More PA wines slated to be sold in state liquor stores this summer

(Harrisburg) -- The growing "buy local" movement will soon hit some of the state's liquor stores.

The Pennsylvania Winery Association is partnering with the Liquor Control Board to add more wines from around the state starting this summer.

Pennsylvania Winery Association Executive Director Jennifer Eckinger says wineries must be part of the commonwealth's official brand of agricultural products grown or made in the state to participate. "Wineries must be members of PA Preferred, so it identifies a greater significance to buy local, which has been popular throughout the country, and, thankfully, throughout the state."

Eckinger says the program could be especially helpful to small wineries that don't produce enough wine to regularly stock their products at the commonwealth's stores.

She says the organizations will iron out the details of the deal within the next few months.

Pennsylvania has about 150 wineries, which are estimated to add more than $2 billion to the state's economy each year.