Princeton & NE Vineyard & Brewery Recommendations

[Caralien]

I'm tempted to consume exclusively local products--in addition to what's currently in my pantry--for at least a trial period. Central NJ is an ideal location for this experiment (although SF was better from a wine perspective). Triumph is down the street, but their beers may be hit or miss. Laird's applejack is something we should also try.

The Hopewell Valley Cabernet we had at Teresa's last week was good, and I may head to the vineyard soon to try their other selections.
http://www.hopewellvalleyvineyards.co...

It would probably be cheating to return to the Brotherhood winery to pick up port, but if it's en route to VT, I think that would be considered acceptable. I've also seen roadside references to the wine trail between NJ, NY & CT.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

(NE is for North East, as I know that NJ & NY are not part of New England

)

Clarification: If at all possible, I'd like to limit the vineyards & breweries to those which can be visited easily during a a day-trip (~100 miles).

Recommendations within 30 minutes of the highways when heading north toward central VT (sometimes via New Haven, usually via Albany), or south to Charleston (via either DC or Rehoboth/Virginia Beach/Chincoteague), would also be appreciated.

Thanks!

[whiner]

IMO,

The best wineries n the North East are in the Finger Lakes of New York. A good list (though this is not exhaustive)

Dr. Konstantin Frank (my favorite in the region)
Hermann J. Weimer
Treleaven
Standing Stone
Red Newt

[comestible]

Sounds like you proposing a trip heading north...there ARE some Hudson Valley places worth visiting; the one I remember being good is Rivendell Winery. You could also get some serious wine on the North Fork of Long Island, then take a ferry to CT. I don't know the beer scene, but it's probably better than the wine scene in New England. Post on the Beer board, if you haven't already.

[zin1953]

Keep in mind that this is NOT California, although many wineries in the region may use California-grown grapes in their wines. (Look for wines with an "American" appellation.) The overall quality is lower, though some specific individual wines and/or wineries are standouts! All wineries listed alphabetically . . .

Finger Lakes:
Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars
Fox Run Vineyards
Hermann J. Weimer Vineyard
Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars
Red Newt Cellars
Standing Stone Vineyards

Long Island:
Bedell Cellars
Castello di Borghese Vineyard & Winery
Duck Walk Vineyards
Lenz Winery
Palmer Vineyards
Paumanok Vineyards
Peconic Bay Winery
Pegllegrini Vineyards

Southern Mass. & Rhode Island:
Sakonnet Vineyards
Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery (best winery in the area; best US-produced sparkling wines outside of the West Coast)

I have been to many of these; I have tasted wines from all of them, and found good things to drink. However, the only winery I look forward to returning to and the only winery I have ordered wine from ***for my PERSONAL use *** is Westport.

Cheers,
Jason

P.S. I have ordered wine from other wineries, but only for use in classes I was teaching, not for my cellar.

[comestible]

I would have recommended Frank and Weimer as well, but figured Caralien wanted to create a tour closer to the coast. The Finger Lakes are about 200 miles in another direction...

My wife and I were fortunate to visit Konstantin Frank's winery years ago, while the grand old man was still around. He actually treated us to some of his wines in an outdoor gazebo on the property. Meeting history!

[Caralien]

These were all great suggestions--thanks!