Villari Vineyards, located in Sewell, is one of the state’s newest wineries. They are a fourth-generation family run farm. They have been making wine for about three years, though they do not have a tasting room. However, they participate in the area’s wine trail events and their wines are sold in a number of local liquor stores. Don’t let the pretty, but barren-looking landscape above fool you. They are grape vines and they’re producing some very respectable wines.
I first became aware of Villari wines at a local liquor store where they were offering a tasting of a few wines they were promoting. A patron shared, “If you like Merlot, you should try Villari… It’s made right here in South Jersey in Sewell.” The customer was right, it was a pretty good Merlot (and fairly reasonable).
Villari makes the following dry wines: Chardonnay, a White Blend, a dry Rose, Chambourcin, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Their sweet wines include Moscato (actually semi-sweet) and four wines produced with the One Nation label: Red, White, Blue, and Pink. They also make a Sangria (Red, White, and Blue, blend) and a Blueberry Port. Pretty impressive for such a young winery!
Villari Vineyards is hoping to begin construction of their tasting room in Sewell, near the border with Deptford in early 2018. Despite the lack of a tasting room and their brief history they have already won a Double Gold for their 2013 Chambourcin and a Silver Medal for their Fruit Blend NV One Nation Blue Apple and Blueberry at the 2016 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition.
Their Merlot is definitely worth a try, as is their Chambourcin. I have not yet tried their Chardonnay, but I do have a bottle of their Moscato that I hope to get to soon. Try to catch Villari at one of the local wine festivals, where you can try most of their wines and taste for yourself before you buy their wines.
Tried a New Jersey wine lately? Visited a NJ winery recently? Share your experience here.
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Next week I will be writing about Westfall Winery from the Northern Region. Shortly after this I will also be posting my review of Vertical, Rex Pickett’s sequel to his hugely popular, Sideways (made into the hilarious movie with a cult following).
Where in Sewell? I’m missing so much locally!!!
It is right near the Sewell/Deptford border, but you can’t tour or taste there yet. You can buy their wines at Hops and Grapes and a number of other outlets in your area. You really should go to a local wine festival, like the Wine and Music Festival at Sharrott in the summer. It’s a great way to sample from many different wineries in one fun venue. They are crowded, but always a good time.