Fall 2023 Issue 

ON THE COVER: Danielle Nguyen, Beverage Director at Ironbound Farm. Photograph by Thomas Robert Clarke.

Sometimes when we start planning a new issue, we’re not sure where it will take us. Stories ebb and flow. A balance needs to be maintained between light articles and thought pieces, news items and service suggestions. The food world is so dynamic, and we try our best to get our hands around it, to share the best morsels with our readers.

This, of course, is our annual “Drink Local” issue. Working our way through that topic this season, we suddenly noticed our pages brimming with women who are, literally and figuratively, shaking things up across New Jersey’s drink sectors. Click here and meet nearly a dozen women who are leading us to rethink the way we view wine—from studying and enjoying it, to buying and selling it, to the hands-on making of it. The members of the Women in Wine Caucus (pictured below) also embody that spirit. Click here to meet Drew Davis of Gem Life Collective, who is determined to change the world of alcohol-free drinking, one cocktail at a time. And then, of course, there’s Danielle Nguyen, who’s infusing the beverage program at Ironbound Farm with new flavors and excitement.

THESE WOMEN ARE CHANGE AGENTS AND WE APPLAUD THEIR DETERMINATION, PASSION, AND COMMITMENT.

On the food front, we’re honored to share the fascinating story of Ruthie Perretti, who’s aiming to change the way our region grows and mills local grain at her newly opened Marksboro Mills. And, we must point out, she turned to a women-owned and -operated architecture and design firm to help with the renovations of the decades-old building.

These women are change agents and we applaud their determination, passion, and commitment. They inspire us—and we hope their stories will inspire others.

This a good time and a good season to be in food and drink New Jersey. The world seems ripe with entrepreneurial opportunity and possibilities. And if you’re not in the business of food and drink, no worries. There’s no better time than fall to do the best thing of all: get out and enjoy it! To that end, we’re happy to present our Drink Local Guide and our Fall Destinations Guide. Both are meant to be keepsake resources to lead you to the best food and drink experiences in the Garden State.

It’s fall in New Jersey and from apples to cranberries there is plenty of deliciousness to bite into. Enjoy!

Nancy Painter, Editor & Publisher

CORRECTION: In our Summer issue, the awards package and destination for this year’s Garden State Wine Growers Association Passport program was incorrectly stated. The Passport contest winner(s) of this year’s program will enjoy a VIP experience in New Jersey wine country. newjerseywines.com

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FALL 2023 FEATURES