Merry Christmas! Sorry for the delay…
It is difficult to narrow down my favorite NJ winery moments for the past year (with over 50 weeks of sharing my experiences during the year). But I will try. Traditional tastings are back, along with Flights, and hybrids of the two. I’ll start my highlights with five exceptional tastings. Among my favorite tastings of the year, I chose to highlight the following: Unionville Vineyards, Old York Cellars, Working Dog Winery, Hawk Haven Vineyards, and Cedar Rose Vineyards.
Unionville Vineyards
At Unionville Vineyards my wife and I had a wonderful tasting, seated at the bar area. We got to try all of the dry whites and reds and two excellent Roses. Our server was exceptional. We just love the wines here and the ambience. Add an enthusiastic and knowledgable server to the mix and it’s hard to beat the overall experience.
You can read more about this experience here: https://wp.me/p74VSa-dHq
Old York Cellars
At Old York Cellars, we combined a tasting with a terrific paired three course meal, while enjoying the outdoors, but protected from the weather in one of their awesome cabanas overlooking the vineyards. We visited this winery in Ringoes, back in April.
You can read more about this experience here: https://wp.me/p74VSa-dDz
Hawk Haven Vineyards
At Hawk Haven Vineyards, we did a special preview tasting with, owner and winemaker, Todd Weurker. It’s great when you can have the winemaker lead your tasting, giving you insights into the vintage (challenges, as well as high points, etc.). Located in Rio Grande, they are a short drive to lovely Cape May.
You can read more about this experience here: https://wp.me/p74VSa-dNr
Cedar Rose Vineyards
Our tasting at Cedar Rose was great for a couple of reasons. We had the upstairs tasting area to ourselves, overlooking the vineyard. We were also joined by owner and winemaker Dustin Tarpin, to taste the last few offerings, which were newly bottled (and even a couple from the barrel).
You can read more about this here: https://wp.me/p74VSa-dQZ
Working Dog Winery
Most recently, we visited Working Dog Winery in Robbinsville and had fantastic tasting with Jody, our server. We got to taste all of their dry wines, guided by Jody, a terrific server. She is also a graduate of the Wine School of Philadelphia and writes a blog about wines of Israel (Israel Wine Girl). After our tasting we spent a little time on their enclosed porch (with heat lamps-it was in December).
You can read about that here: https://wp.me/p74VSa-dTW
My Other 2023 Highlights Include…
Garden State Wine Growers Association Dinner at Tomasello Winery
I was honored to be invited to this dinner and wine tasting event in honor of the Judgment of Princeton. The dinner was at Tomasello Winery in Hammonton. It was a great dinner, with wonderful wines from a number of New Jersey wineries. This event was one in a week long series of special events sponsored by The GSWGA, which highlighted the visit of two sommeliers from Italy, attending several of these winery events. The initiative was capped off shortly after these events with Jules and Scott Donnini (from Auburn Road Vineyards-they are the owners and Jules is the winemaker there) serving wine in Italy at the embassy in Rome. You can read more about these events on the GSWGA website here: newjerseywines.com
I wrote briefly about this experience here: https://wp.me/p74VSa-dGW
Lunch with Orley Ashenfelter and Larry Coia
I was invited to have lunch, a tour, and conversation with Orley Ashenfelter, “The Father of Wine Economics” and Larry Coia, another well- known and respected grape grower in the Vineland Area. This was a very informative and enjoyable day that meant a lot to me.
You can read more about my visit here: https://wp.me/p74VSa-dMe
Turdo Vineyards: Our Final Visit
Finally, we will always remember our last visit to Turdo Vineyards, with happy memories from so many wonderful visits over the years, and so many superb wines. But our last visit was really special. My wife and I got to reminisce about this wonderful winery with the amazing family responsible for making the wines, while enjoying a glass of their wine on their gorgeous patio.
You can read more about our final visit here: https://wp.me/p74VSa-dP4
Coming Attractions
- What I’m Looking Forward to in 2024
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David,
We are flattered to be listed at the top of your NJ wine experiences this year. We work very hard to provide a fun, educational, convivial experience and I’m glad that comes through to visitors. It is always good to see you and Carol in the tasting room. Cheers to a prosperous 2024!
John, we always enjoy our visits to Unionville Vineyards. You and all of the staff are always so positive and knowledgable and make the experience special. Needless to say, Carlo DeVito is a gem. But you have always been lucky to have excellent winemakers over the years. Perhaps next time we can get to visit your wife’s restaurant (before or after our visit to the winery). I might need a reminder of the name and location (If I recall, it is nearby). Happy and Healthy New Year to you and your family!