Megan Elia had such a good time at the inaugural Grand Harvest Wine Festival in 2011 that she encouraged friends, family and coworkers to attend last year’s sequel at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm in Morristown. “The wine, music and food are fantastic,” says the Randolph woman. “It’s a perfect time of year to have a festival.”
The third annual festival will take place October 5 and 6 at Fosterfields, a working farm that recreates 19th-century agricultural life. Sponsored by the Garden State Wine Growers Association, the festival showcases wines by as many as 38 New Jersey wineries and vineyards.
“New Jersey’s wine industry has experienced tremendous growth,” says Tom Cosentino, spokesperson for the GSWGA. “We’re increasingly able to stand on our own against other regions, and these festivals truly help expose residents to our wineries and the breadth of their wines.”
Admission includes a wine glass, which attendees use to sample offerings from participating winemakers. “It’s great to taste all the different wines, particularly ones you wouldn’t necessarily try,” says John Poplawsky of Basking Ridge, while browsing last year’s event with girlfriend Kristy Schuetz of Hoboken.
The festival also features food vendors and live music—all against the background of gorgeous fall foliage. But the main attractions are the Jersey wines, grape varietals as well as fruit wines. Among the favorites last year were Tomasello Winery’s Broomstick Brew, a mulled spice wine served warm; Cava Winery’s Sweet Love; Chestnut Run Farm’s Spice Sweet Asian Pear Wine; and Working Dog Winery’s Ugly Duckling blends. Full bottles and wine accessories are available for purchase.
“We love the opportunity to do an event like this right after the harvest, where we can share our varietals, talk to people about our growing season and work together with the other wineries,” says David DeMarsico, director of wine and vineyard operations at Renault Winery in Egg Harbor Township.
In addition to the adult fare, there are sand art, face painting and other activities for kids, who are enchanted by the picturesque 200-acre living historical farm. The compound has about a dozen period structures, all “kept as they were” 150 years ago, says Mark Texel, former director of historic sites for the Morris County Park Commission. “We grow the same crops, keep the same animals and bring history to life for visitors.”
Grand Harvest is the fifth of seven festivals sponsored by the GSWGA this year. The Cape May Wine Festival follows on October 12 and 13, then the holiday wine trail weekend November 29 through December 1.
“We go to as many of the wine festivals as we can and love the atmosphere,” says Gwynn Cardinal of Rockaway Township. “You meet a lot of friendly people and drink a lot of wine!”
One-day admission is $20 in advance for adults or $25 at the gate; two-day pass,$40. Non-samplers pay $5 at the gate. Anyone under 21 enters free but must be accompanied by an adult.