Statewide Event features chocolate pairings, special events & more
Cream Ridge, NJ (January 21, 2019) – The most perfect pairing in the world, chocolate and wine will come together when the Garden State Wine Growers Association presents its annual Wine & Chocolate Wine Trail Weekend, February 9-10 at wineries throughout New Jersey.
Looking for the perfect Valentine’s treat to give a loved one? Then venture out from Sussex County to Cape May and visit New Jersey wineries that will provide visitors with special features and attractions, many focusing on chocolate.
Here are just some of the highlights for the Wine & Chocolate Wine Trail Weekend.
Hopewell Valley Vineyards in Pennington will offer a special paired tasting with vineyard made wine and chocolate truffles for sale and a select number of handmade artisans in the tasting room. The winery will also have a Valentine’s Brunch on Sunday, Feb 10 starting at 11 am. Tickets are $33.35 + tax and can be purchased at www.hopewellvalleyvineyards.com.
Four Sisters Winery in Belvidere will bring mystery into the trail weekend with a Valentine’s Murder Mystery from 1-4:30 pm on Feb 10. Bring your sweetheart for a scrumptious dinner of Chicken Marsala and Roasted Potatoes or Vegetable Lasagna. A formal wine tasting pairing tasty appetizers with a selection of Four Sisters Winery award-winning wines followed by a plated dinner, the murder mystery, a delectable dessert and wine cellar tour. The event includes a complimentary glass of wine, souvenir glass and a rose for someone special and is $50 per person, plus tax and service fee. Call 908-475-3671 to purchase your tickets.
At Tomasello Winery in Hammonton, treat your special someone to a day full of love at the Wine & Chocolate Trail Weekend. Enjoy all of your favorite Tomasello wines and a decadent chocolate fountain. On February 9th, you can also indulge in a bistro menu, specialty cocktails and live music. Tomasello Winery will also host a Valentine’s Dinner Dance on Feb 9 from 7-11 pm featuring a gourmet four course dinner and dancing. Cash bar is available. Reservations required. Call 1-800-MMM-WINE for more information. And on Sunday, Feb 10 the Winery will also host a Valentine’s themed wine bottle painting party from 1-4 pm. Tickets include everything you need to paint your light up wine bottle masterpiece.
Reservations are required, seating is limited. Call 1-800-MMM-WINE for more information.
At Hawk Haven Vineyard in Cape May you can taste eight wines paired with gourmet chocolates and then head to the crush pad for some live music. Iron Plow Vineyards in Columbia will have complimentary artisan chocolates by the Farmer’s Daughter to pair along with your wine and live music. At Laurita Winery in New Egypt there will be three vendors with chocolate products, live music and you can even renew your wedding vows Saturday Feb 9 but you need to sign up in advance at LauritaWinery.com.
Plagido’s Winery in Hammonton has a Wine & Chocolate Tasting for $12 per person that includes 10 wines and 5 gourmet chocolates. At Terhune Orchards in Princeton you can enjoy chocolate baked goods homemade in Terhune’s own bakery paired with their award-winning wines as well as a special wine and chocolate pairing of locally made chocolates and Terhune wines and live music on Sunday.
Monroeville Vineyard & Winery in Monroeville will be offering 5 wine pairings with either cheese or chocolate. $10 will include admission, wine pairing, souvenir glass and sales tax.
Autumn Lake Winery in Williamstown will have entertainment in the Greenhouse Lounge each day: Sat 2/16 George A. Johnson, Jr., Sun 2/17 John Rossi. Explore our wine list with a $6 tasting or enjoy a special pairing for $10. Bellview Winery in Landisville will offer a gourmet wine and chocolate pairing Enjoy a glass of wine and a chocolate or cheese pairing while the sound of acoustic guitar sets the mood in the tasting room for you and your special someone. They are also releasing their “Love Potion” on tap. A perennial favorite, Love Potion is a sweet blend of Cayuga wine and Pomegranate juice that will make your Valentine’s Day even better.
Beneduce Vineyards in Pittstown will offer Sweetheart Tastings. February 6-17th. Option #1 ($60 per couple) features a deluxe wine tasting for two of their handcrafted wines, including the limited production MANGIONE Super Tuscan blend, paired with locally made artisan cheese and chocolates along with a brief and entertaining tour of the winery, oak barrel storage, and equipment where you’ll learn the basics of Beneduce’s winemaking practices and philosophy. A beautiful red rose for your Sweetheart and two etched wine glasses and a trio of delicious chocolates to take home will also be part of the package. OPTION #2 is $100 per couple and scheduled for Saturday evenings only. All of the Option #1 features plus two pre-paid cover charges and reservations at a Group Therapy Live music Session at Beneduce Vineyards are included.
Old York Cellars in Ringoes has a romantic weekend of music, chocolate and wine planned for visitors. In the tasting room sample a selection of award winning wines with an optional chocolate pairing. Live music will be in the Vista Room in Sunday from 12:30 – 4:30pm you can also meet chocolatier Laurie’s Chocolates As a special treat you can get a picture of you and your sweetheart printed on a wine label to commemorate the experience. Old York will also offer the “Sweetest Tabooze” an exclusive seated sampling features a Sparkling Rosé toast and a selection of sweet and savory treats. Each food item will be paired with a wine chosen to enhance the already delectable flavors. Seatings Feb. 9th – 10th at 12:00, 2:00 & 4:00pm $50/Person.
Willow Creek Farm & Winery in Cape May will be the site for wine tastings, tapas and the sweet sounds of Camille Peruto. Hand-made chocolates by The Candy Lady or a sweet chocolate baked good from Pretty Tasty Cupcake Boutique will be available from 11am-5pm each day.
Sharrott Winery in Hammonton will offer a special tasting pairing Sharrott wines with chocolate. Wine tasting is $12 per person and includes 6 wine samples and chocolate pairing. Sharrott Winery will also have a Romantic Wine & Food Tasting with seating’s at 1:00 pm, 2:30 pm and 4:00 pm in the Sharrott Wine Bard where guests will enjoy 5 courses, served small-plate style, created by Sharrott’s wine bar chefs and expertly paired with Sharrott’s award-winning wines. Cost is $29 per person. Advance tickets are required. A special Valentine’s Night Prix Fixe Dinner is also on the docket at Sharrott Winery on Thursday, Feb 14 from 5:30-9:00 pm. Prix Fixe menu is $60 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Tickets and reservations are required. Please call the winery at 609-567-9463 (9463) to reserve your table. Seating is limited so don’t delay.
White Horse Winery in Hammonton will feature live music Saturday and Sunday, and chocolate-paired tastings from Thursday night through Sunday. Cedarvale Winery in Logan Township will be serving their wines paired with chocolate morsels and DiBella Winery in Sewell is open Friday-February 8th (2-7pm), Saturday-9th (12-5pm) and Sunday-10th (12-5pm) for a $3 wine tasting along with some tasty chocolates.
Cedar Rose Vineyards in Millville will be doing a tasting special that is $10 for 5 wines paired with 5 chocolates (in addition to the usual $10 tasting for 8 samples and souvenir glass), and will also have small dessert trays consisting of 4-5 chocolate desserts/candies for $10.
Some of the wineries will also extend the Wine & Chocolate Wine Trail into a second weekend Feb 16-17. Please check our website www.newjerseywines.com for updated schedules of events for the Wine & Chocolate Trail Weekend and for other winery events in New Jersey during the rest of the month.
For the full list of participating wineries, costs to attend, and details of the special offerings at each location, visit https://www.newjerseywines.com/events/category/trail-weekends
In addition to all the great trail events being planned, visitors to New Jersey wineries can also pick up the new edition of the NJ Wine Country Passport. Ask for one on your tasting room visit. Get the winery to stamp the page in the passport. Visit all the wineries and then enter the book into our yearly drawing held Memorial Day weekend to win a trip for two to a renowned wine destination. The passport is also available as an App.
The GSWGA is a coalition of nearly 50 wineries and vineyards across New Jersey, dedicated to raising the quality and awareness of the New Jersey wine industry. For more information, please visit www.newjerseywines.com
