Following the driveway up to Working Dog Winery’s parking area, you get a sense of another time and place. Somehow you wouldn’t expect this beautiful vineyard and tasting room to be nestled so close to the New Jersey Turnpike. Fortunately, you can neither see the turnpike nor hear it from their covered outdoor patio or grassy environs. Located in Robbinsville, the winery used to be known as Silver Decoy, but changed their name in 2013 because another winery had a similar name. Their present name is a tribute to the working dogs on the property.
Working Dog’s tasting room is an interesting blend of modern amenities (like a couple of large screen TV’s) nicely integrated into a room that has a warm, rustic feel. On a nice day, the covered porch with vistas of the vineyards is a great place to enjoy your glass of wine. It’s also a great place to listen to their live music or enjoy their excellent sound system playing a nice mix of eclectic music, providing a nice backdrop to your wine-infused conversation.
It should be noted that all Working Dog’s grapes are estate grown on their vineyard. They offer the following White Wines: Traminette (a hybrid with a little spice), Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Viognier (originating in France and found more commonly in Virginia than New Jersey) and Riesling. They also make a Dry Rose (Equinox).
Working Dog’s Red Wines include Chambourcin, Merlot, Cab Franc, Syrah, Marechal Foch (a hybrid developed in France), Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Retriever (a full-bodied blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc and Merlot in the Bordeaux Style).
Four Sweet Wines are produced by Working Dog Winery: Sunrise Blush, Ugly Duckling Red, Ugly Duckling White and Blueberry Wine.
Working Dog has won many awards for their wines. Among their recent awards: Silver Medal for their 2015 Traminette and six Bronze Medals (2013 Merlot, 2014 Sangiovese, 2014 Chardonnay, 2013 Retriever, 2013 Cab Franc and 2015 Pinot Grigio) at the 2016 New Jersey Wine Competition. They also took home Silver Medals (2014 Sangiovese and 2013 Cab Franc) and a Bronze Medal (2014 Chardonnay) at the 2016 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition. Working Dog Winery won seven Bronze Medals for their wines at the 2015 New Jersey Wine Competition.
Working Dog Winery has expanded holiday hours. They are open Thursdays thru Sundays (closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, Christmas and New Year’s Day). Tastings cost $8 for five wine samples. They offer discounts of 10% for half case purchases and 15% for full case purchases. Check out their cool t-shirts while you’re there. Perfect for the wine lover who is also a dog lover. Be sure to check their website for up-to-date information, as well as rules governing bringing your own food and drink (and furry friends).
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Cheers!
