Twin Branch Winery in Milton opened to the public in April 2023 on 27 acres of fallow farmland that had been in the family for decades. Its tasting room was a welcome addition to the Delaware wine scene, quickly becoming a local favorite. A dog-friendly one, at that.
The winery had plans to expand on its initial footprint by hosting weddings and other events. But a December storm and permitting woes shut down the good vibes indefinitely, leading to repairs, renovations and indefinite closure.
Evidently, a winery alone was allowed on the property zoned AR-1, agricultural-residential. The county said Twin Branch required a conditional-use zoning permit to operate as a wine tasting and events venue.
So a springtime grand reopening kept getting pushed back, even after a new 20,000-gallon water tower for fire prevention was completed in June and a new sprinkler system passed the fire marshal’s inspection.
Earlier this month, the winery posted on Facebook, “We are facing challenges from the county, which has informed us that we cannot reopen under our previous farm winery license. We applied for a conditional-use license in March 2024 to better accommodate larger events, but now it appears this license is necessary for any reopening at all. We share your confusion and frustration about these restrictions, especially since our operations have not changed.”
Twin Branch has remained closed now for nearly a year, to the frustration of its owner and Delaware wine lovers alike. But that could soon change.
At 3 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 20, the Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission has scheduled a public hearing on the winery’s application for a conditional-use zoning permit to use an existing outside area as a wine tasting, wedding, corporate and special events venue.
More than 600 supporters of Twin Branch have signed its online petition to reopen. You can add your name at www.ipetitions.com/petition/support-twin-branch-winery. Or voice your support at sussexcountyde.gov. Go to the site’s Government tab, select Your Government, then Planning & Zoning Commission, and click the blue link to submit comments electronically.
Let’s help Twin Branch Winery get back on its feet. It’s the kind of small business that enriches the Town of Milton and enlivens our coastal Delaware way of life. Cheers!
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