Wine has rarely been the focus, but has long held a central place in celebrations, diplomatic summits, holidays, and get-togethers both formal and informal.
This fermented beverage, created millennia ago, but in most ways unchanged by time and technology, represents more than the sum of its parts. (Which, after all, are pretty prosaic: grapes, fermented, sometimes with added yeast and sulfites).
In addition to being one of the few communal beverages the world can agree on, wine has long held symbolic power in most world religions and has been credited as the inspiration for some of our most celebrated works of art.
Instead of leveraging wine as a quaffable accoutrement during our celebrations, perhaps it’s time we celebrated wine itself. And guess what? We can, courtesy of Come Over October.
This global movement was created to both toast togetherness and tout the one beverage humans have been using for toasts for thousands of years.
Here at the Garden State Wine Growers Association, we are excited to toast to the community of wine lovers, wine growers, and winemakers who make our beautiful state such a delicious place to be.
Explore & Share NJ Wine at Home
One of the best ways to honor the spirit of wine culture and have fun is by introducing new people to the beauty of local wine.
While many of your friends, family, and neighbors have likely sampled Chianti Classico or California Cabernet, have they experienced a Garden State sparkler or Blaufrankisch?
We find that making wine nights at home fun—by either hosting a game night with wine, or encouraging everyone to bring a New Jersey-made wine over to try and compare—not only boosts the “yes” side of our RSVP lists, but also creates a non-intimidating atmosphere that even newer wine consumers can embrace.
We also love any excuse to host a harvest party. Encourage guests to bring the fruits of the local harvest, from wine, to new potatoes, garlic, kale, rutabaga, squash, pumpkins, apples, and pears.
And hello, football season! Rethink the go-to beer and fried everything for wine and … fried everything. (Trust us, you haven’t lived until you’ve tried sparkling wine and fried chicken, Chardonnay and popcorn, Sauvignon Blanc and chips + dip, Pinot Noir + wings …)
The point of Come Over October is sharing moments centered around wine with cherished loved ones and would-be friends. Go out on a limb and invite the friendly people on your street who you’ve never actually socialized with, the newest hire at work, or a friendly face at the gym for a glass of wine, at home or at a bar.
Discover NJ Wineries
There is no one more eager to share the glory of NJ wine than the people who actually make it. Toast to them and the spirit of Come Over October at a fun event!
On October 16, solve one of the great mysteries of life: what’s the best wine to pair with Mac n’ Cheese? The team at Saddlehill asks and answers the big questions with wine educator Lisa Owen’s help. Indulge in gourmet Mac n’ Cheese from Cheese Etc. and find three distinct pairings. The event is held from 6 to 7 pm. $45.
Unwind from the week with co-workers, families, friends—or make some new ones every Friday at Cape May Winery. The Happy Hour happens 5 to 8 pm, with $1 off glasses, $2 off drink-in bottles, and $3 off carafes. Plus $8 small bites! Live music will be there too.
Go to group therapy on Saturdays. We could all use therapy! Every Saturday from 5 to 9 pm, Beneduce Vineyards holds the session we all want to attend. $10 gets you an all-adults party with live music, vino, lawn games, and delicious food truck snacks. Go now because the party closes out in October. (It will kick off again in April). Bring a friend or five. $10.
Wine Facts & Trivia
Whether you plan on popping corks at home with friends or in tasting rooms with soon-to-be-friends, here are a few fun wine facts to know and share:
Wine has been made in the country of Georgia for more than 8,000 years. One of the earliest Georgian traditions is a wine-fueled feast known as supra. A toastmaster or ramada presides over the evening, making emotional and thought-provoking speeches that celebrate God, friendship, peace, love, and children.
Wine was an essential component of ancient Greek (1100-146 BC) and Roman (31 BC-376 AD) life. The Greeks often drank wine after a meal as part of a symposium or serious conversations. Romans drank wine at public feasts known as epulum jovis and drinking parties, known as comissatio.
During the Middle Ages (500-1500), wine was enthusiastically consumed during large, open-air fairs created around religious and other holidays.
Wine helped fuel the evolution of the Enlightenment era (1700-1900), when the Parisian salon was popularized. Patrons of the arts and society would open their doors to friends and special guests. Wine was central to the educational and learning experience, which continued through the 1920s.
Today, wine seals friendships, creates new ones, and in the case of New Jersey wine, helps support a thriving network of growers, farmers, and small business owners. There has never been a better time to toast to wine and community. See you on the wine trail!
