Cedar Rose Vineyards is located in Rosenhayn, near Vineland and Millville. It is an easy exit off Rt. 55 and short drive from there. I’ve lived in South Jersey my entire life and don’t think I had ever been to Rosenhayn before. Based upon my visit to Cedar Rose Vineyards, I have a feeling I will be seeing a lot more of it in the near future. Our hosts for this tour and tasting were Dustin Tarpine and Steven Becker. Along with Robert Becker (Steven’s brother), there are two other financial partners (Dominic Romano and Sam Pipitone). Together they own 22 acres where they have planted more than a dozen varietals (mostly vitas vinifera) since 2011. Despite extensive damage from recent storms, they are hoping to open sometime this summer. Work on the tasting room has been progressing nicely, enough so that we were able to get an inside tour with insight into the advanced planning that goes into a large, new wine operation.
Before going any further, I want to share a few words about some of the work that needs to be done before a winery opens its doors for business. While this is not an unfamiliar tale (at least to those who have built their own winery from the clearing and planting to the building and the licensing), many patrons may be surprised at the massive undertaking. It took about a year to clear the first two acres at Cedar Rose Vineyards. Trees that were taken down were re-purposed and became posts in the vineyards. The initial vines were planted in 2011. The care for these babies goes without saying. Then came the mound of paperwork and the necessary licenses from various governmental agencies, while getting an architect and hiring builders to erect the winery/tasting room. This one has two floors. All of this work, and much more, without a product to sell yet. To help stay financially afloat Dustin and Steve have performed services for several local wineries in the area. It helps that Dustin’s background is in horticulture and Steven’s background is in environmental sciences.
I saved the best for last, the wine. My wife and I were able to taste three of their wines: Traminette (with a hint of sweetness, but a nice dry finish); Chambourcin Reserve (young, but already good); and a Red Blend (Cab Franc, Chambourcin and Regent, a dark-skinned red hybrid). While the later was also quite young, it was already very promising. When I found out that Cedar Rose plans to sell the Red Blend as their entry-level wine (sold at a very reasonable price) I was even more impressed and anxious to make a return visit once Cedar Rose Vineyards is open officially. It should be noted that the wines we tasted were made by Dustin personally from fruit grown at the vineyard (personal stock). While Dustin will lead the winemaking efforts, the project is a collaborative one.
Dustin and Steven are both very personable and knowledgable young men who seem to know what they want and how to get it. Remarkably, they grew up a few houses away from each other and have remained friends over the years. You can’t overestimate the importance of a strong bond like that in a business that can be stressful and all-consuming. These guys seem to have the tools and work ethic to serve them well and to please their future patrons.
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Cheers!
