The Garden State Wine Growers Association will once again host its annual Barrel Trail Weekend this Saturday and Sunday, July 13-14 at participating wineries across the state. Visitors to participating New Jersey wineries and vineyards will have the opportunity to sample future award-winning vintages direct from the barrel room; enjoy wine tastings; new wine releases; tour the vineyards; and hear discussions on the winemaking process from winemakers.
“Barrel Trail weekend is a great opportunity to ask questions of the winemakers, sample future vintages and learn about how wine develops from barrel to bottle,” said Tom Cosentino, Executive Director of the Garden State Wine Growers Association.
All New Jersey wineries will be open for tastings and activities on Barrel Trail Weekend. To find a winery in your area, visit www.newjerseywines.com. Updated listings of Barrel Trail events are available at https://www.newjerseywines.com/events/category/trail-weekends/
Some of the activities being planned at wineries include:
Take a Nip From Our Barrels
July 13 & 14 | 12 PM – 5 PM
4JG’s Winery, Colt’s Neck
Come in from the heat for a wine tasting and a sample from the barrel. Winemaker Craig Donofrio will conduct an informative discussion of the use of oak barrels to enhance flavors at 1pm and 3pm on Saturday and Sunday. Barrel trivia and prizes will round out the fun.
Barrel Trail Weekend at Amalthea Cellars
July 13 & 14 | TBD
Amalthea Cellars, Atco
Will be participating both days in Barrel Trail Weekend. Check website for updates.
Barrel Trail Weekend at Autumn Lake
July 13th | 11 AM – 6 PM & July 14th | 12 PM – 5 PM
Autumn Lake Winery, Williamstown
Autumn Lake Winery will offer an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience and sampling of wines right from the barrel on July 13th from 11-6pm & July 14th from 12-5pm. Be the first to taste future vintages with the winemakers. Offerings include: Sangiovese 2018, Blaufränkisch 2018, Merlot 2017, Cabernet Franc 2017, and Chambourcin 2017, for $10 per person. The current wine list will also be offered with 7 tastings for $7 and souvenir wine glass. Enjoy your favorite by the glass or bottle with live music.
Barrel Tasting Weekend
July 13 & 14 | 12 PM – 5 PM
Bellview Winery, Landisville
You can sample one of their upcoming 2018 vintages straight out of the barrel. Along with this young wine, Bellview will be sampling aged vintages as a flight so that customers can experience how varietals develop over time. These wines will only be available for tasting during Barrel Tasting Weekend for $6 per person. Along with the exclusive wine preview, Bellview will have the vineyard tour trailer hooked up and rolling through the vineyard for your vine viewing pleasure. Trailer rides are free of charge, on a first come first served basis, and will be offered from 12pm-5pm. In addition to this special tasting they will also be pouring samples from the everyday wine list for $6 per person which includes a souvenir wine glass to take home.
Barrel Tasting at Blue Cork Winery
July 13 & 14 | 12 PM – 6 PM
Blue Cork Winery, Williamstown
Will be giving an educational experience with the winemaker in 45 min intervals from open to close, no reservation needed. Cost is $20 per person for 5 FRENCH OAK Barrel tastings and souvenir glass. Tastings include: Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cab Franc, Cab Sauvignon and White Port. The winery’s Barrel Trail will run 12-6 pm each day.
Vines to Wine Tour at Cape May Winery
July 13 & 14 | 3 PM – 4 PM
Cape May Winery, Cape May
An intimate, behind the scenes look at the production process all the while tasting a variety of our wines.
This tour begins with one of their experienced guides leading your group into the vineyard. Here your lesson on ‘vines to wines’ will begin. While standing amongst the oldest vines in the county you will learn the anatomy of a grape vine as well as the terroir of this area. The wine you taste in the vineyard will exhibit the features of the soil & climate.
The next stop on the tour takes you into our production facilities where you will learn about the specific steps that go into producing finely made wines.
Cost: $25 per person (Plus NJ sales Tax)
GSWGA Barrel Tasting Weekend
July 13 & 14 | 1 PM – 6 PM
Cedar Rose Vineyards, Millville
Barrel tasting weekend will feature a special $15 tasting consisting of samples of seven oak-aged dry reds slated for release in late 2019 or early 2020. Included with the tastings will be boards of cheese, meats, and fresh fruits perfectly paired with the wines, along with tasting notes and conversations with Dustin, the winemaker. Tastings will last approximately half an hour and will start on the hour every hour starting at 1pm (through 8pm on Saturday, and 6pm on Sunday). Tastings and time slots can be signed up for in the tasting room day of, or you can call ahead.
Barrel Wine Trail
July 13 & 14 | 12 PM – 5 PM
Cedarvale Winery, Logan Township
Cedarvale will be participating both days in Barrel Trail Weekend. Check website and Facebook page for updates.
Barrel Trail Weekend at Chestnut Run Farm
July 13 & 14 | 12 PM – 5 PM
Chestnut Run Farm, Pilesgrove
The wine shop on the farm will be open for free tastings on this Wine Trail Weekend. Come on out to the country and spend a day on the farm.
Winery Tour at Hawk Haven Vineyard
July 13 & 14 | 1 PM – 2 PM
Hawk Haven Vineyard, Rio Grande
Visitors to Hawk Haven can take their daily winery tour. Taste through their wines as your guide leads you through every step of the wine making process from the vineyard to the vast steel tanks and French oak barrels. Discover what makes each wine unique and how the wine maker achieves every flavor and aroma. Learn the history of Hawk Haven while you sip. The tour concludes with a selection of gourmet cheeses to enjoy on the vineyard view crush pad. Go online at hawkhavenvineyard.com or call (609) 846-7347 for reservations. $25 per person includes tour, wine tasting, cheese, and souvenir glass.
Annual Barrel Trail Weekend
July 13 & 14 | 11 AM – 5 PM
Plagido’s Winery, Hammonton
Plagido’s Winery will be open both days from 11am-5pm. Enjoy wine sampling, along with a sneak peek of their new vintages. Come be the first to try the new wines with barrel samples. They will be offering a special discount this Saturday and Sunday only. Admission is $10 per guest.
Our other offerings will be:
$6 glasses of wine, & Pineapple Sangria
$5 glasses of Secret Sangria
$15 Cheese plates
$6 Chocolate Truffle Flights