Structural Changes
Auburn Road Vineyard & Winery is located in Pilesgrove. For my wife and I it is a pleasant drive in the country. It’s been several months since we have visited Auburn Road and it turns out, much is new there. The first thing I noticed is all of the building and construction going on. Looking out from the parking lot, there is a new structure that is going up a short distance from their tasting room. When completed, this building will utilized for special events. Like the tasting room, it will have a lovely view of the vineyards.
The next thing I noticed was the workers on the patio area, replacing and adding some supportive joists that branch out over the patio. They also added two doors connecting the Enoteca with the patio (previously there was only one). This should be helpful for patrons and stafff on busy nights going back and forth. With all of this going on, Auburn Road has managed to not only stay open, but maintain the attractive tasting room for patrons. They only recently closed for a couple of days, during the height of the construction, but Mother Nature was discouraging most folks from going out during those few days, anyway.
Oenological Changes
Jules, the winemaker and co-owner, has been busy adding to the wine selection since our last visit. While there are still bottles of some of our old favorites (like The White Bottle, Gaia, Eidolon, and Good Karma), they have added a new line of wines with grapes curated from the west coast. They call this series the Spirit Animal Collection, with names like Bison, Dragonfly, Hummingbird, Lioness, and SheWolf. My wife and I decided on flights that offered the new wines that were in stock with the addition of a couple of old favorites. Thankfully, they continue to offer delicious options for the hungry patrons, artfully pairing charcuterie with the wine flights via what they call their Buddha Baskets.
My flight consisted of the following:
- Lioness-It is a delicious light red blend of Tempranillo, and Merlot. It is an easy drinking, food-friendly blend (and at $18 per bottle, it is also a bargain).
- Bison-100% Organically grown Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes were curated by Jules from the Pacific Northwest. It is dark and full-bodied.
- SheWolf-My favorite of the new wines that I was able to taste. It is 100% Malbec, dry and full-bodied, with vanilla and chocolate notes.
- Gaia-This returning favorite is a great dry, red blend of Cab Franc (primary component); Merlot; and Petit Verdot.
My Wife’s Flight:
- Blanc Nu-A Chardonnay, fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks
- The White Bottle-One of our favorite Chardonnays; it is fermented in stainless steel, then aged sur lie* in French Oak for six months. The result is a creamy, aromatic, Chard with lots lively acidity and a luscious mouth-feel.
- Dry Rose-Made from a blend of reds and in the Provence style- light in color and body, with notes of citrus and strawberry.
- Bison-See above, as it was also in my flight.
My wife and I had a thoroughly enjoyable light lunch and wine tasting and look forward to returning soon. We are hoping that the Friday Night Pasta dinners will return soon, but that has not been decided on yet (though patrons are clamoring for its return). In the meantime, they continue to have live music and Open Mike on Thursday Nights. One of these days I just might get up the nerve (or drink enough wine) to play a couple of songs there.
Cheers!
Our Take Home for the Day
From left to right above: 2019 Eidolon, Spirit Animal, SheWolf, Spirit Animal Lioness, 2020 Barrel Reserve Chardonnay, The White Bottle, and 2019 Gaia. These beauties, displayed in my cellar, will either be tucked into their perches under our church pews (reds) or put in our fridge in the garage (whites). Truth is, I already put the White Bottle to good use last night to pair with a home-cooked Spaghetti al Limone. I’m sure we’ll find a good use for the others in the very near future.
Tried a New Jersey wine lately? Visited a NJ winery recently? Please share your experience here. Like what you read and see here? It couldn’t be easier to scroll down and hit the “Subscribe” button and receive your weekly pour of NJ wine right in your inbox. No spills. No mess.
