Company Founders

Richard Naylor

In 1969, Dick and Audrey purchased a potato farm in Stewartstown, PA and started making plans for a vineyard. Together, they traveled the world visiting wineries and talking to winemakers about how they operate and which varietals to plant. They started planting grapes in 1975 and officially opened Naylor Wine Cellars in 1978.

Richard Naylor has been recognized as a pioneer in the wine industry. He was influential in bringing the Chambourcin varietal to America, Director of Wine America, President of the Pennsylvania Wine Association, President of the American Wine Society First Capital Chapter, member of the Society of Wine Educators, member of the South Eastern Grape Growers of Pennsylvania, and taught winemaking classes at Penn State University.

In 2013, the American Wine Society presented him with the Award of Merit, their highest honor for a lifetime of achievements in the wine industry. He was also instrumental in helping other vineyards get started and was always willing to help in any way he could. He was an open book of information and spread his knowledge generously. He believed the wine industry was a community, not a competition.

With his packaging background, he founded Wine Packaging by Naylor and created/trademarked the Ultimate Wine Cradle™. He was a champion for big bands, his favorite genre of music, and kept it alive at his Summer Sounds Concert Series. He was the smiling face that greeted you as you walked into the winery tasting room and could be found serenading customers with “Danny Boy” and “Moon River”.

Audrey Naylor

After graduating from Somerset High School, came to York to study and graduate from Thompson Business College. During her college years she worked at the Capitol Theater in York selling movie tickets, and met Richard who lived across the street with his Aunt and Uncle. They married on June 2, 1951, waited one day after her 18th birthday, as her mother insisted she not marry until she was 18. They would have celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on June 2nd this year.

After marriage, Audrey was employed as a secretary at the Engineering office of Dentsply for many years, then executive secretary at Cor Box, Inc., and then in 1978 she along, with her husband Richard, founded Naylor Wine Cellars, where she served as Vice President and Corporate Secretary up until the time of of her death.

She was a member of the First Capital Chapter of the American Wine Society. Audrey, Rich, and family are members of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in York. She was a member of a monthly ladies’ card club for over 40 years, enjoyed family vacations to Chincoteague, Va., traveling, and visiting wineries worldwide.