Photo by Gab Bonghi

Philadelphia is known as the Mural Capital of the World, claiming that title because of the more than 4,000 murals throughout the city. Those murals are part of the inspiration behind Mural City Cellars’ moniker. Include the winery’s use of local artists for its wine labels, and the Fishtown urban winery is aptly named.

Started in 2021 by Francesca Galarus and Nicholas Ducos, Mural City hopped around a bit as it grew and finally landed at its current home on Frankford Avenue. Galarus and Ducos came to their roles at the winery with plenty of know-how.

Photo by Gab Bonghi

Galarus earned a degree from Drexel University in PR & Corporate Communications while also hosting and waiting tables at Starr’s Continental and Morimoto. She honed her hospitality skills in New York City and Miami and strengthened her operational management skills at roles in Miami, Philadelphia, and California.

Ducos is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and a certified Sommelier through the Court of Masters. While managing beverage programs at some of Miami’s top restaurants, he fell in love with wine. He pivoted to winemaking, working harvests in Napa and New Zealand, and then spent time at New Jersey wineries to familiarize himself with the mid-Atlantic region.

Their combined skills and experience are part of what makes Mural City work so well as an urban winery.

Photo by Gab Bonghi

The Wines
A favorite hangout for Fishtown locals as well as a destination for many wine lovers in the region, Mural City owns no vineyards. All grapes are sourced from within 300 miles of Philadelphia from Pennsylvania, as well as regions such as South Jersey, Maryland, and the Finger Lakes in New York.

“Not only does this allow us to highlight the amazing fruit available in this region, but it is one of the ways we can reduce impact, support local agriculture, and keep our wines connected to the region they come from,” says Galarus.

Those grapes include various hybrids such as Chambourcin and Vidal Blanc, which grow well in the mid-Atlantic. Mural City also works with Vinifera, the traditional European grapes, pointing specifically to a vineyard in Western Maryland that provides them with some “stellar Sauvignon Blanc,” Malbec for the Malbec Rosé, as well as Merlot, Petit Verdot, Riesling, and Pinot Noir.

Photo by Gab Bonghi

The wines are “unstuffy and uncomplicated,” meant for easy consumption, and accessible but also interesting. The best-selling wine is House White, a crisp, easy-drinking white made from Vidal Blanc sourced from the Lehigh Valley. Wine drinkers also love the Pet-Nat bubbles produced each year.

Whites, rosés, and sparklings are what really shine in this region, so we do tend to focus on those, but we of course always have some great reds in our portfolio,” says Ducos. We also recently started another label called Side Piece as a way to experiment with interesting varietals, processes, etc. It’s our version of a ‘winemaker’s select.’”

“We make less than two barrels each of these wines, and all are barrel aged. We currently have a Chambourcin Petit-Verdot blend on the shelves and have a few other really exciting ones due for release very soon,” he says.

Photo by Gab Bonghi

A Place in the Community
There’s an emphasis on community, too. From breaking down traditional barriers that have historically existed in the industry for the comfort of wine drinkers to playing music styles from around the world that reflect the diverse Fishtown community, the family-friendly Mural City positions itself as a welcoming place for all. Through its Impact Program, the winery donates to hyper-local initiatives. In 2025, Mural City donated $19,575 to organizations including Lutheran Settlement House, Tree House Books, WHYY, East Kensington Neighborhood Association, and The Veraison Project. The yearly collaboration wine with Mural Arts Philadelphia gives 15% of each bottle sold back to the organization.

Photo by Jordan Harris

In addition to the unstuffy and uncomplicated wines, guests at Mural City will find a selection of local beers and a variety of non-alcoholic beverages, plus a “build-your-own-board” option where they can select from a variety of meats and cheeses, nuts, tinned fish, and more. Their selections are turned into a platter with additional accompaniments. A menu of small plates includes Chips & Caviar and a Pickle Boat with pickles from Fishtown Pickle Project.

They’ll also find monthly events such as: Wine & Dandy, a drag show & cabaret; Saturday wine classes; and a monthly festival and vendor market from June to October at the Mural City Wine Garden across the street from the winery.

Hours of operation:
Monday: 4-10 PM
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 4-10 PM
Thursday: 4-10 PM
Friday: 4-11 PM
Saturday: 12-11 PM
Sunday: 12-10 PM

Address: 1831 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia

Connect: Mural City on Instagram