I have visited Plagido’s Winery a number of times over the past several years and written about them in this blog. However, recently I finally got a chance to meet Ollie Tomasello (owner and winemaker) and his wife, Candace. It was a quiet day at the winery (as far as visitors go). While my wife and I were the only patrons in the tasting room, it is harvest season and there is always much to be done in the vineyards and elsewhere. Plagido’s Winery has won numerous awards since opening in 2007. Their trophy case (pictured above) says it all.
Candace, served our wines, with the expertise you might expect given what she and her husband do for a living. She is the one who writes the tasting notes for each wine on the tasting menu. If you are used to visiting large wineries around the country, you will appreciate the different feel and experience you get in visiting a small, family run winery like Plagido’s. The first-hand knowledge, coupled with the down home vibe is refreshing. It is one of the many things that I have grown to love and respect about New Jersey wineries. Then there’s the wine…
I tasted the following wines on their menu:
- Reverence-An interesting, oaked white wine, utilizing Marquis grapes.
- Chardonnay-A gently oaked Chard
- Chambourcin 2017-One of the better Chambourcins in the state.
- Coeur d’Est 2016-An excellent version of this Outer Coastal Plain version of a Bordeaux-style red blend. Won a Double Gold Medal at the 2019 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition.
- Cab Sauvignon 2016-A good full-bodied Cab. Won a Silver Medal at the 2019 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition.
- Cab/Merlot Blend 2016-Probably my favorite; full-bodied classic. Won a Silver Medal at the 2019 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition.
- Pole Dancer-a terrific dessert-style wine that spent some time in bourbon barrels; a magnificent aroma in a wine that is sweet, but not cloyingly so; 17% ABV.
We chose our four favorites (pictured below) and opened the Cabernet-Merlot Blend. We enjoyed a glass (or two) with the cheese and crackers my wife had packed. Seated on the patio, overlooking the vineyards, we enjoyed a gorgeous, sunny day and mother nature’s ambience.
Cheers!
What’s New on the Horizon?
I had the opportunity to attend a Cocktail Party on Wednesday to celebrate the opening of a new venue in South Jersey-The Laughing Fox Tavern in Magnolia. The grand opening was on Thursday. The former home of the Woodstone Tavern, The Laughing Fox Tavern is located on the White Horse Pike. Their address is 510 South White Horse Pike, Magnolia. It is a huge, upscale, well-appointed tavern. I got to sample some great appetizers and a couple of their wines. While there are presently no NJ wines on the list, it is a respectable list that includes names like Coppola at reasonable prices. I hope to be sharing more about this cool new spot in the very near future. Stay tuned for that…
Coming Attractions:
- The Winemakers Co-Op Portfolio Tasting at Beneduce
- My Take on the Finger Lakes
Tried a New Jersey wine lately? Visited a NJ winery recently? Share your experience here! Like what you read and see here? Consider subscribing and getting your weekly pour of NJ wine right in your inbox. No spills, no mess.
