Garden State Wine Growers Association to Hold Holiday Wine Trail Weekend, November 25-27

After hosting a house full of company or traveling for hours to get to your family, this Thanksgiving stay local for the weekend and come out and visit a New Jersey winery as part of the Garden State Wine Growers Association's annual Holiday Wine Trail Weekend being held at wineries throughout the state.

Starting Black Friday and continuing throughout the weekend, wineries from Sussex County to Cape May will be hosting their own special entertainment inside their tasting rooms.

For the third year in a row, participating wineries will give away holiday grapevine wreaths and decorative ornaments to dress the wreath with. Wine trail travelers will receive a wreath and ornament at their first winery stop of the weekend, and then additional ornaments from each participating winery visited thereafter Friday through Sunday. Wreaths and ornaments are available only at participating wineries and a limited supply exists.

The diverse array of entertainment available at the state's wineries includes: DiMatteo Vineyards in Hammonton hosting a Victorian Choir dressed in period costumes to sing old fashioned Christmas carols on Black Friday from 1pm-3pm; 4 JG's in Colts Neck will have gift ideas for all of the wine lovers on your list; Jessie Creek Winery in Cape May will hold an afternoon bonfire from 2-6pm on Saturday and will also offer a complimentary barrel tasting along with any wine flight; Plagido's Winey in Hammonton will offer tastings of their award winning wines and futures along with lite fare; Natali Vineyards in Cape May will give a free wine tasting to anyone bringing a new unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots; Sharrott Winery in Blue Anchor will have live music all three days from 1:00 to 4:00 pm in their tented and heated patio and Summit City Winery in Glassboro will have live music from 7-10 pm on Friday and Saturday.

At Terhune Orchards Vineyard and Winery Tasting Room in Princeton, guests will be able to sample their award-winning wines and warm up with hot mulled wine made with Terhune's own Chambourcin, apple cider, and Terhune Orchards apples. Guests can also tour The Farm, visiting the barnyard of animals and The Farm store and enjoy wagon rides from 11am to 4pm. Villa Milagro Vineyards in Finesville will serve tiny tacos, buñuelos and other Mexican treats along with their holiday wines - Gracias and Feliz Navidad; Hawk Haven Vineyard in Cape May will offer Vineyard tours on Saturday and Sunday; Tomasello Winery in Hammonton will have their chocolate fountain going all three days; and Bellview Winery in Landisville marks the return of their "Spiceberry" on tap, a sweet cranberry wine spiced with cinnamon, orange peel and a hint of cloves while offering specialty food platters and acoustic musicians each day. At Working Dog Winery in East Windsor, musical entertainment will be provided by Williamsboy on Friday, Gregg Parker on Saturday, and Vic Della Pello on Sunday. An informative Premium Tasting will be available with the winemaker for an additional $5.00.

If you are in New Jersey, the nearest winery is never more than 45 minutes away. Tasting room hours vary by location but each winery is open during the specific trail hours- 12 to 5pm. Details of winery events and a listing of wreath/ornament giveaway locations can be found by visiting http://www.newjerseywines.com.

With almost 2,000 acres of New Jersey farmland dedicated to grapevine cultivation, and the state annually ranking in the top 15 in wine production, the Garden State has made its mark in the wine industry. From just a dozen producers 15 years ago, the Garden State now boasts over 50 licensed producers.

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.

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