmanship and uncompromising commitment to quality that have defined his career. While Gino has since stepped back from the winery’s day-to-day operations, his vision continues through Davide, his daughter Carley Razzi, and the entire Penns Woods team.
“Whether in the hills of Abruzzo or the vineyards of Pennsylvania, I’ve always believed that great wine begins with respect—for the land, for the people who farm it and for the traditions that inspire it.”
– Gino Razzi
Wine Enthusiast – WinesU Named “Importer of the Year”
Wine Enthusiast – Why Importer of the Year WinesU Is Flourishing Amid Industry Struggles
Philadelphia Inquirer – Wine Made in Pennsylvania is More Popular Than Ever
Philadelphia Inquirer – A Wow of Penna. Wine
James Suckling – Embracing Wine Diversity in Pennsylvania
The Wine Economist – Small is Beautiful? Scratching the Surface of Pennsylvania Wine
Edible Philly – Where There’s a Wine, There’s a Way
Penns Woods Direct members receive a 4, 6 or 12 bottle wine shipment, 3 times per year.
Our allocation months for Penns Woods Direct are:
April
September
December
Penns Woods Direct members enjoy discounts on wine & merch as well as discounted flat-rate shipping.
Our winemaker selections will vary depending on season, new releases, etc.
Members can always customize their order by adding to or swapping wines in order to receive an allocation that best fits their needs.
Members will receive an email notification of the wines that are to be included in their allocation 2 weeks prior to the billing date. Any changes to your allotment must be made beforehand. We do not allow customization or permit refunds after your order has been processed.
Our curated selections are designed primarily for those who enjoy dry wines. Availability of sweet and semi-sweet wines are not guaranteed year round due to limited production.
Our membership is free to join & you may opt out at any time after your first allocation.
Each allocation will vary in price depending on which wines are included, however, in general you can expect each level of membership to fall around the price below:
Keystone: $135 including shipping
Heritage: $215 including shipping
Founders: $450 including shipping
The billing date is on the 1st of each allocation month. Please note any changes to your allocation, membership level or status must be made prior to the billing date.
Penns Woods Direct Members will have their card on file charged on the first of of their allocation month with wines shipped within 7 business days of the billing date.
We ship to the following states: AK, AZ, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MN, MO, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, NM, NV, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
Please note:
As a Penns Woods Direct subscriber, you’ll also enjoy exclusive flat-rate shipping on additional wine purchases throughout the year, as well as any extra bottles added to your scheduled shipments.
Flat-rate shipping applies to shipments of 3–12 bottles. Orders containing 1–2 bottles are shipped at standard carrier rates. The maximum quantity eligible for flat-rate shipping is 12 bottles per shipment.
Penns Woods Direct members are permitted to skip an allocation at any time. To skip, you must do so in your member portal 48 hours before the billing date.
You may change your membership level at any time. If you wish to move up or down a level you must do so at least 48 hours prior to the billing date. To do so, email andrea@pennswoodswinery.com.
A Traditional Estate, Premier Cru & Grand Cru wine club membership is a commitment to quarterly allotments of 3, 6 or 12 bottles of wine.
Our allocation months for these memberships are as follows:
March
June
September
November
Estate, Premier Cru & Grand Cru members also receive discounts on wine by the glass & bottle, complimentary tastings, complimentary vineyard tours, discount on Penns Woods branded apparel, access to member exclusive events, access to previews & member discounts on select event tickets. Please note discounts, wine access & services will vary depending on your membership level. Certain levels carry additional benefits such as access to library wines & complimentary tickets to pairing events.
Our winemaker selections will vary depending on season, new releases, etc.
Members can always customize their order by adding to or swapping wines in order to receive an allocation that best fits their needs.
Members will receive an email notification of the wines that are to be included in their allocation three weeks prior to the billing date. Any changes to your allotment must be made beforehand. We do not allow customization or permit refunds after your order has been processed.
Our curated selections are designed primarily for those who enjoy dry wines. Availability of sweet and semi-sweet wines are not guaranteed year round due to limited production.
Our membership is free to join & you may opt out at any time after your first allocation.
Each allocation will vary in price depending on which wines are included, however, in general you can expect each level of membership to fall around the price below:
Estate: $100
Premier Cru: $200+
Grand Cru: $400+
The billing date is on the 1st of each allocation month. Please note any changes to your allocation, membership level or status must be made prior to the billing date.
Estate, Premier Cru & Grand Cru members may pick up their allocation from our Tasting Room at anytime after the billing date. Please note:
Penns Woods Direct Members will have their card on file charged on the first of of their allocation month with wines shipped within 3 business days of the billing date
We ship to the following states: AK, AZ, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MN, MO, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, NM, NV, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
Please note:
You may change your membership level at any time. If you wish to move up or down a level you must do so at least 48 hours prior to the billing date.
Estate, Premier Cru & Grand Cru members are permitted to skip one quarterly allocation per year and still retain your membership benefits. To skip, please notify our Wine Club Manager 48 hours before the billing date.
If you wish to put your membership on hold or cancel, please reach out to our Wine Club Manager to discuss all available options.
A perfect allotment for wine enthusiasts, frequent visitors & party hosts.
Each wine club allocation is thoughtfully curated by our winemaking team and reflects the season, new releases, and limited-production wines available throughout the year.
Want to personalize your selection? Every allocation is fully customizable. Add bottles, swap wines, or build an allocation that perfectly suits your taste. Whether you prefer tried-and-true favorites or are looking to discover something new, you’re always in control of what arrives at your door.
Club orders are processed four times each year on:
Approximately three weeks before each billing date, you’ll receive an announcement email featuring the upcoming wines. If you prefer to customize the wines in your allocation, you can log into your wine club portal to make changes before the order is processed.
Please note that once an order has been processed, we are unable to make changes, substitutions, or issue refunds. Members have 60 days to pick up orders at our Tasting Room. For information on shipping, early pick ups or extensions, reach out to andrea@pennswoodswinery.com.
Our curated selections are designed primarily for those who enjoy dry wines. Availability of sweet and semi-sweet wines are not guaranteed year round due to limited production.
Penns Woods Direct makes it easy to enjoy our estate-grown Pennsylvania wines wherever you are. With three thoughtfully curated shipments each year, you’ll experience the best of Penns Woods Winery from the comfort of your home: discovering new releases, revisiting favorites, and staying connected to the winery you love.
We ship to the following states: AK, AZ, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MN, MO, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, NM, NV, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
Each Penns Woods Direct shipment is thoughtfully curated by our winemaking team and reflects the season, new releases, and limited-production wines available throughout the year.
Want to personalize your selection? Every shipment is fully customizable. Add bottles, swap wines, or build an allocation that perfectly suits your taste. Whether you prefer tried-and-true favorites or are looking to discover something new, you’re always in control of what arrives at your door.
As a Penns Woods Direct subscriber, you’ll also enjoy exclusive flat-rate shipping on additional wine purchases throughout the year, as well as any extra bottles added to your scheduled shipments.
Flat-rate shipping applies to shipments of 3–12 bottles. Orders containing 1–2 bottles are shipped at standard carrier rates. The maximum quantity eligible for flat-rate shipping is 12 bottles per shipment.
Club orders are processed three times each year on:
Approximately three weeks before each billing date, you’ll receive an email announcing the featured wines and opening your customization window. Any changes to your shipment must be completed before your order is processed.
To ensure the highest quality delivery experience, shipping dates are announced prior to billing and may vary with each allocation to avoid wine remaining in transit over weekends or during unfavorable weather conditions.
Please note that once an order has been processed, we are unable to make changes, substitutions, or issue refunds.
Our curated selections are designed primarily for those who enjoy dry wines. Availability of sweet and semi-sweet wines are not guaranteed year round due to limited production.
Penns Woods Direct makes it easy to enjoy our estate-grown Pennsylvania wines wherever you are. With three thoughtfully curated shipments each year, you’ll experience the best of Penns Woods Winery from the comfort of your home: discovering new releases, revisiting favorites, and staying connected to the winery you love.
We ship to the following states: AK, AZ, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MN, MO, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, NM, NV, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
Each Penns Woods Direct shipment is thoughtfully curated by our winemaking team and reflects the season, new releases, and limited-production wines available throughout the year.
Want to personalize your selection? Every shipment is fully customizable. Add bottles, swap wines, or build an allocation that perfectly suits your taste. Whether you prefer tried-and-true favorites or are looking to discover something new, you’re always in control of what arrives at your door.
As a Penns Woods Direct subscriber, you’ll also enjoy exclusive flat-rate shipping on additional wine purchases throughout the year, as well as any extra bottles added to your scheduled shipments.
Flat-rate shipping applies to shipments of 3–12 bottles. Orders containing 1–2 bottles are shipped at standard carrier rates. The maximum quantity eligible for flat-rate shipping is 12 bottles per shipment.
Club orders are processed three times each year on:
Approximately three weeks before each billing date, you’ll receive an email announcing the featured wines and opening your customization window. Any changes to your shipment must be completed before your order is processed.
To ensure the highest quality delivery experience, shipping dates are announced prior to billing and may vary with each allocation to avoid wine remaining in transit over weekends or during unfavorable weather conditions.
Please note that once an order has been processed, we are unable to make changes, substitutions, or issue refunds.
Our curated selections are designed primarily for those who enjoy dry wines. Availability of sweet and semi-sweet wines are not guaranteed year round due to limited production.
A perfect allotment for wine enthusiasts, frequent visitors & party hosts.
Each wine club allocation is thoughtfully curated by our winemaking team and reflects the season, new releases, and limited-production wines available throughout the year.
Want to personalize your selection? Every allocation is fully customizable. Add bottles, swap wines, or build an allocation that perfectly suits your taste. Whether you prefer tried-and-true favorites or are looking to discover something new, you’re always in control of what arrives at your door.
Club orders are processed four times each year on:
Approximately three weeks before each billing date, you’ll receive an announcement email featuring the upcoming wines. If you prefer to customize the wines in your allocation, you can log into your wine club portal to make changes before the order is processed.
Please note that once an order has been processed, we are unable to make changes, substitutions, or issue refunds. Members have 60 days to pick up orders at our Tasting Room. For information on shipping, early pick ups or extensions, reach out to andrea@pennswoodswinery.com.
Our curated selections are designed primarily for those who enjoy dry wines. Availability of sweet and semi-sweet wines are not guaranteed year round due to limited production.
The Estate Club is our entry level program; perfect for those looking to expand their palate.
Each wine club allocation is thoughtfully curated by our winemaking team and reflects the season, new releases, and limited-production wines available throughout the year.
Want to personalize your selection? Every allocation is fully customizable. Add bottles, swap wines, or build an allocation that perfectly suits your taste. Whether you prefer tried-and-true favorites or are looking to discover something new, you’re always in control of what arrives at your door.
Club orders are processed four times each year on:
Approximately three weeks before each billing date, you’ll receive an announcement email featuring the upcoming wines. If you prefer to customize the wines in your allocation, you can log into your wine club portal to make changes before the order is processed.
Please note that once an order has been processed, we are unable to make changes, substitutions, or issue refunds. Members have 60 days to pick up orders at our Tasting Room. For information on shipping, early pick ups or extensions, reach out to andrea@pennswoodswinery.com.
Our curated selections are designed primarily for those who enjoy dry wines. Availability of sweet and semi-sweet wines are not guaranteed year round due to limited production.
Penns Woods Direct makes it easy to enjoy our estate-grown Pennsylvania wines wherever you are. With three thoughtfully curated shipments each year, you’ll experience the best of Penns Woods Winery from the comfort of your home: discovering new releases, revisiting favorites, and staying connected to the winery you love.
We ship to the following states: AK, AZ, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MN, MO, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, NM, NV, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
Each Penns Woods Direct shipment is thoughtfully curated by our winemaking team and reflects the season, new releases, and limited-production wines available throughout the year.
Want to personalize your selection? Every shipment is fully customizable. Add bottles, swap wines, or build an allocation that perfectly suits your taste. Whether you prefer tried-and-true favorites or are looking to discover something new, you’re always in control of what arrives at your door.
As a Penns Woods Direct subscriber, you’ll also enjoy exclusive flat-rate shipping on additional wine purchases throughout the year, as well as any extra bottles added to your scheduled shipments.
Flat-rate shipping applies to shipments of 3–12 bottles. Orders containing 1–2 bottles are shipped at standard carrier rates. The maximum quantity eligible for flat-rate shipping is 12 bottles per shipment.
Club orders are processed three times each year on:
Approximately three weeks before each billing date, you’ll receive an email announcing the featured wines and opening your customization window. Any changes to your shipment must be completed before your order is processed.
To ensure the highest quality delivery experience, shipping dates are announced prior to billing and may vary with each allocation to avoid wine remaining in transit over weekends or during unfavorable weather conditions.
Please note that once an order has been processed, we are unable to make changes, substitutions, or issue refunds.
Our curated selections are designed primarily for those who enjoy dry wines. Availability of sweet and semi-sweet wines are not guaranteed year round due to limited production.
Exclusions apply. Available in person or online Friday, November 28th & Saturday, November 29th. This deal is not stackable with any other discount/promotion. Online pick up orders must be picked up by closing time Saturday 11/29. All orders for delivery will be shipped the first week of December.