They traveled to Bethlehem Pa. From Bethlehem, Zinzendorf traveled the Tulpehocken Trail north through Indian country to the Indian settlement of Shamokin (present day Sunbury). He planed to bring the Gospel to the Indians. It appears he did not have much success evangelizing the Indians in fact narrowly escaped with his life on several occasions.

On his trip north he passed by what would one day be our vineyard. When he saw the beautiful stream that flows here, he named it Benigna’s Creek. We actually have a copy of an old map that is displayed in a museum in Germany where the Mahantongo Creek is named Benigna’s Creek. The map is displayed at the winery along with photos of Benigna and her family.

Zinzindorf eventually left Pa and went home to Bavaria. Benigna settled in the Bethlehem area. She would start the first all girls’ school in America. George Washington actually sent a letter to Benigna asking if his grand nieces could attend her school.

In the grape industry, a site where the grapes can see water, is considered good because there is often good air drainage down to the water. Our vineyard overlooks Benigna’s Creek. So for us, the name Benigna’s Creek was a natural choice for a unique name for the vineyard and winery and a chance to bring back some local history.