IT ALL STARTED IN A GARAGE
OUR STORY
We started MCC in our beloved home city of Philadelphia to contribute to the growing movement of east coast winemaking, driven by our passion for making and drinking uncomplicated, un-stuffy, unmanipulated wine. We love Philly’s neighborhood breweries, and our vision for MCC brings wine to the community with a similar vibe: in a casual, fun environment where guests can taste an array of local wines and bring their favorite bottles home.
MEET OUR WINEMAKER
An alum of The Culinary Institute of America and a Certified Sommelier through The Court of Masters, Nicholas discovered his love of wine running beverage programs in Miami. He participated in his first harvest at Truchard in Napa, California and immediately followed that with a job at Lawson Dry Hills in New Zealand. Later that same year, he and Francesca moved to Philadelphia to be closer to family with the intention of opening the city’s first independently owned urban winery.
Nicholas has further honed his skills since Mural City Cellars first vintage in 2019. He focuses on making wines for everyday consumption - easy drinking and unmanipulated - using only grapes from small growers within 300 miles of the city.
MEET FRANCESCA
Francesca has a degree from Drexel University in PR & Corporate Communications but has always had a love for the hospitality industry. While earning her degree, she worked in Stephen Starr restaurants and then moved to New York City where she managed for Tao Group. She then strengthened her operational management skills as the GM of multiple high-volume SoulCycle locations in Miami and Philadelphia as well as sales and customer service for a start-up in California.
Nicholas may have the wine skills but it’s Francesca’s business acumen, eye for style and love for community that has helped Mural City Cellars become a staple of Fishtown and the Philadelphia wine scene. Francesca handles all of the financials of the business as well as operations, sales, marketing, social media, and events.
OUR 300 MILE PROMISE
MCC makes a few varietals each year with crops from local growers who live within a 300-mile radius of the city. We harvest the grapes by hand alongside the farmers, do manual punchdowns, gently press the grapes for optimal flavor and work with local artists for the labels.
PRESS
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We're On Gordon Ramsay's Food Stars
GORDON RAMSAY’S FOOD STARS
Gordon Ramsay and Lisa Vanderpump bring their expert knowledge and unique leadership styles as they search for the next great food and beverage industry entrepreneur.
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Where to Find the Coolest Urban Wineries in the U.S
THRILLIST
Inspired by local farmers and artists, Mural City Cellars source its grapes from small growers within 300 miles of the city.
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Best Winery: Mural City Cellars
PHILADELPHIA MAGAZINE
With Adirondack chairs and pop-ups from some of our favorite local chefs, this is a shady and spacious neighborhood spot worth crossing town for.