Stokelan Winery Spring ’26

Before I begin today, talking about our very enjoyable visit to Stokelan Winery, I want to share my concern and appreciation for what our wineries and farmers do every year, despite the trials and tribulations they go through. The most recent of these tribulations was the late frost much of our state experienced. It has caused significant damage to their 2026 vintage grapes at many of our wineries. It will certainly cause more havoc to some areas and to some grape varieties more than others. My hat is off to you and I will continue to support you in any way I can. Cheers to our Garden State!

How do you turn a dismal looking day into a wonderful  day, oozing with beauty and charm? My wife and I visited Stokelan Winery in Medford on Thursday, and almost instantaneously we experienced just that. We were transported in time in this beautifully restored mansion, dating back to the 1800’s. We have visited a few previous times, but this was just what the doctor ordered for the day–a nice light Mediterranean lunch, some wonderful wine, and awesome ambience. By the time we were served our food and the wine pictured above, things were already looking brighter.

I love that there are so many great options for seating. It’s hard to beat the gorgeous and elegant seating in the room where we sat. But in nicer weather, the porch seating and the seating around the grounds are also wonderful options.

The Wine

For a change of pace, we ordered two flights with six wines that we did not need to share (they were identical). We chose their Vineyard Selection Flights. The following were the components of these flights:

• 2024 Catspaw- an unoaked Chardonnay with tasty citrus and tropical fruit notes.
• 2024 Crossroads– an even better, gently oaked Chardonnay.
• 2024 Verandah- A very good Pinot Noir, that is a new offering since our last visit. It is true to form, with a lighter color than their other reds, but its silky mouthfeel and smooth finish with ripe cherry notes are also spot on.
• 2021 Kirby’s Mill-an excellent full-bodied red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc, and Merlot. It is named for a nearby historic grist mill, dating back to 1778 and still in operation.
• 2023 Simla-A nice blend of Cab, Cab Franc, Petit Sirah, and Petit Verdot.
• 2024 Anya- Named after the owner’s granddaughter, it is a somewhat off-dry Vidal Blanc, with subtle floral and citrus notes.

The only other wine we really wanted to try was their Petite Sirah (also a new offering since our last visit). As luck would have it, the 2023 Petite Sirah is also their recommended wine to pair with their Mediterranean Vineyard Platter (our choice from their menu options). The 2023 Petite Sirah is a bold, deep colored red, flavored with bold dark fruit through a long finish.

Speaking of our food choice…

The Food

Our Mediterranean Vineyard Platter consisted of homemade hummus, sundried tomato dip, and romesco dip, served with cured meats, fresh celery, bell peppers, carrots, cucumbers, olives, and pita bread. Delicious!

Coming Attractions

• Sharrott Winery Spring ’26
• Hawk Haven Summer Preview Tasting
• Beneduce Vineyards Summer ’26
• Recent Gems at Allotment Pickups
• NJ Wine & Music
• Working Dog Winery Spring ’26
• A Birthday Dinner for Carol

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