Rob Kobrzynski embodies the hard-working, determined mentality he learned from his Polish immigrant parents. Arriving alone and without speaking the native language, the family started out in South River, New Jersey before settling in East Brunswick.

His upbringing as an immigrant child instilled a strong work ethic and drive for success. After exploring music and art during high school, Rob pursued visual communications at the Art Institute of Philadelphia. Returning to the Garden State, he worked in advertising and marketing for 25 years, eventually rising to Creative Director in Manhattan.

Looking to escape the hectic city life, Rob and his wife, Christine—whom he met in high school and has been married to for nearly 30 years—built a second home on Lake Wallenpaupack in the early 2000s.

In NEPA, they could relax, unwind, and enjoy lake life, eventually settling in Tafton full-time. Since their relocation, they’ve established three businesses: first Lake Art, featuring Rob’s photography and graphic artwork; then Three Hammers Winery, borne from the couple’s passion for good wine and world travel; and finally, Milford Wine & Cheese Co.—because who doesn’t love cheese with their wine?

After a tour of the beautiful grounds and facilities at Three Hammers Winery, Rob shared how his hobby for wine turned into a passion and ultimately a successful business. And we pressed him to tell us, Why NEPA?

How long have you lived in NEPA?

22 years.

What do you love about your town?

I love the fact that I can wake up with my coffee, look outside and be surrounded by green. Just the solitude and serenity of it. We do have a little view of the lake, so it’s just nice to look at the lake. It kind of makes you unwind from the everyday stressful life that we all have by having that in my backyard and being surrounded by Tafton and Hawley, two really great little towns with a hometown feel. The people are so nice. All those factors are kind of what makes me get up in the morning and smile.

What’s your favorite NEPA restaurant?

The New Inn at Lackawaxen, they’re located right down the road from us, and they’re right on the Delaware River. Not only do they carry our wines – I love local supporting local, I love that fact. They have great food. Great bar nights. And then they’re right on Delaware with amazing views with bald eagles flying up and down all day. It’s awesome.

What’s your favorite thing to do in NEPA?

Working professionally, having these businesses set up here, and just meeting so many kind folks that really appreciate what we’re doing here and enjoying our brands and what we have set up here.

Personally, I like fishing. I love fishing Lake Wallenpaupack and all the area’s streams, lakes, and ponds. Fishing and golf are my top two outside-of-work activities. And I play guitar when I have the time. Not very well (laughs).

What’s next for you?

Business-wise, expanding our brand into different markets and different towns in Pennsylvania. Putting the word out of what we’re doing here and letting people know who we are and where we are. We are the farthest northeast winery in the state. We’re surrounded by so many touristy things for people to come and do, between hiking and boating and fishing. We have Woodloch Resort that surrounds us, so it’s a constant influx of tourists.

I think the number one thing is just to continue doing what we’re doing: putting smiles on people’s faces when they come to either Lake Art or Three Hammers and just want to come and relax with us and taste our really nice, finely crafted wines.

Where do you see NEPA heading in the future?

I find it to be very promising from the different things that I see and hear, be it social media or through word of mouth of individual small business growth, restaurants popping up, breweries popping up, and little niche stores.

Why NEPA?

The potential for the growth and expansion of like-minded businesses that want to tap into this tourism potential – there’s so much opportunity. We border New York and New Jersey.  Our parking lot on a weekend, you could count the cars from New York or New Jersey, and of course the PA folks that are here too, and the locals.

Hiking, the nature – how I mentioned before waking up in the morning. And just being like, wow. Put the phone down and let’s look at Mother Nature. Let’s be surrounded by it. Let’s get on a boat for the afternoon. Skiing. There’s just so much here and for people to travel within two hours to our neck of the woods is something really cool. And I think there’s a lot of potential in growth for that sort of thing. I hope to see it grow even more.