Nova Cellars Winery · Pulaski, PA · Where It All Began
A family-owned beginning... that started in a garage.
Nova Destinations began with a simple idea: create a place where families can relax, enjoy great wine, beer, cider and cocktails, and let kids be kids. What started as a small winemaking experiment in a garage has grown into a full family of destinations across Pulaski and New Wilmington, PA — all built with passion, purpose, and community at the heart.
Walter "Walt" and Katie Novosel, born and raised in Mercer County and now living in Lawrence County, are the co-owners of Nova Destinations. The idea for Nova began when Walt traveled to Presque Isle, PA with his Uncle Dave to pick up grapes. Uncle Dave had made homemade wine for years and wanted to share his passion with Walt.
Around the same time, Katie was completing an orthopedic medical school rotation in Riverside, California. During a weekend visit, Walt and Katie explored Temecula's wine region — known for its beautiful outdoor spaces where adults relax and kids can run free. Walt knew instantly he wanted to bring that atmosphere home to Western Pennsylvania.
Back in Pennsylvania, Walt began experimenting with winemaking, tapping into his Italian roots. What started as "a small experiment" quickly turned into 30 carboys, an old family wine press, the scent of fermentation, and a basement full of fruit flies. When Katie returned from California, she kindly relocated Walt's experiment into the unfinished garage.
Word traveled fast. Monthly gatherings became weekly hangouts, and soon guests were stopping by daily. As excitement grew, the Novosels leaned on their parents — Debbie and Jerry Novosel, Pie and Linda Porter — along with Walt's sister Amanda and many close friends.
The Novosels obtained their wine license and officially launched Nova Cellars Winery. Wanting to expand the "Crafted Experience," they soon opened a second winery: Fractured Grape, inspired by Katie's medical background and their shared passion for giving back. The name was created by Walt's mother, Debbie.
In 2014, the Novosels moved their growing business to Volant, PA and launched their third brand. Walt, an engineer by trade, wanted to explore something new — hard cider. Knockin Noggin Hard Cidery opened in the historic Volant Mill before outgrowing the space and moving into the Meeting House next door. The cider line took off, eventually expanding into distribution throughout Western Pennsylvania.
The Novosels discovered a beautiful property in Pulaski, PA — the former Spring Water Acres swimming hole. It became the new home for Nova Cellars and the foundation for a larger vision. Walt's sports background — high school, college, and professional baseball — combined with memories of his uncle's bar, Billy's Black and Gold, inspired Brew 32 Craft Brewery: a sports-themed brewery with vintage 1900s black-and-white imagery.
Across every brand and every location, the Novosels built Nova around two core values: family-focused experiences and giving back to the community. In 2018, they launched Operation Grape: Drink for a Cure — their nonprofit helping individuals and families in need. This was followed by the expansion of Fractured Grape into a larger location in New Wilmington, PA, creating space to launch Hop Asylum Brewing, supporting behavioral health organizations.
In 2021, Nova added Scallywag Distilling to The Property — an immersive pirate-themed distillery tucked into the woods — along with a walking trail and a relocated version of Knockin Noggin. Guests can now enjoy a winery, brewery, cidery, and distillery all in one destination.
In 2022, the Novosels launched The Block in Sharon, PA — an ambitious themed dining district featuring five immersive concepts, each with unique décor, menus, and theatrical cocktails with smoke, fire, and effects:
Walt and Katie now have four children and continue to invest time into their family, coaching teams and building a life rooted in service. In June 2025, the Novosels chose a bold new direction: bringing all their concepts together into one unified destination — a multi-year project built around immersive spaces, family-friendly entertainment, and their signature Crafted Experience.
– Walt, Katie, Austin, McKenna, Reed, and Owen Novosel
