After eight years at one of the region’s best wineries, Grace Winery winemaker Sean Kramer has decided it is time for him and his family to look for new challenges elsewhere, writes Paul Vigna for the Harrisburg Patriot-News.

“There’s no bad blood or anything,” he said. “We feel that it’s just time to find our own thing.”

While not certain about the exact timing of his departure, Kramer aims to find a new position before the beginning of the next school year. Fans of Grace’s wine need not worry, however, as a new winemaker at the Glen Mills winery is already in place.

A graduate of Denison University in Ohio, Kramer initially worked in resort management and hospitality in Jamaica and California. He then moved to the Sweetwater Farm Bed and Breakfast, where he worked as an innkeeper until Grace Winery was founded in 2008.

Grace Winery gave him the chance to broaden his horizons, as he worked not only as the innkeeper, but also as winemaker, vineyard manager, and chef.

One of the first big breakthroughs for the winery, owned by Chris Le Vine, nephew of the late Grace Kelly, was when its 2010 rosé received a royal reception at a brunch held the day after the wedding of Prince Albert of Monaco.

While rosé became Grace Winery’s signature product, its wide variety of red and white wines are also popular. Kramer notes that particular success has come from sticking to making dry wines.

“We have stuck with the dry lineup,” he said. “We have always felt if we do too much sweet wine, it will take away from the classic dry wines.”

Read more about Grace Winery in the Harrisburg Patriot-News by clicking here.