HAMILTON SQUARE — Newly opened Hawk Haven Vineyards in Rio Grande took bronzes for its 2007 American Kestrel White and its 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon at the 10th annual Finger Lakes International Wine Competition in March.
Cape May Winery & Vineyard in Cape May won three silver awards for its 2008 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, its 2009 Chardonnay non-oaked, and its 2009 Riesling. It also captured four bronze awards for its 2008 Cabernet Franc, 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009 Pinot Grigio and its 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve.
Natali Vineyards in Court House won a silver medal for its 2008 Shiraz and bronzes for its Strawberry Wine and its Blueberry Wine made from fresh-picked Hammonton blueberries.
It is the only competition in the world to feature wines from all 50 states along with nine Canadian provinces and 13 foreign countries.
Jerseyans captured four gold medals including two double golds – Sharrott Winery in Blue Anchor in Camden County for its 2009 Cabernet Franc and Alba Vineyards in Milford in Hunterdon County for its 2007 Cabernet Franc.
Sharrott also took a gold for its Vignoles, a sweet, late harvest dessert wine similar to a German Riesling and that pairs well with Asian cuisine, fresh fruit and fruit desserts. Heritage Vineyards in Mullica Hill in Gloucester County won a gold for its Heritage Station Dry Rose, a blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, syrah and cabernet franc.
The Garden State winemakers also brought home 16 silver awards and 28 bronze medals. These include:
• 4JG’s Orchards & Vineyard in Colts Neck in Monmouth County won a silver for a 2005 Chambourcin and bronzes for a 2007 Cabernet Franc and a 2007 Chambourcin.
• Alba in Milford took four silvers for its 2008 Chambourcin, 2007 Barrel Reserve Chardonnay, 2008 Dry Riesling and its Dolcina ice dessert wine. It also took a bronze for its 2008 Gewurztraminer.
• Auburn Road Vineyards in Pilesgrove in Salem County brought home two bronze awards for its 2007 Merlot Reserve and its Sole Vidal Blanc.
• DiMatteo Vineyards in Hammonton in Atlantic County won three silver medals for its non-vintage Chambourcin, its Cranberry Wine and its Pasquale Red concord grape wine. DiMatteo also picked up a bronze for its Strawberry Wine made exclusively with New Jersey strawberries.
• Hopewell Valley Vineyards in Pennington in Mercer County won three silver awards for its 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, a 2008 Pinot Grigio and its non vintage Dolce Vita Vidal Blanc.
The winery also garnered seven bronze medals for a 2006 Chambourcin, a 2008 Chardonnay, a 2006 Merlot, its Porto Bianco port, its 2005 Rosso della Valle, a 2005 Sangiovese and its Stony Brook Blush semi-dry Rose.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
