Many legislators crossed the aisle to support the legislation.” It was a great challenge to be part of the governance. “It was actually fun to work in Legislative Hall. “It was the fastest-moving legislation in the history of the U.S. Thanks to her tenacity, the farm winery legislation passed in 1991 in less than 45 days. So, 22-year-old Peggy went on a crusade to get state law changed, which included alcohol sales on Sundays, also against state law at the time. “And with a small winery, you have to have retail to survive.” “You couldn't get a wine license in Delaware,” she said. State law prohibited production and resale of any alcohol. “And then Dad said, ‘We can make wine here.’” A new state lawīut there was a major obstacle. “My family really wanted me to come home,” she said. “My dream was making my own wine instead of writing about it,” she said. She set up and led tours in her nonstop lifestyle. “I traveled all over Europe and fell hopelessly in love with the wine business,” she said. She worked for Les Amis du Vin International and The Friends of Wine until 1990, where she did photography, writing and gave wine tours all over the world.Īt 18, she was not even old enough to drink in the United States, so she was sent to France and Spain. It wasn't long before she took another path that led to on-the-job training in the wine business from some of the top growers and aficionados in the world. After high school graduation in 1985, she attended American University in Washington, D.C. ![]() He also started the Nassau Commons office complex.Īlthough she grew up living the Lewes lifestyle on the farm and at the beach, Peggy said she couldn’t wait to get out on her own path. Army veteran and outdoorsman owned a florist business grew chickens, hogs and beef cattle had a landscaping business, founded Holly Lake Campground and the Boat Hole Marina and bought, sold and developed land. The well-known Lewes icon, who died in 2013, was involved in a variety of activities beyond farming. ![]() ![]() To really appreciate Nassau Valley, you have to go back in time to understand how it started.īefore it was a vineyard, BAR Farms was a large alfalfa hay field as part of the farm operations of the sisters’ father, Bob Raley. Over the years, the vineyard’s wines have won more than 600 medals at international competitions. Wine tasting, self-guided winery tours, live music and art exhibits are all part of the offerings at the vineyard.Īnd it all falls under the ownership of sisters Peggy Raley and Suzette Raley Hopkins. A popular Sunday farmers market has been operating for the past eight years. Today, the prize-winning vineyard has become a wedding and special events destination with two spacious venues. Over the years, the operation has grown by leaps and bounds from a few acres of grapes. Nassau Valley Vineyards near Lewes is celebrating its 30th anniversary in October.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |