Sky Acres Winery is located in Far Hills, NJ. They opened their unique winery in 2014. I wrote about them in a post here (https://wp.me/p74VSa-6l) back in 2016. They are unique in several respects. The owners, Meera and Vijay Singh, not only make very good wine, they make the wine in a very eco-friendly process, using an extremely limited amount of water in the entire process. The process is the brainchild of Vijay. He is a biotech scientist and he holds numerous patents for his work in that field. His wife, Meera has a great complimentary skill set-She is a graphic designer and a WSET level 3 sommelier. Her contributions are both assisting Vijay with what goes into the bottles, as well as the art work that she creates for the bottle labels (which have won numerous awards).
In addition to the elimination of most of the water typically needed to make the wine (and clean fermenters, etc.), they do not use sulfites because their unique process keeps the wine safe without sulfites.
Since in person tastings are not possible at Sky Acres Winery at this time, I chose to place an order online and take another look at the wines they make.
My online order consisted of six wines:
- Sauvignon Blanc American 2019-Delicious notes of lemon-lime.
- Black River Red 2018-Made from Marechal Foch grapes grown on their property. This silky smooth wine was my biggest surprise. I can see why the 2017 won Best in Class for Red Blend: Red Native/Hybrid at the 2019 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. At $15 it is also a real bargain.
- Cabernet Franc New Jersey 2016-a medium to full-bodied red, with enough structure to cellar, yet smooth, once it opens up.
- Pinot Noir-The 2019 pictured below was a classic American Pinot Noir (made with grapes outside the state). With notes of cola and tasting like several California Pinots I have enjoyed, it was one of the highlights of my recent on-line purchase. Silky smooth with a great “mouthfeel.”
- China Clipper-The 2016 vintage pictured below is a dry red, rich with fruit, but with a dry finish. The Singhs recommend pairing it with Chinese food. I could definitely see that working, but I put it to use with a spicy tomato-based Tuscan-style dish. It paired well and was also tasty all by itself.
- Petite Syrah American 2017 is pictured below. This was my favorite when my wife and I visited. in 2016. The present version was not quite as smooth, but had the richness and boldness that I recalled. The 15% ABV was in evidence, with its characteristic warmth.
Most of their grapes are sourced from other growers around the state or elsewhere in the U.S. Sky Acres also makes an American Cab Franc, an American Cabernet Sauvignon and Mr. Big (an American red blend). They have also made a Chardonnay in the past, but that is not available at this time.
Sky Acres Winery has won a number of medals at wine competitions and was named New Jersey Winery of the Year at the NYIW (New York International Wine) Competition in 2019 and 2018.
Though they have established that they make some very good wines, their primary goal is to be a proving ground for their patented process of making great wine with a new and sustainable method, while utilizing a minimal amount of water and having a minimal impact on the environment. The unique process results in a boldness in taste and color, with more body in the wines. The Singhs sell their GOfermentors and all of the equipment needed to make wine. A more recent development includes smaller versions that can fit in a closet! Speaking of the process…
I can’t do their “GOfermentor” system justice, but you can read about their unique winemaking process at their website (skyacreswinery.com). You can also read about the process in Wine Spectator (November 15, 2015).
Sky Acres Winery is only open for tours and tastings by appointment. With the present restrictions in the state due to COVID-19, a personal tour or tasting may not be possible for awhile. They also have a yearly Open House in October. If things open up a bit more you can get a fascinating up-close look at the whole process and taste the fruits of their labor. But you don’t have to wait for that. You can order four or more bottles online now and have them delivered for free in New Jersey.
Cheers!
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