Six of New Jersey’s best wineries, plus holiday vendors, artisans and artists are ready to celebrate! A Christmas wine festival taking place at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank on December 4th.
Tickets for the 21+ event, which will take place throughout the Count Basie Center complex, are on sale now at theBASIE.org, the Basie Center Box Office and Ticketmaster.
Tickets are priced at $35 and include a souvenir tasting glass. A $180 VIP experience for four with tickets, souvenir tasting glasses and reserved seating is also available at The Vogel, according to a press release.
Patrons can stroll through the Basie Center’s grand lobby for tasting and retail opportunities, with seating and live entertainment available at The Vogel, Basie Center’s new performance venue. The Tacoholics food truck will be available serving Mexican food.
Participating Garden State wineries include Auburn Road Vineyards of Pilesgrove, Millville’s Cedar Rose Vineyards and Terra Nonno Winery, Tomasello Winery of Hammonton, Shamong’s Valenzano Winery and Villa Milagro Vineyards in Philipsburg.
Fine meat purveyor Jerky James, Freehold’s Hangover Pretzel Company, Linden-based family bakery Bakers Bounty, deli vendor Gina’s Cheese Corner, jewelers Touchstone Crystal, bag makers House of Cork, home goods company Bath B. Alcohol-infused dip and dessert makers Cynful Bliss will also be a part of the festival.
In keeping with the holiday season, Cheers! A Holiday Wine Festival will also feature carolers, photo opportunities for visitors with St. Nick and live entertainment with classic holiday music, according to the news release.
According to the Garden State Wine Producers Association, New Jersey is quickly establishing itself as one of the top wine regions in the Mid-Atlantic.
More than 1,500 acres in the state are operated as vineyards, and New Jersey wines now regularly earn praise and high scores in magazines like Wine Enthusiast and Wine Advocate, according to the news release.
Only Garden State wines are served during state dinners held at Drumthwacket, the governor’s mansion, while the International Wine Review recently said that New Jersey wines are “on the rise,” noting interest and increase in wine production in the state and concluding that “We believe that all of these factors are currently moving in the right direction and promise a very bright future for New Jersey wines.”