New Jersey Wines To Be Featured At Basie Festival in Red Bank

RED BANK, NJ — Six of New Jersey’s wineries - plus holiday vendors, artisans and entertainers - are on tap for a holiday wine festival taking place at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank on Sunday, Dec. 4.

Dubbed "Cheers! A Holiday Wine Festival," tickets for the noon to 5 p.m. event, held throughout the Count Basie Center complex, are on sale now at TheBASIE.org, the Basie Center box office and Ticketmaster.

Tickets are priced at $35 and include a souvenir tasting glass. A $180 VIP experience for four with tickets, souvenir tasting glasses and reserved seating at The Vogel is also available, organizers say.

The event is for those 21 years of age and older.

Patrons can stroll through the Basie Center grand lobby for tasting and sales opportunities, with seating and live entertainment available at The Vogel, the Basie Center’s new performance venue.

Participating Garden State wineries include:

• Auburn Road Vineyards of Pilesgrove
• Cedar Rose Vineyards of Millville
• Terra Nonno Winery of Millville
• Tomasello Winery of Hammonton
• Valenzano Winery of Shamong
• Villa Milagro Vineyards of Philipsburg

The Tacoholics food truck will be on hand, serving Mexican fare. Fine meats purveyor Jerky James, Freehold’s Hangover Pretzel Company, Linden-based family bakery Bakers Bounty and charcuterie vendor Gina’s Cheese Corner will all be serving accompaniments.

Jewelers Touchstone Crystal, handbag creators House of Cork, bath product company B. Baths and alcohol-infused dessert makers Cynful Bliss will also be part of the festival, the Basie organizers say.

To make things even more festive, the event will also feature strolling carolers, opportunities for visitors to take pictures with St. Nick, and live entertainment featuring Christmas music classics.

According to the Garden State Wine Growers Association, New Jersey is establishing itself as one of the premier wine regions of the Mid-Atlantic. More than 1,500 acres of land in the state is operated as vineyards, the association says. Only Garden State wines are served during state dinners held at Drumthwacket, the Governor’s mansion, the association notes.

Wine Review recently noted that New Jersey wines are “on the rise,” noting the interest and increase in production of wine in the state.

For more information about the Count Basie Center for the Arts, contact Jonathan Vena at jvena@thebasie.org.