This is the first of several posts highlighting some of the wineries that are “coming soon.” G & W Vineyard is located in Rio Grande, near Cape May. Their name comes from the twin daughters (Grace and Willow) of Dennis Hasson. The partners (Hasson, Hellman and Thomas) are all educators in Haddonfield. My wife and I (retired educators) found ourselves immediately at home with kindred spirits. One of our tour guides for our visit, Jerry Hellman is a School Psychologist (my former occupation, before I began chasing the grape).
G & W Vineyard presently leases the land for their vineyard, with five acres under vine. They bottled their first vintage in September, 2016 (Chardonnay) and are presently building a tasting room. I learned that, in the interim a couple of their wines are sold at a restaurant in Williamstown (Monalisia). You can also purchase their wines directly from G & W. While all the partners are actively involved in the process, Dennis Hasson is acknowledged as the winemaker.
G & W makes the following dry white wines: Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio. Their reds include: Merlot, Cab Franc, and a Bordeaux Blend called Gemini (due to be released later this year). We got to taste a few of their wines, though they had only been bottled for a very brief time. I think the reds showed more potential, but time will tell.
This is an interesting winery with promise, given their location and their ardent desire to make the best wines possible, while dealing with the learning curve that all new wineries must face and overcome with hard work and the willingness to expand their knowledge base.
I look forward to watching their progress and re-visiting in the future.
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I recently began contributing to Jersey Bites, a website and magazine dedicated to food and wine in the state. My first review about a recent Hawk Haven Wine Dinner at the Cape May Ferry is posted at the link below:
https://jerseybites.com/2017/04/hawk-haven-wine-dinner-at-the-cape-may-lewes-ferry/
Tried a New Jersey wine lately? Visited a NJ winery recently? Share your experience here.
Cheers!
