Shown are some of the wine and pastries offered at La Vigneta Winery in Sarver. The winery recently purchased the site of the former Cooper Station Restaurant and plans to move all operations there. Butler Eagle File Photo

La Vigneta Winery, which has a tasting room in Buffalo Township, will soon move into a larger space elsewhere, as the winery has purchased the former Cooper Station Restaurant on North Pike Road.

Francesca Howden, the owner of the winery, said the business plans to relocate its operation to the new space in Winfield Township and turn it into a tasting room with a limited selection of food. The winery also plans to relocate production of wines from its 17-acre farm to the new property.

“We will move everything to the old Cooper Station — production, tastings and events,” Howden said. “We will have small bites inspired by our Italian heritage.”

This marks the second time in a year and a half that the former restaurant property has been sold. In June 2023, the property was sold to Josiah Lenzi, the owner of Lenzi Auto Sales, who planned to use the space to expand his used-car business.

Butler County property records show Howden Holdings — an LLC tied to the winery — purchased the property from Lenzi for $810,000 on Dec. 17.

Lenzi was not available for comment.

Lenzi purchased the property from Cellar Door Brewing Company, which purchased the space in late 2019 to turn it into its second tap room location. However, economic pressures from the COVID-19 pandemic forced the brewpub to place the property up for sale in January 2023 to focus on its other two locations.

The original restaurant closed abruptly in February 2019, much to the shock of residents who had patronized Cooper Station for years.

The La Vigneta Winery currently has a small tasting room located in a shopping center on South Pike Road in Buffalo Township, as well as a second tasting room in Ligonier, Westmoreland County, which opened in October 2024.

“We have worked to build our business and our recipes for over 13 years,” Howden said. “My father Chuck has perfected the flavor profiles we offer, and we keep our focus on improving our processes while staying true to the Old World style of winemaking.”

The winery plans to start business at the new location as early as April with a farmers market.

The original restaurant was well-known for the train car which faced North Pike Road and served as a Buffalo Township landmark for years. The car was relocated to the Butler Freeport Community Trail in March 2020.