By Steve Svetovich
Dan Schreffler, 60, and his wife, the former Lisa Magnotta, settled in Dunmore 22 years ago and the couple has no regrets.
Schreffler, married for 25 years and originally from West Hazleton, received an associate degree in computer science from Penn State Worthington and worked in the software engineering business before a 26-year career at Metropolitan Life Insurance. He and his wife moved to North Apple Street in Dunmore 22 years ago.
After retiring from Metropolitan Life, he decided seven years ago to start a wine-making business in Dunmore.
He opened Space Time Mead Cider Works, 419 South Blakely St., Dunmore, seven years ago.
The business specializes in honey wine, hard cider and maple syrup wine. Local honey is also sold. The honey comes from Murphy’s Bee Farm Honey in Newton Township.
“We were taught to make the maple syrup wine by a gentleman in the New England region,” said Schreffler, an affable fellow. “We get the syrup from Lochs Maple Farm in Tunkhannock.
“Most of our resources come from within 40 miles of the winery. We are very big on supporting local. All of our wine is homemade. It’s made right in the back of the store.
“We are the only winery in Northeast Pennsylvania that resources all of its ingredients within the state.”
Schreffler said starting the business in Dunmore was a dream come true, although he is looking to possibly retire by the end of this year.
“I love it,” he said. “The best part of the business is the people I get to meet. I never got to meet so many people in corporate America. I meet more people in one year than I ever did working for three decades in corporate America.
“My wife and I, however, have reached the age where we are talking about retiring. It’s almost certain we will retire by the end of the year. We want to enjoy the business until that time comes.”
The Dunmore wine maker also believes in giving back to the community.
“We give at least 10 percent of our revenues back to the community,” he said.
“We give a good portion of our revenue to various community events and fundraisers. One big one for us is the Lackawanna River Conservation Association. We also help with the Dunmore Cemetery and decorate for the reenactment scenes held by Julie Etsy.”
Schreffler has also been Judge of Elections in Dunmore for the past 20 plus years.
“I love Dunmore,” he said. “I like a walkable community. There are good people and food everywhere. I’m so happy we landed here.”
Schreffler, who has earned national awards for his products, is a mover and shaker in the borough with his mead and cider. The awards include three times winning Best Meads at the Annual American Wine Society Competition and several Double Gold winning meads.
Schreffler, currently training for a half marathon run, is the state’s only American Cider Association Certified Pommelier which is essentially a sommelier for cider. He is also a Beer Judge Certification Program certified mead and cider judge.
“I am lucky to be living in Dunmore,” he said. “It is a walkable, generally quiet community. I can walk to the corners and get so much great food, including sandwiches, pizza, pasta, candy and chocolates from the Dunmore Candy Kitchen, ice cream from Mannings, and breakfast from the Bucktown Diner.
“We have easy access to quality health care, arts and culture and an active running community in neighboring Scranton. We live here because it has access to almost anything we want. What it lacks is usually less than four hours away.”
