Tasting Culture Through Wine
Anthropologist and attorney Jill Bennett Gaieski and attorney and wine educator Lori Kettering Knauer, are the founders of Village Vine, a wine bar and bistro in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. Village Vine brings together unique, delicious, affordable wines by the glass, flight and bottle, and original small and large shareable dishes made from local and regional ingredients, to guests eager to learn about and experience the joys of lesser known wine-producing locales and the food that accompanies them. Featured wines come from national and international family and small collective producers, often made from indigenous grapes that Americans are only just beginning to discover. Lori and Jill believe that wine can be an important key to understanding and appreciating the uniqueness of a culture. What is important to a people is often found in their wines. The dynamic, hand selected wine list, combined with a regional menu will enhance guest dining experiences because included with each taste is a story, a people and a place that can be new and engaging.
Lori and Jill both live in Swarthmore - Lori, with husband Craig, son Jake and dog Belle, Jill - with husband David, two sons Ethan and Clay and dogs Ginger and Hazel.

From the Press
The Philadelphia Inquirer
After more than 125 years as a dry borough, Swarthmore finally has a new wine bar and bistro that makes the long-fought battle to allow alcohol sales in this college town worthwhile. And if the hungry crowds basking in the fiery glow of heat lamps in the landscaped parklet with 20 seats in front of its downtown storefront are any indication... read more
Main Line Today
Lori Knauer and Jill Bennett Gaieski figured that, if they were going to bring a wine bar to a dry town, it would be wise to attend Vinexpo New York. So, in February 2018, they had business cards made identifying themselves as the proprietors of a nonexistent business and showed up at... read more
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Chef Juan Ocampo’s regular menu at Swarthmore’s first wine bar focuses on high-quality approachable food that pairs well with the bar’s finely curated international inventory... read more
Delaware County Daily Times
The board voted 6-1 for approval, with Councilwoman Jill Gaieski abstaining. Her reason was a legitimate and delightful conflict: Gaieski and business partner Lori Knauer are on the verge of opening Village Vine, a wine bar/restaurant that will be unique in the “village” of Swarthmore... read more
The Swarthmorean
Mushroom strudel. Citrus-cured salmon. “Duck duet” risotto. Those were some of the dishes on the menu when Village Vine, Swarthmore’s first-ever wine bar and bistro, celebrated its grand opening last week. On the wine list: selections from Italy, Turkey, Chile, and upstate New York, among many other places... read more
The Swarthmorean
In a decision issued late last week, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board approved Village Vine LLC’s’ application for the transfer of a restaurant liquor license. Partner Lori Knauer said, “We’re delighted that the license has been approved and look forward to starting renovations and opening for business"... read more
The Swarthmorean
Like quite a few of their fellow Swarthmoreans, Jill Gaieski and Lori Knauer enjoy a glass of good wine. Together, they’ve also pursued the Certified Specialist in Wine designation at the Wine School in Philadelphia, a serious program that incorporates aspects of oenology and oenophilia. Now, out of their appreciation of wine, its variety and lore, the two are working to bring Swarthmore a wine bar and bistro named Village Vine... read more