For many, Dry January has become an opportunity to reset their relationship with alcohol. While many of us over-indulge over the holidays, cutting back here and there isn’t a bad idea.
And while some choose to abstain, others just opt to change things up. Which is where the Try January movement comes in.
“At Unionville, Try January is a response to Dry January,” says John Cifelli, general manager at Unionville Vineyards in Ringoes. “The Dry January temperance campaign is a good idea for anyone who has any concerns about their relationship with alcohol, but for the wine industry’s patrons who enjoy responsibly, there’s no need to deny the joy, pleasure, and community that wine brings.”
Especially in the middle of Winter, after the business of the holidays. Which is why Cifelli and his team came up with an alternative to promote togetherness and adventure, as opposed to white-knuckled refusal.
At Unionville, Try January’s premise is simple: come in, try one of the many new wines in the Unionville portfolio. For free, with a staff member to guide your journey. All month.
That’s correct. For those of us feeling the impact of financial overindulgence over the holidays, this is a particularly welcome feature. Free tastings kick off January 12, and spaces are first-come, first-served, unless you’re a group of six, in which case: reach out to [email protected], or call (908) 788-0400, ext. 2.
Unionville will be releasing new wines throughout the month, with live music every weekend.
“Fads and social contagions are increasingly common thanks to social media, and we want to publicly declare our winery and tasting room a place where people can come together and enjoy wine in mid-Winter the same way they do all year long,” Cifelli says.
Making it a communal and educational celebration—with music—was a key element.
“Wine isn’t strictly a physical indulgence,” he says. “It is a social joy which brings people together.”
In tandem with Try January and beyond, Unionville is also throwing a few epic food and wine release parties.
“We will have a Grilled Cheese Weekend on the 24th and 25th, and Soup Sunday on February 1,” Cifelli says. “Guests can visit on January 17 for a library tasting with me. Each weekend, we will share wines that are not yet released, like our single vineyard Pinot Noir and Rhone reds. We will also share three single-vineyard Chardonnays on the 24th and 25th.”
Unionville Vineyard’s Rhone-style wines generally are some of the most critically beloved in the winery’s lineup. Here’s what Wine Enthusiast had to say about the 2023 Hunterdon Mistral Rhone-style White Blend, which it scored a 92: “Cohesive in its elements with a long finish, the Unionville Vineyards Hunterdon Mistral 2023 Rhone-style white is well made. The nose and palate reveal ripe peach and orange blossom. The palate is dry and the finish brims with toasted almond. The wine is both linear and wide on the mid-palate. It is well structured. This is a very thoughtfully made wine.”
Why did Unionville opt not just to offer several wines to Try, but to make them free, every day?
“We were inspired by Tom Wark’s suggestion that wineries reconsider the tasting fee model,” Cifelli says. “And while we normally do tastings Thursday through Monday, we decided to do them every day in January.”
And just in case you’re curious about what wines from other NJ wineries Cifelli is “Try” ing this month, here is what he says he’s most psyched to sip:
Hawk Haven Vineyard’s Cabernet Franc: Perfumed and decadent with notes of raspberries, cherries, mocha, and figs, this is a special-occasion winter warmer that would pair beautifully with roast duck, lamb, and all the ’shrooms.
Beneduce Vineyard’s Dry Riesling: Crisp and mineral-driven, this bone-dry beauty is the Winter white you’ll want to pair with sushi, roast pork, and fried chicken sandwiches.
Meadowbrook Winery’s Chardonnay Reserve: A texture-driven classic Chardonnay with notes of almonds, Meyer lemon, and saline heft. A white with a lot of personality and verve, ideal for pairing with creamy pastas, risotto, or Brie.
We can’t wait to hear what you want to try this January. Share on social media and tag us!
