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Wineries in New Jersey/Wines from NJ

I am visiting a friend and want to bring various wines from our home state. I am seeing more NJ wine in stores (Alba, Silver Decoy, Tomasello). Are there any you have had that really impressed you? We are more red drinkers, but anything that is tasty works for us.

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  1. There is a winery in Cape May unfortunately called Turdo, also known as Turis. their wines are good, particularly their Italian varietals.

      1. the alba raspberry is a great dessert wine.

        2 Replies
        1. re: scholar399

          I am drinking Balic Cream Red from Balic Winery in Mays Landing, NJ as I type. It isn't bad, it's growing on me. I have not tried Alba wines yet, going to pick some up soon. I have also not tried Renault. Some Silver Decoy, Hopewell Valley, and Tomasello's are good.

          1. re: jethro

            The Alba dessert wines are good. Try them on vanilla ice cream, too!

        2. i've always been a fan of unionville wines

          4 Replies
          1. re: p314n

            Thank you p314n. This sounds kin of close to Hopewell Valley Vineyards. A nice 2-fer trip for me!

            Hopewell Valley Vineyards
            46 Yard Rd, Pennington, NJ 08534

            1. re: jethro

              I have a good friend that's a sommelier and one thing he's told me is that, "There's no such thing as a good NJ wine.
              After going to the NJ Wine Fest at Allaire State park for a few years I'd have to agree. This state is pretty good for Craft Beer, but the wine scene just isn't happening.

              1. re: rickster71

                I tend to agree. Bringing the gift of craft beers rather than NJ wine to the friend might be more enjoyable for everyone involved.

                1. re: tommy

                  With the exception of perhaps Flying Fish's ESB and novelty Exit series, I'm having a hard time trying to guess to which NJ beers or breweries you guys are referring. To me, our craft beer industry is nothing special, especially when compared to a lot of other states in the region.

                  As to the OP's inquiry, the Lemberger and unoaked Chardonnay from Laurita winery are the best NJ wines I've tasted. I would avoid the fruit wines put out by many. What about a bottle or two of Laird's Apple Brandy, which I believe is still made here (unlike the Applejack)?

          2. I have enjoyed wines from Unionville and Silver Decoy. Give them a try-it's fun to taste wines.