Inspiring Business Stories from the Heart of Berks County
Explore Bell Media Group's Marketing Magic in Berks County.
Storytelling With a Breath of Life
Want to explore additional Navigating Change + Uncertainty Stories from Reading, PA.? Visit the GRCA’s dedicated webpage.
Interested in learning more about a GRCA membership and a chance to be featured in an upcoming feature story?
INNOVATION ON THE HORIZON
Marco and Andrea have proven that Italian hospitality resonates just as powerfully in Pennsylvania as it does in Calabria. Their willingness to adapt, whether navigating pandemic shutdowns or expanding into new markets, stems from clarity about what never changes—the importance of making people feel welcomed, creating experiences worth remembering and bringing family and community together. As Folino Estate continues growing, they remain anchored to the philosophy that brought them success: treat every guest like family, never compromise on quality and remember that hospitality is about people, plain and simple.
Expanding the Italian Experience
The resort addresses a gap in the market. Guests already spend entire afternoons and evenings at Folino Estate. Wedding parties often wish they could stay overnight on the property. Creating accommodations transforms single visits into destination experiences, allowing people to fully immerse themselves in the Italian lifestyle Marco and Andrea have been cultivating.
This expansion requires careful navigation. Construction costs fluctuate, regulations evolve and hospitality trends shift constantly. Yet their approach remains consistent: stay true to the Italian hospitality roots, don't compromise on quality and remember that creating genuine experiences for people matters more than rapid expansion.
"We're really looking for major expansion," Andrea shares about their long-term vision. "We're excited to continue this Italian immersive hospitality concept across the United States."
The strategy balances ambition with patience—building carefully, learning from each new venture and ensuring every location maintains the authentic feel that defines the Folino approach to hospitality.
While Folino Estate continues thriving in Kutztown, Marco and Andrea's vision extends far beyond a single location. They're strategically building what they call MAF Hospitality Group—a portfolio of Italian hospitality ventures designed to bring their authentic approach to new communities.
Vintner's Table represents their first expansion beyond the estate. The concept takes Folino wines and Italian food to more intimate settings, creating neighborhood destinations where the estate's hospitality translates to different markets. They opened their first location in Phoenixville, followed by Wyomissing, with Ardmore currently under development.
"We're looking to expand that nationally," Marco explains about Vintner's Table. The model works because it maintains the essence of what makes Folino special—quality wine, authentic Italian food, genuine hospitality—while adapting to different spaces and communities.
But their most ambitious project remains close to home: a 40-room Tuscany-inspired resort on the Folino Estate property. "When you walk in, you're going to feel like you're in a Tuscany village and you won't even see the outside," Marco describes. The vision includes a central piazza, pools, hot tubs, spa services and an immersive environment that transports guests completely.
Navigating Hospitality Through Crisis and Change
The pandemic forced strategic thinking about capacity, flow and how to maintain the intimate feel of their hospitality even as demand surged. They learned to navigate the oscillating challenges—intense rushes followed by leveling periods—by staying flexible and remembering their core mission.
Beyond the operational challenges, the pandemic clarified what guests truly valued. When restrictions were lifted, people were desperately seeking connection, celebration and experiences that reminded them what they'd been missing. Folino Estate was positioned perfectly to provide exactly that.
That hunger for authentic experiences has reshaped how people approach hospitality venues, and Folino Estate's emphasis on creating memorable moments and warm hospitality has become more relevant than ever.
When COVID-19 shut down the world in March 2020, hospitality businesses faced an existential threat. For Folino Estate, barely four years old and still finding its footing, the pandemic could have been catastrophic.
"We only were a brand new business. It was at the end of 2015 that we opened, so really 2016," Andrea reflects. "Four years in, we were hit with this insane pandemic that really affected hospitality badly. We were really only starting to get comfortable with the business at that point."
The shutdown was complete. No events, no tastings, no restaurant service. Everything that made Folino Estate what it was—the gathering, the experience, the human connection—suddenly became impossible.
But the rebound revealed something powerful about what they had built. "Right after, we had a huge boom because everybody was craving restaurants again," Andrea recalls. "People didn't really realize the value of what restaurants and places like this held until they were gone."
Building a Lifestyle Brand Around Hospitality
This philosophy extends to unexpected touches—Andrea's boutique connected to the restaurant, creating a curated retail experience alongside dining. Wine tastings that educate while entertaining. Events that feel personal and comfortable rather than transactional. Even their approach to wine production emphasizes drinkability with food.
"We make great wine," Marco notes. "Obviously there's that. But for me, what I feel is most important is that feeling that people have when they come to us." Whether someone visits for a wedding, a wine tasting, a casual dinner or just to walk the vineyard, the goal remains the same: create a moment worth remembering.
Ask Marco and Andrea what business they're in, and they won't simply say "winery" or "restaurant." They've created something more expansive—a lifestyle brand built on the foundation of Italian hospitality. From wine club memberships to events, from the restaurant to retail boutique, Folino Estate offers layered experiences that keep guests coming back for different reasons.
This evolution happened organically, driven by the couple's travels to Italy and their determination to bring authentic Italian culture home to Berks County. Every summer, they take their three sons to spend time in Italy, drawing inspiration from the old-world approach to food, wine and gathering.
The hospitality industry has shifted dramatically in recent years, with expectations changing faster than ever. Yet Marco and Andrea see opportunity in this uncertainty. "Hospitality has sort of been this same concept for so many years where you go to a restaurant, you eat, you leave," Andrea observes. "I'm excited about the lifestyle concept that we're bringing. The creative experiences that we're always looking to offer, the immersiveness of it."
"I feel like what we're bringing to all of our businesses is that root of Italian hospitality. As we get busier and busier and there's less human connection, that soul value is still there."
CO-FOUNDER
"It's above all else about the feeling that people have when they come to us. They want to make a memory with their family, they want to have a great experience, they want to forget whatever worries they may have. Being able to offer something like that for people is really special."
CO-FOUNDER
FOUNDERS
The first vines went into the ground in 2014. Today, over 23,544 vines span 14 acres of rolling Pennsylvania countryside. The estate includes a winery and tasting room, as well as a full restaurant, event spaces that host up to 220 guests, and the foundation for future expansion—including a 40-room, Tuscany-inspired resort village currently in development.
What sets Folino Estate apart is the philosophy embedded in every decision: authentic Italian hospitality, quality without compromise and creating experiences that bring people together around food, wine and celebration.
Folino Estate's story begins with a real estate dream that never materialized. In 2000, Rodolfo Folino purchased 54 acres in rural Kutztown along Route 78, envisioning a housing development under his construction company, Folino & Sons Construction. After seven years of investing time and resources while battling township and environmental regulations, it became clear the project wouldn't move forward.
One evening in 2007, Marco and Andrea were relaxing at home, reading a magazine story about a husband and wife who had opened their own winery. "We looked at each other and thought, what about the property?" Andrea recalls. The Folino family had decades of restaurant experience—Rodolfo had opened Valentino's in Kutztown in the early 1980s after immigrating from Calabria, Italy, with his wife Lidia. Andrea had a background in hospitality as well; that experience, combined with Marco's construction expertise and their shared passion for Italian culture, made the pieces fall into place.
"A couple of weeks later, we had a vineyard consultant and we started planning the vineyard," Marco explains. What began as a modest retirement project quickly expanded. They wanted to get married at a vineyard and couldn't find what they envisioned. They realized if they were going to do weddings, they needed to include food. Before they knew it, the concept had grown from a 3,000-square-foot idea to a 17,000-square-foot main building, plus a 4,000-square-foot production facility.
In 2012, Marco and Andrea Folino were relaxing at home reading through a lifestyle magazine when they stumbled across a feature about a couple opening their own winery. A lightbulb suddenly went off. What if they transformed 54 acres of stalled housing development Marco’s father owned into something new? In that moment Folino Estate was born: a destination where hospitality, family tradition and authentic Italian culture blend into something greater than the sum of its parts. Andrea and Marco’s journey from a first vineyard planting in 2014 to today's thriving estate—complete with expansion plans and growing restaurant locations—proves that when you lead with genuine hospitality and refuse to compromise on quality, uncertainty becomes opportunity. This is their story.
Inspiring Business Stories from the Heart of Berks County
CO-FOUNDER
CO-FOUNDER
Explore Bell Media Group's Marketing Magic in Berks County.
Storytelling With a Breath of Life
Want to explore additional Navigating Change + Uncertainty Stories from Reading, PA.? Visit the GRCA’s dedicated webpage.
Interested in learning more about a GRCA membership and a chance to be featured in an upcoming feature story?
INNOVATION ON THE HORIZON
Marco and Andrea have proven that Italian hospitality resonates just as powerfully in Pennsylvania as it does in Calabria. Their willingness to adapt, whether navigating pandemic shutdowns or expanding into new markets, stems from clarity about what never changes—the importance of making people feel welcomed, creating experiences worth remembering and bringing family and community together. As Folino Estate continues growing, they remain anchored to the philosophy that brought them success: treat every guest like family, never compromise on quality and remember that hospitality is about people, plain and simple.
The resort addresses a gap in the market. Guests already spend entire afternoons and evenings at Folino Estate. Wedding parties often wish they could stay overnight on the property. Creating accommodations transforms single visits into destination experiences, allowing people to fully immerse themselves in the Italian lifestyle Marco and Andrea have been cultivating.
This expansion requires careful navigation. Construction costs fluctuate, regulations evolve and hospitality trends shift constantly. Yet their approach remains consistent: stay true to the Italian hospitality roots, don't compromise on quality and remember that creating genuine experiences for people matters more than rapid expansion.
"We're really looking for major expansion," Andrea shares about their long-term vision. "We're excited to continue this Italian immersive hospitality concept across the United States."
The strategy balances ambition with patience—building carefully, learning from each new venture and ensuring every location maintains the authentic feel that defines the Folino approach to hospitality.
While Folino Estate continues thriving in Kutztown, Marco and Andrea's vision extends far beyond a single location. They're strategically building what they call MAF Hospitality Group—a portfolio of Italian hospitality ventures designed to bring their authentic approach to new communities.
Vintner's Table represents their first expansion beyond the estate. The concept takes Folino wines and Italian food to more intimate settings, creating neighborhood destinations where the estate's hospitality translates to different markets. They opened their first location in Phoenixville, followed by Wyomissing, with Ardmore currently under development.
"We're looking to expand that nationally," Marco explains about Vintner's Table. The model works because it maintains the essence of what makes Folino special—quality wine, authentic Italian food, genuine hospitality—while adapting to different spaces and communities.
But their most ambitious project remains close to home: a 40-room Tuscany-inspired resort on the Folino Estate property. "When you walk in, you're going to feel like you're in a Tuscany village and you won't even see the outside," Marco describes. The vision includes a central piazza, pools, hot tubs, spa services and an immersive environment that transports guests completely.
Expanding the Italian Experience
The pandemic forced strategic thinking about capacity, flow and how to maintain the intimate feel of their hospitality even as demand surged. They learned to navigate the oscillating challenges—intense rushes followed by leveling periods—by staying flexible and remembering their core mission.
Beyond the operational challenges, the pandemic clarified what guests truly valued. When restrictions were lifted, people were desperately seeking connection, celebration and experiences that reminded them what they'd been missing. Folino Estate was positioned perfectly to provide exactly that.
That hunger for authentic experiences has reshaped how people approach hospitality venues, and Folino Estate's emphasis on creating memorable moments and warm hospitality has become more relevant than ever.
When COVID-19 shut down the world in March 2020, hospitality businesses faced an existential threat. For Folino Estate, barely four years old and still finding its footing, the pandemic could have been catastrophic.
"We only were a brand new business. It was at the end of 2015 that we opened, so really 2016," Andrea reflects. "Four years in, we were hit with this insane pandemic that really affected hospitality badly. We were really only starting to get comfortable with the business at that point."
The shutdown was complete. No events, no tastings, no restaurant service. Everything that made Folino Estate what it was—the gathering, the experience, the human connection—suddenly became impossible.
But the rebound revealed something powerful about what they had built. "Right after, we had a huge boom because everybody was craving restaurants again," Andrea recalls. "People didn't really realize the value of what restaurants and places like this held until they were gone."
Navigating Hospitality Through Crisis and Change
This philosophy extends to unexpected touches—Andrea's boutique connected to the restaurant, creating a curated retail experience alongside dining. Wine tastings that educate while entertaining. Events that feel personal and comfortable rather than transactional. Even their approach to wine production emphasizes drinkability with food.
"We make great wine," Marco notes. "Obviously there's that. But for me, what I feel is most important is that feeling that people have when they come to us." Whether someone visits for a wedding, a wine tasting, a casual dinner or just to walk the vineyard, the goal remains the same: create a moment worth remembering.
Ask Marco and Andrea what business they're in, and they won't simply say "winery" or "restaurant." They've created something more expansive—a lifestyle brand built on the foundation of Italian hospitality. From wine club memberships to events, from the restaurant to retail boutique, Folino Estate offers layered experiences that keep guests coming back for different reasons.
This evolution happened organically, driven by the couple's travels to Italy and their determination to bring authentic Italian culture home to Berks County. Every summer, they take their three sons to spend time in Italy, drawing inspiration from the old-world approach to food, wine and gathering.
The hospitality industry has shifted dramatically in recent years, with expectations changing faster than ever. Yet Marco and Andrea see opportunity in this uncertainty. "Hospitality has sort of been this same concept for so many years where you go to a restaurant, you eat, you leave," Andrea observes. "I'm excited about the lifestyle concept that we're bringing. The creative experiences that we're always looking to offer, the immersiveness of it."
Building a Lifestyle Brand Around Hospitality
"It's above all else about the feeling that people have when they come to us. They want to make a memory with their family, they want to have a great experience, they want to forget whatever worries they may have. Being able to offer something like that for people is really special."
"I feel like what we're bringing to all of our businesses is that root of Italian hospitality. As we get busier and busier and there's less human connection, that soul value is still there."
FOUNDERS
The first vines went into the ground in 2014. Today, over 23,544 vines span 14 acres of rolling Pennsylvania countryside. The estate includes a winery and tasting room, as well as a full restaurant, event spaces that host up to 220 guests, and the foundation for future expansion—including a 40-room, Tuscany-inspired resort village currently in development.
What sets Folino Estate apart is the philosophy embedded in every decision: authentic Italian hospitality, quality without compromise and creating experiences that bring people together around food, wine and celebration.
Folino Estate's story begins with a real estate dream that never materialized. In 2000, Rodolfo Folino purchased 54 acres in rural Kutztown along Route 78, envisioning a housing development under his construction company, Folino & Sons Construction. After seven years of investing time and resources while battling township and environmental regulations, it became clear the project wouldn't move forward.
One evening in 2007, Marco and Andrea were relaxing at home, reading a magazine story about a husband and wife who had opened their own winery. "We looked at each other and thought, what about the property?" Andrea recalls. The Folino family had decades of restaurant experience—Rodolfo had opened Valentino's in Kutztown in the early 1980s after immigrating from Calabria, Italy, with his wife Lidia. Andrea had a background in hospitality as well; that experience, combined with Marco's construction expertise and their shared passion for Italian culture, made the pieces fall into place.
"A couple of weeks later, we had a vineyard consultant and we started planning the vineyard," Marco explains. What began as a modest retirement project quickly expanded. They wanted to get married at a vineyard and couldn't find what they envisioned. They realized if they were going to do weddings, they needed to include food. Before they knew it, the concept had grown from a 3,000-square-foot idea to a 17,000-square-foot main building, plus a 4,000-square-foot production facility.
In 2012, Marco and Andrea Folino were relaxing at home reading through a lifestyle magazine when they stumbled across a feature about a couple opening their own winery. A lightbulb suddenly went off. What if they transformed 54 acres of stalled housing development Marco’s father owned into something new? In that moment Folino Estate was born: a destination where hospitality, family tradition and authentic Italian culture blend into something greater than the sum of its parts. Andrea and Marco’s journey from a first vineyard planting in 2014 to today's thriving estate—complete with expansion plans and growing restaurant locations—proves that when you lead with genuine hospitality and refuse to compromise on quality, uncertainty becomes opportunity. This is their story.
