Hall of Fame NFL Coach Dick Vermeil spent seven years of his career in Philadelphia, and ended up making the state his home.

But he originally hails from wine country in Napa County, California, and has run a wine label for over a decade.

On Thursday, Vermeil traveled to Schuylkill County to sample the wines of his adopted state. At King Solomon Vineyards, near Orwigsburg, he talked about the wine business and some football, with the owners and staff.

“I never turn down an opportunity to sip on a glass of wine,” Vermeil said. “Plus, Schuylkill County is beautiful.”

Growing up in wine country, Vermeil came from a family who made their own wine for generations. He picked it up as a hobby himself around the time of his Super Bowl-winning season with the Rams. Today, he owns a wine label and tasting room in Napa.

Though he still displays the energy he did as an NFL coach - even at 85 years old - Vermeil says he’s not competitive when it comes to winemaking. For him, it’s about making a good product and continuing a family tradition.

“In Napa Valley, if you can’t talk about wine, the conversations are very short,” he said.

Last year, through a mutual friend, Vermeil met Dr. Solomon Luo, a Schuylkill County eye doctor who owns King Solomon Vineyards with his wife, Wendy. The two winemakers made plans to have Vermeil visit the vineyard, which came to fruition this week.

Vermeil’s visit fell at the tail end of the vineyard’s harvest, giving him a chance to pluck grapes off the vine in the fields and taste the finished product.

“To have the coach right here in Schuylkill County, we are so honored,” Luo said.

King Solomon started growing grapes in 2010 in North Manheim Township, just outside of Orwigsburg. The vineyard has been expanding its fields ever since, harvesting more than 40,000 pounds of grapes each year. They specialize in dry red wines - fairly unique among Pennsylvania wineries - with vision-themed names like 20/20 to honor Luo’s profession.

Hosting a Napa Valley winemaker was a great opportunity for King Solomon Vineyard Manager Steven Agosti to discuss grape varieties and different aspects of the wine business. Napa Valley is known for producing prestigious, expensive wines.

“Their region promotes high-end wine. But Pennsylvania’s wines have been getting more competitive through the years,” Agosti said.

Though it was Vermeil’s first visit to the winery, it wasn’t his first time in Schuylkill County. He fondly recalled visiting the area with close friend and fellow hall of famer, Chuck Bednarik, who did business with Mrs. T’s Pierogies.

During his visits with Bednarik, Vermeil didn’t know that the area was suited to growing wine grapes. But after tasting wines at King Solomon, he’s convinced that the area can produce quality wine.

“He’s doing it right, and I think people are going to enjoy it,” Vermeil said.