Thursday was a beautiful day for a road trip in the Hunterdon County area, on the Jersey side of the Delaware River. With tastings requiring reservations and with limited hours at some wineries, we decided that we would make this a quicker visit to each of the wineries than we would have liked. The good thing is that having visited all of the open and operating wineries in the state, we already knew what wines we liked, without doing a tasting. I chose three wineries within a half-hour or less from one another: Beneduce Vineyards, Old York Cellars, and Unionville Vineyards.
Since we got a later start than anticipated, we were hungry when we reached our first winery of the day-Beneduce Vineyards in Pittstown.
Beneduce Vineyards
When we arrived were able to get a delicious cheese to make a dent in our hunger. But as many of you may agree, it is nearly impossible to have a little cheese without a little wine. So we did. Carol had a glass of Chardonnay, while I enjoyed a glass of CenterFold (their excellent Pinot Noir). This was a very nice respite from out 90 minute drive. What a beautiful venue, with plenty of outdoor seating, colorful umbrellas, surrounded by greenhouses, grapevines, and a covered stage that comes alive for their weekend entertainment.
Looking over at the tasting room, we couldn’t help but admire the new windows that Mike Beneduce had custom-made to replace their original windows. A previous vintage of their Riesling had been named after them (Three Windows).
Our take home bounty consisted of the following:
- 2019 Chardonnay-Delicious medium-bodied Chard, barrel fermented and aged on the lees.
- 2020 Dry Rose-Made with their Blaufrankisch, it has a beautiful hue with strawberry notes and a crisp, refreshing finish.
- 2016 Centerfold Estate Grown Pinot Noir-medium-bodied with a silky smooth mouthfeel and notes of strawberry and truffle.
- 2017 Blue 2 Blaufrankisch-Their classic signature version with delicious black cherry notes. If you like this grape, you will love this wine.
Old York Cellars
Old York Cellars is located in Ringoes (as is our next winery, Unionville Vineyards). I love their new Tented area that looks too attractive to be called a tent. We will definitely get back here soon to take in some music and food. Until then we stocked up on some of our favorites here, with a heavy emphasis on the whites. I fell in love with their Pinot Gris the last time we visited. Our take home consisted of the following:
- 2018 Chardonnay Reserve-A very good medium-bodied, barrel-aged Chard, with notes of apple and peach.
- 2020 Pinot Gris (2 bottles)-I picked up two bottles because it is still my favorite NJ Pinot Gris. Crisp and refreshing with notes of lemon and green apple.
- What Exit White-Unoaked blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. It is off-dry with a smooth finish.
Unionville Vineyards
Our last stop was at Unionville Vineyards. They were setting up for some tastings outside in their tented area in front of their tasting room. I always think of Unionville Vineyards as a little taste of France-with grapes like Marsanne, Rousanne, Counoise, and Viognier-the words come tripping off the tongue like my best day in High School French. So sophisticated. Other New Jersey wineries are producing Viognier, but I can’t think of another turning out the other three. The style employed in making their wines like Chardonnay-subtly oaked, utilizing French oak barrels, adds to the French influence. Even the rustic barn that serves as the tasting room and fermenting space seem like a bit of French countryside.
The bottom line is you must stop in if you are in the area and definitely try their wines. You won’t be disappointed. I was happy to take home the following bottles:
- 2019 Estate Chardonnay-A medium-bodied blend of Chardonnay from three of their vineyards; a tasty, citrusy Chard with ample acidity, but a very pleasant mouthfeel.
- 2019 Hunterdon Mistral Blanc-A full-bodied, lush blend of Viognier (50%); Marsanne (25%); and Rousanne (25%). I have been saying for several years that this is one of my favorite white blends anywhere.
- 2020 Hunterdon Mistral Rose-A super blend of Syrah (54%); Petite Syrah (25%); and Counoise (21%). Sweet on the nose, fruity, but dry on the palate. A wonderful springtime treat! One of my favorite New Jersey Rose wines.
- 2019 Revolutionary Red-A blend, primarily made of Cabernet Sauvignon, yet low in tannins. A very food-friendly wine with nice acidity.
What a nice way to end a great New Jersey wine road trip! We actually would have added a fourth stop, at Hopewell Valley Vineyards. Unfortunately, they apparently close at 3:00. That one will have to wait until next time.
Cheers!
Coming Attractions
- Heard it Through the Grapevines (Music in the Vineyards)
- Send in the Clowns (Wineries offering Comedy)
- Laurita Delivers (Tasting some of their wines at home)
- Chilling out at Autumn Lake Winery’s newly opened tasting room
E-Reading Bargain Hunters:
Download my New Jersey Uncorked now at the Apple iBook store for only $8.99 using the coupon code WineNot
Tried a New Jersey wine lately? Visited a NJ winery recently? Please share your experience here in the comment section below. Like what you read and see here? It couldn’t be easier to subscribe below and get your weekly pour of New Jersey wine right in your inbox. No spills. No mess.
