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.