Wine Tours & More in Southern New Jersey |
 Tuscany Inn at Renault Winery Elizabeth Fleming |
If truth be known, I am not, nor have I ever been a wine connoisseur. Armed with an assignment to cover a few of the wineries in preparation of the fall harvest season, I felt I had only two options—either fake it or become more informed. So, based on a suggestion by my daughter-in-law, whose subtle comment was that I should consider approaching the idea as the novice I am (I can only imagine my telltale lack of knowledge precedes me when all I order is White Zinfandel), I decided on the latter.
Tomasello Winery
Armed with a new resolve to become more enlightened, I ventured forth to learn more about wines from the ground up (or from the vines up, so to speak). I started in the small southern New Jersey town of Hammonton, famous for its blueberry crops and home of Tomasello Winery (with a blueberry wine to die for, as a matter of fact). Located on the White Horse Pike (Route 30), about 30 minutes outside of Atlantic City, the Tomasello family, now in its third generation, has produced wines and champagnes since 1933! As their vineyards have grown, so too has their reputation and today they not only cater beautiful wedding receptions and banquets, but have established Tomasello Winery Outlets in Smithville, Lambertville, and Freehold, New Jersey. For more information you can visit the winery on the Web at www.tomasellowinery.com
 The Courtyard at Renault Winery Elizabeth Fleming |
Renault Winery Resort
A few sips later, and becoming more enthusiastic, I ventured further down the pike to visit the Renault Winery Resort in Egg Harbor, New Jersey, built around 1,400 acres of vineyards, gardens, a museum, and a gourmet restaurant. I got carried away with the camera, taking in the luxurious scenery and making arrangements to take the tour, offered every day from 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m., extended on Saturday until 8 p.m. To see what the resort has to offer, go to www.renaultwinery.com or simply visit and experience it for yourself!
The Tuscany House Hotel, also part of the resort, overlooks an 18-hole championship golf course and offers the perfect getaway. I felt as if I had finally realized my dreams of visiting Italy, if only one of a culinary nature, while dining in Joseph’s Restaurant, located within the hotel. The hotel has received accolades in hospitality and kudos have also gone to the golf course, which was awarded the distinction of being one of the “30 best new courses in the world” when it opened in 2004 by Travel and Leisure Golf Magazine.
Before it came time for me to leave the Renault Winery, I was told by my teenage grandson (who is an avid and talented golfer, by the way), that the best view of the entire resort was from the golf course. After a few more glasses of the winery’s famous champagne, I took his word for it.
Cape May Food & Wine Festival
 Cape May Food & Wine Festival Elizabeth Fleming |
Every year the seaside resort of Cape May outdoes itself with their Food and Wine Festival. I was lucky enough to be able to take part in this, their 11th year, beginning Saturday, September 15 and lasting through Thursday, September 20. There were so many events to choose from: food and wine tasting, a chowder contest, chef’s dine-arounds, gourmet lunches, and a beer tasting dinner. Also offered were seminars and cooking classes. The events are sponsored annually by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC), in cooperation with the many fine restaurants in the Cape May area.
Cape May Winery
The Cape May Winery in North Cape May was the site of the Gourmet Marketplace, abound with samples from the various restaurants and with a much-anticipated chowder contest as part of the festivities. Ultimately I found myself on the winery tour, conducted by the winemaker, and while this winery is one of the newest and the fastest growing, (from 3,000 to 17,000 gallons of wine in four years), I was enthralled by the process. From the crushing of the grapes to the fermentation, the filtering, and storing the wine in the huge oak barrels to the final stages of bottling, I learned the different ways a white wine is produced versus a red wine. Not bad for a novice in the ways of the wine world!
 Cape May Winery Vineyard Elizabeth Fleming |
Explore the Art of Making Wine
Thankfully, my son has acquired more of a taste for the finer things, wine in particular. He decided a few years ago to take lessons about winemaking from a local winemaker. If you’ve ever considered making your own wine, Gino Pinto, Inc., is the place to get started. Again, the location is the White Horse Pike in Hammonton, New Jersey. Lessons are free and costs depend on the grapes you choose and bottling supplies. The entire process can take up to 6 or 7 months, and is hands-on. You learn from the crushing of the grapes on up (done by machine, not by your feet). If you’re interested in making your own wine and wish to purchase the equipment to do so, that is also available. For more information and available classes, call Gino at (609)561-8199.
As a result of my newfound adventures and a new appreciation of the art of winemaking, I couldn’t fail to recognize the onset of the fall season as one of vital importance to the winemakers and the wineries, particularly in this, the Garden State. Many Wine Festivals are in the works for the month of October, notably a Food and Wine Festival at the Atlantic City Convention Center on October 12 through the 14th. For more information, go to www.gourmetshows.com or for other wine festivals throughout the state, you can contact the Garden State Wine Growers Association at www.newjerseywines.com
Bon appetite!
By Elizabeth Fleming
AboutNewJersey.com Travel Writer
