Fire destroys Moyer Winery and Restaurant, a staple in the region since 1972

A firefighter is recovering and the Adams County community is reeling after an overnight fire destroyed a decades-old winery.

Chief Rick Bowman said he thinks the fire started in the kitchen of Moyer Winery and Restaurant at about 3 a.m. Thursday. One firefighter became overwhelmed by the heat and was taken to a local hospital. The firefighter is expected to be OK, Bowman said.

Police have US-52 closed in both directions in Aberdeen, about seven miles from the fire, because crews have to get water from hydrants there and take it back to the scene.

About 85 firefighters worked to control the fire, Bowman said.

The beloved winery has been in Manchester since 1972. It started as a hobby for then-retired Ken Moyer and his wife, Mary, according to the The Highland County Press.

When the joint opened, it had just two dishes on the menu: beef bourguignon and bean and bacon soup. Mary’s bean and bacon soup is still on the menu.Several couples have purchased the winery since then in an effort to keep it in the community, The Highland County Press reported.

Fire investigators will determine the official cause of the fire.

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