Summit City Farms & Winery was named after the famous Summit between President Lyndon Johnson and Russian Premier, Alexei Kosygin in the summer of 1967 at Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) just a mile down the road from the farm and winery. The winery has only been open to the public since 2014, but judging by the crowds they are attracting (especially on weekends), they appear to be a fixture in this college town for many years to come.
The outside of the present tasting room is rather unpretentious and nicely reflects the farm on which it sits. Once inside, however, you are transported into a more modern, upscale interior, with white pine walls and a large-screen television. There are two adjoining rooms: one for overflow patrons and one with a stage area for their live music. The seating is complimented with tables for the food that you are encouraged to bring (though they do sell a nice assortment of cheeses from DiBruno Brothers). Pizza seems to be the most popular imported food, while listening to the various musical acts. There’s an eclectic vibe here, but it all seems to work for them, with the crowds to prove it.
The grapes at Summit City come from a multitude of outside sources. While they bring in grapes from elsewhere to make their wines, they make their wines from crush to bottling on site while most of their sweet fruit wines are powered with their own fresh fruits.
Red wines produced include Summit Red (Concord); Cabernet Sauvignon; Italian Dry Red (“Chianti”); American Syrah; Pinot Noir; Cabernet Franc; Chambourcin; and Boulevard Rose. Their white wines are Chardonnay; Pinot Grigio; Summit White (Niagara sweetened); Traminette; Niagara (Dry); and Summer Delight (Pinot Grigio-Nectarine).
Summit City also makes many fruit wines, including Apple; Apple (semi-sweet); Blueberry; Cherry; Clementine; Kiwi; Mango; Nectarine; Nectarine (Dry); Nectarine (semi-sweet); Peach; Peach (semi-sweet); White Peach; Pear; Plum; Pumpkin; and Strawberry.
My favorite wine here is their Syrah – definitely worth trying. Summit City wines (especially the reds) have really improved over the past year or so since my first visit. This is great, since I now have a “go-to” wine to enjoy while listening to local favorites such as TK & The Howlers or enjoying the free jazz nights on the 1st and 3rd Fridays each month. Summit City also hosts Wine and Country Music Nights on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays ($10 cover charge) and Wine and Oldies Nights on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays and 2nd and 4th Fridays monthly ($10 cover charge). Check their website calendar for more information.
The winery is open Friday 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. (10 p.m. on music nights); Saturday 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. (10 p.m. on music nights); and Sunday 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. Tastings are $8 for a taste of six wines on their menu and include a souvenir glass.
Coming attractions: I will continue to do my ongoing profiles of NJ wineries (including some which are not yet open or that do not have a tasting room). However, I will also be going off on tangents about new breweries in South Jersey (Uncapped New Jersey?), and even a book review. Relax, it’s not just any book and it is not that far off-topic. It’s about wine: Vertical (the sequel to the book upon which the movie, Sideways, was based). I was fortunate enough to receive a reviewer’s copy and am eager to dive into that and share with you the humorous further adventures of Miles and Jack. I expect a lighter than usual blog when that one is ready. As for the book, New Jersey Uncorked, my latest estimate for publication is early May.
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Cheers!
