Vintage North Jersey, a collaboration of northern New Jersey wineries, announces its 3rd annual Wine & Food Festival to be held at one of the oldest north Jersey wineries – Four Sisters Winery, located just outside of Belvidere on County Route 519. Take a ride through beautiful northern New Jersey and experience some of the area's fine wines and local flavors at one centrally-located venue.
There will be wineries from Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon and Mercer counties, including Warren County's Brook Hollow Winery, Four Sisters Winery, and Villa Milagro Vineyards.
Food trucks, specialty food and wine-related vendors, and a farmers’ market will have a variety of food available for purchase. Food trucks include Oink and Moo BBQ, Surf and Turf and Waffle De Lys.
Also featured are daily demonstrations by Two Sisters Canning. Owned and operated by Marie Rickards, the business started in 2013 when Rickards had a closet full of jams and jellies and no more room for the new season's batches. She started selling at neighborhood farmers markets, and eventually opening her first store in May of 2015.
Rickards started making jams and jellies because the selections offered commercially were just too sweet and so full of chemicals and additives. Today, she has more than 400 flavor varieties including her traditional line, gourmet jams, hot stuff and her adult flavors.
As a chef she understands the importance of getting in and out of the kitchen and spending time with her family. Consequently, she has developed recipes that use her jams and jellies that complement food and add tons of flavors without all the hard work. The preserves work great as a glaze or marinade over chicken, fish, pork or beef, and as a vinegrette for salads.
Also available will be food by Four Sister's proprietor and Chef, Matty Matarazzo, now in his 12th year as head chef at Four Sisters Winery. He trained under Executive Chefs Inaki Lete from Spain and Lucy Lete from Brazil and filled his educational experience at numerous cooking schools in New Jersey and Florida. Matty uses some of the fresh produce from his farm to create a number of menus enhancing traditional Italian meals into something more.
The festival includes music both days. On Saturday, enjoy DNA’s MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT, two musicians on stage who bring a world of entertainment with upbeat sounds and crowd interactions. Using the Steelpan, Keyboards and vocals, the duo creates a party-like atmosphere for all ages.
The band has been in existence for about 5 years and has performed numerous stages and events. Their musical entertainment is ever evolving in sound and image and keeps things fresh by actively seeking popular music and sounds to add to their rich repertoire.
Genres incorporated into their unique sound include the Caribbean styles of Soca, Reggae and Calypso, R&B, Pop, Latin Pop, and Jouk. All music is family friendly and non offensive.
On Sunday, enjoy local band Truth & Soul, a Lehigh Valley cover band that has been performing together for more than seventeen years. This talented musical act is known mostly for their unique song selection, tight vocal harmonies, and small but mighty horn section. Their diverse repertoire (well over 200 songs) consists of everything from the classic music of the '70s to the latest chart-topping hits.
Lead vocalist Victoria Butz has been fronting the band for the past nine years. Rounding out the rest of the group are founding members: Steve Placotaris on guitar and vocals, Bob Giovannetti on keyboards and vocals, Rich Giancamilli on saxophone and vocals and longtime friend Dave Frinzi on trumpet
Powerful vocals, accomplished musicianship, and a state-of-the-art, computer-controlled live show all add up to place Truth & Soul in a class by themselves.
The Wine & Food Festival is easily accessible from Route 80. Four Sisters Winery is located on County Route 519, six miles south of Route 80's Exit 12 and 2 miles north of Route 46.
Gates are open 12-5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.
One-Day Tickets for the event are $25 at the gate, $15 in advance, through August 10, 2016. Two-Day Tickets for the event are $45 at the gate, $30 in advance, through August 10, 2016. ($10 non-drinkers)
Each ticket includes admission, wine glass for tasting at the wineries, and live music.
Food and Wine Related Vendors welcomed! If you have unique, handmade products contact Lainie at Unionville Vineyards via email at lkepley@unionvillevineyards.com.
Participating wineries include:
Ventimiglia Vineyard
ventivines.com
Cava Winery & Vineyard
cavawinery.com
Brook Hollow Winery
brookhollowwinery.com
Four Sisters Winery
foursisterswinery.com
Villa Milagro Vineyards
villamilagrovineyards.com
Beneduce Vineyards
beneducevineyards.com
Old York Cellars
oldyorkcellars.com
Unionville Vineyards
unionvillevineyards.com
Hopewell Valley Vineyards
hopewellvalleyvineyards.com
Terhune Orchards Vineyard & Winery
terhuneorchards.com
Vintage North Jersey Wine & Food Festival
Vintage North Jersey, a collaboration of northern New Jersey wineries, holds its 3rd annual festival at one of the oldest North Jersey wineries – Four Sisters Winery. At least 10 wineries are slated to participate, and admission includes a wine glass for tasting at the wineries, and live music.