Wine Lovers unite! South Carolina is getting a new winery! And it’s just across the border in Chester County. E. & J. Gallo is bringing its new east coast hub to Fort Lawn, South Carolina. Gallo will fill a void in the community that was been there ever since the Spring Industries textile plant in 2007. Fort Lawn, which is home to less than 1,000 residents is located at the intersection of SC Highway 9 and US Highway 21.
E. & J. Gallo Winery is the nation’s largest winemaker. The hub will create 496 jobs in the region, to begin with, and more coming as operations grow. This will be a major boost to the small-town economy that has been struggling since the textile industry’s exit. Construction on the South Carolina winery plant is supposed to wrap this summer which includes a production facility, bottling and canning, warehouse, and distribution center.
No word yet on if they will have a tasting room open to the public. But here’s to hoping!