Oenophile’s Weekend

By Brianne Harrison

January’s the month winter blues tend to set in—the weather’s lousy, and there aren’t many big holidays to look forward to (unless you count Valentine’s Day). But I’ve found that one thing that helps chase away the winter blahs is a nice glass of wine, and New Jersey’s vineyards and wine shops are ready to provide it this weekend.

The folks at Natali Vineyards in Cape May Courthouse have planned a Kick the Winter Blues Festival this Saturday. Appropriately, entertainment will be provided by blues legend Frank Bey. There will also be local crafts and food specialties available to sample or buy and, of course, wine tastings. For more information, visit natalivineyards.com.

Also getting into the swing of things is Heritage Vinearyds, which is hosting Rhythm, Reds & Whites—a Special Wine and Jazz Event Saturday and Sunday. Check out their wines, paired with hot hors d’oeuvres, cheeses, and desserts, while listening to the music of a jazz trio. Heritagewinenj.com

CoolVines will be holding a Many Faces of Riesling tasting at both their Princeton and their Westfield locations on Saturday. Learn about where Riesling comes from, why it’s wonderful, and what foods pair perfectly with it. Visit coolvines.com for more information.

Amalthea Cellars will have its 2007 New Release Celebration Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Try the new wines and enjoy special barrel tastings and complimentary hors d’oeuvres. amaltheacellars.com

Heat up the Winter at Four Sisters Winery Saturday and Sunday. Complimentary wine tastings, cellar tours, and desserts will help chase away the chill! foursisterswinery.com

Father John Morley of Seton Hall University will lead a Blessing of the Vineyards at Laurita Winery on Saturday. The ceremony will be followed by wine and feasting, as it should be. Lauritawinery.com

Something Worth Celebrating

By Maureen C. Petrosky

With all of the recently deceased celebs in the news it starts to make you think hard about your own life. If there’s an upside, it’s that these tragedies help us keep the balance and remind us not to sweat the small stuff so much.

Last weekend this was easy to do, as we reveled in the beauty of Pennington’s Hopewell Valley Vineyards. The weather was perfect and the vineyards glistened in the sun as we kicked back and savored some of Jersey’s best offerings from the vine. This Fourth of July weekend, families and friends will undoubtedly gather to watch fireworks fill the summer night sky, and hopefully you’ll take a moment to pause and enjoy this life a little. But if you can’t see through the chaos of your day-to-day, I promise the magic of walking through a vineyard can transform even the most stressed out workaholic into a serene smiling soul. Maybe you’re not looking to whoop it up on the fourth and need something a bit more sublime, so head to Alba Vineyards on Sunday instead. Skip the shore traffic and sunburn and enjoy Music Under the Arbor. Pack a picnic lunch and pick up a bottle of Alba’s Dry Riesling to go with while you relish the sounds of live jazz from 1 to 5 p.m. With all of the bad things going on in this world, wine is truly one of the simplest indulgences to help you Carpe Diem.

Alba Vineyards, Dry Riesling, 2007, $14 This white is full of vibrant fruit in the nose, delivers a crisp clean sip, and makes your mouth water with its highlights of acidity. It’s perfect for a picnic of cheeses and a fresh baguette, works alongside most salads, and dazzles when paired with sushi. It is the perfect accompaniment to any porch swing or picnic blanket.

New Jersey’s First Organic Winery: A Small Miracle

By Pat Tanner

As if it’s not enough of a challenge to grow wine grapes in New Jersey – especially the major European vinifera varieties such as chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon - the determined folks behind Villa Milagro Vineyards, one of our state’s newest wineries, are upping the ante by going organic. In fact, theirs is one of only two organic vineyards on the entire East Coast.

Steve Gambino and Audrey Cross-Gambino planted their first grapes in 2003 on a scenic, 104-acre cliff overlooking the Delaware and Musconetcong Rivers in Finesville, not far from Alba Vineyard. Steve, a businessman and former formula racecar driver, is operations manager and Audrey, who was raised in California’s grape-growing Central Valley, is winemaker. “Dr. Audrey,” as she is known, has a Ph.D. in nutrition, is a former television host, and the author of numerous books. She also conducts cooking classes at the winery.

But what about the wines, you say? All are blends, most featuring one major varietal. I recently tasted five and came away impressed that each – even the white and blush wines – has a distinct, pronounced personality and silky body (no thin, watery wines here). Like the winery’s name, which means “House of Miracles,” they all sport Spanish designations. My favorite is Sombra, a robust red blend primarily of Shiraz with a lush, velvety finish. I rarely enjoy “blush” wines but the one here, Rosie’s, won me over with its distinct taste of roses. You may not mistake the cab blend, Suave, for a French or California wine, but is has a lingering smoky/tobacco quality that pleases.

For information about visiting the winery, tasting the wines, and meeting the committed, genial folks who produce them, log on to VillaMilagroVineyards.com.