Wineries and Vineyards in NJ
![Wineries in New Jersey](/uploads/2/4/9/1/24915924/7036972_orig.jpg)
To say wine is popular these days is a lie. Wine has always been and probably always will be a popular activity to do. There are wine tasting and wine vineyards in the USA and you don't have to drive all the way over to California to do so - though California is admittedly one of the more popular states to get wine from. New Jersey is also a popular state to get wine in; there are quite a few wineries across the state, which produce various varietals such as red, white and blush variations. If you like wine, are interested in wine tasting, or you just would love to see a working vineyard, new Jersey has a lot of different options to choose from and they are all quite easy to get to assuming you have a car or are willing to rent a car in NJ Below, are just a handful of wineries and vineyards you should consider visiting in the state.
Vineyard vs. Wineries
Before we go any farther, it should be noted that a vineyard and a winery are two very different things! As noted by Merriam Webster a Vineyard is: a plantation of grapevines, typically producing grapes used in winemaking. On the other hand, a winery is: an establishment where wine is made. So essentially a vineyard is where the grapes are grown and "fed" to reach their peak and a winery is where the grapes are (usually) taken to and were the wine is made, usually stored in wooden barrels or other containers depending on the grape and how the wine should be stored and made in the fermentation process.
Laurita Winery
Laurita Winery is really cool and it has awesome reviews on Google +. Not only is this a winery, but it’s sort of a one stop shop in that they have different events like wine tasting, but they also have a marketplace to ensure that A) you get fed while at their winery, but also B) that you have all the foods you love to eat with wine, available to you, whenever you want. They also have an Inn at Laurita Winery that is a restored and rejuvenated Farmhouse. This is probably not going to be the best place for a family get away, but if you want to take a road trip for two lovebirds somewhere romantic, this is the place to do it! They also sell different wine items and as of right now their featured wines are Pinot Gris, Cabernet Franc 2013 and Tailgate White.
Valenzano Winery
Valenzano Winery is a very popular spot located in Shamong New Jersey and they are specifically known for their weddings at the winery. They too, have an array of activities and events planned for someone such as yourself that loves wine or even just loves the atmosphere that being in wine country gives you. Valenzano Winery has a few different events which are really popular such as the Corks & Canvas Event (Grab your friends for a new twist on an artistic evening! This delightful
Event offers two ways to enjoy an evening out! Take part in the enriching, instructional painting class. Add dinner to these plans for only $20 and enjoy a delicious 3 course Valenzano banquet, with complimentary glass of wine to enjoy before you laugh and learn step-by-step to create an artistic mural.) They also have a Wine tasting event in 2015 - September 19TH & 20TH to be exact. This is one of their premier events that they have had every year since they opened in 1996 for the Winery - before 1996 they also had their own vineyard as well, so this is definitely a family that knows their wine.
Alba Vineyard & Winery
Obviously as you can tell from the name, this is a place that is both a winery and a vineyard. The Alba Vineyard & Winery is located at Village of Finesville Milford, New Jersey 08848. Like the two places above, they have a few different events and specials, and they also sell their own wine here. If you take a look at some of the reviews online, this one as well as the two above have gotten top reviews from some of the best wine critics in the country. Alba Vineyard & Winery has a wine tasting event available in April, a Food Truck and Wine pairing on April 25 and 26 - Noon to 5 PM and a Grape Gallop on Saturday, May 9 - "Choose to run or walk the 2-mile or 4-mile (2 loops) course through picturesque Alba Vineyard. After the race, grab a glass and stimulate your taste buds by sampling Alba's award-winning wines".
Vineyard vs. Wineries
Before we go any farther, it should be noted that a vineyard and a winery are two very different things! As noted by Merriam Webster a Vineyard is: a plantation of grapevines, typically producing grapes used in winemaking. On the other hand, a winery is: an establishment where wine is made. So essentially a vineyard is where the grapes are grown and "fed" to reach their peak and a winery is where the grapes are (usually) taken to and were the wine is made, usually stored in wooden barrels or other containers depending on the grape and how the wine should be stored and made in the fermentation process.
Laurita Winery
Laurita Winery is really cool and it has awesome reviews on Google +. Not only is this a winery, but it’s sort of a one stop shop in that they have different events like wine tasting, but they also have a marketplace to ensure that A) you get fed while at their winery, but also B) that you have all the foods you love to eat with wine, available to you, whenever you want. They also have an Inn at Laurita Winery that is a restored and rejuvenated Farmhouse. This is probably not going to be the best place for a family get away, but if you want to take a road trip for two lovebirds somewhere romantic, this is the place to do it! They also sell different wine items and as of right now their featured wines are Pinot Gris, Cabernet Franc 2013 and Tailgate White.
Valenzano Winery
Valenzano Winery is a very popular spot located in Shamong New Jersey and they are specifically known for their weddings at the winery. They too, have an array of activities and events planned for someone such as yourself that loves wine or even just loves the atmosphere that being in wine country gives you. Valenzano Winery has a few different events which are really popular such as the Corks & Canvas Event (Grab your friends for a new twist on an artistic evening! This delightful
Event offers two ways to enjoy an evening out! Take part in the enriching, instructional painting class. Add dinner to these plans for only $20 and enjoy a delicious 3 course Valenzano banquet, with complimentary glass of wine to enjoy before you laugh and learn step-by-step to create an artistic mural.) They also have a Wine tasting event in 2015 - September 19TH & 20TH to be exact. This is one of their premier events that they have had every year since they opened in 1996 for the Winery - before 1996 they also had their own vineyard as well, so this is definitely a family that knows their wine.
Alba Vineyard & Winery
Obviously as you can tell from the name, this is a place that is both a winery and a vineyard. The Alba Vineyard & Winery is located at Village of Finesville Milford, New Jersey 08848. Like the two places above, they have a few different events and specials, and they also sell their own wine here. If you take a look at some of the reviews online, this one as well as the two above have gotten top reviews from some of the best wine critics in the country. Alba Vineyard & Winery has a wine tasting event available in April, a Food Truck and Wine pairing on April 25 and 26 - Noon to 5 PM and a Grape Gallop on Saturday, May 9 - "Choose to run or walk the 2-mile or 4-mile (2 loops) course through picturesque Alba Vineyard. After the race, grab a glass and stimulate your taste buds by sampling Alba's award-winning wines".