Oh hello, did someone say wine? Yes, it’s our favorite time of the year, winery season! The local wineries are getting ready to take on the masses as the summer season, aka drinking season, approaches. The tables are being set up outside, the grounds are being pruned and the wine is flowing.
Recently I stopped at Valenzano Winery, in Shamong, for their Sinfully Sweet Foodie Fest. Food trucks, wine samples and local artists, were perfection. But let’s focus on what matters, the wine. Like most Jersey wineries the wines tend to represent the local agriculture and are simple, porch drinkable varieties.
Valenzano does a fantastic job with their classic Shamong Red and their Berry Red Cranberry wine. Though some consider those varieties to be “grape juice wine” (never mind that Shamong Red is made from Concord grapes) I find them perfect for porch drinking. You can shamelessly toss ice cubes in the wine or make frozen wine smoothies with them. For those avid wine drinkers with sophisticated palates Valenzano also sources grapes from various regions to make their Destinations Collection. This collection is bold, flavorful and quite surprising to come from a local winery.
Ovearll the Foodie Fest was a bit quiet until it happened. A moment we all joke about it; opening the vat of fermenting wine, every Jersey girl laughs with her friends and poses under the spout pretending to drink, but not this time. This time, my friends I saw it. It starts with a shwwwww then you hear it- people laughing, a table almost blown over by the force of wine coming straight out of the vat, and the winery awash in happy juice. It was a waste of good wine but it was memory making.
Valenzano has a lot to offer a large tasting room, beautiful grounds and a variety of wines sure to please everyone’s palatte.
Valenzano Wine
Insider Info on Valenzano Winery
- A portion of their Red, White and Blueberry Sangria wine is donated to military charities, so bottoms up to a good cause. It’s also one of our faves for summer sangrias.
- Valenzano’s calendar is heavy on events, don’t miss the fireworks on the 4th of July or their Sangria Social on July 16th (which happens to be one of the Jersey Girl’s birthdays) where they will have their annual sangria competition. We want to know how to get to be a judge.
- Did your guy just put a ring on it? You can make it official at Valenzano and toast it with a glass of their wine.
- Have a Valenzano Wine that is your favorite? Now you can make it your own with custom wine labels.
The Details on Valenzano Winery
Valenzano Winery is located in Burlington County at 1090 Route 206, Shamong, NJ 08088.
Hours:
Monday – Friday 11 am to 5 pm
Saturday & Sunday 11 am to 4 pm
Make sure to visit their website for updated hours and events.
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