It's Wine Time This Weekend

Thirsty for some of New Jersey's finest wines?

The Garden State Wine Growers Association will host its Grand Harvest Wine Festival from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, and Sunday, Oct. 16, at Fosterfields Living Historic Farm in Morris Township. The price, $20 a person, was recently reduced from the originally-set $25 per person.

In addition to the $5 reduction, festival goers can get an additional $2 discount by purchasing an advance ticket through the Association's website at www.newjerseywines.com.  

Adults over 21 who purchase the $20 ticket at the festival will have the opportunity to try nearly 250 different locally-produced wines made at 20 New Jersey wineries. Like its four other festivals, the Association’s Grand Harvest Wine Festival at Fosterfields will also feature live bands, crafters, food and children’s activities.

Although not as familiar to many wine lovers–even those right here in New Jersey–as some of the more popular vino destinations, wine production has been a continuously-growing industry in The Garden State for many years. Many wineries have opened in just the last 20 years, but some–like Renault Winery in Egg Harbor–have been in continuous operation for over a century.

Patch will be in attendance. However, we also would love for you to submit your photos and comments from the two-day event. Have a favorite wine? Can't choose just one and just want to share your photos of the fun? Email Louis Hochman at louis@patch.com.

In the meantime, , in Hunterdon County.

The following is a list of the wineries currently scheduled to be in attendance for the Fosterfields event, as well as a selection of awards recently won at various wine competitions. Some additional wineries may be in attendance. Click here for the complete list of Garden State Wine Growers Association wineries.

• Cava Winery and Vineyard, Silver, D'Oro Red Wine, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
• Plagido's Winery, Gold, non-vintage Cranberry Wine, Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
• Wagonhouse Winery
• Sharrott Winery, Silver, non-vintage Dry Riesling, Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
• Chestnut Run Farm, Bronze, non-vintage semi-sweet Asian Pear, Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
• Cream Ridge Winery, New Jersey Governor’s Cup, Cherry Wine (Ciliegia Amabile)
• Hopewell Valley Vineyards, Gold, 2007 Rossa Delle Valle, Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
• Silver Decoy Winery, 2007 Winery of the Year
• DiBella Winery
• Four Sisters Winery
• Ventimiglia Vineyards, Bronze, 2008 Chambourcin, Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
• Tomasello Winery, Gold, 2007 Oak Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, World Wine Championships
• Valenzano Winery, New Jersey Governor's Cup, Cynthiana
• Unionville Vineyards, Silver, 2008 White Montage, Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
• Renault Winery, Double Gold, 2008 Cynthiana, Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
• DiMatteo Vineyards, Gold, Cranberry Wine, Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
• Amalthea Cellars
• Auburn Road Vineyards, Silver, non-vintage Vidal Blanc, Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
• Coda Rossa, Gold, non-vintage Ameritage, Finger Lakes International Wine Competition