Moon Dancer Winery, a beloved fixture in York County, Pennsylvania, has officially closed its doors on Thursday, July 18th, potentially marking the end of an era for the popular venue. This closure comes after a protracted legal battle concerning deed restrictions, leaving owner Jim Miller and the local community reeling.
The winery, situated just south of Wrightsville on Klines Run Road, had become a cherished spot for locals and wine enthusiasts alike. Jim Leaman, of the band Travelers, visited Moon Dancer Winery on Thursday, hoping to schedule another performance, illustrating the winery’s role as a platform for local musicians. Travelers, a six-piece band playing country blues and folk, had previously enjoyed performing at the venue and were keen to return. Leaman’s visit was prompted by concerns about the winery’s future, given the widely known legal challenges it was facing.
Upon meeting winery owner Jim Miller, Leaman learned the disheartening news firsthand. Miller confirmed that unless a successful appeal could be mounted, Thursday would indeed be the final day of operation for Moon Dancer Winery. Leaman expressed sympathy, acknowledging the immense emotional toll Miller must be experiencing. Miller’s poignant reply, “You can’t imagine,” underscored the gravity of the situation.
The legal saga that led to the closure of Moon Dancer Winery began in 2017, initiated by neighbors Amanda Perko and Matthew Balsavage, residents of an adjacent property. Their lawsuit centered on alleged violations of deed restrictions within the upscale Lauxmont Farms development. These restrictions, according to court documents, prohibit commercial activities and businesses that could be deemed an annoyance to residents. York County Judge Clyde Vedder initially ruled in May that Moon Dancer Winery was in violation of these restrictions.
Exterior of Moon Dancer Winery building on a sunny day
Moon Dancer Winery briefly closed on June 10th following the initial ruling. However, a temporary reprieve on June 19th allowed the winery to reopen on June 21st as the court agreed to reconsider the case. This brief window of hope was ultimately short-lived. Last week, the court reaffirmed its decision, mandating the closure of Moon Dancer Winery by Thursday, July 18th, plunging the winery and its supporters into renewed despair. Miller aptly described the ordeal as “the world’s worst roller-coaster ride,” highlighting the emotional whiplash of the legal proceedings. “It’s devastating,” he confessed on Thursday afternoon, as loyal customers arrived to offer their condolences and share a final glass of wine at Moon Dancer Winery.
Jim Miller’s connection to the 50-acre property dates back to 1993 when he first acquired it and began cultivating grapes, laying the foundation for what would become Moon Dancer Winery. He recounted the initial support from his neighbors, including the previous owner of the property now occupied by the plaintiffs, who even assisted in painting the winery’s interior and permitted vine planting on her land. Local children were also involved in the early days, enthusiastically participating in grape harvesting and the traditional stomping process.
In 2004, Miller realized his vision, opening Moon Dancer Winery in a striking French-country-style building. Over the years, Moon Dancer Winery evolved into more than just a winery; it became a vibrant event venue and a staunch supporter of local musicians, fostering a strong sense of community and attracting wine lovers from across the region and beyond. The recent installation of a state-of-the-art Italian bottling machine in the winery’s cellar, capable of bottling 1,000 bottles per hour, underscores Miller’s continued investment and commitment to the winery’s future – a future now cast into uncertainty.
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After two decades of operation, Moon Dancer Winery faces an uncertain future. “We’re going to do whatever we can to fight this and to stay open,” Miller affirmed, expressing his determination to pursue appeals. “It never should have gotten this far.” He emphasized the land’s agricultural preservation status and his family’s 30-year history as “good stewards of this land,” questioning the justification for the closure. The duration of the shutdown remains unclear, leaving Miller contemplating difficult alternatives, including potential property subdivision for residential development if the closure becomes permanent.
Perko and Balsavage, the neighbors who initiated the lawsuit, have declined to comment on the winery’s closure, according to their legal representative, leaving their motivations and perspectives undisclosed.
Mike Argento, Columnist/reporter at York Daily Record, contributed to this report.
