JerseyMenus.com Blog NJ's Restaurant, Fine Dining & Entertainment Guide

Garden State Wine Growers Association March Events

Join us throughout the state at Garden State Wineries:

4 JG's ORCHARDS & VINEYARDS

Colts Neck Wine Workshop
March 23rd, 2010 (Provocative Spanish Wines)
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Fee: $30 per person, per session.
Join Craig Donofrio, Advanced Sommelier (Court of Master Sommeliers), as he discusses major grape varietals, regions, wine styles, blind-tasting techniques, food and wine pairing tips and other wine-related themes to improve your wine knowledge at any level. Seminars will be held in the spectacular setting of award-winning 4JG's Vineyards in Colts Neck. The admission charge will include samplings of food and wine as well as an informative seminar in a casual, fun setting. Seminars will build in intensity and topics will shift so repeat attendance is welcomed. Cheers! For more information contact us at cnvintner@optonline.net.

Celtic Festival of Imbolc
March 27th & 28th, 2010
1:00 – 5:00 pm
Fee: $5.00 per person, includes etched souvenir glass.
Imbolc marks the beginning of growth in the Celtic Calendar. It celebrates the end of Winter — and the start of Spring. During the month of March the vines are hand pruned, waiting for bud break in the spring. Last year's canes are removed from the plants and taken out of the vineyard. To celebrate the start of Spring, we will have a celebratory burning of last year's canes to mark the start of a new growing season in the vineyard. These are great days filled with great wine, food, family and friends. We hope you will join us! For more information contact us at www.4jgswinery.com.

ALBA VINEYARD

Wine 101: From Vine to Glass
March 6, 13, 20 & 27, 2010
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Admission: $20 per person (includes etched souvenir glass)
Join us once again for Wine 101: From Vine to Glass, a 90-minute fun filled class, hosted by our nationally award-winning winemaker, John Altmaier. The more you know about wine, the greater and more lasting your pleasure. Wine 101 will give you an understanding of the basic elements and characteristics of common wine varietals and how they are crafted. Learn how to evaluate wine and identify your own preferences to take your appreciation to a whole new level in a friendly, casual environment. Wine 101 will be held every Saturday in Alba Vineyard’s Barrel Room. Class size is limited to 20 people and reservations are required. Groups are welcome and special classes can be arranged. For reservations, please send an email to AlbaVineyard@enter.net or call 908-995-7800.

GPS and Mapping programs do not recognize our address. For best directions please visit our website www.albavineyard.com.

AMALTHEA CELLARS

25th Anniversary Celebration
Every Saturday and Sunday in March, 2010
11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Amalthea Cellars is proud to present a portion of the third largest private corkscrew collection in the world! The collector has selected over seventy-five rare pieces from his private collection to put on display at Amalthea Cellars. To go along with this great collection Amalthea Cellars will be opening all of their twenty-fifth anniversary vintages. Come discover both the corkscrew display and the twenty-fifth anniversary tasting weekends throughout the month of March.

BELLVIEW WINERY

New Tasting Room and Special Release Unveiling
March 6th & 7th, 2010
11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Admission: Free
After months of planning and hard work, we’re excited to open our newly renovated, spacious and beautiful tasting room. Marking the occasion, we’ll release our newest wine, a dry red blend we call “Jersey Devil Red”. Crafted with flair from seven varieties of our own high-quality wine grapes, this wine is very approachable and well balanced, to appeal to novice and expert alike. Come on out and enjoy a glass in our new indoor seating area - feel free to bring lunch or appetizers! No reservations necessary. For directions, visit www.BellviewWinery.com or call 856-697-7172 daily, 11am to 5pm.

CAPE MAY WINERY & VINEYARD

Girlfriends Getaway Weekend
March 27th & 28th, 2010
Noon - 5:00 pm
Admission: Complimentary
Join in as we celebrate womanhood at the Cape May Winery & Vineyard, where all ladies receive a complimentary tasting all weekend long. “Shop” our tank room, which will be filled with local vendors from Cape May, sampling and selling their products, from jewelry to chocolates! Enjoy a chair massage for $1/minute; sit in on a complimentary lecture on skin care from local esthetician, Susanne Tarasachi. On Sunday, chill out in our “Ladies Lounge” where you can take a load off from the daily grind. Bring a friend; grab a glass and head over to your local Cape May Winery.

CAVA WINERY & VINEYARD

Haiti Relief Sussex County Wine Trail
March 20 & 21, 2010
Noon - 5:00 pm
Admission: $5.00 includes wine tasting. The admission fees and 10% of all sales will be donated to Haiti Relief.
Join Cava, Ventimiglia and Westfall Wineries at Cava Winery to share in the generosity of the relief efforts on behalf of Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Greet springtime at the winery with Caribbean music and snacks. Celebrate the Haitian spirit and culture, the new beginnings and renewed hope!

CREAM RIDGE WINERY

11th Annual Fiesta Festival
March 6 & 7, 2010
11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Admission: $10.00 (Includes complimentary wine glass)
Join us for our 11th Annual Fiesta Festival, a benefit event for FANA — Foundation for the Assistance of Abandoned Children, an orphanage. Join us for wine tasting, tours and a sample of Spanish cuisine. Fun activities for children including a grape juice tasting and piñatas. Wine release: Sangria. All proceeds benefit FANA. Call us at 609-259-9797 for more information.

FOUR SISTERS WINERY

Wine & Cheese Pairing
March 6th & 7th, 2010
Noon – 4:00 pm
Admission: $5
Ever wonder what to serve at your next cocktail party? Enjoy an afternoon at Four Sisters Winery pairing delectable wines with scrumptious cheese. A cheese plate will be served with four cheeses while our staff will offer an educational presentation of Four Sisters Winery wines. Cost is $5 per person. Look for other upcoming wine and food activities. For more information, call 908-475-3671.

Saint Patrick’s Murder Mystery Dinner
March 20, 2010
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Admission: $50 per person, plus tax. Tickets are available by calling 908-475-3671
Foul play is afoot at Four Sisters Winery. There has been a mysterious murder at the old vineyard and you might be the guest who cracks the case! Come join us for an evening of interactive entertainment where guests play the characters in a classic murder mystery dinner! The event includes a formal wine tasting and a delicious buffet-style dinner. Relax and enjoy the tranquility of an Irish evening. Remember not to get too comfortable though…a murderer walks amongst you! For more information, call 908-475-3671.

HAWK HAVEN VINEYARDS

Wine Pairing Dinner
Every Friday at 7pm
Reservations Required, $48
Hawk Haven hosts a wine pairing dinner, accompanied by live music, every Friday night. Each of the three petite entrée courses, prepared by a local area chef, is paired with a half glass of our wine. Learn about wine pairing, enjoy the live music and experience the local culinary talent. Live music by herbmoorejazz.com and Bill Catarini, guitar and vocals. Join us for dinner, reservations required 609-846-7347. For more information, call or email info@hawkhavenvineyard.com.

Wine Bar
Every Friday Night
6:00 - 10:30 pm
Admission: Free
Sick of the bar scene? Come and enjoy a relaxing Friday evening at Hawk Haven. Live music, wine by the glass, Seaside cheese and a warm fire, need we say more? Music starts at 6:30 every Friday.

Wine + Book Club
March 9th, 2010
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Admission: Free
This month’s book selection is Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah. The ladies discuss the book selection and enjoy wine by the glass ($5-8) and a selection of gourmet Seaside Cheese ($7.) A great night out for the girls! We meet the first or second Tuesday of every month.

Cape May Wine Trail
March 20, 2010
$75 per person, includes tastings, transportation and a gourmet lunch.
Visit all four Cape May County wineries, Hawk Haven, Turdo, Cape May and Natali on a self-guided wine tour. Transportation for groups of 6 or more can be arranged. Call for details, (609) 846-7347.

HOPEWELL VALLEY VINEYARDS

Friday Night Happier Hours
March 5, 12, 19 & 26, 2010
5:00 - 8:00 pm
No Admission
Live Music - Call the vineyard or check our website www.hopewellvalleyvineyards.com for the name of performers. Brick Oven Pizza & Wine by the glass or bottle available for purchase.

Saturday Night Music Night
March 27, 2010
7:00 - 10:00 pm
Admission: $10 Wine by the glass or bottle available for purchase
Music Provided by the Princeton Swing Collection
Brick Oven Pizza.

Girlfriend's Getaway Weekend
March 27 & 28, 2010
Noon - 5:00 pm
Admission: $5 includes 6 wine samples & complimentary wine glass.
Jewelry, crafters, chocolate, cheeses, Natural Body Care Products, etc. For more information, call the vineyard, or check out our website.

LAURITA WINERY

March Country Weekend
March 5 & 6, 2010
7:00 - 11:00 pm each night
Admission: $5.00 advance tickets (purchased before March 4) OR $7.00 after March 4 or at the door.
Presented by DJ Mark Country Music & Dancing and Laurita Winery. March is blowing in like a lion with a Weekend of Country Nights at Laurita, back-to-back nights, double the fun. Chili, BBQ chicken and pork sandwiches, chocolate pudding and Laurita Wines will be available for purchase. Tickets can be purchased online at www.lauritawinery.com while visiting the winery or by calling 609.758.8000. For more information, call 609.758.8000.

Shamrock Festival Weekend
March 13 & 14, 2010
Noon - 5:00 pm
Plus: St. Patrick's Weekend Festival
Saturday & Sunday, March 20 & 21, 2010
Noon - 5:00 pm
Celebrate the green on the first of two festival weekends! Taste Laurita’s fine wine while you enjoy a delicious array of foods for purchase from Potato Leek soup, Corned Beef and Cabbage or sandwich, Grilled Irish Sausages, Irish Soda Bread (of course!) and a delicious Apple/Oat Crisp for dessert. More information to follow. Please visit Events at www.lauritawinery.com or call 609.758.8000 for updates.

Girlfriends Getaway Weekend
March 27 & 28, 2010
Noon - 5:00 pm

More information to follow. Please visit Events at www.lauritawinery.com or call 609.758.8000 for updates.

Note: Laurita Winery now open Thursday and Friday evenings, 3-9:00 pm through April 30 and Giorgio’s Marketplace will be open to provide light fare such as homemade soups and panini sandwiches. In addition, The Allentown Art Guild will be exhibiting their Portals Art Exhibit through May 7.

NATALI VINEYARDS

Spring Fling Jazz Festival
March 27, 2010
Noon – 5:00 PM
Free Admission
During this fantastic annual event, guests will enjoy live music from Jazz Master “Joe Briedenstien”, enjoy vineyard & barrel room tours, shop with one of our many unique “Local Cape May County” vendors. Enjoy foods from bakeries to cheese shops and restaurants as well our own wonderful gift ideas. But don’t forget the best part: the wine! Sample & purchase some of our seasonal wines like beach plum, blueberry or our award winning Cabernet Sauvignon or take home one of our aged classics. Enjoy this month’s special release - Strawberry Wine! For more information call 609-465-0075. Find us on Facebook & Twitter under Natali Vineyards.

RENAULT WINERY RESORT & GOLF

Renault Wine and Culinary Classic I
March 5th, 2010
6:30 pm - 11:00 pm
ADMISSION: $69.95 + Tax
Featuring an evening of Wine Tasting and a Cheese Display and Tasting with DiBruno Bros at various locations. Cocktail Reception at 6:30 PM in the Burgundy Room. Includes a visit to the Renault Wine Cellar for a Wine and Food Pairings Demonstration and culminates in a Five Course Gourmet Dinner at 7:30 PM in the Vintage Room. Reservations required for this exclusive event. $69.96 + Tax Per Person.

CSI (CRIME SCENE IDIOTS) Mystery Dinner Theater
March 20th, 2010
Cocktail Reception: 6:30 PM, Three Course Gourmet Dinner: 7:00 PM.
ADMISSION: $59.95 + Tax
Did you ever watch one of those famous detective shows on TV and say to yourself, "I could have solved THAT case!"? If so, then you are not alone! You won't believe how two of the most incompetent detective wannabes stumble their way through the clues of this wildly funny Murder Mystery (Law and DISorder) as they try to solve the biggest crime ever to hit suburbia! Reservations requested. $59.95 + Tax per person. Open Renault Wine Bar with Liquor & Beer Cash Bar.

TOMASELLO WINERY

Winter Opera Gala
March 7 (rescheduled from February 7), 2010
2:00 pm
Admission: $65.00 per person (includes tax and gratuity)
Tomasello Winery celebrates it’s annual Winter Gala with artists that include: Sopranos Jessica Julin and Corinne Winters, Tenors Sean Arnold and Taylor Stayton, Baritones Markus Beam and Eric Dubin with Michele Scanlon on piano. A 4-course gourmet dinner, served with Tomasello wines, includes Roasted Butternut Squash Soup, gourmet Salad, choice of two entrees – Pecan Crusted Salmon or Wild Shitake Mushroom and Jarlsberg Stuffed Chicken, and a decadent Chocolate Torte with Red Raspberry wine reduction. Call 1-800-MMM-WINE for reservations, subscriber information and to indicate entrée selection. For more information, visit www.tomasellowinery.com.

UNIONVILLE VINEYARDS

Wine Tasting - Viennese Waltz
March 28, 2010
1:30 (45 minute lesson)
2:15 – 3:30 pm
Admission: $25.00 per couple per lesson
Learn the Viennese Waltz for Starters to Intermediates with the latest music in Unionville's 1858 Mansion. After the lesson, open practice follows with the instructor, Cliff Marino. For more than 20 years Cliff has been teaching all styles of Ballroom, Latin dance in NJ, CA and CO. He is a local teacher who has trained with most of the best dance coaches in North America, Europe and Australia. Marino is certified from the Arthur Murray Fred Astaire Dance Studios and has competed and won in competitions throughout the US, Canada and performed on television. Reservation and Prepayment is required — space is limited. Please Reserve Early! Our last two dance events sold out quickly. Please call the winery at 908-788-0400 and speak with Jennifer, Monday - Thursday to make your reservation.

Swing Your Golf Club and Swirl Your Wine Glass
March 24, 2010
Noon – 4:00 pm
Complimentary Golf Lessons and $5 Wine Tasting With Heron Glen's Golf Course PGA Professionals
The Heron Glen PGA Professional Staff will be holding several different golf activities throughout the day inside of the Unionville Winery and the 1858 Barrel Cave Room. Please see the schedule below for a list of the activities. Reservations are required. Please contact the Heron Glen Pro Shop at (908) 806-6804 to make your reservation with their PGA golf professionals. www.heronglen.com.

2:00 – 3:00 Titleist's Latest Indoor Launch
Monitor and Net Challenge. Driver Fittings - They guarantee they can improve your driver distance with one of their New Titleist 909 drivers, bring your current driver to take the challenge.

3:00 – 4:00 Long Drive Competition –Each person is given three shots in the competition. Prizes for 1st Place Men’s and Women’s.Prizes will be one dozen Titleist Pro V 1s for the men one dozen Pinnacle Ribbons for the ladies

NOTE: The art of local artist Ellen Veden will be exhibited from 12 Noon to 5 PM at the Unionville Vineyards 1858 Tasting Room, March 14, 20 and 28. Ellen, a PBS Producer, is inspired to capture the unusually colorful and inspiring skyscapes and landscapes of the Central New Jersey area in pastels, craypas, and watercolors. The direct, easily recognizable art comments on the area’s vivid natural beauty. Her prints will be available for sale at the winery.

VALENZANO WINERY

March Madness
March 13 & 14, 2010
11:00 - 4:00 pm
Join us for a taste of spring celebration! Taste delicious cheeses by Cabot Creamery, and of course our savory wines, including new releases: Cabernet/Merlot Reserve '07, Merlot '08 and our Shamong Red Reserve NV. You’ll also be treated to live entertainment by award-winning pianist, Robert Pallies. Buy a mix & matched case and receive a 25% discount this weekend only! (must provide copy of this GSWGA Newsletter printed out) Visit: www.valenzanowine.com for more detail.

VENTIMIGLIA VINEYARD

Haiti Relief Sussex County Wine Trail
March 20 & 21, 2010
Noon – 5:00 PM
ADMISSION: $5.00 includes wine tasting. The admission fees and 10% of all sales will be donated to Haiti Relief.
Join Ventimiglia, Cava and Westfall Wineries at Ventimiglia Winery to share in the generosity of the relief efforts on behalf of Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Greet springtime at the winery with Caribbean music and snacks. Celebrate the Haitian spirit and culture, the new beginnings and renewed hope!

VILLA MILAGRO VINEYARDS

St. Baldrick’s Fundraiser for Kids with Cancer
March 21, 2010
1:00 - 4:00 pm
ADMISSION: $10 (proceeds to St. Baldrick’s)
Get shaved for kids with cancer! Villa Milagro Vineyards owner, Steve Gambino, was instrumental in founding St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a national organization that raises funds to fight childhood cancer. Join us to cheer brave “shavees” as they shed their locks in exchange for pledges of financial support from friends and family to fund childhood cancer research. Learn more at www.stbaldricks.org. Get shaved, call 908-995-2072. Admission $10 includes glass of wine, appetizers, kids welcome. Proceeds to St. Baldrick’s.

WESTFALL WINERY

Haiti Relief Sussex County Wine Trail
March 20 & 21, 2010
Noon - 5:00 pm
ADMISSION: $5.00 includes wine tasting. The admission fees and 10% of all sales will be donated to Haiti Relief.
Join Westfall, Ventimiglia and Cava Wineries at Westfall Winery to share in the generosity of the relief efforts on behalf of Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Greet springtime at the winery with Caribbean music and snacks. Celebrate the Haitian spirit and culture, the new beginnings and renewed hope!

For more information, visit Garden State Wine Growers Association.