White Horse Winery is one of New Jersey’s newest wineries. They have hit the ground running by utilizing grapes sourced from around the state, as well as from New York and California while their vines are maturing. They recently harvested the first of their grapes from their own vineyard. In the meantime they have built a beautiful tasting room (which doubles as their room for live music), with a lovely deck overlooking their vineyard and several tables with umbrellas in their courtyard. White Horse owners (Brock J. Vinton and his son, Brock J. Vinton II) live in Delaware, but appear to be very “hands-on” owners. Both have had a broad range of wine-related experience (in France and California) prior to purchasing their land in Hammonton.
White Horse’s winemaker, Seferino Cotzojay, lives on the grounds and can usually be seen in the barrel room tasting, tinkering or walking the vineyards. He is originally from Guatemala, but worked as Assistant Winemaker for Bedell Cellars in Long Island, New York before coming to White Horse Winery. The Wall Street Journal had a great story about him (written by Lettie Teague) and featured on the White Horse Winery’s website. The art work for their labels was created by Jamie Wyeth (yes that Jamie Wyeth)! They have spared no expense to make the White Horse Winery a fantastic place to enjoy fine wine, beauty and music.
White Horse Winery currently makes four white wines: 2014 Chardonnay – Lightly Oaked, 2015 Chardonnay (stainless steel fermented), Gewürztraminer (an aromatic wine with a little spice, originating in Alsace, France) and Sweet Meadows (White Blend). They also make a Dry Rose. It’s great that they do two different Chards so you can taste the difference that oak and stainless steel make in the aging process. Some people who say they don’t like Chardonnay have only had an oaky Chardonnay or an unoaked Chardonnay. While the wines obviously come from the same grape, the aroma and taste differences can be huge.
Red wines produced by White Horse include 2013 Merlot Reserve, 2013 Cabernet Franc Reserve, 2014 Nebbiolo, 2013 Vintner’s Blend (their signature red blend) and 2014 Charger (semi-sweet). All of their reds are very good. If you are patient and have a cool, dark place, you should cellar the Nebbiolo for a year or so to smooth the tannins, though it’s already quite good. The Charger did not seem as sweet as described (a good thing for dry red lovers, like myself), just a subtle kiss of sweetness, which was delightful.
The tasting room is open from Wednesday through Sunday from 12-6 PM. Tastings are $8 for your choice of five wines. This is already a “Must Try” winery. I can’t wait to taste wines made from their estate grown grapes.
Check out their live music every Saturday and Sunday.
Tried a New Jersey wine lately? Visited a New Jersey winery recently? Share your experience here.
Cheers!
