Cedar Rose Vineyard Winter ’26

I know some folks out there are doing a “Dry January.” While I consider doing this every year, it always comes down to two or three obstacles. First, If you clink those celebratory glasses seconds after midnight on New Year’s Eve, you’ve already broken that Dry January. Second, my birthday is in January and I refuse to have a nice birthday dinner with water or some other lame beverage to celebrate this special day. Strike two! Then there’s the constant flow of horrible news stories that hit you in the gut right at happy hour (or any other time, for that matter). Between the political strife and the rampant viruses, etc. – strike three and beyond.

So what is my approach? I prefer a compromise: celebrating what I call a “Drier January.” Given my past Januarys, that still gives me sufficient wiggle room to be true to my goal/resolutions, while leaving room to celebrate special days, special dinners with friends, and celebrating life with my wife at home or away.

Cedar Rose Vineyards

Cedar Rose Vineyards is located in Millville. They are only open Thursdays to Sundays, but they have so much to offer. They have an extensive list of wines to choose from-dry and sweet, red, white, and Rose. Their kitchen is one of the best around with an extensive menu. They also have frequent live music and other entertainment. Their tasting room is somewhat small downstairs, but they have more room upstairs, with a great view of the vineyard, and a very large wraparound patio outside. Their wines are not only good, they are reasonably priced. Speaking of good wines…

The Wines

My wife and I decided to do a couple of flights of wine and perhaps enjoy a bite (or two) to eat. As per usual I did the Reds, but we shared both.

The Red Zone

• Kindling#5-Their best to date (IMHO). This is a more robust, full-bodied blend than in the past. The present blend consists of Cab, Norton, and Chambourcin, with notes of cherry and raspberry.
• 2021 Cabernet Franc-A medium-bodied version with notes of dark fruit and vanilla and smooth tannins.
• 2021 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon-A good medium-bodied Cab with soft tannins.
• 2019 Thundergust-a very good red blend of Cab, Cab Franc, and Chambourcin.
• 2021 Regent-a deep inky colored hybrid that you don’t see very often; full-bodied with robust flavors of dark red fruit.
• Ashenfelter Vineyard 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon-This was a bonus taste that I requested, since it was not in the red flight. Glad I asked. It was a terrific medium-bodied, smooth Cab with tasty raspberry and vanilla notes. Sourced from Orley Ashenfelter’s Vineyard in Vineland.

Lighten Up (The Whites)

• 2023 Albarino-A very good version with citrus (especially orange) notes with medium body.
• 2022 Traminette-Lovely aromatics, without cloying sweetness you sometimes see in this varietal.
• 2024 Silica-A very nice medium+ bodied blend of Albarino, Viognier, and Sauvignon Blanc.
• 2022 Chardonnay-A very good, reasonably priced Chardonnay, with lemon and apple and lively acidity.
• 2021 Confluence-an aromatic blend of Traminette and I believe Albarino. The components were not mentioned in the description, but I definitely recognized the Traminette.

The Food

Cedar Rose continues to have one of the best kitchens among the wineries in the state. Below are our choices (Seafood Sampler with Wonton Shrimp, Coconut Shrimp, and Crab Bites; and Crispy Calamari). Yummy! Since we were almost finished our flights, we got a bottle of Chardonnay to enjoy a glass with these delicious offerings.

Our Take Aways

Besides finishing our bottle of Chardonnay with our dinner at home, we also brought home a bottle of  Kindling Edition #5, 2022 Traminette, and 2022 Ashenfelter Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.

It is always a great visit at Cedar Rose Vineyards. We love their upstairs space pictured below with the view of the vineyards. We will definitely be returning fairly soon!    

Coming Attractions

• White Horse Winery Winter ’26 & More
• Auburn Road Vineyards Winter ’26
• Bellview Winery Winter ’26
• My Favorite NJ Sweet Wines of 2025

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