(POHATCONG TOWNSHIP, NJ – February 20, 2026) – Warren County’s producers of crafted beer, wine and spirits launched a passport program that rewards patrons for visiting their locations.
The program kicked off with an event at Alba Vineyard in Pohatcong, one of the five wineries, four breweries and one distillery that comprise the Warren County Grains & Grapes Trail. This is the second time the trail partners have conducted a passport promotion.
“We’re so glad we’re doing this again,” Warren County Commissioner Director Lori Ciesla said during the passport kickoff. The Warren County Grains & Grapes Trail is coordinated by County government’s Explore Warren County Tourism Partnership.
Ciesla noted that residents and visitors might know one or two of the trail locations, but the passport program will help introduce them to all the others.
While visiting the locations, patrons can enjoy live entertainment, trivia nights and other activities as well as the high quality wines, beers, and distilled spirits that are made within Warren County, often using locally grown ingredients.
“The Grains & Grapes Trail showcases what makes Warren County special,” said Commissioner James R. Kern III, who attended the passport kickoff with Director Ciesla. “As winter begins to thaw, residents and visitors alike can travel our countryside, stop at our wineries, breweries, and distillery, meet the makers, and truly experience our rural character,” Kern remarked.
From now through April 30, customers visiting the 10 locations on the Warren County Grains & Grapes trail, which are sprinkled throughout the county, will get a stamp on the Grains & Grapes Passport for spending $15 at each stop. Customers who collect all 10 stamps will receive a custom tote bag, decorated with the Warren County Grains & Grapes Trail logo on one side and the logos of the 10 trail members on the other.
All who complete the passport also will be entered into a drawing for the grand prize, a Yeti Tundra 35 cooler, supplied by LOST Goods and Gear of Belvidere, NJ, along with $50 gift cards from each of the 10 trail partners as well as from LOST and its companion store, FOUND The Art of Home. The Grand Prize has a value of $875 and the prize drawing will take place publicly in May.
Passports are available at the 10 stops on the Grains & Grapes Trail:
• Alba Vineyard, Finesville (Pohatcong Township)
• Brook Hollow Winery & Event Facility, Columbia (Knowlton Township)
• Buck Hill Brewery & Restaurant, Blairstown
• Czig Meister Brewing Company, Hackettstown
• Four Sisters Winery, Belvidere (White Township)
• Invertase Brewing Company, Phillipsburg
• Man Skirt Brewing, Hackettstown
• Little Ridge Vineyards, Phillipsburg (Harmony Township)
• Living Spirits Craft Distillery and Cocktail Bar, Hackettstown
• Villa Milagro Vineyards, Phillipsburg (Pohatcong Township)
Passports also are available at the Explore Warren office, Warren County Public Information Department, in the Wayne Dumont Jr. Administration Building, Belvidere (White Township).
Participants must be at least 21 years of age, and have until April 30 to obtain stamps at all locations and present their completed passports. The locations can be visited in any order.
Audrey Gambino, proprietor Villa Milagro Vineyards, also serves on the Board of Directors of the Garden State Wine Growers Association and said her fellow board members were very impressed that the County was involved and supporting its breweries, wineries and distillery, something that doesn’t happen elsewhere in the state.
“We’re very thrilled that Warren County and its county leadership is taking on a role to promote local agricultural products,” Gambino said.
Learn more about the Warren County Grains & Grapes Trail at the website www.explorewarren.org/grains-grapes and keep in touch with the trail on social media by visiting “Warren County Grains & Grapes Trail” on Facebook and “warrencountygrainsgrapestrail” on Instagram.
Gathered around one of the tote bag and the Grand Prize of a Yeti cooler containing hundreds of dollars of gift cards are (L-R) Art Charlton, Director of the Explore Warren County Tourism Partnership; Steve Zolnay, Invertase Brewing Company; Holly Luberto, Explore Warren; Matt Czigler, Czig Meister Brewing Company; Blake Trobaugh, Dorothy Sharko, Alba Vineyard; Amy Coopersmith, Four Sisters Winery; Nick Sharko, Alba; Erin Burnett, Explore Warren; Warren County Commissioner James R. Kern III; Tom Sharko, Alba; Warren County Commissioner Director Lori Ciesla; William Tal, Living Spirits Distillery; and Nicole Soranno-Wladich, Buck Hill Brewery and Restaurant.
Alba Vineyard
Alba Vineyard is nestled amongst the rolling hills of Warren County, two miles east of the Delaware River. Alba Vineyard is open daily for wine flights, the outdoor arbor is open on the weekends with live music and food. Hours are seasonal.
Brook Hollow Winery & Event Facility
Overlooking the Delaware Water Gap, this winery and event facility in Knowlton Township offers wine tastings, live music and other special events, a venue for weddings and parties, and wine slushies! Open 7 days a week and live music throughout the year and every weekend during the summer.
Buck Hill Brewery and Restaurant
Warren County's first brewpub, Buck Hill Brewery and Restaurant has combined American food with their own craft beers brewed on site in Blairstown, NJ. With indoor seating and two outdoor dining patios, complete with a rustic patio bar, outdoor fireplace and multiple fire pits, Buck Hill Bre
Czig Meister Brewing Company
Czig Meister Brewery is a production craft brewery with an old-world style tasting room and a beautiful outdoor biergarten. Open Wednesday through Sunday, this brewery has a flavor for everyone.
Four Sisters Winery
Four Sisters Winery sits nestled in a beautiful valley amidst the rolling fields and picturesque hills near Belvidere, NJ. It is part of an agricultural tradition maintained by founder Matty Matarazzo on the 250-acre farm and continued by new owners.
Invertase Brewing Company
At Invertase Brewing Company you’ll enjoy high quality beer, scientifically crafted with pride and excellence, in a comfortable, friendly environment.
Man Skirt Brewing
No pants, just great beer! This is a 7-barrel production brewery in the heart of beautiful Hackettstown, NJ, where you are invited to come in to taste their hand-crafted beers.
Little Ridge Vineyards
Located in Harmony, New Jersey, this vineyard offers delicious wines, amazing views, breathtaking sunsets, live music, and events on the weekends.
Living Spirits Craft Distillery and Cocktail Bar
Living Spirits started the way most good ideas do, with a question that wouldn’t quit: “What are we really here to make?” The answer didn’t come all at once, but it came honestly: something real, something remarkable. Not just a drink, but an invitation.
Villa Milagro Vineyards
Villa Milagro means place or home of miracles, and Villa Milagro Vineyards invites you to come, drink in the scenery, submerge yourselves in nature and enjoy one of man's oldest pleasures, wine!