2021 MAKERS PROFILES
A close-up look at a few of the people, products and techniques energizing New Jersey’s drink local movement.
WINE MAKERS PROFILES
AMALTHEA CELLARS WINERY
209 Vineyard Rd., Atco
856.768.8585
amaltheacellars.com
Hours: Tu-Su 11am-5pm
It’s no secret Amalthea’s winemaker loves his place in Southern France and the diverse wine styles. To sit gazing at the vineyards, sipping wine, with “a piece of cheese and a hunk of bread,” as his grandfather used to say of his memories from his Italian peasant town. Some things shouldn’t change.
Relaxing at Amalthea by the vines, breeze clicking leaves, birdsong, and the muffled murmur of others enjoying their wine, laughter, and conversations, harkens back to the Italian and French country lifestyle. Sitting with a bottle you just can’t believe fits perfectly, so carefully crafted, oh! “A piece of cheese and a hunk of bread.”
Folks call it Amalthea’s “Zen approach.” Here the wine is the centerpiece; everything else supports that commitment. As the harvest kicks off, Amalthea will be lighting their fire pits and extending hours. Launching, toasting their longtime plan to craft elegant sparkling wines.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Premiere Legends Editions
- Carme
- Sparkling wines
“We’re continuing to look toward the future and hope to be recognized as one of the leaders crafting fine wine in the Old World and New World tradition.” —Louis Caracciolo, Founder
TOMASELLO WINERY
225 N. White Horse Pike, Hammonton
800.666.9463
tomasellowinery.com
Hours: M-Sa 10am-6pm; Su 11am-6pm
Founded more than 85 years ago, Tomasello Winery is the oldest family-run vineyard in New Jersey. The fourth-generation farmers are proud to be building upon the great vision of their ancestors by dedicating their lives to growing and producing excellent wines.
With more than 70 acres of premium vines and nearly 50 extraordinary varietals, visitors have plenty to sip on in one of Tomasello’s 10 tasting rooms around the state or at the winery. The vineyard is located in the heart of Hammonton, making it a stunning backdrop for private events and wedding ceremonies. Tomasello products can also be found in thousands of stores across the country, along with select locations in Canada and Asia. They have earned numerous prestigious national and international awards, as well as the praise of critics, chefs, and wine drinkers alike. Visitors are sure to find the perfect wine for their palate at Tomasello.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- 2016 Palmaris Cabernet Sauvignon
- 2018 Palmaris Chardonnay
- Outer Coastal Plain Pinot Grigio
“With New Jersey quickly becoming a prominent wine growing region, we’re excited for people everywhere to taste what our wonderful state has to offer!” —Jack Tomasello, Vice President
CAPE MAY WINERY & VINEYARD
711 Townbank Rd., Cape May
609.884.1169
capemaywinery.com
Hours: Open daily noon-5pm
Home to the oldest roots in the county, Cape May Winery is a staple of Exit 0. Owners Toby Craig and Betsy Sole have worked to create a unique atmosphere that can be felt as soon as visitors arrive. Winemaker Michael Mitchell carries this feeling from the vineyard into production, making some of New Jersey’s finest wines alongside Assistant Winemaker Jackson Sole. The team’s attention to detail is visible in every bottle. Stop by to taste their wines and stroll through the vineyard—life is too short to drink bad wine.
WHEN YOU VISIT:
- Educational Wine Tastings: Learn about the winemaking process, Cape May’s unique terroir, and insightful tasting tips.
- Wine Flights: Enjoy a sampling of wines. Plus, pair wines with the winery’s in-house tapas.
“I love opening people’s eyes or palates to new things. I love to take a customer out of their comfort zone and introduce them to something they may have never thought to try.” —Michael Mitchell, Head Winemaker
HAWK HAVEN VINEYARD & WINERY
600 S. Railroad Ave., Rio Grande
609.846.7347
hawkhavenvineyard.com
Hours: M-Th 10am-6pm; Fr 10am-9pm; Sa-Su 10am-7pm
Nestled in Cape May County, only minutes from some of the state’s best beaches, Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery invites visitors to discover its handcrafted wines in a perfectly laid-back atmosphere. Todd Wuerker planted the first vines in 1997, and he and his wife, Kenna, opened the tasting room in 2009 and operate the business together. Guests can visit the tasting room or make a reservation to enjoy a wine flight at the outdoor seating area. The winery offers a selection of gourmet cheese and charcuterie and hosts food trucks on weekends. Plus, Hawk Haven now ships to all 50 states— and they even offer a wine club membership.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Signature Series Cabernet Franc
- Malbec-Syrah Pét-Nat
- Bastard Hawk Hard Cider
“We are supported by a tight-knit family of long-term staff members and many great customers who have created a strong foundation for this little dream business to grow, prosper, and become a pillar of our community.” —Kenna Wuerker, Owner
SHARROTT WINERY
370 S. Egg Harbor Rd., Hammonton
609.567.9463
sharrottwinery.com
Hours: Su-Tu noon-6pm; W-Sa noon-9pm
Sharrott Winery was founded in 2003 and has since grown tremendously; it is now producing 12,000 cases of wine annually. Visitors can indulge in more than just wine—Sharrott’s scratch kitchen offers artisanal cheese plates, homemade flatbreads, and plenty of gourmet dishes. Special events and tastings are held on a patio overlooking the vineyard, and Sharrott Winery is one of the few in New Jersey to offer table service.
Sharrott looks forward to continuing to grow and build the reputation of the New Jersey wine industry. Whether you’re a sommelier searching for the perfect vintage for your menu, or you simply want to enjoy a beautiful day in the countryside, Sharrott Winery offers it all.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Blaufränkisch
- Merlot
“There is nothing better than sharing our hard work with our customers. Awards are great, but nothing is better than someone sharing how our wines played a part in one of their celebrations.” —Larry Sharrott III, Founder
SPIRITS & CIDER MAKERS PROFILES
3BR DISTILLERY
7 Main St., Keyport
862.259.5991
3brdistillery.com
Hours: W-Th 3-10pm; Fr-Sa 3-11pm; Su 1-5pm
3BR’s inspiration takes us back to Russia’s soft prohibition in 1986. Brothers Aleksandr and Maksim Zhdanov grew up hearing tales of their rebellious, moonshining grandfather, Oleg Pichenikin. Thus, Team 3BR created GOROVKA, the spirit that most closely resembled Oleg’s secretly distilled spirit. Its unique flavor comes from a rarely used ingredient: peas! Along with MENDEL, a vodka made from peas, and SOCHNY, an agave distillate made with hops and bitter orange peel, 3BR’s lineup is full of unique recipes. Stop in and experience Russian-inspired cocktails made with 3BR spirits in a Soviet-punk tasting room.
COCKTAIL RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Banya: Sweet, old fashioned style with SOCHNY
- East Side: Color-changing daiquiri with XABAHA
- Master + Margarita: Made with SOCHNY and Cornelian Cherry
“We hope to make more experimental and utterly different spirits. Craft is booming and the sky is the limit. There’s so much to enjoy!” —Aleksandr Zhdanov, Head Distiller
BLUE RASCAL DISTILLERY
8 West End Ave., Hammonton
609.878.3578
bluerascaldistillery.com
Hours: Th-Fr 5-9pm; Sa 1-9pm; Su 1-6pm
Just opened in 2021, Blue Rascal is making the best of blueberry country. Located in Hammonton, Blue Rascal specializes in fruit brandy and other specialty liqueurs and spirits, including their blueberry liqueur and wheat whiskey. Visit their beautiful tasting room to enjoy their products on their own, or taste the spirits and liqueurs at work in custom cocktails designed to showcase how both work together for a truly unique flavor. As it continues to grow, Blue Rascal looks forward to releasing new products and furthering its cocktail program in the tasting room.
COCKTAIL RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Hammhattan: Wheat whiskey, black cherry liqueur, simple syrup, bitters
- Rascaltini: Vodka, blueberry liqueur, lemonade, simple syrup
- Coffee Whiskey: Featured in the tasting room, now available for bottle purchase
“We hope to achieve success in a town that means so much to us. We’re excited to bring the vibrant flavors of the fruits grown in the local area to your glass.” —Kelly and Curtis Perone, Founders
GARDEN STATE DISTILLERY
13 Washington St., Toms River
732.359.3210
gardenstatedistillery.com
Hours: W 4-9pm; Th-Fr 4-10pm; Sa 2-10pm; Su noon-5pm
Garden State Distillery’s founders were in pursuit of the perfect drink—and decided to create it themselves. The distillery prides itself on being a true community-based distillery, both in grains and outreach. The business opened in 2020 and it has built strong relationships with local farmers to create the best-quality product. Its spirits, which include vodka, whiskey, and rum, are made with local ingredients, using high-quality filtered water and hand-selected yeast strains. Visitors can expect a full cocktail menu, plus informative tours, and an enjoyable atmosphere in each visit.
COCKTAIL RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Old Fashioned: Bricktucky Bourbon, Angostura bitters, simple syrup, orange rind, Amarena cherry
- Blueberry Lemonade: Norman’s Farm Vodka infused with NJ blueberries from Emery’s Farm, lemonade
- Pickleback: Norman’s Farm Vodka infused with cucumbers, long hots, jalapeños, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, club soda
“We believe where things come from matters.” —Richard Norman, Owner
IRONBOUND HARD CIDER
360 County Rd. 579, Asbury
908.940.4115
ironboundfarm.com
Hours: Fr 3-8pm; Sa noon-8pm; Su 11am-7pm
Ironbound Hard Cider is crafted by an award-winning winemaker from 100% fresh-pressed New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania apples. Trained by Napa wine legends Bob Levy and Robert Sinskey, Ironbound’s cidermaker creates perfectly balanced ciders, hard seltzers, and fortified ciders, which he infuses with unique combinations of locally grown and foraged botanicals. Visit Ironbound Farm’s Cider Garden and enjoy a cider cocktail paired with dishes made from locally raised ingredients—prepared on a 28-foot-tall, wood-fired Argentine grill. The Cider Garden is surrounded by 108 acres of woodlands, fields, and orchards, where Ironbound’s farm team works to increase the farm’s vitality and resiliency by cultivating an integrated community of mutually beneficial crops, livestock, and native plants.
COCKTAIL RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Original Hard Cider
- Lemon Ginger Hard Seltzer
- Lemon Beebrush Fortified Cider
“In keeping with our tagline— Jersey Takes Care of Its Own— we’re looking forward to expanding our supply network of local farmers and artisan processors who share our commitment to building a diverse, equitable local food economy.” —Charles Rosen, Founder
JERSEY SPIRITS DISTILLING CO.
1275 Bloomfield Ave., Building 7, Unit 40B, Fairfield
973.227.5333
jerseyspirits.com
Hours: Fr 4-9pm; Sa 2-8pm; Su 2—-6pm
Jersey Spirits defines itself as an authentic craft distillery, creating unique products as purely as possible. Their signature vodka, Main Street, is handcrafted from an all-grain corn mash. They also offer spirits such as Barnegat White Whiskey and Jersey Apple Hooch, a holiday spirit that tastes like “apple pie in a bottle.” Jersey Spirits also distills rum, gin, and bourbon, as well as single-malt whisky, grappa and a specialty spirit called Hopmanic.
Visitors can expect to enjoy the distillery’s spirits in the form of handcrafted cocktails in the upbeat, hip environment that is Jersey Spirits’ tasting room. The business hopes to soon expand its cocktail program into bars and restaurants, as well as out-of-state shipments. Plus, stay tuned for details on the distillery’s upcoming recipe book.
COCKTAIL RECOMMENDATIONS:
- S’Mores Martini: Vanilla bean infused vodka, homemade white chocolate sauce
- Belmont Jewel: Patriot’s Trail Bourbon, homemade sour mix, pomegranate juice
- Bee Spoken: DSP.7 Gin, jasmine, honey, pineapple, fresh lemonade
“Everything is produced right at our location, and we do not source. We are crafting products and flavors that you can taste the difference within. That’s what makes us a true craft distillery.” —John Granata, Co-Founder and Master Distiller
RECKLESSTOWN FARM DISTILLERY
2800 Rt. 206, Columbus
609.784.8046
facebook.com/recklesstownfarmdistillery
Hours: Th-Fr 4-10pm; Sa 2-10pm; Su noon-6pm
Recklesstown Farm Distillery offers its customers a genuine farm-to-glass experience. Owner John Probasco’s family has been farming in the local area for 80 years. Carrying on the farming tradition, he and his wife, Denise Nadeau, opted to pursue value-added farm products via premium craft spirits in conjunction with his normal farming operation. The family-owned distillery opened in 2019 and produces the majority of its own raw ingredients for vodka (corn and potatoes), moonshine, gin, and bourbon (to be released in spring 2022). Ben Donia, Recklesstown’s head distiller, works ceaselessly to produce the finest-quality products for Recklesstown’s patrons. Visitors can expect to enjoy a laid-back farm vibe with high-end cocktails.
COCKTAIL RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Farmstand Margarita: Made with Bin Buster moonshine (changes seasonally):
- Twisted Gimlet: Jalapeno-infused Dust Settler Vodka, lime juice, elderflower syrup
- Penicillin: Bin Buster moonshine, ginger liqueur, lemon juice, honey-ginger syrup, agave
“We look forward to continuing to introduce locally grown and created premium craft spirits to consumers through our tasting room, fresh seasonal cocktails, and Jersey farm markets. Recklesstown takes pride in managing each step in the craft distillation process!” —Denise Nadeau, Owner
SOURLAND MOUNTAIN SPIRITS
130 Hopewell
Rocky Hill Road, Hopewell
609.333.8575
sourlandspirits.com
Hours: Th-Fr 4-8pm; Sa noon-8pm; Su noon-7pm
Sourland Mountain Spirits is located on a sustainable farm in the Sourland Mountains of Hopewell, New Jersey. The business sits at the crossroads of the American Revolution, craft spirits, and farm-to-glass production. Back in 2014, founder Ray Disch foresaw the coming revolution in craft spirits. Disch had the drive and passion to create his own craft distillery, inspired by his belief that people love quality products. Working with a team of accomplished partners, Disch was able to grow Sourland from an interesting idea to a thriving business.
With his background in construction, he felt a calling to “build something to last.” It had to be done the right way … new, local, sustainable, meaningful. Those principles are the foundation of Sourland, transforming that entrepreneurial spirit into singular, quality craft spirits. Disch has built both his life and his business in Hopewell; his greatest passion is building community, starting with family.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Flagship Gin
- Gin Reserve
- 1-Year Bourbon
“Building our life here in Hopewell since 1986 has brought me rewards beyond measure.” —Ray Disch, Founder
BREW MAKERS PROFILES
THE ALEMENTARY BREWING CO.
58 Voorhis Ln., Hackensack
201.968.1290
facebook.com/thealementary
Hours: M-Th 3-8pm; Fr 3-10pm; Sa noon-10pm; Su noon-8pm
As Hackensack’s first brewery, Alementary Brewing Co. has worked to become a neighborhood staple since it opened in 2016. Founded by scientists and engineers, Alementary has spent years honing its craft to produce the highest-quality brews. The business offers a friendly, welcoming taproom, as well as outdoor seating, for visitors to relax and enjoy a local pint. Cans and crowlers are also available for purchase. Plus, the brewery is growing rapidly; its beers are currently available in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and soon New York.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Award-winning original Hackensack Lager: premium American lager
- A-Game IPA: Citra/ Centennial NEIPA
- Mr. Stevens: session porter, served on nitro
“New Jersey has a fantastic craft beer community, and we’re looking forward to seeing it grow. Get out and drink local!” —Blake Crawford, Owner
MUDHEN BREWING CO.
127 W. Rio Grande Ave., Wildwood
609.846.7918
mudhenbrew.com
Hours: Open daily 11am-11pm
Currently operating as the only brewpub in Cape May County and one of only a handful throughout the state, MudHen offers a wide variety of craft beer and cocktails, paired with an extensive food menu. Visitors can enjoy a cold beer with dishes such as their classic macaroni and cheese or beer chip nachos. Now well into its third year, MudHen has become a spot for locals and tourists alike, yet it still maintains its small-town roots. With up to a dozen craft beers on tap at any given time, there is an option for every palate. MudHen also offers indoor and outdoor seating, with four full-service bars.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- 1883 IPA (Flagship IPA)
- Nummy Pumpkin Ale
- Pumpkin Russian Cocktail: Stoli Vanilla, Kahlua, Pumpkin Liquor, graham cracker rim
“The growth of the craft beer industry in New Jersey is opening up doors for all of us, specifically here in Cape May County, in a positive way. We are lucky and proud to be a part of this journey.” —Mary Pat Parson, Director of Marketing & Events
