Sip & Stay: 10 Dog-Friendly Wineries to Explore in New Jersey. New Jersey’s wine country offers a delightful blend of scenic vineyards and welcoming atmospheres, perfect for wine enthusiasts and their canine companions. Whether you’re seeking a relaxing day trip or a weekend getaway, these dog-friendly wineries across the Garden State ensure that both you and your furry friend can enjoy the experience. Here’s a small list of Wineries where you can enjoy a glass of wine with your pup: 1. Autumn Lake Winery – Williamstown, NJ Nestled around a serene lake, Autumn Lake Winery boasts walking trails, live music, and ample space for your pup to roam. It’s an ideal spot for those looking to combine nature walks with wine tasting. 2. Working Dog Winery – Hightstown, NJ As the name suggests, this winery is a haven for dog lovers. With live music, spacious grounds, and a welcoming atmosphere, it’s a favorite among locals and visitors alike. 3. Cream Ridge Winery – Cream Ridge, NJ Known for its diverse wine selection, Cream Ridge Winery welcomes service dogs indoors and all dogs outdoors, making it a year-round destination for pet owners. 4. Cape May Winery & Vineyard – Cape May, NJ This winery is located near the shore and offers picturesque views and a relaxed setting. Dogs are welcome in designated outdoor areas, allowing you to enjoy the coastal breeze together. 5. Cedar Rose Vineyards & Winery – Millville, NJ Cedar Rose welcomes well-behaved dogs at their vineyard. They even offer treats for your furry family member. 6. Willow Creek Winery – Cape May, NJ This vineyard combines rustic charm with a dog-friendly policy. Enjoy their unique wine offerings while your pup relaxes by your side in the outdoor seating areas. 7. White Horse Winery – Hammonton, NJ With its expansive outdoor space, fire pits, and live entertainment, White Horse Winery is a lively destination. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor areas, making it a great spot for social pups. 8. Old York Cellars – Ringoes, NJ Offering panoramic vineyard views, Old York Cellars allows dogs in their outdoor spaces. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking a tranquil setting with their furry friend. 9. Bellview Winery – Landisville, NJ Bellview Winery welcomes dogs in their outdoor areas, providing a relaxed environment in which to enjoy their extensive wine list. It’s advisable to check ahead for any event-specific restrictions. 10. Valenzano Family Winery – Shamong, NJ Known for its family-friendly atmosphere, Valenzano offers ample outdoor seating where dogs are welcome. It’s a great spot to enjoy a sunny afternoon with your pup. Tips for Visiting Wineries with Your Dog: • Leash Up: Always keep your dog on a leash and under control. • Hydration: Bring water and a bowl to keep your pup hydrated. • Clean Up: Carry waste bags and clean up after your dog. • Check Policies: Some wineries may have specific pet policies or restrictions during events, so it’s best to call ahead. Exploring New Jersey’s wineries with your dog can be a rewarding experience, combining the pleasures of wine tasting with the joy of spending time with your furry friend. Cheers to memorable adventures in the Garden State! Why not bring your furry friend on a wine trail with you? New Jersey has plenty of other great wineries that are pet-friendly to explore that are not listed here.
Tag: wine lovers
Grapes That Make Both Red and White Wine in New Jersey
Have you ever wondered how the same grape can be used to make both red and white wine? You’re not alone! Many people assume that red wine only comes from red grapes. They also think white wine only comes from white grapes. But that’s not always true. In New Jersey, winemakers use certain types of grapes to create both red and white wines—sometimes even rosé. Here’s a simple guide to some of these versatile grapes and how they’re used to make different kinds of wine. Chambourcin: A Grape That Does It All Chambourcin is a grape commonly used to make rich, smooth red wine. It can also be turned into a lighter, fruitier rosé. Additionally, it can become a white wine if the skins are removed before fermentation. If you like wines that are smooth and easy to drink, Chambourcin is a great choice. Old York Cellars makes a terrific Chambourcin Rose that’s light and off-dry, whereas Brook Hollow Winery produces a medium-bodied red. Pinot Noir: Red, White, and Sparkling Pinot Noir is usually used for red wine. However, when winemakers press the juice and remove the dark skins immediately, it makes a white wine instead. This type of wine is often used in sparkling wines like Champagne. If you like a lighter, elegant wine, keep an eye out for Pinot Noir in different styles. Frontenac: A Grape with Many Personalities Frontenac is a unique grape that grows well in New Jersey. It can be made into a bold red wine, a crisp white wine, or even a rosé. A special version of this grape is called Frontenac Gris. It is naturally lighter in color. It is often made into a refreshing white wine with fruity flavors like peach and citrus. I’ve enjoyed both a dry red and a sweet white Frontenac from Brook Hollow Winery. Grenache: Great for Red and Rosé Grenache is a grape that’s often used in red wines, but it’s also popular for making rosé. Rosé is made by letting the grape skins sit in the juice briefly. This gives it a light pink color. It also results in a fresh, fruity taste. Catawba: An Old-School Favorite Catawba is an American grape that has been used for winemaking for centuries. It can be made into a red wine, a white wine, or even a bubbly sparkling wine. It has a naturally sweet, fruity flavor. The flavor makes it easy to enjoy. This is especially true if you like wines that aren’t too dry. Zinfandel: The Grape Behind White Zinfandel Most people know Zinfandel as a bold, fruity red wine. It’s also used to make White Zinfandel, which is a sweeter, pink-colored wine. This happens when winemakers limit how much time the grape skins stay in the juice. This process creates a lighter and sweeter wine instead of a deep red one. Most of us know Lodi, California as the home of a good Zin, don’t count New Jersey out. The Garden State is starting to produce some good wines from this varietal. What This Means for You Next time you visit a winery or pick out a bottle of wine, remember that grapes can surprise you. They are more versatile than you think! If you usually drink red wine, try a white or rosé version of the same grape. You will be surprised by how different it tastes. Have you ever tried the same grape in both a red and white wine? If so, leave a comment below and let us know which varietal it was. Let us know what you think!
A Quick Guide to Pairing Wines with Chocolates
I’ve created a quick guide to help you pair wines with chocolates. With Valentine’s Day coming up, I see tons of promotions for wine and chocolate pairings all over the Internet. So, what are some wines that pair with chocolates, anyway? While I don’t consider myself a wine expert, I’ve done some research and added my personal experiences. Pairing chocolate with wine balances flavors, sweetness, and tannins. Even though the majority of these are for reds, here are some suggestions for your chocolate and wine pairings: 1. Dark Chocolate (70% or higher cocoa) • Wine Pairing: Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Syrah. • Why? The bitterness and intensity of dark chocolate need a bold, tannic wine. The wine should have dark fruit and spice notes to create balance. 2. Milk Chocolate (30-50% cocoa) • Wine Pairing: Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Ruby Port • Why? Milk chocolate’s creaminess and sweetness go well with fruit-forward, medium-bodied reds with lower tannins. 3. White Chocolate • Wine Pairing: Brachetto d’Acqui, Moscato d’Asti, and Lambrusco • Why? White chocolate’s buttery sweetness pairs beautifully with light, fruity, slightly effervescent red wines. 4. Chocolate with Nuts or Caramel • Wine Pairing: Tawny Port, Aged Zinfandel, and Madeira • Why? The nutty, caramelized flavors work well with the aged, slightly oxidized, or fortified wines. 5. Spiced or Chili Chocolate • Wine Pairing: Syrah, Malbec, and Zinfandel • Why? The bold, peppery, and fruit-forward nature of these wines complements the spicy heat in the chocolate. New Jersey has plenty of wine and chocolate trail weekends during Valentine’s Day weekend. If there’s a pairing I should add to this, please feel free to drop it in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you about some of your favorites since we all have unique palates.
What’s a Wine Trail?
A wine trail is basically a route that takes you through a bunch of wineries in a certain area. These places are usually pretty close together. You can hop from one to the next and try different wines along the way.
A Simple Guide to six New Jersey Wines
If you’re new to wine or just curious about New Jersey’s options, don’t worry—it’s not as complicated as it seems! New Jersey offers a wide variety of grapes. This means there’s something for everyone.
A Brief History of New Jersey Wine
New Jersey has a rich winemaking history dating back to the 1700s, shaped by European settlers. Despite setbacks during Prohibition, the industry revived after the 1981 Farm Winery Act. Today, over 50 wineries thrive, focusing on sustainability. With award-winning wines, New Jersey is emerging as a noteworthy player in the wine world.
Why Hybrid Wine Grapes Thrive in New Jersey
Chambourcin Rosé Wine from New Jersey highlights the appeal of hybrid wine grapes, which result from mixing European and American grape species. These hybrids thrive in American soils, offering advantages like disease resistance. New Jersey’s unique climate supports various hybrids, including Chambourcin, Traminette, and Vidal Blanc, contributing to a vibrant local wine culture.
Discover Cedar Rose Vineyards in NJ: A Wine Lover’s Paradise
This past weekend we had a special invitation to Cedar Rose Vineyards from Dustin, one of the owners. He gave us a private tasting and tour of their quaint winery which was cozy, warm, and welcoming. Dustin offered us tastings of several varietals and blends. We began with a few whites such as Albariño, Viognier, and an Orange wine made from Traminette. The reds were Cabernet Franc and Bordeaux straight from the barrel. Amazing! We were treated to the story of how Cedar Rose came to be. The story included how his partners, Steve and Sam, converted the wooded land into several lots. These lots ended up being home to 16 varietals under vine. Today they produce over 50,000 bottles from the grapes grown on site. Cedar Rose offers live music during the weekends. They can host parties and events for up to 35 to 40 people. They produce delicious wines and have a menu where all the food is made on-site. I highly recommend you take the trip to Millville, NJ, and experience Cedar Rose Vineyards for yourself. You won’t regret it. You can watch a more in-depth piece on the winery on my YouTube channel @njstompsthegrape. It’s worth the watch. Visit their website at CedarRoseVineyards.com. Cedar Rose wines are available in appointments at 160 liquor stores throughout the southern part of New Jersey.
Discover New Jersey’s Thriving Wine Scene
You might be stumbling upon this blog for the first time. Perhaps you’re a friend who wants to pacify my love for wine and blogging. Or maybe…. just maybe, you have followed me on social media over the past year. You want to check out my new site. That would be the best of all three if you ask me. I wanted to start a blog about New Jersey’s growing wine industry for quite some time. I sat on it for a few years and then decided to finally go for it for several reasons. My career as an educator is nearing its end. I had a burning wish to begin my second chapter in life. I wanted to pursue something I’m passionate about, like wine. As a child, I remember seeing my grandfather’s wine press in the basement and watching him make wine. He always kept his homemade wine it in a jug at his feet during Sunday dinners. I think that memory was what drew me towards my love of wine as I got older. I have lived in New Jersey my whole life. It naturally made sense to explore this industry right here in the Garden State. So the sole focus of my blog will be on vineyards and wineries right here in my home state. Sometimes, I will go beyond the New Jersey borders. But, for the most part, I’m going to share my NJ experiences. I hope to turn my passion for wine into a financial supplement for my pension. I’m using blogging and social media to achieve this. I know… So transparent right? But like I mentioned it’s going to be my second chapter in life. Thank you for being here and supporting me. As the blog grows I’ll share things I’m learning about here on the blog and across my social media platforms. If you haven’t had a chance to follow me, please join me on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. By the way… Instagram is my best of the three platforms so far. Thank you for taking a look. The site is always a work in progress so please feel free to share ideas with me.