Our Final NJ Winery Visit in 2023

Happy New Year!

What a nice and relaxing finish to our year at New Jersey wineries-the lovely White Horse Winery, filled with good cheer (and very good wine)! We had the added good fortune of running into Seferino Cotzojay, the terrific winemaker at White Horse Winery. He shared that he was busier than usual, because their assistant winemaker (Thomas Sparks) was vacationing in Bordeaux, France. Nice work if you can get it! Seferino was also kind enough to share a glass of one of his current projects-the newest vintage of Albarino, straight from the stainless steel tank. While not quite ready to be bottled yet, it was already drinking very nicely. My wife and I had just ordered a charcuterie board and a flight of white and a flight of red wine. We had just tasted the Albarino in the tasting, so it was interesting to compare the two Albarinos. The photo above shows our takeaways: Chambourcin, Painted White, and Barrel Fermented Chardonnay.

The Charcuterie Board

An excellent mix of cheeses, meats, olives, apple slices, dried fruit and nuts, crackers, and grapes. This assortment provided a light lunch for us and paired well with our flights. It is pictured below.

White Wine Flight

• 2022 Albarino-Full of tropical aromas and notes of pineapple.
• 2022 Chardonnay-Nice citrus and apple notes. While not noted in the description, I believe it is an unoaked version. They also make an oaked version (their 2022 Barrel Fermented Estate Chardonnay).
• Painted White-This was my favorite white wine in the tasting. It is a blend of three hybrid grapes (Cayuga, Vidal Blanc, and Traminette). The result was a medium-bodied, delicious wine with a soft, mouthfeel.
• 2022 Vidal Blanc-Estate grown grapes and one of the best versions in the state, with notes of pear and a long finish.

Red Wine Flight

• 2019 Chambourcin-Still one of the best Chambourcins in the state. Smooth, medium bodied, with cherry and blackberry notes.
• 2019 Painted Red-A nice blend of Merlot, Cab Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
• 2019 Cab Franc-100% estate grapes; medium-bodied, with tasty notes of blackberry.
• 2018 Merlot Reserve-Delicious, with medium body, aged two years in French oak, and very smooth.
• 2022 Painted Rose (a bonus pour)-Bone dry with hints of strawberries; made from a blend of Cab Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The photo above makes the winery look abandoned, but there were a couple of other patrons inside and a couple more outside. We just are fortunate to be retired with the flexibility to visit on off hours, when I believe you can have the best experience-better service, no wait, and less worries about any virus, at a time when crowds can be more worrisome to folks with compromised immunity. I love the rustic, but elegant charm of White Horse Winery! We’ll be back in 2024…

A Few Things to Look Forward to in 2024

1. I am eagerly looking forward to the opening of Saddle Hill Winery in Voorhees (expected to open in March). This is a beautiful facility already. The owners appear to have spared no expense in building a beautiful vineyard and tasting room and all the necessary facilities. I love that it is so close to me (about a 20 minute ride) in a town where we lived for a couple of years. I never dreamed there would be a winery there! The most important remaining question is, “How good is the wine?” I hope to arrange a tasting and tour as soon as they will let me and, of course, I will be sharing my experience here.
2. I am also looking forward to hearing some good live music (especially when the temperatures are a bit warmer). Rootstock concerts at Hawk Haven Vineyards are always special. The Vino & Vibes Concert Series at William Heritage Winery is a great way to kick off the warmer season (as are their weekend concerts). The venues at Bellview Winery, Old York Cellars, Auburn Road Vineyards, Autumn Lake Winery, and Sharrott Winery (to name a few nearby) are ideal for enjoying music, with a glass or two.
3. My wife and I always look forward to the Grill Nights at Cape May Winery. Great food and wine in the gorgeous outdoor surroundings (with some live music, as well).

Of course, these are just “a few of my favorite things.” But keep checking in here for many, many more and check out the Garden State Wine Growers Association website here: newjerseywines.com

Coming Attractions

• A few more things to look forward to in 2024
• Cape May Winery January 2024
• Plagido Winery Winter 2024

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